"Melodic Improvising" is a systematic, detailed method to help the intermediate to advanced guitarist create melodies over harmony. Using techniques developed through his 15 years of teaching improvisation at the world-renowned Berklee College of Music, Bruce Saunders' book teaches guitarists the same techniques used by pianists and brass and woodwind players to create melodic solos; a necessary book for any guitarist wishing to play outside the box.

Jazz Improvisation Using Simple Melodic Embellishment teaches fundamental concepts of jazz improvisation, highlighting the development of performance skills through embellishment techniques. Written with the college-level course in mind, this introductory textbook is both practical and comprehensive, ideal for the aspiring improviser, focused not on scales and chords but melodic embellishment. It assumes some basic theoretical knowledge and level of musicianship while introducing multiple techniques, mindful that improvisation is a learned skill as dependent on hard work and organized practice as it is on innate talent. This jargon-free textbook can be used in both self-guided study and as a course book, fortified by an array of interactive exercises and activities: musical examples performance exercises written assignments practice grids resources for advanced study and more! Nearly all musical exercises--presented throughout the text in concert pitch and transposed in the appendices for E-flat, B-flat, and bass clef instruments--are accompanied by backing audio tracks, available for download via the Routledge catalog page along with supplemental instructor resources such as a sample syllabus, PDFs of common transpositions, and tutorials for gear set-ups. With music-making at its core, Jazz Improvisation Using Simple Melodic Embellishment implores readers to grab their instruments and play, providing musicians with the simple melodic tools they need to "jazz it up."

This book and accompanying audio offer a unique, simplified approach to using arpeggios when improvising. The material is for guitarists of all levels looking to improve their technique and improvisation skills. This method makes it possible to seamlessly incorporate arpeggios into jazz improvisation. Included are over thirty arpeggio-based licks spanning major, minor, dominant, blues and ii-V-I categories. The book also presents straightforward methods for using arpeggios creatively. Most guitarists view arpeggios and scales as separate entities - this book solves this problem by illustrating the relationship between eight simple arpeggio fingerings and scales/modes. Several etudes are also included. These simple mini-arpeggios will provide the reader with an entire world of musical possibilities.

Improvise for Real is a step-by-step method that teaches you to improvise your own music through progressive exercises that anyone can do. You'll learn to understand the sounds in the music all around you. And you'll learn to express your own musical ideas exactly as you hear them in your mind. The method starts with very simple creative exercises that you can begin right away. As you progress, the method leads you on a guided tour through the entire world of modern harmony. You will be improvising your own original melodies from the very first day, and your knowledge will expand with each practice session as you explore and discover our musical system for yourself. Improvise for Real brings together creativity, ear training, music theory and physical technique into a single creative daily practice that will show you the entire path to improvisation mastery. You will learn to understand the sounds in the music all around you and to improvise with confidence over jazz standards, blues songs, pop music or any other style you would like to play. And you'll be jamming, enjoying yourself and creating your own music every step of the way. The method is open to all instruments and ability levels. The exercises are easy to understand and fun to practice. There is no sight reading required, and you don't need to know anything about music theory to begin. Already being used by both students and teachers in more than 20 countries, Improvise for Real is now considered by many people to be the definitive system for learning to improvise. If you have always dreamed of truly understanding music and being able to improvise with complete freedom on your instrument, this is the book for you

Modern Blues is for intermediate to advanced players wishing to expand their melodic and harmonic vocabulary. the music is in standard notation as well as tablature and a CD is included in which the more difficult exercises are played at a slower as well as faster tempo. the CD was recorded with live drums, acoustic bass and guitar. All the exercises are included on the CD as well as many practice tracks that enable the student to play with a rhythm section. the book covers such topics as reharmonization, exotic chord/scale combinations, intervallic and triadic exercises, alternate pentatonic suggestions and exercises and many other topics.

In this remarkable book, Carl Verheyen teaches his philosophy and techniques for improvising. Rather than hashing out scales, Carl teaches how to play lines with strong melodic content. By approaching melodies through intervals and chord qualities, infinite lines can be generated. Carl stresses the importance of collecting lines that can be used in improvised settings. These lines and examples will provide outstanding material for any guitarist yearning for melodic ideas and inspiration. Presented in standard notation and tab.

Written for the intermediate to advanced jazz guitarist, this book assumes an adequate knowledge of chord scales and jazz theory. The topics include playing modally, chord substitutions, Coltrane substitutions, diminished and melodic minor scales as well as dealing with pentatonics. Companion audio download available online