Books by David Berkman

David Berkman is an first-call NY jazz pianist, composer, and esteemed educator whose books have become go-to resources for musicians seeking both clarity and depth in their studies. His titles reflect a rare blend of real-world experience and teaching insight, making them invaluable for students, educators, and professionals alike.

The Jazz Harmony Book is a comprehensive and engaging guide to understanding and applying harmony in a jazz context — praised for its clarity, musicality, and subtle humor. The Jazz Musician’s Guide to Creative Practicing goes beyond scales and exercises, helping musicians develop meaningful, personal practice routines that foster real growth. And The Jazz Singer’s Guidebook remains one of the only texts that thoroughly addresses the needs of jazz vocalists, offering a deep dive into harmony, phrasing, ear training, and more.

Together, these books form a cohesive and inspiring toolkit for becoming a more thoughtful, expressive, and informed jazz musician.

Book cover of 'The Jazz Harmony Book' by David Berkman with a Zen-like sand and ripples design.

Jazz Harmony Book

$26.00 $37.00
Book cover of 'The Jazz Musician's Guide to Creative Practicing' by David Berkman, with a purple background and orange text.

Jazz Musician's Guide to Creative Practicing

$20.00 $34.00
Cover of 'The Jazz Singer's Guidebook' by David Berkman, featuring an illustration of a jazz singer with a microphone and a piano.

Jazz Singer's Guidebook

$15.00 $34.00

Endorsements

"Since David Berkman was appointed to the Aaron Copland School at Queens College, the difference in the level of sophistication of our graduates in both performing and composing has been tremendous. Musicians get much more value from all of our courses because of the understanding they gain from the material contained in this book. When musicians understand harmony they hear more detail in the music and can participate at a much higher level. David has a gift for explaining complex ideas and guiding musicians along the path of learning jazz harmony. This book is invaluable!”
— Michael Philip Mossman

[The Jazz Harmony Book]

"I found this book to be insightful, witty, and very inspiring. Staying inspired to practice is probably one of the biggest challenges that we all face as both young and veteran musicians. Well, that and finding work — but that's another book! This is a 'must-have' for any musician looking to take their playing to the next level.”
— Sam Newsome

[The Jazz Musician's Guide to Creative Practicing]

"David Berkman is one of the top jazz pianists working today and he brings his experience as an accompanist and as a teacher of jazz voice students to this incredible book - not only very useful to singers, but to educators alike!! A must have!”
— Dena De Rose, jazz vocalist, recording artist

[The Jazz Singer's Guidebook]

"Well-respected teacher and jazz musician David Berkman has done it again; his new book is another 'must have.' Berkman presents a well thought-out, well-organized look at chords and harmonic structures used in jazz music. Berkman's instructional logic is sound and he thoroughly explains each new concept. He also keeps your attention with smart analogies and interesting anecdotes. This is a great book for novices, educators, or pros who want to have a clearer understanding of how harmony works. I highly recommend this book.”
— George Colligan

[The Jazz Harmony Book]

"Great book! Insightful, practical, entertaining. Finally a book for vocalists that is very well organized and clearly laid out. Thank you David!”
— Christine Correa, vocal studies, Columbia University, NYC

[The Jazz Singer's Guidebook]

"A refreshing and edifying insight into the nuts and bolts of our daily creative pursuit. For the musician on any level, this is a gift that keeps on giving.”
— Steve Wilson

[The Jazz Musician's Guide to Creative Practicing]
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