[PDF] Jazz Guitar for Classical Cats: 0 by Andrew York in Arts-Photography

Review

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful. Also a Great Book for a Jazz Cats Interested in Andrew York as a Composer and ArrangerBy Kenneth of WestfieldI came at this book totally backwards. Im a Jazz guy who just happens to be a huge fan of Andrew Yorks compositions/solo work. I can play fingersyle. know a few Bach pieces. but spend most of my time with a flatpick in hand.After looking at the descriptions of all his books. I chose this one. Im happy I did and grateful that he wrote this book. It exceeded my expectations. I was curious about his approach to voicing chords and his view on Jazz in general.I also purchased the optional accompanying CD after the fact. In hindsight. I could make due without the CD as I read well enough to play what is written here. If you are a competent reader and on a budget. consider skipping the CD. This book is well worth the price for a glimpse at his chord voicings which are in chord grid form with standard notation below.If you are not already knowledgeable of jazz. this book is not going to transform you from an interpreter of Classical music into a great Jazz improviser. It will however. give you a good start along that path.I dont agree with the description on claiming that this book is "the classical guitarists ultimate guide to jazz". The books cover got it right. "introductory lessons on chord voicings. voice leading. and arranging for solo guitar". Yorks compositions and arranging concepts are great. but he is not a Jazzer. his playing and tunes are not exactly Jazz or Classical for that matter ... perhaps New Age? Definitely modern and highly melodic. This book gives you a glimpse into his head. His concepts for harmonizing scales here are very enjoyable and personally reflective of his actual playing and composing. He uses All the Things You are and Autumn Leaves as the basis for studying chord melody. I have played both these songs many times. know the changes and melodies (which he doesnt use) and still found his chord concepts quite challenging. This book does a great job of representing his very personal aesthetic concepts with beautiful. lush chord selections. lots of suspensions. sixes and nines. Im always appreciative when great artists are willing to share their knowledge honestly and deeply; York does that here.If you are a classical guy looking to take a fakebook and flesh out unaccompanied chord melodies from jazz standards. I also recommend Joe Passs DVD Solo Jazz Guitar in addition to this book. Pass mostly uses common "grip" chords. York is more of a modern arranger who happens to play guitar. Im from the CAGED school of playing and know most of the common jazz grips with extensions and altered notes and still learned boatloads from Yorks chording.As I said before. this book met a very personal desire to understand Yorks aesthetic concepts/harmonic ear better. If you are a guitar player and a fan of Andrew York who wants to a glimpse of what makes him tick compositionally. regardless of your genre. I highly recommend this book.One final note. this book is actually 63 pages long. not 4 as stated here on in the product details section. that is a typo.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Four StarsBy goofusreviewed0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy htw930329good~