Tons of Runs: For the Contemporary Pianist [Paperback]

Andy LaVerne (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1999

Tons of Runs is a wide-ranging compendium of runs, licks, and lines found in the jazz vernacular, each written in three different keys, and presented in a straightforward style without ponderous analysis. This book contains useful phrases derived from chord tones, passing tones, resultant scales, and scale-tone chords that piano players can use right away as "vocabulary enhancers." These are the raw material and tools that piano players everywhere can use to polish their performance and improvisation skills, and even create new and more interesting ways to play the music they already know!

Product Details

• Paperback: 157 pages
• Publisher: Ekay Music (May 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 094374895X
• ISBN-13: 978-0943748955
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #51,959 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

67 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have ! ! !, September 29, 2000

By 

Eddie Landsberg "My 10th year as a reviewer !... (Tokyo, Japan) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: Tons of Runs: For the Contemporary Pianist (Paperback)

I'm not a big fan of lick and pattern books, but this one has my seal of approval... and more than that, I HIGHLY reccomend it. There are lot's of ideas in here, some powerful stuff. Really hands on Jazz language material, some that if you're a more experienced improviser you might be using instinctively already, and some you wonder why you haven't touched on all along. The idea is to take them and build upon them... Within hours of getting the book, I immediately tuned out the outside world and was having fun experimenting with it... Some other things I like about it : The licks are in more than one key, suggested fingerings for more difficult ones, they're over a nice variety of patterns, typography is nice, and they're stuff that real people actually play, not just text book prototypes.

I venture to say, that of the books I'm familiar with, this is the best one out !!! Great stuff for professionals as well as folks just getting into improv... and not just for pianists !

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent..., July 25, 2004

By 

ZenKyoki (Oklahoma, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Tons of Runs: For the Contemporary Pianist (Paperback)

This book has done more for the size of my jazz improvisation vocabulary than I could have dreamed. The fact that I can look through the pages to find a fitting run for a specific chord has been a source of endless help. Brilliant for beginners and advanced players who are interested in expanding their horizons. A great book from a great pianist.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Indespensible, June 16, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Tons of Runs: For the Contemporary Pianist (Paperback)

If you are an aspiring student of jazz, you can not do without this book. Though not an especially voluminous publication, it is densely crammed with countless ideas.

Improvisation in the purest sense should come from the wellsprings of the artist's soul- but let's face it, some days are better than others! Rather than painstakingly reinventing the wheel, pick this one up- you will not regret doing so. It should keep you busy for years to come- especially once you begin to combine these wonderful musical quotes, extensions, etc, with your own. They can be applied to just about any standard and with enough perseverence you will elevate your playing and performing by quantum leaps.

Worth every penny- thank you Mr. Laverne! Again, Thank You!