Jump to content
Why become a member? ×
  • advertisement_alt
  • advertisement_alt
  • advertisement_alt

Applying Theory


JuliusGroove
 Share

Recommended Posts

Hi all,

Just wondering if anybody has any experience with some good books relating to application of theory.

Currently taking the leap into studying Jazz and I need some direction as I feel like im just going round in circles at the moment. Just wondering if anybody has any idea on some books regarding Jazz walking lines or general application of theory..

Cheers!

Jack

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There is a delay between study, absorbtion and integration of theory into your playing (some say six months but I guess it depends on various factors). If you study something today and incorporate it into your Jazz playing tonight, the chances are it will stick out like a sore thumb and sound contrived. Don't be frustrated, be patient. Keep learning and it will come.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Bilbo's spot on of course - there's always a delay between then things that happen in the shed and things that you play on the gig. I'd also add that lots of theoretical concepts can be grasped in an afternoon, but might take months to apply properly on your instrument - it's the difference between experiential and academic knowledge.

Sometimes you'll definitely feel like you're not making progress, but just remember that every time you learn something new about playing or theory, no matter how miniscule, that you're now a better musician than you were before.

A really solid resource for learning fingerboard shapes and relating harmony to the fingerboard is this (which I harp on about a lot....sorry):

http://www.amazon.com/Serious-Electric-Bass-Contemporary-Series/dp/1576238830

This book is used and enjoyed by many:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jazz-Theory-Book-Mark-Levine/dp/1883217040

This is a [u]great[/u] book for the more conceptual side of things and about constructing lines:

http://www.halgalper.com/forward-motion/

Other than these books, a great way to learn theory in terms of how to make sense over changes is to transcribe as much as possible. It's an art form you get most from listening rather than from reading.

Of course, there's always the great resource that is basschat - serious amount of accumulated knowledge on here.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah I know it's going to take a while for it to show in my playing, I just want some material to plow through so that in a few months I might have some idea! haha

Transcribing is something I've just got into, even just licks and stuff i've been playing for years I've started writing them all in notation. My ear isn't great so I need to start hitting actual songs and transcribing them.. Not enough hours in the day..

Cheers guys!

Jack

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you're interesting in developing your ear, I got turned onto this book by Hal Galper and have ordered it on amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Primacy-The-Ear-Ran-Blake/dp/0557609127

Looks interesting, could let you know what it's like when it turns up?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...