Creative Beginnings: An Introduction to Jazz Improvisation » (1st Edition)

Designed for beginning and intermediate students of jazz improvisation, Creative Beginnings is a comprehensive and enjoyable course of study for high school and college students, as well as adult beginners. Special features include:. Chapters devoted to specific chord progressions and scales frequently encountered in jazz improvisations. Each chapter contains an explanation of jazz theory that assumes little prior knowledge, warm-up exercises to enable the student to gain facility with these scales, and a jazz composition in which to practice improvisation. All warm-up exercises and compositions are transposed for treble-clef, B-flat, E-flat, and bass-clef instruments, allowing for simultaneous usage in a classroom or jazz ensemble setting, as well as for private instruction. Rhythm section parts are provided for all compositions.

The book can be purchased as a paperback, or a paperback and CD combination. The accompaniments to the warm-up exercises and compositions are contained on a companion CD play-along recording, making practice a fun and inspirational experience. Additional chapters include "Whom to Listen To," "How to Practice and Improvise," "Jazz Rhythms," "Basic Music Theory," and "Jazz Theory."

I. GETTING STARTED.

1. How to Practice and Improvise.

2. Whom to Listen To.

3. Jazz Rhythms.

II. IMPROVISING IN MAJOR KEYS.

4. Major Scales and Major 7th Chords.

5. Mixolydian and Bebop 7th Scales and Dominant 7th Chords.

6. Dorian Scales and Minor 7th Chords.

7. The ii - V - I Progression.

III. FORMS.

8. The Blues Form and the Blues Scale.

9. Sectional Forms and Rhythm Changes.

IV. IMPROVISING IN MINOR KEYS.

10. The I Chord in Minor; Melodic, Harmonic, and Natural Minor Scales.

11. The ii - V - I Progression in Minor; Locrian and Superlocrian Scales.

V. OTHER SCALES.

12. Pentatonic Scales.

13. Diminished Scales and Diminished Chords.

VI. MUSIC THEORY.

14. Basic Music Theory.

15. Jazz Theory.

Index.