Re: guide tones/analysis
RWMURRAY@am.pnu.com
Wed, 11 Dec 1996 15:39:11 -0500
Not to take anything away from Bert Ligon's book and the discussion
on solo analysis, I wanted to mention another book: Thinking in
Jazz-The Infinite Art of Improvisation by Paul F. Berliner
I may be straying from the discussion a bit but this book was an eye
opener for me, a beginning improvisor. It discusses the process and
thinking behind improvisation and ensemble playing as told to the
author by various known and lesser known players. Now, that kind
of anecdotal description of a nonverbal process may be suspect in
light of possible misinformation from some players, but he backs up
his points with numerous transcriptions. What was inspiring to me
were the stories of some great players when they were starting out
(like Tommy Flanagan). By their own descriptions they were not
great. But by practice, learning and transcribing they gradually
became great. Anybody else read this book?
Bob Murray
Kalamazoo, MI