INTRODUCTION

The jazz language is a specialized form of communication within the world of music. To be able to express himself fluently, the jazz musician must have a good grasp of the grammar, vocabulary and structures of this language. This simply means that he must have a thorough understanding of the construction of chords and scales and a reagse; knowledge of their applications as resources which are available to serve his expression.

This book presents all of the materials commonly used by the jazz musician in a logical order dictated both by complexity and need. Some of the materials discussed are more relevant to the needs of a writer and others more useful to an improviser.

The book is not intended to be either an arranging or improvisation text but merely a reference providing the information a musician needs to pursue any activity he wishes.

At the end of each chapter is found a set of study questions. These relate directly to the text material of the precedi chapter and serve as either a review guide or as an indicator of one’s understanding of the context. Writing, keyboard ear-training exercises are also included. Obviously, these exercises are relevant to the use of the book as a text for a jazz theory course. However, the student pursuing an understanding of the jazz idiom through individual study should also make use of these exercises.

Students are encouraged to use the piano keyboard as a graphic means of visualizing concepts relating to chord and scale construction. The keyboard exercises provided are intended to give the musician a basic functional use of the piano as a tool. However, the piano should be used in all facets of the growth of either a writer or improviser for solid understanding of harmonic concepts.