Book cover of Improvising Jazz

Book description

Improvising Jazz gives the beginning performer and the curious listener alike insights into the art of jazz improvisation. Jerry Coker, teacher and noted jazz saxophonist, explains the major concepts of jazz, including blues, harmony, swing, and the characteristic chord progressions. An easy-to-follow self-teaching guide, Improvising Jazz contains practical exercises and…

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Why read it?

1 author picked Improvising Jazz as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

This was the first book I ever read about jazz. If you’re studying jazz, it won’t be the only book you’ll ever want, but I found it to be an essential one. It lays out all the chord types, discusses the elusive topic of “swing,” and has a list of common jazz song forms at the end of the book. My copy has pencil marks all the way through it, because the book involves you by having you write things out on the staff. For me, being self-taught on guitar, this repetition really jump-started my understanding of the basics of…

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Book cover of Aggressor

Aggressor by FX Holden,

It is April 1st, 2038. Day 60 of China's blockade of the rebel island of Taiwan.

The US government has agreed to provide Taiwan with a weapons system so advanced that it can disrupt the balance of power in the region. But what pilot would be crazy enough to run…

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