Introduction

This is a method book.

By playing through all of this book you will be able to hear chord changes on your instrument.This is achieved by playing single notes in specific melodic shapes that enable the mind to visualize and the ear to hear what combina- tion of notes is available at every harmonic change.These melodic shapes will give the student the ability to visualize, hear and execute some of the more sophisticated sounds used in the craft of improvising.

No one can teach creativity, so you must teach yourself to improvise
through trial and error.This book hopefully will give you a knowledge of
some of the musical tools used in improvising. If you do not know these
tools, your only alternative is intuition (i.e., playing by ear).This will, depend-
ing on your level of natural talent, take you only so far and never any further.You need intel- lect to teach your ears to hear beyond intuition.

There is much repetition in this book so your mind, ears and fingers can master some of the sounds used in the Jazz language. Check out Kenny Werner’s Effortless Mastery book for more insights on how to practice. Kenny says that if you narrow your focus and master one thing you are working on, that will have a positive effect on your playing.

All the exercises in this book are written out for you, but your goal should be to be able to play many of these exercises without the benefit of the written page.

The way not to learn to be a skilled improviser is to play with a play-along CD and when you are lost listen to the piano to find your place again.This is the reason the play-along for this book has no chord instrument. You are the chord instrument. Some exercises (iv, v, vi, and vii) have just a drum track to play along with. In the duet section some of these songs will have the bass drop out and again it will be just you and the drums. It is fun and will make you more confident with your musical identity.

Many of the chord progressions in the book are available in the Jerry Bergonzi series.
I recommend them highly so that once comfortable playing without piano you can then experience the same material with piano accompaniment.There is much confusion about what to practice to become a better improviser.This book is meant to rid you of that decision. By playing the exercises and songs in this book from beginning to end you will hear chords on your instrument without the need for a chord instrument (i.e., piano, guitar).

If you do not totally understand some of the exercises in this book — keep going anyway, and after playing through the book several times its purpose will be obvious.

Just do it. 

-Miles Donahue