Jazz improvising theory: The Jazz Theory Book Review

You are reading my uncensored review of what I really think of The Jazz Theory Book by Mark Levine.

Why am I writing this? Well, when I was thinking of buying this book, there wasn’t many real reviews around. Most of them were quiet vague and never explained in detail what is inside.

So, I thought I’d do a quick write-up to help any of you who are interested in improving your understanding of jazz harmony and jazz improvising.

My first impressions of The Jazz Theory Book:

The book is very clearly laid out starting from basic jazz theory and slowly taking the student to even the most involved ideas.

Starting from intervals, taking a look at how they are used in jazz compositions and jazz improvising, the author goes into what I believe is the simplest, yet most effective, discussion of the major scale and its modes. Most importantly, he gives REAL examples from some of the most well-known recordings in the jazz tradition.

And this is just the beginning…in the chapters that follow, Mark Levine discusses melodic minor scale harmony, the diminished scale and the whole tone scale, providing examples and very effective methods to practice and gradually incorporate them into your improvisation.

In the book, you will also find the most advanced concepts of jazz improvising: from bebop scales to playing “outside”; from pentatonic scales to how to play a blues; from basic chord substitution to the most sophisticated concepts of jazz reharmonization.

The book ends with a fantastic discussion on song form and jazz composition, also providing the student with insights on how to read a jazz lead sheet, how to memorize a tune and how to work on your repertoire.

Finally, The Jazz Theory Book explores Latin rhythms and styles that any jazz musician should, at least, be aware of.

What The Jazz Theory Book has helped me achieve:

I spent two years studying the whole book, literally page by page.

When I first started, I already had quite a good understanding of jazz theory and jazz improvising but I still had tons and tons of questions and doubts in my mind.

So I took the time to read carefully the content of this spectacular book, practicing the examples on the guitar (yes I am a guitarist) and on the piano as well.

Slowly, I started to feel more confident while soloing, as my understanding of jazz improvising got deeper and deeper. I gradually started to move away from jazz patterns (that I still love studying…) and to develop my own sound.

It was a really, really intensive and long journey but it was definitely worth it.

Today, I am busy with gigs, projects, marketing and tons of other things. However, I keep working on my jazz improvising skills going back to the book now and then…

In just one sentence, The Jazz Theory Book helped me achieve confidence in both jazz improvising and jazz composition.

The top 5 things that I learned from The Jazz Theory Book:

It is rather challenging to list just five things that I learned using the Jazz Theory Book.

However, these are the most important:

1) An in-depth knowledge of scales and modes and how they are used in jazz improvising

2) Eventually all my doubts in jazz harmony disappeared. Today, I have quite an understanding of jazz harmony which I find really important when it comes to both soloing on the guitar or write a new tune.

3) I learned how to use jazz patterns while playing thematically, using sequences, imitation, extension in my soloing.

4) I learned how to reharmonize tunes on the spot and never repeat myself.

5) The book gave me an incredible momentum and solid fundamentals to continue my research in jazz composition and arranging

What I find most useful about The Jazz Theory Book:

The use of practical examples taken from recordings that Mark Levine himself has studied during his career a jazz musician and instructor.

In the Jazz Theory Book, you will find examples from Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Mulgrew MIller, Miles Davis Kenny Barron to just name a few...

Most importantly, the book is written by a jazz musician who has played in the real world and is meant to simplify rather than complicate, the life of real musicians. It is both an in-depth discussion of jazz theory and harmony and a practical guidebook to go back to any time you need to.

Who would benefit from purchasing The Jazz Theory Book:

ANYBODY who is looking for a SOLID background on jazz harmony and jazz improvising.

Both newbies AND more advanced players will benefit from carefully studying the book.

If you are interested in jazz composition, The Jazz Theory Book is where you will get your foundations from.

Negatives about The Jazz Theory Book:

The book could be improved adding a CD with excerpts from the examples provided.

On the other hand, throughout the book, references are provided for the motivated student.

Additional skills or tools needed to get the most out of The Jazz Theory Book:

The book requires basic reading skills and is designed for intermediate to advanced players. Basic piano skills will certainly help but are not essential.

The student will need access to the recordings the author refers to throughout the book.

My final words about The Jazz Theory Book:

The Jazz Theory Book is unquestionably the jazz theory bible!

ANY jazz musician should own it !!

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