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A Cool Approach to Jazz Theory
A Beginner's Guide to Understanding Jazz Harmony
by Erica von Kleist
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Overview


*** If ordering multiple (25+) copies for a school, store, or music camp, email Erica directly at erica@ericavonkleist.com for a discount***

Finally, a theory book for beginning improvisers! A Cool Approach to Jazz Theory is a fun and easy guide through the foundations of jazz harmony, covering concepts like chord progressions, chord symbols, transposing melodies and outlining harmony. It is a perfect tool for anyone hoping to play solos in band, or for teachers to use as a resource for teaching jazz or pop theory to their students.

Check out the new commercial!

Read more

Description


A Cool Approach to Jazz Theory guides teachers and students alike through key concepts that help lay the foundation of a good understanding of jazz theory: 

  • Transposing melodies
  • Deciphering chord symbols
  • Building and outlining triads and seventh chords
  • Extensions and alterations
  • Using scales and chords together 

This book is fun and accessible, and can be used in private or group lessons, or on its own.

A Cool Approach to Jazz Theory is great for:

  • Middle school, high school and college students who want to solo in jazz band
  • Adults who want to learn more about chord harmony
  • Private teachers who need a resource to share with students
  • Band directors who want to teach theory but lack time and resources to do so

All examples in this book are in both treble and bass clef making it easy for all instrumentalists to grasp the material. Included at the end of every chapter are exercises with an answer key and other resources in the back. 

A Cool Approach to Jazz Theory makes the study of chord harmony fun and enjoyable, and our illustrated character Ollie the Jazz Cat is there to help you along the way!

Read more

About the author


Multi-instrumentalist and jazz educator Erica von Kleist has worked with students of all ages on improvisation, theory and woodwind doubling. A graduate of the Juilliard School, Erica has been a clinician at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Stanford University, and has toured and recorded with countless jazz luminaries such as Wynton Marsalis, Paquito D'Rivera and Arturo Sandoval. Currently living in Whitefish, Montana, Erica manages several arts-related projects and travels regularly for performance and education work. She is also the recipient of the Martin E. Segal Award from Lincoln Center, several ASCAP young jazz composer awards, and has released several albums as a bandleader.
Read more

Book details

Genre:MUSIC

Subgenre:Genres & Styles / Jazz

Language:English

Pages:66

Paperback ISBN:9781543997149


Overview


*** If ordering multiple (25+) copies for a school, store, or music camp, email Erica directly at erica@ericavonkleist.com for a discount***

Finally, a theory book for beginning improvisers! A Cool Approach to Jazz Theory is a fun and easy guide through the foundations of jazz harmony, covering concepts like chord progressions, chord symbols, transposing melodies and outlining harmony. It is a perfect tool for anyone hoping to play solos in band, or for teachers to use as a resource for teaching jazz or pop theory to their students.

Check out the new commercial!

Read more

Description


A Cool Approach to Jazz Theory guides teachers and students alike through key concepts that help lay the foundation of a good understanding of jazz theory: 

  • Transposing melodies
  • Deciphering chord symbols
  • Building and outlining triads and seventh chords
  • Extensions and alterations
  • Using scales and chords together 

This book is fun and accessible, and can be used in private or group lessons, or on its own.

A Cool Approach to Jazz Theory is great for:

  • Middle school, high school and college students who want to solo in jazz band
  • Adults who want to learn more about chord harmony
  • Private teachers who need a resource to share with students
  • Band directors who want to teach theory but lack time and resources to do so

All examples in this book are in both treble and bass clef making it easy for all instrumentalists to grasp the material. Included at the end of every chapter are exercises with an answer key and other resources in the back. 

A Cool Approach to Jazz Theory makes the study of chord harmony fun and enjoyable, and our illustrated character Ollie the Jazz Cat is there to help you along the way!

Read more

About the author


Multi-instrumentalist and jazz educator Erica von Kleist has worked with students of all ages on improvisation, theory and woodwind doubling. A graduate of the Juilliard School, Erica has been a clinician at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Stanford University, and has toured and recorded with countless jazz luminaries such as Wynton Marsalis, Paquito D'Rivera and Arturo Sandoval. Currently living in Whitefish, Montana, Erica manages several arts-related projects and travels regularly for performance and education work. She is also the recipient of the Martin E. Segal Award from Lincoln Center, several ASCAP young jazz composer awards, and has released several albums as a bandleader.
Read more

Book Reviews

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Gregory
A Cool Approach to Jazz Theory There is a difference between 17th century classical theory and modern jazz theory. Erica has captured a way to introduce jazz harmony, as the title says, in a cool way. I will highly recommend this book to my classical theory students. Greg Knowles Theory Faculty The Juilliard School Read more
Merle
A Cool Approach to Jazz Theory This book is a must have for teacher and student alike. I found the examples and exercises helpful in reinforcing the constructs. Read more