Hello world of TGP... I just had a question about jazz books... I've seen lots of books and heard a lot about them, but which one is best to you? I'm leaning towards getting either Jazzology by Robert Rawlins, Jazz Composition: Theory and Practice by Ted Pease (Berklee), or The Jazz Theory Book by Mark Levine. Which one pf these is best? Is there an even better one than the three? It would be much appreciated if some would take the time to reply. Thanks -The_Spirit_Of_Radio
I would grab Hal Crook's "How to Improvise" and "How to Comp" or "Ready, Aim, Improvise" before those titles.
I would definitely go with The Jazz Theory Book by Mark Levine. But you can never have too many books about jazz and improvising.
I really got a lot out of Jody Fisher's 2 books...Mastering Jazz Improvisation and Mastering Chord Melody, both with CD's.
Probably 'the best' is Thinking in Jazz by Paul Berliner. It's not a method book or improvisation guide but it does describe exactly how the real cats learned to play.
