Music Theory Through Improvisation

Edward W. Sarath is Professor of Music and Chair for the Department of Jazz and Improvisation Studies at the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance at the University of Michigan.

Preface 1. Improvisation Across Boundaries: A Trans-stylistic Approach 2. Music Fundamentals: Key Signatures, Scales, Intervals, Modes, and Melodic Cells 3. Modality and Rhythm I: Time Feels 4. Modality and Rhythm II: Small Group Framework 5. Basic Tonal Materials: Triads and Seventh Chords 6. Harmonic Functions 7. Swing: Global Rhythmic Gateway 8. Melodic Line Construction and Harmonization 9. Chord Inversion Present and Past 10. Non-diatonic Harmony I: Applied Chords 11. Non-diatonic Harmony II: Modal Mixture 12. Figured Bass Realization at the Keyboard 13. Extended Chords 14. Altered Extensions 15. Diverse Approaches to Analysis 16. Further Creative Horizons in Jazz Improvisation and Composition Appendix 1. Introduction to Species Counterpoint Appendix 2. Overtone Series and Equal Temperament Appendix 3. Rhythmic Exercises Appendix 4. Jazz Etudes Appendix 5. Additional Keyboard Exercises Appendix 6. Instrument Ranges, Transposition, and Score Excerpts Appendix 7. Aural Transposition Appendix 8. Sample Syllabus Appendix 9. CD and Web Audio Tracks