*PLEASE ADVISE*

[Jonny Miner]

Hi there--I'm square in the middle of trying to finish a graduate degree, and I expect to be in a PhD program next year. I write about music, and while I used to write about punk and folk, I now write mainly about jazz. I've played guitar/sang in various punk bands for years. However, I have no understanding of music theory, and I usually skip over the notated parts of books on jazz.

So, even though I write more in the vein of cultural history, I want very badly to understand some theory, so I can at least understand liner notes and books on jazz, but also so I can have a better grasp of what's going on in the music. I will have very, very little (meaning close to no) money, but this spring, I'd like to start to learn this stuff.

First, what do you all think would be the quickest and cheapest way to start? Books? Lessons on guitar? Sitting in on classes? Second, what should I be trying to learn? What elements to the music itself are crucial, in your opinion, to understand, for one who writes about jazz?

[Cem]

Very good question. I don't have an answer for you, Jonny. I do think there are others here, who for various reasons would like to understand music on other levels. I took a tiny bit of theory in school in a first year course and pretty well lost it all after 10 years of no usage. I think that's one of the keys: It helps to play an instrument, to keep on using it and not losing it, just like with language. I'd like to get at least to a "conversational" level on an instrument, before I croak. But, like you, I'd like to understand theory, as well.

So, maybe one or more of the fine musicians here could put together some coursework (for a fee) over the net for those of us in need of some theory...?

[Tanager]

I'll second one thing Cem says: without at least rudimentary knowledge of an instrument, I'm not sure that any knowledge of theory will (a) stick or (b) be of much use. I would suggest some basic piano lessons (or classical guitar), either of which will teach you some sight-reading skills as well as the practical applications of things like harmony and scales, etc. You'll want to have some sight-reading skills so that you can pick up a chart and get some sense of what's going on, IMHO.

[graypencil]

Tanager nakes a good point about the theoretical aspects at the stage you're at..

If I were you , I'd start out by reading allthe good various guides that have
been written about jazz in general (Penguin guide, the the Groves Dictionary of jazz
etc ) I'm sure the more literary minded fans here can suggest a good reading program.
Also, since you live in NYC, I'd take advantage of the great resources of the NYC and various college music libraries to hear as much stuff as you can without having to go broke buying stuff ..
with a library card ,and Google ..youre home free :D

My other suggestion would be to listen to as much different jazz of all eras as you can
everything ..from Armstrong through the newer more abstract folks ..

[Jonny Miner]

graypencil - I think you missed the thrust of my post. I've read all the guides, many dictionaries, some anthologies, a good number of the "classics," and lots of the current literature. I may not know as much as people who've been around longer, but I think I can say with assurance that I know a bit about jazz. I want to know more about theory, about composition, notation, how to read, etc. So I can follow the pages of music in Porter's Coltrane bio, or musicological texts like Monson's "Saying Something," or Berliner's "Thinking in Jazz," or maybe know what the "Sorrow Songs" in Du Bois' "The Souls of Black Folk" read like. That sort of thing.

[graypencil]

Sorry for my obtusity ..

In that case:

some basic theory background WILL help you ..notes, clefs, chord relationships, etc.
*DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!* ..go to an intro class at some school and take a course.

( I'd recommend Manhattan SCool of Music as a starting point ..you don't wanna
get buried in traditional classical theory ..and maybe they have
something designed for your needs )

then: Get into a book like Mark Levines: "Jazz THeory" after you've got the basics down.

Good Luck!

[cookie]

Would the New School offer some sort of introductory theory course? The New School's still there right? I know a lot of people from diverse musical backgrounds who were able to get a good background in music theory there. These were musicians coming from rock and pop backgrounds who wanted to understand more about jazz and music theory in general.

Learning to play the piano (at least a little bit) is very helpful in learning to read and understand music. Other instruments are also cool, but the piano has great range and you deal with both bass and treble clef. It's a great tool.

2nd Greypencil's recommendation of Mark Levine's Jazz Theory book. His piano book is also excellent, but the theory book will best meet your immediate needs.

Good luck!

[Jonny Miner]

graypencil and cookie--Thanks for the great suggestions! I hear the New School is still really strong on jazz (I think Tolliver's there?). I'll follow through your advice...

[Andy Williamson]

Hi Johnny

I'm in NY at the moment with plenty of time on my hands. I'd be happy to give you a quick (free!) tutorial on the basics of how to read a jazz chart. Send me a mail off list if you're interested.

Andy

[Jonny Miner]

Andy,

Thanks--that's really incredible! Unfortunately, I have almost NO time on my hands, but I'd like to see if we can make that work... I'll PM you later...