Since its publication in 1947, great musicians and composers of all genres, from arnold schoenberg and virgil thomson to john coltrane and freddie hubbard, have sworn by this legendary volume and its comprehensive vocabulary of melodic patterns for composition and. Slonimsky thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns for. Slonimskys thesaurus has been a legendary book among musicians since at least the 1960s, with players as diverse as coltrane, zappa and buckethead all finding inspiration in it. Both of his grandfathers were ordained ministers in the african methodist episcopal zion church.
Musicians familiar with the original thesaurus know that it contains a daunting amount of information crammed in its over 230 pages. Full facsimile of the original edition, not reproduced with optical recognition software. Many guitarists and others own a copy, but few have got much advantage. Download the entire book completely free nicolas slonimskys thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns is a legendary book that has influenced musicians as diverse as john coltrane, jaco pastorius, frank zappa and buckethead. Cyclic patterns in john coltranes melodic vocabulary as influenced by nicolas slonimskys thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns. It was first recorded in 1959 and released on the 1960 album giant steps. Oct 01, 1997 slonimskys book of musical anecdotes book. His tone is sharper and in his later years, used patterns a lot in his solos. Thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns download ebook. Jul 17, 2019 john coltrane giant steps wednesday, july 17, 2019 less than a month after kind of blue was recorded in 1959, john coltrane first entered the studio to make what in many ways was that mighty albums equal. Nicolas slonimsky, thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns, table from the. Swinging with slonimskys thesaurus of scales and melodic. According to tyner, coltrane carried the book with him constantly. Nicolas slonimsky, author of widely used reference works.
Nicolas slonimsky, author of widely used reference works on. About this book is a condensed, madeforguitar version of nicolas slonimsky s publication thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns the book that musicians as diverse as john coltrane and frank zappa used for ideas and inspiration. Thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns livros na. I purchased this book after learning that john coltrane would obsessively carry it with him for practice material. Nicolas slonimsky by book only sheet music for guitar. Since its publication in 1947, great musicians and composers of all genres from arnold schoenberg and virgil thomson to john coltrane and freddie. John coltrane reportedly required his band members to play. If youre a serious musician you should get this book.
Thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns livros na amazon. John coltrane used this book as his bible and although im not certain about it ive heard frank zappa did too. Coltrane, jaco, eddie harris, pat martino, and so on. When i started my jazz studies in my mid 20s, i read somewhere that john coltrane practiced out of a book called thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns. John coltrane, chord progression of giant steps, transcribed by andrew white.
In the book, slonimsky extends this concept to splitting multiple octaves into equal parts to generate different principle intervals. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. Many guitarists and others own a copy, but few have got much advantage from it. Jun 21, 2018 in this lesson, were going to take a look at some exercises that i pulled from slonimsky s thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns. Dec 22, 2000 since its publication in 1947, great musicians and composers of all genres from arnold schoenberg and virgil thomson to john coltrane and freddie hubbard have sworn by this legendary volume and its comprehensive vocabulary of melodic patterns, for composition and improvisation. Slonimsky takes joseph schillingers theory of pitch scales and lays them out in a form of enctclopedia of pitch scales. The monumental compilation of unfamiliar melodic patterns, an indispensible reference book for musicians in developing superior technique. Brecker credited his practice routine to gary campbell. Coltrane acknowledged practicing out of the book and borrowed many ideas and melodic patterns from it. Apr 27, 2014 slonimsky and coltrane nicolas slonimsky s thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns 1947 is a highly systematic compendium of templates for composition and improvisation. In 1947 nicholas slonimsky published the thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns.
Nicolas slonimsky s thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns is a legendary book that has influenced musicians as diverse as john coltrane, jaco pastorius, frank zappa and buckethead. Whats the difference between charlie parker and john coltrane. John coltrane used this book as his bible and although im not certain about it i ve. John coltrane before my favorite things john william coltrane was born on 23 september 1926 in hamlet, north carolina. Physicist and saxophonist stephon alexander has argued in his many public lectures and his book the jazz of physics that albert einstein and john coltrane had quite a lot in common.
Cyclic patterns in john coltranes melodic vocabulary as. Thesis john coltrane, avant garde jazz and the evolution of. Since its publication in 1947, great musicians and composers of all genres from arnold schoenberg to john coltrane have sworn by this legendary volume and its comprehensive vocabulary of melodic patterns for composition and improvisation. Alexander in particular draws our attention to the socalled coltrane circle, which resembles what any musician will recognize as the circle of fifths. Several reports on john coltrane assert that he devoted time studying this book and, in fact, scholars have convincingly demonstrated how part of giant steps is directly derived from slonimskys work. Thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns download free. Everything that coltrane ever played was in that thesaurus.
The slonimsky thesaurus contains material which is virtually identical to portions of countdown and giant steps, and slonimksy may be the most direct link between john coltrane and structural principles of the late nineteenth centuryit is truly remarkable that a musicologist born nearly a century ago in russia might have had such an effect on this jazz saxophonist. The slonimsky thesaurus contains material which is virtually identical to portions of countdown and giant steps, and slonimksy may be the most direct link between john coltrane and. Buy thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns text by slonimsky, nicolas isbn. In fact, right near the front of that book, theres a 12tone example its giant steps.
