What are some of the best recommended Jazz books to pick up?

Champloo · New Member Joined: 09 Oct 2019 Posts: 5 Location: Raleigh

Hello,

I am new to the sub and am wondering, what elementary jazz books would be good for a beginner in jazz? I am looking to learn on my own for now and I am comfortable with theory.
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Champloo

robbo · Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2019 3:46 pm Post subject:

Hi Champloo,

Here's a clip that I put together a while back that demonstrates the approach that I recommend.

I just started a new jazz student 2 months back (15 years old), and I'm once again delighted and amazed how much progress someone can make in a short space of time. This student didn't even know what "the 3rd of a chord" meant, let alone how to use it.
But..., against much opinion I don't believe in sending a student out to "make a story" from the early stages, when they've not developed some comfort around the chords.

Anyway, I invite you to take a look and see what you think.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TDbJ5_7pj0

Rob
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Turkle · Posted: Sat Oct 12, 2019 7:58 am Post subject:

The book that really got me where I needed to be was Coker's "Patterns for Jazz." https://www.amazon.com/Patterns-Jazz-Theory-Composition-Improvisation/dp/0898987032 Hardly the most exciting piece of material but an indispensable resource. Drill out of that for a few years and you'll have a rock-solid foundation for anything else you do.

I'd also recommend TH's own Rich Willey's "We're Talkin' Bebop" which you can buy here - https://www.boptism.com/boptism-music-store/talkin-bebop-trumpet-treble-clef-instruments-rich-willey/ - and in fact, Rich Willey has a host of materials that are great resources. I also loved his ii-V-1 books which were so, so helpful for me as I started to grapple with altered chord changes and minor lines. I still open them up from time to time for inspiration... I mean ideas to steal.

Good luck!
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TrumpetMD · Posted: Sat Oct 12, 2019 11:38 am Post subject:

Turkle · Posted: Sat Oct 12, 2019 3:08 pm Post subject:

Also, this poster is clearly a 5-post and marketplacer so.... Joke's on us.
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TrumpetMD · Posted: Sat Oct 12, 2019 5:43 pm Post subject:

theslawdawg · Posted: Sat Oct 12, 2019 6:04 pm Post subject:

Hugh Anderson · Veteran Member Joined: 22 Sep 2011 Posts: 398

Learn some licks and you’ll know some jazz; learn some scales and you’ll know some scales. You need both.

kehaulani · Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2019 11:37 am Post subject:

Improvising Jazz by Jerry Coker. Concise primer but a good overview of where you need to go.

Aebersold Vol 1 and 2. And Vol. 54 for fun and to start putting it together. Then Vol. 3 to continue on.

Patterns for Jazz, also by Coker, when you have the chops.

I personally liked Jazz Improvisation: The Goal Note Method by Shelton Berg but has a fast learning curve. I would say more for intermediates.

But don't neglect your ear training, especially in singing along with solos and heads. It helps you internalize the feel without the added challenges of using your instrument.
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