David Liebman Products for Purchase

A CHROMATIC APPROACH TO JAZZ HARMONY AND MELODY - DAVID LIEBMAN

(173 page book)

This book should be seen as a method to help the artist to develop his or her own way when trying to improvise chromatically. Through the concepts and examples offered, the improviser should be able to use this material alongside already familiar tonal ideas. Specifically, the book serves as a guide for organizing chromaticism into a coherent musical statement meant to satisfy both the intellectual and emotional needs of artistic creation. The reader will be introduced to more than one way of conceiving chromatic lines and harmonies. There is nothing theoretically complex or new in the text, it is the organization of the material as well as many musical examples and transcriptions (Bach, Scriabin, Coltrane, Shorter, Hancock, Beirach, Liebman plus others) which should serve to inspire musicians to expand their usual diatonic vocabulary. This book also provides insight into the style of playing that David Liebman is known for. In addition the book contains 100 assorted solo lines and 100 chord voicings.

"To me this book is one of the most fascinating and illuminating books ever written on the subject of improvisation. The first day after I got it I practiced with it for about six hours straight. I love the way it just sort of opens up your mind to look at harmony in such varied ways. All of the musical examples are stimulating, and Dave's essay on related topics are as elegant and insightful as anything I've ever read about improvised music. For musicians looking to expand their harmonic and melodic vocabularies, this is the book! Congratulations!" (Pat Metheny)

HOW TO APPROACH STANDARDS CHROMATICALLY: TECHNIQUES OF SUPERIMPOSITION

Book/CD

Using established standard songs from previous Aebersold Play-Alongs, Lieb uses one superimposition technique per tune as described in his Chromatic Approach to Jazz Melody and Harmony to demonstrate how common progressions can be interpreted in a chromatic manner. Several transcriptions of the solos are included, done by Matt Vashlishan, as well as a CD with all of Lieb's solos.

SELF PORTRAIT OF A JAZZ ARTIST

(2nd edition)

For All Musicians and Jazz Listeners

This book focuses on the process of being a jazz artist. Written from the creator's perspective, the book covers subjects that jazz musicians frequently discuss amongst themselves including creating the music as well as insightful observations on the jazz scene itself. Liebman meticulously discusses soloing, the role of the sideman, the recording studio, leading a group, practicing, as well as other related topics.

DAVID LIEBMAN WRITES ON EDUCATION, THE SAXOPHONE, AND RELATED JAZZ TOPICS

Here is a masterful collection of articles and papers David has written over the years summarizing thoughts on various topics related to jazz and education. Each article is a worthy testament unto itself, but as a collection, they form an enlightening and insightful tool for every music educator and player in search of new ideas and fresh perspectives on teaching for the next century.

"A collection of articles and papers written over the years, this collection is a great resource representing a wealth of important contributions made by the author through his jazz education pursuits. I particularly like the author's treatises on tone, breathing, transciribing, time and jazz rhythms. It is more than just technical information. The author really gets into basic conepts for the beginning saxophonist by analyzing essential ideas that are a must for jazz education instruction. Going beyond the basics, the author also gets into scales, articulation, listening, imitation, sound, breathing, physical warm ups, ear training, reading and philosophy. The collection is strongly recommended for both saxiphonists and music educators. The articles and papers are very relevant for today's jazz education market." -- IAJE Journal

DEVELOPING A PERSONAL SAXOPHONE SOUND

(Available in German, Japanese, Italian, Czech and French)

Book for all Saxophonists

This book describes the physiology of sound production and the mechanics involved. The emphasis is upon freeing up the involved muscles and parts of the body so that they can operate in a natural instinctive manner. With these difficulties alleviated, the aspiring saxophonist has the opportunity to find his/her own inner voice. Including diagrams and exercises, this material represents Lieb's personal interpretation of the studies he did with master teacher Joe Allard.

"This book would be an important and valuable addition to any teacher's library."
     - Saxophone Journal

SAXOPHONE BASICS: A DAILY PRACTICE GUIDE

A handy-to-use pocket size pamphlet lists the daily routine a saxophonist should include in his practicing. Topics include: assembling the horn, correct posture, breathing, overtone exercises and more.

Jazz Connections: Miles Davis and David Liebman

This book is comprised of a series of interviews of David Liebman by Dr. Larry Fisher with a forward by Phil Woods. The interviews read like a novel and include Liebman's views on a variety of subjects, but most interesting are the over 100 pages devoted to his inside view of Miles Davis culled from his tenure in his band. He covers many areas including musical and personal aspects. The following are some quotes from the book.

"Miles did not doubt his instincts. If he felt you should play, you played then!! It wasn't like there was ever a moment of indecision."

"Miles was always the guy who could play the wrongest note and make it sound great. He could play a C# on a C chord, but the way he would interpret it, bend it, place it, blow it, would make you say, that doesn't sound wrong!!"

"You almost want to cry, especially when you hear the ballads. The guy had a sound. He had a way of expressing beauty and poignancy that was so touching to whomever listened. This will above all remain as a beautiful, lyrical voice. There have been a few others: Stan Getz, Chet Baker, Bill Evans - but combined with his credible perspective over several generations and the influence that the sidemen have had, the cumulative effect is staggering. When it boils down, it is the beauty and lyricism above all that shines through and makes people remember someone. He had the beauty."