Book cover of 'The Jazz Saxophone Book' by Tim Armacost, with a saxophone illustration on a blue background

Jazz Saxophone Book

By Tim Armacost

The ultimate guide to playing jazz saxophone — for everyone from beginners to working musicians.

This is a complete method for learning to speak the jazz language on your horn. Rooted in practical skills and going far beyond theory, The Jazz Saxophone Book will greatly improve your ability to construct beautiful, flowing solo lines.

Endorsed by: Jerry Bergonzi, Bob Mintzer, Bob Sheppard, George Garzone, Jamey Aebersold, David Berkman, Walt Weiskopf, Steve Wilson, etc.

In addition to the text, the book includes access to over 30 videos of the author demonstrating ideas in the book. To give you concrete examples of each idea there are hundreds of transcribed examples of solo phrases by the masters of jazz saxophone.

For the beginning improviser, we cover:

— Creative ways to work on sound, time and building a jazz vocabulary
— Connecting your soloing with your internal singing voice
— Foundational jazz harmony - what you need to know to start swinging! 

For intermediate players, the book offers:

— In-depth treatment of jazz harmony, with copious examples from the masters of the tradition
— Ideas for becoming a musical storyteller
— Skills needed to show up at a jam session and confidently perform a tune 

For more advanced players, the book discusses:

— Using advanced harmony to build and release tension
— Taking jazz vocabulary, harmony and form into the realm of freedom
— How to practice efficiently to become a well-rounded, continually improving soloist 

Spiral-bound, 262 pages, Table of Contents.

Sample Pages: 43-44, 145-146

Endorsements:

“This amazing book is a comprehensive method to playing and improvising. I am on the same page with everything Tim is saying. A great book!”
— Jerry Bergonzi

“A masterpiece of valuable jazz information. A must-have book for all jazz teachers and serious students.”
— Jamey Aebersold

“A concise and thorough book on how to play saxophone in a jazz setting. Highly recommended for students of jazz music.”
— Bob Mintzer

“Many concepts in The Jazz Saxophone Book are very similar to my own. Very clear and informative. I like it!”
— Bob Sheppard

Grammy nominated saxophonist and author Tim Armacost is one of the most important improvisers on the New York scene today. He has toured around the world, both as a sideman and a band leader, with jazz greats including Al Foster, Jimmy Cobb, Kenny Barron, Tom Harrell, Billy Hart, Jeff “Tain” Watts and the New York Standards Quartet. Tim has recorded 16 critically acclaimed albums as a leader, performed on more than 60 as a sideman, and has composed and arranged for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. He is a faculty member at Queens College in New York City and the Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshops, and has conducted master classes at universities on four continents. 
Format: Print
$36.00
All Books Spiral-Bound to Lay Flat on Any Music Stand
Instant Digital Downloads
Primary Instrument: Saxophone
All Instruments
Primary Instrument: Saxophone
All Instruments

“A beautiful and practical guide to improvising in the jazz idiom.”
— Walt Weiskopf

“The Jazz Saxophone Book is a much welcomed addition to saxophone and improvisation pedagogy. Tim has constructed a comprehensive approach that reflects his artistry and wisdom as one of the major voices in the music. This is now one of my primary teaching and practicing resources. Thank you, Tim!”
— Steve Wilson

“This book covers a good amount of understanding of the art of improvising. I highly recommend it.”
— George Garzone

“Tim's wonderful book is a necessary must for every saxophonist or instrumentalist. He spells out all of the important factors so brilliantly. I've highly recommended his book to all of my students seeking a thorough understanding of playing jazz music - truly a great tutorial!”
— George Young

“Filled with rich examples drawn from the jazz tradition as well as his own well-constructed solo lines, Tim Armacost has created a detailed, intelligent book for any student who wishes to improve as an improvising musician. Tim is a fantastic saxophonist and passionate lifelong teacher who has traveled the world playing jazz at the highest level and this ambitious book shows his process — covering nearly all aspects of jazz study, from sound production to line construction, song forms, jazz history and many aspects of performance. As someone who has worked with Tim in countless musical situations, I have continually been impressed by his love of music and his enthusiasm for sharing it, and with this book he has taken that to another level. Highly recommended.”
— David Berkman

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