Customer Reviews

Pentatonic Scales for the Jazz/Rock Keyboardist (Jazz Book)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

If you are looking for a good thoery/method book covering "Jazz Piano", I suggest Mark Levine's "Jazz Piano Book". It is also on Amazon. It covers Penatatonic Scales and much, much more. There are other good books too, but you can't go wring with Mark's.

So, this is just another voice telling you not to waste your money on Jeff Burn's book. As other reviewers have noted, the 5 star reviews have got to be either from the publisher, author, or Jeff's mom. The book is pretty much nothing but a scale list.

Actually not scales, this consists entirely of a single scale, with some transpositions. This "book" is really worthless and I consider it a rip off because of the misleading reviews posted by the author. All the references in other music reviews to this book must be by the author himself. They all have the same exact format.. and no one who had seen this book would recommend it. Save your money.

I find it interesting that all the reviews for this book seem to be from a "reader" from somewhere USA and are very anonymous. I have also noticed that several of these "readers" have been writing negative reviews for other music books. Seems as if the author's friends are working overtime.

Just noticing.

This is a listing of pentatonic scale in different keys, nothing more, you'll find this FREE all over the internet, and even having it in a book won't help you play it at all.

I think I'll publish a book Major Scales for the Jazz Rock Keyboardist and list C Major, D Major, E Major scales and nothing more and see if it sells. It will if I post many self-reviews anonymously and say it's essential for musicians.

It is interesting that all the reviews for this book seem to be from a "reader" from somewhere USA and are very anonymous... obviously that is dishonest for the publisher to post them to generate sales. Avoid this book at all cost. Useless.

This is a listing of pentatonic scale in different keys, nothing more, you'll find this FREE all over the internet, and even having it in a book won't help you play it at all.

I think I'll publish a book Major Scales for the Jazz Rock Keyboardist and list C Major, D Major, E Major scales and nothing more and see if it sells. It will if I post many self-reviews anonymously and say it's essential for musicians.

It is interesting that all the reviews for this book seem to be from a "reader" from somewhere USA and are very anonymous... obviously that is dishonest for the publisher to post them to generate sales. Avoid this book at all cost. Useless.

I can't believe anyone bothered to publish this. Totally useless. It's only scales, that you already know. What were they thinking... the author has obviously salted many other music publication reviews with His own recommendation for this book. I want my money back.

Over some two decades of studying, performing professionally, and teaching, I suppose I've bought, read, or looked through hundreds of keyboard instruction books. I've never come across one that covers the material "Pentatonic Scales for the Jazz-Rock Keyboardist" by Jeff Burns does. I consider this a significant omission--because that material is important, arguably essential.

I recently acquired a copy of PENTATONIC SCALES FOR THE JAZZ-ROCK KEYBOARDIST by Jeff Burns. I highly recommend it for all instrumentalists. It includes theory, practical application, and right and left hand fingerings for all quartal pentatonics, hematonic as well as anhematonic (traditional, minor or major pentatonics). Also, I would like to discuss this book with anyone here who might have come across it.

In addition to the traditional pentatonic scale, this book introduces eight other pentatonic scales. Full fingerings for each of these nine scales are given in all twelve keys for both right and left hand, which is to say, the book gives us two hundred and sixteen sets of fingerings in all (assuming I've done the arithmetic right; I didn't count directly). Each chapter begins with a brief explanation of how a particular scale can be used in a jazz or rock context. The book itself begins with a highly compressed explanation of the theory behind the scales. This theory section should prove interesting for serious theorists, students, and composers, but may prove difficult for many practical keyboardists. Those practical keyboardists who do find it difficult, however, can easily just skip the theory section, and cut to the chase. Practicing the eight new pentatonic scales in all keys and both hands should provide them with an abundance of fresh-sounding material for improvisation.

The price (as of this writing) seems relatively modest to me, but that's your own look-out. It's clearly posted, and you can decide for yourself. (For the record, by the way, publishers set prices; authors don't. Authors typically get from five to fifteen percent, depending on the contract. The publishing company gets its eighty-five to ninety-five percent partly in compensation for assuming the cost of printing and distribution.)

This book is NOT, to belabor the obvious (sorry), a general introduction to or an overview of jazz or rock piano, nor does it purport to be. For that sort of thing (at least as far as the jazz part goes), I suggest you start with Jerry Coker's "Improvising Jazz", then move on to John Mehegan's "Jazz Improvisation" series (in four volumes: "1. Tonal and Rhythmic Principles", "2. Jazz Rhythm and the Improvised Line", "3. Swing and Early Progressive Piano Styles", "4. Contemporary Piano Styles"). Eventually work through some jazz piano transcriptions. Bill Dobbins's Herbie Hancock book, "Classic Jazz Compositions and Piano Solos", is excellent, and so are the Bob Hinz transcriptions in both volumes of his "The Artistry of Bill Evans". Remember that at some point you'll also need formal instruction: private lessons or music school.

I don't know what the other reviewers are complaining about, the book is exactly what it's supposed to be, an in-depth investigation of the pentatonic scale. It doesn't claim to be an introduction to Jazz piano or Jazz improvization theory. I use it daily now and it sits on my shelf with other scale practice books from emile Decosmo and others. It's a perfect tool for the experienced pianist with all the transposition done for the player, all you have to do is sit down and start practicing. I have no complaints whatsoever.