Volume 1 - How To Play Jazz & Improvise
Sheet Music Book
By Jamey Aebersold

Little disappointed in the way organized and overall format . Okay , but expected more !!

I found the book confusing and would be better if they had sample licks for each style of jazz.

This book is full of information, though it is presented piecemeal. It probably should be at the "intermediate" level for the theory (but lots of gems) because it is presented somewhat haphazard. I got a lot out of it, but have had a bunch of music theory. There is a...

tendency to state "rules", but that simplifies things for beginners. The exercises/CD itself probably are beginner/int level. I like the encouragement written in the text and some of the more cerebral material. I hate the constant plugging of other products (though I got sucked in by the Major/Minor workout...), although he does mention non-JA products as well. There is a tendency to state "rules", but that simplifies things for beginners.

As a person who has been in the world of jazz for 14+ years,I say that this book is well put together-in fact,it covers many things that I didn't learn about when I was just starting out.However,I would recommend at least a intermediate knowledge...

of one's instrument to get the best use out of this book-or take lessons with a good teacher to help you with your technique,as the book starts out at a medium level,but progresses very rapidly.Don't try to get the grasp of the whole book quickly-take your time with it.I also recommend Jamey's Anyone Can Improvise video and Volume 24 as companions to go along with Volume 1.Overall,this book will challenge you,but if you're serious about learning how to play jazz,this is a good place to start.And don't forget to listen to good jazz music everyday.Enjoy!!!

From a teaching point of view this is the worst book I've ever read. Aebersold may know his stuff but his approach is so scattered I'm not learning anything. I bought this book against the recommendation of my local music store which has had better feedback with other...

books. I wish I'd listened.