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Average Customer Rating:

Fantastic guide to jazz

Customer Rating:

Not only is this book filled with essential fundamentals of jazz theory, but the author's approach guides one to discover the ways that these methods developed and interesting ways of thinking about music in general. I've completed all of my theory and ear training at a top level college institution, and I can tell you that I've learnt more about theory in the first 45 pages of this book than 2 years of outdated theory. Conservatories must update their teaching, and jazz theory is the closest that I see to today's music and musical understanding. Buy this book.

Very simple and informative

Customer Rating:

I have only begun to focus on theory very recently, I'm 19 years old. This book is very simple to read and doesn't require a massive amount of knowledge of music theory. You have to be able to read music (not tabs), but if you're interested in Jazz you should already know how to. I like it a lot. I have been using the Real Book 5th edition and played some songs off it, but I never realized a lot of very technical things about the songs I have been practicing, and it helped me make more sense out of some those tunes the FIRST day I got it. I hope to keep studying this book and jazz for as long as I can, and I can already tell it's going to take A LOT of time but if you love jazz then it shouldn't be bad at all...

The Greatist Jazz Theory Book in the World	Customer Rating:
The Jazz Theory Book is must have for every jazz student and teacher. Everyone can learn something new from this comprehesive guide to playing and listining and loving jazz.

An essential for any jazz musician!

Customer Rating:

I've been using a friend's copy of this book for years and finally bought my own copy. This book belongs in the library of any jazz musician, regardless of instrument (I play bassoon, guitar, and piano), experience or playing level. The information is presented in a clear, concise way, and Mark Levine is quick to remind readers that theory is only a set of guidelines, but that you need to know the guidelines before you try to move beyond them. He quotes numerous musical examples, and you will get the greatest benefit from this book if you listen to these selections. It's also a great way to expand your jazz collection. The book is applicable to any instrument and contains examples in both treble and bass clef (Bb, Eb, F, etc. instruments will need to transpose though). No tablature for guitarists, but if you play jazz guitar you really should be able to read music because they give you sheet music in jazz ensembles, not tablature. It's a great learning tool for any jazz musician, and a great reference tool for the experienced musician or jazz composer/arranger. Buy it!

Top knotch book!

Customer Rating:

This is a MUST have for any jazz musician. Now, let me just warn you that if you don't play piano you might not enjoy the book as much considering a lot of the things written in the book by Levine are really being directed towards piano. There are also many jazz piano standard sample pieces that you will find through out the book. That being said though, Levine makes his points more than clear and explains the theory in a way that you will totally understand. If you read carefully and pay attention to what he wrote, you will without question become a better jazz musician. I hope this review has helped you, please feel free to leave comments!