Lexicon of Geometric Patterns for Jazz Improvisation

Book excerpt: The book is divided into two hierarchically organized parts. In Part I, the various Melodic Shapes for creative writing and improvisation serve as the important aesthetic substance. In Part II, materials quoted from John Coltrane and others are integrated in a fashion convenient to improvisers who seek the technical proficiency of an instrumentalist. Admittedly, the beginning of Lexicon of Geometric Patterns for Jazz Improvisation was already revealed in Chapter IV of my other book Symmetrical Scales for Jazz Improvisation (Masaya Music, 2006). Over the course of a decade, however, I have developed my ideas into the more intelligible format shown in this book, so that even musicians who have difficulty conceiving of dissonant melodies may learn to create their own patterns to be used in improvisation. Dedicated to David Liebman and Dr. Lewis Porter, who have improved the quality of jazz education remarkably.