Search - :: Vol. 70, Killer Joe (Book & CD Set)

Great Resource for Aspiring Jazz Students...

Eddie Landsberg | Tokyo, Japan | 10/29/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Aebersold Play-A-Longs are a great and safe part to beging to put all that "theory" to practise. If you've reached the point where you're ready to start applying all those scales, chords and patterns, want tunes that are fun to play, hip enough to add to your reprotoire, but not discouragingly difficult, this volume is on the money.In addition to the melody and the chords, the play-a-long book also has the scales that go with the chords, and additional information on how to tackle the tunes. - - The only criticism I have of the Aebersold method is that it puts too much emphasis on modes and scales and not enough on linear harmony (deriving melodies directly from chords, and approaching the notes through the changes), however, this is the trend of modern Jazz education.If you still need to learn the rudiments, earlier volumes of this series offer help, and I highly reccomend books such as Jimmy Amadea's Harmonic Foundations for Jazz and Pop, and Marc Levine's Jazz Theory and Jazz Piano books."

Good Basic Jazz Improvisation Material

popmusicfan | northeastern Ohio | 03/27/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Aebersold's Killer Joe book and compact disc package does what his other packages do: it provides a sound foundation for jazz improvisation. Unlike some of his artist-focused collections, though, this one includes a nice selection of post-bop pieces. Because of the way in which the piano and bass are separated in the stereo mix--like all of Aebersold's work--it is suitable for melodic improvisation or for comping improvisation on a wide variety of instruments. Yes, as another reviewer mentions, Jamey Aebersold focuses on modes. As a college educator, I find some value in this, more so than in a purely chord-focused approach to jazz improvisation. Ultimately, though, chords and modes are just materials and the user of this set or any other play-along set must use his or her ears. And, a lot of listening to skilled jazz performers is a must. As a package that points the way and provides the user with a solid rhythm section Killer Joe rates an "A.""