Using Books (Jazz Theory Book specifically)

[DrBone]

I've got a couple books regarding bass playing, among them is oft recommended Jazz Theory Book by Mark Levine. It has good information in it, but I use it more as a reference than as a tool to improve my playing. I'm not really sure how to 'work through it' and really gain something from it. So my question is how did you translate the knowledge in the book into your personal knowledge and apply it to the bass guitar? What are your techniques for really getting all you can out of a book?

[DocBop]

By trying to see if anything I play already contains what the topic is discussing. Also and most important try to apply the topic and make music with it. You have to get the sound in your ear. Sometime it requires writing a little something, or changing around a tune I already know. Sit and play/jam using the idea. Let my ear learn it, decided why I'm remembering it is it because I like the sound or don't like the sound at this point in time.

Funny you mention Mark Levine's book I was just having some fun with he variations on Rhythm Changes some real nice chord sub's to give Rhythm Changes more life and not sound so dated.

[needmoney]

I just picked up this book as well, looks to be a great resource. I'm wondering whether it's better to just go from start to finish, or pick out certain sections that fit in with my practice regime..

[MrHarrison]

+1 on The Jazz Theory Book...it's solid and I am currently regretting not knowing what happened to my copy.

From what I remember of it though it's designed for you to go through it chapter by chapter. When I was using it that's what I did, and it works pretty well that way because it builds on itself.

My advice would be to play through everything, even if you already know what it's trying to teach you. Just sit down, read the written stuff, and play the examples. You'll know when to move on when either you understand it, or are frustrated enough that you can't deal. If the latter happens then just move on to something else for awhile, no reason to burn yourself out.

[JimmyM]

Ya, start at the top and go to the end. Theory is cumulative.

[AlunJWDavies]

It's a fantastic book. If you can, play the examples on keys. Even if you have to peck at it slowly. The voicings don't necessarily translate to bass.
If you don't play keys, work at it on bass and then get a friend to help who plays keys.
This would also be a good excuse to learn basic piano. Most good jazz players can at least plonk out some chords.

[PocketGroove82]

Originally Posted by DrBone

So my question is how did you translate the knowledge in the book into your personal knowledge and apply it to the bass guitar? What are your techniques for really getting all you can out of a book?

Pratice.

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally Posted by AlunJWDavies

It's a fantastic book. If you can, play the examples on keys. Even if you have to peck at it slowly. The voicings don't necessarily translate to bass.
If you don't play keys, work at it on bass and then get a friend to help who plays keys.
This would also be a good excuse to learn basic piano. Most good jazz players can at least plonk out some chords.

I agree this is the best way - get the sound of what is being talked about in your head!

Play on a keyboard or even ... I have programmed in things which I couldn't play - so I used a microcomposer (sequencer) - but you could also use software like "Band in a Box" ?

So when you hear those progressions and resolutions, you know what is happening and can go with it!

[phillm47]

Any recommendations on software to use with Mac, just to program in the examples (in the Levine book) to listen to?

[WillPlay4Food]

Originally Posted by phillm47

Any recommendations on software to use with Mac, just to program in the examples (in the Levine book) to listen to?

You could use GarageBand to program in the examples using the software MIDI keyboard included with the latest version.

If you want more of a drop notes onto sheet music program, then get Finale NotePad. It's free but you do have to give an email address in order to receive the serial number. I've used NotePad for a couple of years now, and although the sound playback can be soft (I need amplified external speakers to hear it, my iMac internal speakers don't go loud enough / Finale's signal is low) it works great if you can't play notes / chords in realtime.

[phillm47]

Originally Posted by WillPlay4Food

You could use GarageBand to program in the examples using the software MIDI keyboard included with the latest version.

If you want more of a drop notes onto sheet music program, then get Finale NotePad. It's free but you do have to give an email address in order to receive the serial number. I've used NotePad for a couple of years now, and although the sound playback can be soft (I need amplified external speakers to hear it, my iMac internal speakers don't go loud enough / Finale's signal is low) it works great if you can't play notes / chords in realtime.

Not to go to far off track....I recently installed Finale NotePad on my Mac (and Windows machine at work), and used it to transcribe Charlie Parkers "Perhaps" into bass clef. Is there a way to change the "feel" on the playback? The playback of "Perhaps" is totally mechanical

In regards to using Finale NotePad with the Levine book, I guess this wouldn't be an issue in using it to hear the examples - voicing, subs...etc..etc? Din't make the connection..and this will be totally cool to be able to transcribe the examples, then hear the playback - Thanks!

[DocBop]

Originally Posted by phillm47

Not to go to far off track....I recently installed Finale NotePad on my Mac (and Windows machine at work), and used it to transcribe Charlie Parkers "Perhaps" into bass clef. Is there a way to change the "feel" on the playback? The playback of "Perhaps" is totally mechanical

In regards to using Finale NotePad with the Levine book, I guess this wouldn't be an issue in using it to hear the examples - voicing, subs...etc..etc? Din't make the connection..and this will be totally cool to be able to transcribe the examples, then hear the playback - Thanks!

I don't think there is a way with the free Finale Notepad, but with other Finale products you can.

[phillm47]

Originally Posted by DocBop

I don't think there is a way with the free Finale Notepad, but with other Finale products you can.

Thanks