1st Edition

Music Theory Through Improvisation A New Approach to Musicianship Training

By Ed Sarath Copyright 2010
    392 Pages
    by Routledge

    392 Pages
    by Routledge

    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.

    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

    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.