Can someone point me toward some free online jazz theory lessons. Ive searched for a long time without results and I dont have enough money to buy books yet. I just need a resource that can get me started with Jazz theory.

Also, can someone help me with minor versions of the 7 modes? I used my knowledge of theory to create minor (b3, b6, b7) versions of the Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, and Locrian modes that span the fretboard.

http://www.jazz-theory.co.uk/

http://www.jazz-theory.co.uk/

Holy reviving dead threads batman! :ninja:

Just got a question or two about jazz theory.

I have a basic understanding of classic theory. Now I'm looking to learn some jazz theory to round out my playing a bit.

What major differences will I notice in the begining with classic theory and jazz?
Are there certain things I should "ignore" about classic theory when studying jazz?
If a bass falls in the woods, does it make a sound?


Thanks guys!

-Troy :bassist:

One of the big differences is the quality of chords is expressed differently in classical music theory than in jazz and that's just for ease of sight reading.

C: ii7 V7 I classical= IImin7 V7 I jazz <- All capital letters for the root with a Maj, Min, Dim, Aug or Min7 b5 to describe the chord's quality.

Also, secondary dominants are not written out like classical theory would suggest:

Cmin: V7/V > V7 > i classical = II7 > V7 > i jazz

Maybe these links may help you out:

~Jazz
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9859 Learning
http://www.outsideshore.com/primer/primer/index.html Improvization Primer (Book/Online)
http://www.finerethan.wordpress.com/ Theory, soloing, videos by Ethans1980
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=522578 Walking bass lines examples
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=502252 Walking bass lines books
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=482544 Jazz Scales
http://www.jazzstandards.com/history/index.htm History of Jazz

The theory is very important but transcription separates the boys from the men.

Take a simple Ray Brown bass line, transcribe it bar by bar, write it out with chord symbols over each bar, and analyze all the funny business.

Repeat til walking basslines make sense.


Wanna learn how to solo? Do the same thing with a Miles solo.


I recommend these two cats because the ideas are crystal clear, and are based in sound "theory" 99-100% of the time.


Remember, the theory ALWAYS follows the practice. I'm still trying to figure out how to explain this one passage in a Patitucci solo! Or... how Bach could get away with arpeggiating a M7b9 three centuries ago.:eek:

Wanna learn how to solo? Do the same thing with a Miles solo.




Are you talking about Miles Davis here?

I could spend hours trying to work out his stuff...

Yep, Miles.

His solo on Freddy the Freeloader off of Kind of Blue is very easy to transcribe, and will open your eyes to the use of upper extensions, in this case, over Ab7#11.

It will take alot of time, but working out of books takes just as long, and doesn't improve your ear training or give you "authentic" use of the idiom. The good news is that each consecutive solo makes you better at transcribing- it just gets easier.