jazz theory

[tr3ize]

just got this huge book called jazz theory by mark levine and seriously it is a divination !!! best book ever been ever, it explain just about everything about jazz, how to improvise every chords, every progression of chords how to play in them really efficiently. Seriously go get it. i feel already like a twice the bassplayer i use to be and i've been reading that about like 3 weeks it's amazing

matt
p.s. it's about 500 pages though but with about 750 exemple so it's not that much of a reading anyway it all read by itself

[janyeno]

check this place out

http://www.outsideshore.com/primer/primer/

[docbop]

Interesting site and Jazz theory is important to be able to put labels on things for reference. The most important thing in Jazz or any music is your ear. Good improv is about creating on the spot and for many Jazz player that include changing the harmony/chords of a tune, the other muscians have to have the ears to hear it and follow it, especially the bass player.

Work on your ear, studying jazz mean lots and lots of transcribing. Not only do you learn the motif's/licks a player used so you can anaylize them, but transcribing builds up your ear. Remember every time you learn a new scale or lick you need to practice singing it to interalize the sound. The goal is to be able get an idea in your head and be able to play it on your instrument instantly.

[FunkMetalBass]

Yeah, knowing jazz theory is good, but ear is everything in music.

I might pick up this book. You can never have enough reference tools.

Thanks for the insight.

[gaslight]

It's a great book, well written and years upon years of content to study and practise.

Doesn't talk specifically about bass playing, but it is good information for all musicians. Most of the notated examples are intended for piano, so if you have one around that is quite important to getting the most out of the book.

Also has a great list of recommended jazz albums/artists/songs, as well as more specific examples mentioned throughout the book for demostrations of concepts.

A little pricey but well worth having for any serious musician.

[TheBassman238]

Well not to get off topic... well actually srcew it.. its loosely related...

When jazz trumpet playes play thoughs crazy fast impovision solos(ex: miles davis)... what the hell are they doing? scales? arpegieos(sp?)? Blue notes?... cuz i recently played with a jazz trumpet player and i really wanna learn how do do it.

-TBM

[FunkMetalBass]

All of the above. They could be doing scales, arpeggiating chords, or playing out-of-key notes.

Combine them stylisticly and play it fast.

[BassVirtuoso]

It's a good book but I didn't like the ending and the character development was kind of weak.

[Naveed Afzal]

Books like these, are good as a start... but seriously 90% of what you learn, and the things that make you better you will get from playing with others. And finding your nitch.

A Friend of mine who plays Bass, wasnt that good until he learned to slap, things came out that normally didnt come out whne she slapped, and because of that he was able to hear new things and play new things finger style. Plus he tried more things because he had more confidence.

When i started playing chords i started hearing and seeing things on my fretboard, like ive dont it before...