Jazz Theory - Contemporary Improvisation, Transcription and Composition

by Ron Westray

Overview

This course is designed to present and develop jazz arranging and compositional principles. In preparation for successful improvisation, composing and transcription, a wide range of theoretical topics are presented.

The stylistic considerations of jazz improvisation and composition require an extensive and working knowledge of jazz theory, and mastery of diatonic, bitonal, poly-tonal and atonal theoretical maximums and processes – including the refining of the [imitation] transcription process towards theoretical justification and conventional usage.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781839989728
Publisher:	First Hill Books
Publication date:	02/06/2024
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	808
File size:	76 MB
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About the Author

Widely regarded as one of the most important jazz theorists of our time, Ron Westray continues to expand upon the legacy set before him.

Table of Contents

Preface; Acknowledgments; Introduction; Music Is Math: An Effective Approach to Teaching Jazz Improvisation; 1 Advanced Scale Study, Section 1) Forms of Dominant Scale; Section 2) Augmented Scale/Melodic Minor Equivalent; Section 3a) Diminished and Inverted Diminished Scales; Section 3b) Two-In-One; 2 Chord Scale Solutions; 3 Alternate Solutions in Dominant; 4 The ii-V Progression and Tritone Substitution; 5 Transcriptions (Chronological); 6 Alternative Systems; 7 Polymorphic Root System; 8 Composition and Arranging; Afterword

Editorial Reviews

“Jazz Theory: Contemporary Improvisation, Transcription, and Composition offers a vast amount of prac-tical and speculative content which serves to guide, challenge, and inspire individuals in their pur-suit of musical understanding and creative excellence. Ron Westray has produced a compendium of useful and exotic resources which will serve as a beneficial aid for students, amateurs, scholars, and seasoned musicians. Performers, composers, theorists, and academics, working in or across a wide variety of contemporary ‘styles’ (e.g., jazz, rock, pop, country, latin, funk, gospel, urban), will find something useful and thought provoking in this impressive volume.”— Michael Coghlan, Associate Professor of Music, York University, Toronto, Canada

“Ron Westray’s solos make music that, however complex, fits perfectly at the moment of its crea-tion into an ensemble performance. That music seems to materialize like magic. In this book, We-stray demystifies the magic by explaining it in thorough and precise terms as a systematic method—‘like math,’ as he says. That method can be learned in concept and practice by those willing to work hard enough. That, according to him, can make great improvisation accessible to most anyone.”— Gregory Clark, Emeritus Professor of English, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT

From the Publisher