Berklee's Melodic Rhythms

[JimmyD]

For those familiar with this book, what is the gist of it? Is the purpose to teach and improve your ability to recognize and play common rhythmic figures while improving your sight reading?

Thx,
Jim

[johnwesley]

For those familiar with this book, what is the gist of it? Is the purpose to teach and improve your ability to recognize and play common rhythmic figures while improving your sight reading?

Thx,
Jim

That is the purpose, I love the book, I have been carrying around a copy for years. It helps as a constant refresher....JW

[JimmyD]

Sounds like it's for me then. I can read the notes ok, but not so good with the rhythmic aspect.
Jim

[deforce]

And alternate picking.

[jazzguitarplay]

And alternate picking.

a true classic

[deforce]

This book took me a long way in solidifying my timing, rhythm and phrasing. My left hand has always been solid, but my right hand I never really paid attention to. From the recommendation of my teacher at the time, I intensely studied this book and boy! did I (and my teacher) notice improvements.

[willyboy]

+1
a great book that i use for all my students - outstanding for its chord progressions and permutations of 8th note syncopations. my only criticism is there is very little material on 16th notes in this, so i use other materials to supplement.

[landru64]

they're like bad jazz standards that are designed to lull you into a sense of complacency so that when you hit the tricky stuff in the bridge, you screw it up really bad.

awesome book.

[deforce]

+1
a great book that i use for all my students - outstanding for its chord progressions and permutations of 8th note syncopations. my only criticism is there is very little material on 16th notes in this, so i use other materials to supplement.


There actually isn't anything on 16ths, but then you could play it all in double time. I would have liked to see more in triplets or compound time. Also excellent for position playing and improving/consolidating your understanding of the fretboard in the odd keys.

[jazzguitarplay]

did I say focus's more on the right hand?, i meant to say to focuses on both hands, but the cool part is this, it starts with a rhythm like a dotted quarter a 8th note then two quarter notes. That makes one measure in 4/4 time. Then it gives you a reading example with that rhythm inter laced and repeated but with notes. So you get used to small clips of various rhythms, add notes and you have melodic rhythms. Of course, as you go page by page and get further into the book, the rhythm patterns get more complex. This book truly will help develop your sight reading skills

[Aj_rocker]

what about modern reading in 4/4 ??? that deals with 16th, 32th, triplets (all types), that may be the book to supliment the berklee book.

Aj

[willyboy]

one of the supplements i use for 16ths, 32nds and compound time is the bach two part inventions and three part sinfonias. they can be purchased as a collection for cheap - usually called two and three part inventions.

[jazzguitarplay]

one of the supplements i use for 16ths, 32nds and compound time is the bach two part inventions and three part sinfonias. they can be purchased as a collection for cheap - usually called two and three part inventions.

the only thing harder then reading each part one at a time is combining both parts together at the same time, since the inventions are meant to be played on piano. Classical guitar players have doon this but its even harder if you play with a pick. Also, try any Bach Violin pieces since its not divided into 2 parts. Bach is still one of the best and hardest reading challenges on guitar but well worth it. I use alot of motiffs in my playing and impro solos today, it doesent get any better. Paginini is incredible too, kreautzer as well good luck

[BerkleeBill]

Another solid vote for this book! It's an arse kicker, but it will definitely point out your weaknesses and help take you to the next level (once you overcome the hurdles) :AOK

[willyboy]

Also, try any Bach Violin pieces since its not divided into 2 parts. Bach is still one of the best and hardest reading challenges on guitar but well worth it. I use alot of motiffs in my playing and impro solos today, it doesent get any better.

excellent idea and i agree 100%

when i asked mike stern what materials he liked to use he said the same thing. i purchased bach's violin sonata in g based on stern's recommendation, as it is one of his favorites for reading and learning new lines.

[jazzguitarplay]

excellent idea and i agree 100%

when i asked mike stern what materials he liked to use he said the same thing. i purchased bach's violin sonata in g based on stern's recommendation, as it is one of his favorites for reading and learning new lines.

Bach was the ultimate jazz improviser. his apreggio inversions are total genius. You can work your entire life digesting his material. This guy must have written music 12 to 15 hours a day his entire life. Sleep very little and did nothing but write one materpiece after an other. If you can use one/million't of his ideas into your improvs/solos, it will instantly raise your level of playing ten fold. Combine modern rhythms and your on the right track