Outlining Chords - Free PDF eBook.
Bert Ligon has truly written a very useful and insightful work. He helps aspiring and established jazz players to understand why jazz lines (melodies) work. He gives us a window into a complex art form and helps us get a real handle on jazz's conventional wisdom that might have gone undetected.Three basic outlines for connecting chords are shown below. These patterns recur in hundreds of jazz imnprovisations and compositions. These patterns sometimes appear unembellshed in a bare form as shown, and other times hidden within highly chromatic embellishment. What to do? 1. Learn the basic patterns in all major and minor keys. 2.In this handout, Bert Ligon describes these outlines and show you how to practice them to improve your own improvisation skills. You could practice these patterns with the ii-V7-I play-along recordings offered on this page. ii-V7-I Outlines A more detailed presentation of the ii-V7-I outline material.
Bert Ligon's Connecting Chords with Linear Harmony is an essential resource for learning jazz improvisation. While the book is introductory and self-contained, those without some background in elementary jazz theory (major and minor scales, seventh chords, ii-V-I progressions in major and minor) will probably struggle a bit with the material.Perhaps for jazz a little Bert Ligon would help, people seem to like his Connecting Chords with Linear Harmony book. The best approach for me is to read and study and learn from books, but in the end compare that info with actual songs I like to play, see how the real players do it.
Bert Ligon is USC's director of jazz studies. He received his Bachelor of Music and his Master of Music in jazz piano performance and arranging from the University of North Texas. With his jazz band, Bert Ligon and Condor, he has released two albums world-wide, has written and performed extensively, has received many awards including national PBS awards, a KATIE, a SECA, and an EMMY nomination.
