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  #1  
Old 12-28-2010, 06:36 AM
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Hal Crook books

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Well I'm looking into purchasing one and was wondering if anybody had experience with either 'how to improvise' or 'ready, aim, improvise'. Preferably both.

Just want to get an idea of how well they're written etc. I've got an idea of what to expect from them.
I'm probably leaning towards ready aim improvise simply because it's quite a bit longer and not much more expensive.
All opinions welcome.
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Old 12-28-2010, 12:37 PM
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The two books are quite different, really. How To Improvise is essentially a collection of exercises. Each chapter isolates an extremely specific topic, and contains several exercises in order to improve that. For example, the first chapter is about pacing, i.e. deciding when to play and when not to play while soloing. The first exercises are easy: playing during two bars, resting during two bars, and so on. But at the end it gets quite hairy: for example, playing 3 bars, resting 4 bars over Autumn Leaves, with a metronome as only backing track, and not getting lost is rather difficult.

On the other hand, Ready, Aim, Improvise is more about explaining stuff. It's much more verbose than the first book, and has a very broad scope: theory, harmony, ear training, vocabulary, practising, etc, and it even touches upon some rather philosophical issues such as dealing with one's ego. There are also plenty of exercises, but of course it's not as exhaustive as How To Improvise in that department. It's very well written, very thoughtful, and there's a lot of wry humor.

I'd just get both books.
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Old 12-28-2010, 01:15 PM
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Janek Gwizdala is gives much props to Hal Crook!!! These book are on my "things to bring in my woodshed for 2011" list.

http://www.globalbass.com/archives/o...k_gwizdala.htm

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  #4  
Old 12-29-2010, 05:55 AM
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Hal was and is such a great mentor to me, and there are a few keys phrases he uses that I've been using every day since we met 13 years ago. "listen first, play second" and "imitate, then Innovate". simple, but powerful stuff.

I highly recommend his approach to music, and recommend reading anything that he's written. I'm randomly having dinner with him tonight, and will let him know there's buzz about his books in a bass forum of all places!!

Janek
  #5  
Old 12-29-2010, 09:45 AM
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Thanks for the replies guys, yes it was from your recommendations Janek that I looked into his books in the first place.

Thanks for that Timo! I suppose it is a good idea to get both, but with ready aim improvise being more broad I think I may benefit more from it for now.
I think how to improvise is on the program at Berklee so that is likely a good next step, although combining the two to inspire a good practice routine seems like a good idea. It's good to see that they both come recommended though.

Enjoy your meal Janek
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