The Jazz Harmony Book By: David Berkman Full [new]
For musicians looking to move beyond the rigid constraints of lead sheets and "fake books," The Jazz Harmony Book by David Berkman has become a modern cornerstone for understanding how harmony actually breathes in a live performance. Published by Sher Music Co., this 206-page text is more than a theory manual—it’s a guide to the living tradition of reharmonization used by masters like Bill Evans and Herbie Hancock. Core Philosophy: The Living Progression
Jazz Harmony Book by NY pianist David Berkman , published by Sher Music Co. The Jazz Harmony Book By David Berkman Full
Key Features
- Comprehensive coverage: chord-scale theory, voice leading, reharmonization, modal interchange, altered dominants, quartal harmony, polychords, and rhythm changes.
- Practical exercises: ear training, comping studies, voicing drills, and solo transcription suggestions.
- Examples and charts: lead sheets, chord charts, and annotated examples demonstrating application in real musical contexts.
- Approachability: clear explanations with progressive difficulty; usable by pianists, guitarists, horn players, and arrangers.
- Pedagogical tools: suggested practice routines, weekly study plans, and recommended repertoire.
1. The "Avoid Note" Rehab
Berkman famously rehabilitates the concept of "avoid notes." While classical jazz pedagogy screams that a natural 4th over a major chord is a cardinal sin, Berkman shows you how to use it as a passing tension. He argues that harmony is fluid, not static. The "Full" version of his argument includes specific musical examples where the "wrong" note becomes the most "right" note due to rhythmic placement. For musicians looking to move beyond the rigid
Weaknesses:
However, Alex never forgot the humble book that had catalyzed his growth. He made it a point to visit Melodic Haven regularly, recommending "The Jazz Harmony Book" to fellow musicians and often leading informal study groups at the store, where they would work through Berkman's exercises and discuss the finer points of jazz harmony. Comprehensive coverage: chord-scale theory
What Makes This Book Different?
Most harmony texts fall into two camps: overly simple (just naming chords) or overly complex (citing Schoenberg and 18th-century counterpoint). Berkman finds the perfect middle ground.
Title: Beyond the Real Book: Why David Berkman’s The Jazz Harmony Book is the Only Harmony Text You’ll Ever Need
- The altered scale (and why it works).
- The whole-tone scale.
- The diminished scale.
- How to choose which alteration to use based on melody and direction.