Anyone ever read George Russel's book? What ya'll think?

Anyone ever read George Russel's book? What ya'll think?

In the absence of other replies, I had a look at the lydian chromatic concept a few years ago, not in George Russell's book, but in a book by David Baker, "How to Play Bebop, Vol 1"

It was too advanced for me at the time, when I was just starting to learn about jazz. I found it pretty confusing. Perhaps it's time to revisit it...

Anyone ever read George Russel's book? What ya'll think?


It's too expensive!! :p

I have the original book and haven't looked at it in LONG time. I remember back in the late 70's it was the hot thing to study and lots of classes on Lydian Chromtic Concept. In general Jazz players use Lydian as their default choice for major chords. I just took a Jazz improv class that the author was influenced by George Russell, but still most his chord/scale relationships suggested were what you see most Jazz Improv texts or course.

The book is real expensive these days so I would say if you can borrow a copy browse through it, so interesting bits. I would say there are many good books on Jazz improv and most are saying the same thing. Browse a few, find one who you like the authors writing style or approach to learning and go through it. The real teacher is sitting down and playing.

As you say - given the high cost involved - things like "The Jazz Theory Book" by Mark Levine, start to look like incredibly good value!! :)

As you say - given the high cost involved - things like "The Jazz Theory Book" by Mark Levine, start to look like incredibly good value!! :)

and Amazon has reduced the price (http://www.amazon.com/Jazz-Theory-Book-Mark-Levine/dp/1883217040/sr=8-1/qid=1168464012/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-9684745-8968107?ie=UTF8&s=books)

yeah guys, I just can't bear to spend 100bucks on the book, knowing full well that I probably wont be able to understand 90% of it. Flipping through it back in my college library, it seemed really interesting...I wish I had just stole a copy or something!

It's too expensive!! :p
I waited over 10 years to get a copy of that book and then he writes a new edition that is ridiculously expensive.

Actually, I can afford it now. Maybe i'll get it.

- Dave

yeah guys, I just can't bear to spend 100bucks on the book, knowing full well that I probably wont be able to understand 90% of it...

Whereas I'm sure that anybody could understand all of the Jazz Theory Book - as long as they worked through it methodically. :)

yeah bruce,
I've found that book to be an extremely knowledgeable resource. I read it through when I could barely read music, along with Coker's Listening to Jazz. This was 6 1/2 years ago, and I didn't really learn anything, but then after years of theory/harmony/eartraining/instruction I went back and had a great time reading and working through the books and seeing things I had learned myself presented from a different angle.

That's why I'm interested in scoring the lydian approach, cause maybe reading it now, then working for 6 more years, and coming back to it, I'll get it. :)

oh yeah, I also wanted to say that working through the comprehensive playalong book "Intermediate Jazz Improvisation" helped me a lot (and still is).
It's so damn hard to spot thinking roots, and start thinking more linearly, like a horn player. And this jamey abersold helped me get started with soloing over standard progressions and such