Dean Taylor
54 posts
Aug 05, 2012
3:38 PM
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Here is a brief compilation of some music study texts, thoughtfully written by insightful, intuitive player/teachers who have both mastered their craft and who have the added attribute of being able to convey ideas to receptive learners...
Although the texts are not harmonica focused the points they convey translate fairly well to just about all melodic instruments (i.e., percussion-based instruments might stand to gain less here...).
And finally, you stand to gain the most from a few of the book sections if you can read melodic music notation--and yet, learning this ought not to be off putting, especially as there is no vertical, harmonized "stacking" to contend with in your instrument. It may require a 'reach' but, then, that reaching may mean the difference between your unfolding, evolving, etc., as a musician, or your remaining boxed in and stifled. Go at this hammer and tong...
Mark Levine's credentials include both the musical chops and the know-how needed for most musicians to master the craft. His jazz theory book is a comprehensive and accessible look at harmonic fundamentals and advanced chord construction derived from scales, modes, etc. Although focusing upon polyphonic constructs, it offers, nonetheless, a substantial footing upon which to understand jazz theory (which would include 32-bar blues), the principles guiding improvisation, etc. In effect, your knowledge of all three facets of music is needful when working with other players--which will happen one fine day...
Eastern thought realizes the value of metaphor as a means to gaining a purchase on weighty, recondite matters, etc. Randy Halberstadt, too, utilizes a similar approach--think of an intuitive stream of consciousness as a means to musical insight--in conveying a complex of ideas (that's 'complex', and not 'complicated') in knowing, broad strokes. And this, the better to stimulate your learning juices...Get this book! (you can thank me later...).
Professor David Baker, current chair of the Dept. of Jazz Studies, Indiana U., has provided the music community with an invaluable aid to exploring the Lydian method of tonal organization as taught and practiced by George Russell (more on that exceedingly important and relevant topic here --scroll down to my posts on Russell).
It is a series of single note études which offer the advancing musician an opportunity to explore the simplest jazz passages, assimilate, and move on to more complex--yet still accessible--jazz-inflected ideas. It is most definitely a tool harp player's will want to work through. Buy this book as well!
all texts available at Amazon or Sheet Music Plus (the Baker text):
Halberstadt's text
Baker's text
Levine's text
"when the student is ready the teacher will appear" Zen proverb...
Last Edited by on Aug 05, 2012 3:41 PM
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