Endorsed by Jamey Aebersold, James Moody, Dave Liebman, and others, The Jazz Theory Book presents all the information any student of jazz needs in an easy-to-understand, yet thorough, manner. For intermediate to advanced players, and written by one of the acknowledged masters of jazz, it is used by universities around the world.
The Jazz Theory Book
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
30 of 32 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Spiral-bound
This book is, quite simply, unbelieveable. Containing anything and everything there is to know about Jazz Theory, its name is indeed suitable. I have used it for some time now, and have recmmended it to many people involved in Jazz with myself, and it never lets anyone down. There are parts of this book that you mat never use, it's that comprehensive!
If you do Jazz, get this book.
37 of 40 people found the following review helpful
By lexo1941
Format:Spiral-bound|Amazon Verified Purchase
After nineteen years of kidding myself that I was an okay guitar player, I splashed out on 'The Jazz Theory Book' in the hope that if I read and absorbed it, I might finally be able to comp along with my Bud Powell CDs. The first thing I learned was that, by the time I finish this book, I will be able to have a go. The second thing I learned is that it will take me years to finish this book.
Levine is a gifted teacher; he introduces each new thing step by step, working up from simple scales (even I was familiar with the stuff in the first 50 pages) to more complex ones, reharmonisation, modal playing, altered chords and all the other stuff that people spend a lifetime getting to know. At each step, there are none of the sudden leaps in assumed knowledge that I've found in other instruction books. All the way along he demonstrates how what appears to be an unclimbable mountain of knowledge is in fact just a really big hill, by showing how different areas of the music are in fact based on similar principles.
Levine assumes that you can read music (if you can't, this book is of little use to you) and also seems to assume that you have access to some kind of tuition, which is not the case with me, but I'm managing without it so far. Especially useful for the jazz newbie are the lists of standard tunes and recommended listening. Levine has a definite leaning towards hard bop (he's teaching you to play the music that was in its most creative period between 1945 or so and 1967) and the chapter on blues seems a bit skimpy to me - if you've never listened to blues, you're going to need to do more than just check out B.B. King to get a handle on it, although that'd be a start. But these are just quibbles. This is a mighty volume and I'm sure it must make a lot of Sher's other publications a bit redundant. Excellent stuff. I've only had it for a couple of weeks and already my playing has improved beyond measure.
Levine is a gifted teacher; he introduces each new thing step by step, working up from simple scales (even I was familiar with the stuff in the first 50 pages) to more complex ones, reharmonisation, modal playing, altered chords and all the other stuff that people spend a lifetime getting to know. At each step, there are none of the sudden leaps in assumed knowledge that I've found in other instruction books. All the way along he demonstrates how what appears to be an unclimbable mountain of knowledge is in fact just a really big hill, by showing how different areas of the music are in fact based on similar principles.
Levine assumes that you can read music (if you can't, this book is of little use to you) and also seems to assume that you have access to some kind of tuition, which is not the case with me, but I'm managing without it so far. Especially useful for the jazz newbie are the lists of standard tunes and recommended listening. Levine has a definite leaning towards hard bop (he's teaching you to play the music that was in its most creative period between 1945 or so and 1967) and the chapter on blues seems a bit skimpy to me - if you've never listened to blues, you're going to need to do more than just check out B.B. King to get a handle on it, although that'd be a start. But these are just quibbles. This is a mighty volume and I'm sure it must make a lot of Sher's other publications a bit redundant. Excellent stuff. I've only had it for a couple of weeks and already my playing has improved beyond measure.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Spiral-bound
I will avoid repeating what other reviewers have said and add only this. If you want a comprehensive book about jazz theory, this is it. Its all in here. Its the only one you will need to buy so it is a highly cost effective purchase. It is presented in an accessible way and is easy to follow. Mine has sat on my piano since I got it 5 years ago and is unlikely to leave there in the forseeable future. I whole-heartedly recommend it to all instrumentalists interested in music theory and insist all my students get a copy.
If you are not a card-carrying jazzer then don't worry. 99% of this stuff is totally transferable to other genres of music.
If you are not a card-carrying jazzer then don't worry. 99% of this stuff is totally transferable to other genres of music.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Same easy going but pro format as the Jazz Piano Book
You really have no excuses if you have not got a good handle on Jazz Theory after methodically working through this.
Published 2 months ago by Rick London
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent book
Excellent book from mark levine. It is a bible for all musicians who want to learn more about jazz music. In my opinion he covers almost any aspect of jazz theory
Published 2 months ago by iou
5.0 out of 5 stars
Jazz Theory.
All the theory you need to last a lifetime playing jazz. Includes guidance with practise to become fluent in the required scales and modes to meet all situations.
Published 3 months ago by Peter Lammyman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Detailed Simplified Teaching of Jazz
This book demystifies jazz. It is detailed and jazz theory is presented in a very simple way that anybody can follow. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Paul
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good, but only a step towards the better book by far
If you have managed to find this book, and are comfortable with modes and changes etc then the next step is the Lydian Chromatic Concept by George Russell. Read more
Published 15 months ago by R. G. Bedwell
5.0 out of 5 stars
It's a monster
Bought this years ago as I wanted to understand the relationship between chords, scales and modes etc and how the mind of an improviser works. Read more
Published 15 months ago by listenclear
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Reference Book
This is a great Jazz Book. Mark Levine has been around a long time and has written a few books but this one is the best. I've got the Jazz Piano Book. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Steve UK
4.0 out of 5 stars
Agreement with everyone else here pretty much
I agree with pretty much every review of this book on Amazon. I've found the book to be a real eye opener and I've started enjoying listening to solos more as reading this book has... Read more
Published 18 months ago by CC
1.0 out of 5 stars
Far too 'academic' in approach
I finally got round to burning my old copy of this book today . Never really used it . It's just such a dreadfully dull read . How to learn jazz is learn songs . Read more
Published 23 months ago by Mr. C. James
3.0 out of 5 stars
confused
Having had this book recommended by jazzers who confused me, this book backs up my utter confusion of the world of playing jazz. I'm sure it's good for many but not me. Read more
Published on 25 Sep 2010 by K. Maciver
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