Music Theory Through Improvisation
A New Approach to Musicianship Training
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Book Description
Designed for Music Theory courses, Music Theory Through Improvisation presents a unique approach to basic theory and musicianship training that examines the study of traditional theory through the art of improvisation. The book follows the same general progression of diatonic to non-diatonic harmony in conventional approaches, but integrates improvisation, composition, keyboard harmony, analysis, and rhythm. Conventional approaches to basic musicianship have largely been oriented toward study of common practice harmony from the Euroclassical tradition, with a heavy emphasis in four-part chorale writing. The author’s entirely new pathway places the study of harmony within improvisation and composition in stylistically diverse format, with jazz and popular music serving as important stylistic sources. Supplemental materials include a play-along audio in the downloadable resources for improvisation and a companion website with resources for students and instructors.
Table of Contents
Preface 1. Improvisation Across Boundaries: A Trans-stylistic Approach 2. Music Fundamentals: Key Signatures, Scales, Intervals, Modes, and Melodic Cells 3. Modality and Rhythm I: Time Feels 4. Modality and Rhythm II: Small Group Framework 5. Basic Tonal Materials: Triads and Seventh Chords 6. Harmonic Functions 7. Swing: Global Rhythmic Gateway 8. Melodic Line Construction and Harmonization 9. Chord Inversion Present and Past 10. Non-diatonic Harmony I: Applied Chords 11. Non-diatonic Harmony II: Modal Mixture 12. Figured Bass Realization at the Keyboard 13. Extended Chords 14. Altered Extensions 15. Diverse Approaches to Analysis 16. Further Creative Horizons in Jazz Improvisation and Composition Appendix 1. Introduction to Species Counterpoint Appendix 2. Overtone Series and Equal Temperament Appendix 3. Rhythmic Exercises Appendix 4. Jazz Etudes Appendix 5. Additional Keyboard Exercises Appendix 6. Instrument Ranges, Transposition, and Score Excerpts Appendix 7. Aural Transposition Appendix 8. Sample Syllabus Appendix 9. CD and Web Audio Tracks
Author(s)
Biography
Edward W. Sarath is Professor of Music and Chair for the Department of Jazz and Improvisation Studies at the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance at the University of Michigan.