"Jazz Improvisation and the Inner Person"  - A guide for the novice improviser.
		Contents Introduction Minimum Requirements The Beginning Development Basic Jazz Harmony More about Attitudes Subconscious Approaches Marketing Your Talents

This is not meant to be an exclusively musical text regarding the technical means of jazz improvisation.

While the ground to be covered will include aspects of fundamental harmonic, rhythmic and melodic formulae, the major thrust will be the achievement of the appropriate mental set which allows for the greatest artistic productivity from the improviser, at any stage of development.

What is it, talent aside, that sets apart the consistently fresh jazz player from his more earth-bound brothers or sisters?

This faculty is not confined to dexterity. . . we've all heard technically proficient instrumentalists who leave us cold, and other players who, while possibly not possessing the same magnitude of "chops", continuously delight us with their musical imagination.

Is there an attitudinal "X factor" which can be distilled from the approach of the unique, truly creative player? And could this factor be somehow related to each musician's contact with his inner self? This and like subjects are what this book seeks to define and explore.

Other topics covered include personal views regarding the nature of the music business in general, attitudes, development of learning skills, and the managing of professional relationships.

Much of the formation and theories evolved during preparation for class lectures while the author was an instructor at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been presented at seminars and jazz clinics all over the world.

It is hoped that the reader will be able to employ the ideas described to enhance his understanding and bring more joy to both listening and actual performing situations.

Gordon Brisker
Los Angeles, 1993