Book – Chord Tone Soloing for Jazz Guitar: Master Arpeggio-Based Soloing for Jazz Guitar
Author – Joseph Alexander
Amazon Link – https://www.amazon.com/Chord-Tone-Soloing-Jazz-Guitar-ebook/dp/B00XIB2MEA/
About
This book, by popular Amazon author, Joseph Alexander, claims to help you to quickly learn how to solo over the 13 most essential chord progressions in jazz guitar using arpeggios, substitutions and chromatic approaches.
He states it will help you to learn the best arpeggios to use over the thirteen most common chord sequences in jazz and bebop guitar playing.
What I liked about the book?
I`m a big believer that when a lead guitarist gets to a certain level that having the ability to use chord tones and arpeggios to strengthen a solo and make it extra melodic is a great skill to have.
This book takes this approach and teaches you from the ground up how to do this in jazz (this is super important in jazz) and he does it well.
The author takes you from the very beginning of learning the arpeggio shapes to being able to use them over a variety of typical jazz chord progressions. He introduces the important ideas of chromaticism, arpeggio extensions, and more, and he gives you a massive amount of examples to use.
Is there an audio cd and is it any good?
There is an audio download section but I have struggled to download the correct files which is frustrating.
What I don`t like about the book?
It can get a little dry at times and the depth is probably too much. Some of the concepts are for the super dedicated jazz guitarist and not enough emphasis is placed on learning and developing these ideas by ear.
Many of the jazz greats had a great ear in addition to their theoretical skills. The author doesn`t give enough attention to this.
Conclusion
It`s a very in-depth book and one that really requires some time and effort to fully appreciate.
It loses a mark for making the audio difficult to get and although it could have been more fun and liberating, it will teach you a lot on how to play lead in jazz guitar.
You can take these ideas, simplify them a little for other styles and your lead guitar playing will be better for it!
Rating
8/10