Lego Blocks - Memorizing Standards

[ryokan]

Anyone have experience with John Elliot's 'Insights in Jazz' Lego block memorization technique? If so, was it helpful? I'm contemplating purchasing the book and giving it a whirl...

[boneyguy]

I have no experience with the method but the idea of it looks fantastic. I'm seriously thinking about getting it now too.

To my way of thinking a hugely significant part of gaining useful and useable knowledge in any endeavour is being able to identify and use patterns and this is exactly what these LEGO materials purport to do.

The reason we are all 'stuck' at our present level of skill is because the next level (or how to get to the next level) is not organized (yet) into recognizable and useable patterns. I really enjoy seeing this kind of teaching material because I think instructing people on how to see patterns and then how to use those patterns is teaching of the highest level.


The only question is does it deliver on the goods. That's where you have to take a chance I guess. I've looked over a lot of the descriptions and my gut tells me it's probably very good stuff.

[slowpinky]

The only question is does it deliver on the goods. That's where you have to take a chance I guess. I've looked over a lot of the descriptions and my gut tells me it's probably very good stuff.

I think books like this are pretty fascinating - ultimately its someones highly personal way of hearing and referring to harmonic devices - but it also clearly laid out .
I'd have always said that the melody comes first - memorising the root movement, internalising the motion of the harmony by singing the inner voices - thats all cool. This book isnt about 'why' the harmony works - it just gives the reader frameworks and 'handles' to recognise the various patterns that re- occur in standards - and has some cool perspectives on some of it too.

[klasaine]

Elliot's book looks cool. I will check that out at some point for sure.

This is one that helped me ... http://www.jazzbooks.com/mm5/merchan...uct_Code=V76DS
David Baker book via the J. Abersold series.

[Samrsmiley]

That looks really interesting. It's a different take on an idea that's been around for years. I think at the very least it would be a interesting book to read and help you come up with YOUR way of learning tunes!

[ryokan]

I ended up ordering 'Hearin' the Changes' from Amazon. From what I've read about it, it sounds like the same concept as the LEGO system, organizing common chord progressions into 'bricks' and 'joins' so they can be more easily recognized and remembered...

[klasaine]

This is/was my own personal list of (40) tunes that seem to encompass most of the genre as far as when you do encounter something 'new' - 99% of the time you already know it. These are all tunes that are called a lot on jazz gigs and jam sessions. They're also tunes that jazz musicians at the jams will all know.

Essential Tunes for HARMONIC Form:

Rhythm Changes (Oleo, Anthropology, Eternal Triangle)
Blues (Straight No Chaser, Bags Groove)
Minor Blues (Equinox, Mr. PC)
Footprints (6/8 "blues" with extended turnaround)
A-Train / Ipanema
Yardbird Suite
Minority
Four
All of Me
Autumn Leaves
Black Orpheus / Sugar
Blue Bossa
Recorda Me / Yes & No
Green Dolphin St. (C & Eb)
How High the Moon
Impressions / So What (modal)
Maiden Voyage (more "complex" modal)
Funny Valentine
Solar
Wave
Song For My Father
Night & Day
All the Things You Are
Blue & Green
Caravan (Long alt. 1 chord w/ bridge)
Scrapple From the Apple (Honeysuckle Rose)
Killer Joe (Dom. 7th vamp w/ bridge)
What Is This Thing Called Love
Confirmation / Cherokee
Stella By Starlight

* Extra Credit, though 'Necessary' for a complete understanding.

Joy Spring / Ceora
Night In Tunisia
Giant Steps (Countdown)
All Blues(3/4)
Early Autumn
Take 5
Moment's Notice
Tenderly
Stardust
Freedom Jazz Dance/Miles Mode (more for the head - great usage of inside-outside melody playing)

Of course there's alternates I could have chosen. And naturally someone will take umbrage that I didn't include their 'must have' jazz standard. Whatever - it's my list .

*Thanks to Dave Shapiro for typing my original hand scrawled version.

[Samrsmiley]

Klasaine that's a really great list! Would you want to write up a bit more of an article and feature it on my blog? I think theres a ton of value there man!

[klasaine]

Short answer - sure Sam ... and I'm flattered.

Long answer - Lets discuss it off this board. I'll pm you.