Patterns for Jazz: Treble Clef [Paperback]

Jerry Coker (Composer)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1982

Patterns for Jazz stands as a monument among jazz educational materials. Condensed charts and pertinent explanations are conveniently inserted throughout the book to give greater clarity to the application of more than 400 patterns built on chords and scales -- from simple (major) to complex (lydian augmented scales).

Product Details

• Paperback: 188 pages
• Publisher: Columbia Pictures Pubns (April 1982)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898987032
• ISBN-13: 978-0898987034
• Product Dimensions: 12.4 x 8.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #48,488 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #71 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Reference

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

82 of 85 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent pattern book for jazz players, June 21, 2001

By 

Drez "Drez" (MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Patterns for Jazz: Treble Clef (Paperback)

Jerry's book is excellent for jazz instrumentalists. It logically guides the player through patterns and sequences that form the constructs of jazz improvisations. Although explanations and discographies are interspersed through-out, this book is meant to be played, rather than read in an armchair. It starts off with major and minor triads, 6th, 7th and 9th patterns and gradually advances to complex patterns based on whole tone, diminished, altered ninth, augmented, polychords, turn-arounds, chromatics and more. The patterns flow in whole steps, 3rds, cycles, etc. Each pattern gives a suggested range for the metronome and the player must transpose the patterns to all twelve keys before moving on to the next pattern. The transposing really challenges the player, because after displaying the pattern in 1 or 2 keys, the player must transpose to the other keys (the appropriate chord symbol is always provided). If the player is willing to take his/her time and go through the book as designed, his/her virtuosity, technique and improvisational freedom will increase gradually and significantly to a very high degree. Highly recommended.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Game Plan for Ingraining the Rudiments, September 17, 2008

By 

R. Scudder (Drexel Hill, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Patterns for Jazz: Treble Clef (Paperback)

The word "pattern" is sometimes associated with mechanical execution without thought or inspiration. The truth is that before a musical idea can be executed the mechanics must be worked out. The fingers must be ready to move to the right keys or frets to produce the tones the ear is hearing. Practing patterns is a great way to get the fingers and ears in synch.

As far as pattern books go this one is well rounded -- many other pattern books concentrate on specific progressions or idioms (see: David Baker).

I would like to recommend this book however there are some things that anyone who is considering purchasing it should be aware of:

* The book is written for ALL treble clef instruments***. That means there are no suggested fingerings, and DEFINITELY NO TAB!

* In most cases only a short sketch is given to establish a pattern. The student is required to transpose the pattern according to a given chord progression that cycles through all 12 keys.

* It is up to the student to apply patterns to his/her instrument. That means working out each pattern in all fingerings through the full range of the instrument. If you only play each pattern using the easiest fingering through one octave in the most comfortable range, the fruits of your labors will be minimal at best.

*** There is also a bass clef edition.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Never Too Late To Learn?, March 14, 2006

By 

Harry E. Cartwright - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Patterns for Jazz: Treble Clef (Paperback)

Although I have played saxophone for many years, I'm a rather
late-comer to improvisation. In spite of a couple classes, this book has given me the most insight. By that, I think its pre- sentation of studies as connection of,let's say, various chords
in ascending or descending creates a challenge to develope familiarity and smoothness one will obviously need in real life improvisation. Have only got to the first 10 pages and all I can say is this book has exposed my weaknesess and shows what I need to work on.