The Lobster Theory (and other analogies for jazz improvisation) - Softcover

Greg Fishman

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0991407806 ISBN 13: 9780991407804

Publisher: Greg Fishman Jazz Studios, 2014

Synopsis

The Lobster Theory is a ground breaking new approach to learning the language of jazz. It s a book of musical concepts brought to life through the use of analogies and illustrations. Through eighteen chapters, the book shares fresh, new approaches to the following topics: Practicing (Lifting Weights) Ear Training (The School Bell) Harmonic awareness (Ketchup on a Brownie) Phrasing (The Bus) The importance of chord study (Polishing the Silver) Common Tones (Dual Citizen Notes) Hearing in Harmonic Context (Harmonic GPS) Pacing your Solo (The Waiter) How to instantly memorize Major Scales & Key Signatures (Alligators, Elephants & Clowns) Using Chord Substitutions (Harmonic Turn Signals) Infusing your solos with life and energy (The Bobber Theory) Using taste to differentiate the sounds of chords (Apple Chords - includes spellings for the 60 most common seventh chords) Two great ways to sequence an musical idea (The Snake) Connecting with your listener (Tasting Harmony) Organizing your musical furnishings (The Music House) Scale Note selection (The Kid and the Cupcake) Transformative practice strategies (Running with the Pro Dogs)

About this title

Review:

What Greg Fishman has accomplished in this book is to explain, and then show through the use of awesome drawings and complete musical examples different concepts and ideas that are essential to our development development as musicians. The Lobster Theory is a really fun read and I enjoy Greg s sense of humor and wit. The ideas he presents here are effective, long lasting and inviting for students and educators alike. --Jeff Coffin

The Lobster Theory is unlike the other books that Greg has published. Greg has the ability to describe simple as well as complex concepts in a way that many musicians can relate to as well as expand upon generally understood concepts (scales, articulation, sound, rhythm, etc.) in a way that you might have never thought of before. He uses various analogies that are simple to understand and retain. The Lobster Theory is not a book where you need to move from Chapter 1 to 2 to 3 etc., You can jump around to various chapters that interest you and spend time trying to internalize each individual concept. What Greg has successfully done in, my personal opinion, is to demonstrate simple and advanced musical concepts in an accessible way that everyone can enjoy. My Thoughts When I first heard about The Lobster Theory, I expected it to be an extension of Hip Licks for Saxophone Volume 1 and Volume 2, but with a heavier focus on theory as well as developing a focused practice routine. After reading through this book, I was able to gain a better understanding that this book was quite different. In this book, I believe Greg is trying to communicate simple as well as more advanced theories with analogies and pictures compared to offering various licks that would fit well over ii-V-I s, minor ii-V-I s, etc. I do not want to give too much away, but my favorite chapters were Lifting Weights pertaining to practicing, Polishing the Silver, which was about reviewing your chords, Harmonic GPS , relating to how you hear your notes, and Apple Chords , which is a way to describe chords so you can remember the sound. There are more great concepts Greg describes in this book, but these chapters really stood out to me as areas I need to be aware of and constantly working to improve. I found that in each chapter Greg offers a great analogy as well as multiple ways of revisiting fundamental musical concepts that every musician should be working on throughout their music studies. Conclusion In my personal opinion, Greg has a gift for being able to communicate simple as well as complex ideas in a way that the beginning, intermediate, and advanced player will be excited to dive into, and really work on integrating his teachings into their playing. If you enjoyed Greg s Jazz Saxophone Etudes, as well as Hip Licks for Saxophone Volume 1 and Volume 2, I would recommend checking outThe Lobster Theory (and other analogies for jazz improvisation). --Zach Sollitto - The Best Saxophone Website Ever

About this edition

• Publisher: Greg Fishman Jazz Studios
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 0991407806
• ISBN 13: 9780991407804
• Binding: Perfect Paperback
• Number of pages: 96
• Editor: Jon Ziomek, Judy Roberts
• Illustrator: Mick Stevens