Breaking down the Cat: a guide to jazz improvisation for those learning to play

A training manual or primer on jazz improvisation intended for beginning to advanced student musicians, "Breaking down the Cat" combines silly anecdotal humor with historical tie-ins in a study guide for students in a discussion that goes to the level of a manifesto on American freedom and equality. The historical-constructive method of the book tries to unearth the utilitarian facets of the interaction of the jazz style in history in order to inform the approach to jazz soloing of those learning, with possible "key ingredients" or ways of thinking from the past that may have been lost over time. The book is intended to be helpful to high school students, college students, and adults who want to be serious about learning to play jazz and improvise. In this book Mr. Black tries to include what is missing in other approaches by explaining jazz improvisation in terms of principles or "state of mind." To use the illustration in the title, to "break down the cat" (to give one example) is to flummox, confound, befuddle, and otherwise pardon the cat. But, to befuddle, bemuse and enlighten it, you have to understand or have "transcendent woe," Mr. Black explains. Most people are learning the academic scales, modes, patterns, licks, techniques based approach in universities, classroom settings, or from jazz books. A sensible approach incorporates a reasonable way of living and practicing faith as a path to success. The book offers a way of thinking about pursuing excellence in musical performance in order to help readers and students maintain their sanity while pursuing success in a culturally insane world. The book includes- -practice lists for each instrument -an essential scale list - some jazz licks from great players - a unique "singing practice" strategy - insights into jazz as a separate theory construct from Western Traditional/Classical with shared materials -some technique exercises -thought-provoking appendices Chapters in the book include: "The Right Attitude for Study," "The Right Way to Practice," "What to Study," "What to Practice," "How to Perform Well at Jazz Improvisation," "Capturing the Ethos of the Music," and "Pursuing Success and How to Live." (and more...).

Author: David I. Black

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Publication Date: Oct 05, 2017

Number of Pages: 150 pages

Language: English

Binding: Paperback

ISBN-10: 1977641458

ISBN-13: 9781977641458