Improvising Jazz

By Jerry Coker,

Book cover of Improvising Jazz

Book description

Improvising Jazz gives the beginning performer and the curious listener alike insights into the art of jazz improvisation. Jerry Coker, teacher and noted jazz saxophonist, explains the major concepts of jazz, including blues, harmony, swing, and the characteristic chord progressions. An easy-to-follow self-teaching guide, Improvising Jazz contains practical exercises and…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Improvising Jazz as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

This was the first book I ever read about jazz. If you’re studying jazz, it won’t be the only book you’ll ever want, but I found it to be an essential one. It lays out all the chord types, discusses the elusive topic of “swing,” and has a list of common jazz song forms at the end of the book. My copy has pencil marks all the way through it, because the book involves you by having you write things out on the staff. For me, being self-taught on guitar, this repetition really jump-started my understanding of the basics of…

Want books like Improvising Jazz?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Improvising Jazz.

Browse books like Improvising Jazz

Book cover of The Artist's Way
Book cover of Chord Chemistry
Book cover of The Advancing Guitarist: Applying Guitar Concepts & Techniques

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,531

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in music education, jazz, and the blues?

Music Education 16 books
Jazz 137 books
The Blues 48 books