Learn how to solo like the masters | An indispensable practice guide for serious jazz guitarists!
This hands-on method shows you how to break down solo phrases as played by the giants of jazz into bite-sized “cells” - compact, powerful melodic fragments - that can be re-combined into longer lines to fit almost any harmonic situation, from rhythm changes to Coltrane changes.
This will enable you to improvise your own lines that sound just as interesting and melodic as the best soloists, without resorting to simply copying others. Fingerings and string choices are often given, making it particularly valuable to guitarists, but the concepts are adaptable to all instruments.
Some of the harmonic situations dealt with include:
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Fast-moving cycles such as the bridge of “Jordu”
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Chromatic II-V changes
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Turnarounds, including many that are useful for dealing with “rhythm changes”
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Jimmy Heath's “C.T.A.” changes
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John Coltrane's “Giant Steps” changes.
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In addition, slower moving II-Vs are covered, using various strategies for stringing together the short cells into long flowing lines.
There is also a complete discussion of how to break out of diatonic-derived lines by using the cellular approach to create “side-slipping” and other intervallic lines — creating ultra-hip solo phrases in the style of modern masters such as Pat Metheny, Michael Brecker and Herbie Hancock.
Finally, the cell concept gets transcended as twelve-tone rows in the style of Mike Stern and others are explored, as well as lines derived from “23rd chords” — for the adventurous that are interested in paving a way into the future of jazz guitar.
Perfect for intermediate to advanced players who want to expand their improvisational vocabulary.
Spiral-bound, 189 pages, Table of Contents.
Sample Pages:
Endorsements:
“Randy Vincent is a master player and teacher. The information in this book is very thorough and complete and the insights he offers are invaluable to anyone who is interested in improvising. This is a most welcome addition to the world of jazz pedagogy. Thanks, Randy!”
— Bruce Forman
“This book is good for ALL instruments. The patterns and exercises are excellent!”
— Jamey Aebersold
“Randy Vincent's new book The Cellular Approach very concisely lays out some great ideas for improvising. I look forward to delving deeper into this book. Congrats, Randy!”
— Dave Stryker
