The Lobster Theory

The Lobster Theory is a groundbreaking new approach to learning the language of jazz. It’s a book of musical concepts brought to life through the use of Fishman's clever analogies, illustrated by New Yorker Magazine cartoonist Mick Stevens. Foreword by Jeff Coffin.

The Lobster Theory is a groundbreaking new approach to learning the language of jazz. It’s a book of musical concepts brought to life through the use of clever analogies, illustrated by New Yorker Magazine cartoonist Mick Stevens. Foreword by Jeff Coffin. Through eighteen chapters, this educational book shares fresh, creative approaches to the following topics: • Practicing ("Lifting Weights") • Ear training ("The School Bell") • Harmonic awareness ("Ketchup on a Brownie") • Phrasing like a pro ("The Bus") • The importance of chord study ("Polishing the Silver") • Common tones ("Dual Citizen Notes") • Keeping your solos fresh and spontaneous ("The Lobster Theory") • Hearing in harmonic context ("Harmonic GPS") • Pacing your solo ("The Waiter") • How to memorize major scales & key signatures ("Alligators, Elephants & Clowns") • Using chord substitutions (Harmonic Turn Signals) • Infusing your notes with life and energy ("The Bobber Theory") • Using taste to differentiate the sounds of chords ("Apple Chords" - includes spellings for the 60 most common seventh chords) • Two great ways to sequence a musical idea ("The Snake") • Connecting with your listener ("Tasting Harmony") • Organizing your musical furnishings ("The Music House") • Scale note selection ("The Kid and the Cupcake") • Transformative practice strategies ("Running with the Pro Dogs") Notated musical examples, jazz etude excerpts, educational chord graphs and charts are featured throughout the book to further illustrate and teach the musical concepts.

Saxophonist and flutist Greg Fishman is an accomplished performer, recording artist, author, teacher and clinician. Born in Chicago in 1967, he began playing professionally at age fourteen. Greg graduated from DePaul University in Chicago with a degree in Jazz Performance, and earned a Masters Degree in Jazz Pedagogy from Northwestern University. He is among the foremost experts on the music of Stan Getz and is the author of three Getz transcription books published by Hal Leonard. His self-published books, Jazz Saxophone Etudes, Volumes 1 – 3, Jazz Saxophone Duets, Volumes 1 – 3, Jazz Phrasing for Saxophone, Volumes 1 – 3, Jazz Guitar Etudes, Hip Licks for Guitar, Jazz Trumpet Duets, Hip Licks for Trumpet, The Lobster Theory, Tasting Harmony™ and Hip Licks for Saxophone Volumes 1 & 2 are in circulation worldwide and have been endorsed by top educators and jazz performers, including Michael Brecker, Jerry Coker, Bob Sheppard, James Moody and Phil Woods. Greg is a contributing author of jazz theory articles for Jazz Improv magazine, JAZZed, Chicago Jazz Magazine, IAJE Jazz Educators Journal, and was featured on the cover of Saxophone Journal, for whom he also writes. He is the author of the liner notes for the Verve reissue of the Getz recording The Steamer. Greg has toured and performed worldwide with his own group, and with such artists as the Woody Herman Band, Louis Bellson, Slide Hampton, Conte Candoli, Lou Levy, Clark Terry, Jackie and Roy, Don Menza, Ira Sullivan, Judy Roberts, Jeremy Monteiro, Jimmy Heath, Lou Donaldson, Harry Allen, Jeff Hamilton, Eddie Higgins, and Benny Golson. In addition to clubs and concerts in the U.S., Greg has been featured at the Concord Fujitsu jazz festival in Japan, the NorthSea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands, The Monterey Jazz Festival, and in numerous concerts in Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, China and Israel. Greg teaches jazz master classes and college workshops nationally and internationally, and is on the faculty of the Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshop. When not on tour, Greg is based in the Chicago area where he performs locally and teaches at Greg Fishman Jazz Studios. He also teaches students throughout the United States and around the world via Skype lessons. Greg Fishman is a D’Addario Woodwind artist and plays Rico reeds exclusively. “...His solos are shrewdly conceived yet delivered with apparent ease and elegance. He develops harmonies that sometimes startle the ear as he forges lines that take unexpected twists and turns...” –– Chicago Tribune “Greg Fishman dares to explore new musical heights. Every lesson in Greg’s books is a must for all musicians. Greg, you’ve done a beautiful, musical thing again!” –– James Moody