I have read Berliner's book, as well. Given its large size, it is a
tome, to say the least, but worth the price of admission. The latter
half of the book is filled with transcriptions, almost all of which
really serve as annotations to the earlier text. Berliner "qoutes" from
these copiously as he goes, and you almost feel you need to sit at the
piano to read the book.
His style is a tad stodgy for me, but after some pages you get used to it
and begin to focus on the stories and comments of the musicians as they
learn their craft.
Michael
----------
From: jazz discussion[SMTP:discussion-L@justjazz.com]
Sent: Wednesday, December 11, 1996 2:10 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list dis
Subject: Re: guide tones/analysis
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
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