Jazz Improvisation: A Linear Method, Book I
by Ed Byrne
Traditionally, musicians
such as Louis Armstrong based their improvisations on the melody and its
rhythms. Jazz improvisation is best
viewed as a melodic and rhythmic concept, rather than merely a harmonic one. Melodic ornamentation was the initial stage
in the development of jazz. Traditional melodic and rhythmic ornamentation will
be applied in a modern context. The
object is to learn how to base improvisations on the composition’s salient
elements: melody, guide-tone lines,
root progression, and rhythmic motives (all lines). Examples will be analyzed before you apply these techniques. We begin by reducing and simplifying the
melody and its rhythms for ease in memorization and to achieve a better
understanding of the composition, then we shall systematically apply chromatic
targeting that modifies and enhances the essential melody notes. This method will provide a firm foundation
for meaningful improvisation in the most direct manner conductive to rapid
improvement.
Veteran performing
artist, composer, arranger, educator and author Ed Byrne (See Biography) has
created a new systematic approach to improvisation that emphasizes the
development of traditional melodic and rhythmic elements found in the
composition at hand.
JAZZ IMPROVISATION: A LINEAR METHOD--BOOK I is
currently available via e-mail for $35.00.
·
Ed’s Linear Method is the perfect educational
vehicle for all jazz, classical, rock or pop musicians who are serious about
improving their improvisational skills, and applying these skills to contemporary
idioms.
·
Learn to create meaningful
improvisations in any style, based on essential compositional elements.
·
Learn quickly using a focused
and easily understood method, with no unnecessary terminology or symbols.
·
Jazz Improvisation:
A Linear Method coming soon: Books
II-V with companion CDs with which to practice exercises for all instruments
(C Treble clef, C Bass Clef, Bb, and Eb) in all keys.
·
Jazz Improvisation:
A Linear Method is also used in combination with
other methods, such pentatonics, motivic development, and chord scales.
·
Jazz Improvisation:
A Linear Method develops one’s ears: tonal memory and extends the vocabulary.
·
Jazz Improvisation:
A Linear Method enables the student to develop in
the most direct and rapid fashion.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
1 .MELODY REDUCTION AND COMPRESSION, RHYTHM SIMPLIFICATION
2. CHROMATIC TARGETING
3. GUIDE-TONE LINES
4. BLUES
5. RHYTHM REDUCTION
AND PERMUTATION
6. PITCH
COLLECTIONS
7. SCALES DERIVED
FROM KEYS
PRIVATE
LESSONS on voice or any instrument are
available in Ed’s studio in Greenfield, MA
LESSONS
BY MAIL are also available for those
who are too far away to commute. Mail
lessons are personalized by using a cassette tape, which is sent back and
forth.
