A Guide to Jazz Improvisation: B-flat Instruments

A book that needs no introduction to those in the jazz world, John LaPorta's A Guide to Jazz Improvisation has helped countless musicians in developing a natural and intuitive approach to improvising. A teacher of jazz improvisation for over fifty years, LaPorta's unique, straight-forward, and simple approach has become the standard by which other jazz improvisation methods are measured. This book is an invaluable touchstone for every aspiring jazz musician.

A long and impressive list of famous and successful musicians credit LaPorta's method as key in their stylistic and technical development. As if this wasn't enough, this new publication comes with an interactive CD for ear and performance training, with tracks from a Berklee faculty jazz band! Jazz theory is unraveled and made clear in this clearly written and amazing book.

This method includes:

• Jazz theory with practical explanations and applications of the jazz language
• Rhythm training with interactive call-and-response exercises on CD
• Performance ear training with play-along and improvisation exercises on CD
• 0pporunities to improvise with a Berklee Jazz faculty band on CD!

About the Author

John LaPorta, professor emeritus at Berklee College of Music, has composed, arranged, performed, and recorded with such jazz greats as Kenny Clarke, Miles Davis, Dizzie Gillespie, Woody Herman, Charles Mingus, Charlie Parker, Herb Pomeroy, Lester Young, and many others. LaPorta has also performed with the New York Philharmonic under the direction of Leonard Bernstein.

Sample Lessons on Berklee Shares

Samples from this title are available on Berkleeshares.com, where you can download free music lessons and share them with your friends.

• Jazz Improvisation Basics Bflat (PDF lesson)
  

Also by John LaPorta

A Guide To Jazz Improvisation: C Instruments

A Guide to Jazz Improvisation: E-flat Instruments

A Guide to Jazz Improvisation: Bass Clef Instruments