Then in 1988, he published his autobiography, perfect pitch, filled with anecdotes about musical figures of the 20th century, including his mentors and colleagues. Nicolas slonimskys thesaurus of scales and melodic patternsis a legendary book that has influenced musicians as diverse as john coltrane, jaco pastorius, frank zappa and buckethead. It does address giant steps there are 39 references to it, but in addition, coltrane s use of slonimsky in many tunes and improvisations. Since its publication in 1947, great musicians and composers of all genres from arnold schoenberg and virgil thomson to john coltrane and freddie hubbard have sworn by this legendary volume and its comprehensive vocabulary of melodic patterns, for composition and improvisation. According to legend, john coltrane used nichols slonimsky s thesarus of scales and melodic patterns to practice from during the period that kind of blue was recorded. This book is a condensed, madeforguitar version of nicolas slonimskys publication thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns the book that musicians as diverse as john coltrane and frank zappa used for ideasand inspiration. That book started all the jazz guys improvising in 12tone. I understand why so many great musicians look to this book for inspiration. Nicolas slonimskys thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns 1947 is a. It influenced many jazz musicians and composers, including allan holdsworth, john coltrane, frank zappa and paul grabowsky, and remained in print 60 years later, but was largely ignored for years after its publication. Many musicians such as frank zappa, john coltrane and jaco pastorius would use this book to practice and subsequently apply these. They all are a major third apart and they divide the octave into three equal parts. However, at times i wonder whether the famous phrase applied to his playingsheets of sound.
Every time i used to see coltrane hed have nicolas slonimskys book. This was a favorite of john coltrane and allan holdsworth and you can hear the influence. Finding slonimskys thesaurus of scales and melodic. John coltranes giant steps, animated representation. John coltrane died at the age of 40 on july 17, 1967. Slonimsky and coltrane nicolas slonimsky s thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns 1947 is a highly systematic compendium of templates for composition and improvisation. Jazz musicians emphasize that john coltrane studied this text in enahncing his improvisational genius. Garys extensions book basically outlines the procedure of moving interval or motifs up or down in symmetric intervals. Thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns download free pdf. The composition features a cyclic chord pattern that has come to be known as coltrane changes.
Thesis john coltrane, avant garde jazz and the evolution. I just ran across this masters dissertation on coltrane and slonimsky. Since its publication in 1947, great musicians and composers of all genres, from arnold schoenberg and virgil thomson to john coltrane and freddie hubbard, have sworn by this legendary volume and its. Much has been written about the book s influence on coltrane, who apparently carried the book with him everywhere from 19571959. Nicolas slonimsky born nikolai leonidovich slonimskiy russian. This book definitely isnt for the faint of heart, that said there are a nearly an infinite number ideas to be taken from this text. Thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns by nicolas. Mar 12, 2018 i was looking for slonimskys thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns, a book of algorithmicallygenerated scales which had a following among jazz musicians, most notably john coltrane. Much has been written about the books influence on coltrane, who apparently carried the book with him everywhere from 19571959. Thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns, book by nicolas. This book is a condensed, madeforguitar version of nicolas slonimsky s publication thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns the book that musicians as diverse as john coltrane and frank zappa used for ideas and inspiration. Think about this book as a melodic reference manual or plot wheel. Finding slonimsky s thesaurus of scales and melodic.
Click download or read online button to get thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns book now. Thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns download ebook pdf. Slonimsky simplified in 1947 nicholas slonimsky published the thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns. In an interview, slonimsky stated that the scales are compositions and they also provide materials for more extended compositionsi wrote several works in those. John coltrane probably was the person that brought the most attention to the thesaurus. I was looking for slonimskys thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns, a book of algorithmicallygenerated scales which had a following among jazz. John coltrane draws a picture illustrating the mathematics. Slonimsky began contributing to oscar thompsons international cyclopedia of music. This is most certainly derived from slonimsky but garys routine is. Giant steps is a jazz composition by american saxophonist john coltrane. Finding slonimsky s thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns. Im going to try to break down how the book works in a manner that doesnt require a phd to understand. John coltrane, nicolas slonimsky and the arduino part 1 atchai. Whats the difference between charlie parker and john.
One of the most influential works by the late, renowned russianamerican conductor and composer nicolas slonimsky, the thesaurus of scales and. Jan 21, 2016 the slonimsky thesaurus contains material which is virtually identical to portions of countdown and giant steps, and slonimksy may be the most direct link between john coltrane and. John coltrane giant steps wednesday, july 17, 2019 less than a month after kind of blue was recorded in 1959, john coltrane first entered the studio to make what in many ways was that mighty albums equal. The pianist in coltranes classic quartet will feature music from mccoy tyner plays john coltrane, his new album on impulseuniversal.
John coltrane 19261967 is generally recognized as one of the most significant saxophonists in music history. However, a love supreme, saxophonist john coltranes 1965 concept album with. This book is a condensed, madeforguitar version of nicolas slonimskys publication thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns the book that musicians as diverse as john coltrane and frank zappa used for ideas and inspiration. It is as comprehensive an answer as could possibly be hoped. Thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns by nicolas slonimsky. In this lesson, were going to take a look at some exercises that i pulled from slonimskys thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns.
John coltranes giant steps, animated representation the. This book originally published in 1947, was written by nicolas slonimsky 1894 1995, a russianborn american conductor, author, pianist, composer and lexicographer. Buy thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns text by nicolas slonimsky. John coltrane draws a picture illustrating the mathematics of. Since its publication in 1947, great musicians and composers of all genres from arnold schoenberg and virgil thomson to john coltrane and freddie hubbard have sworn by this legendary volume and its comprehensive vocabulary of melodic patterns for composition and improvisation. Jk, the main difference is that john coltrane is more abrasive, more intense, his jazz can vary from fast with rapid chord changes ie. Slonimskys book of musical anecdotes by nicolas slonimsky. Rockfusion guitarist allan holdsworth was also known to have adapted many of the concepts found in the thesaurus to his unique and brilliant guitar playing. The composition has become a jazz standard and has been covered by many artists. Jul 26, 2016 coltrane, jaco, eddie harris, pat martino, and so on. In slonimskys book, page 27 page 39 on your pdf ditone progression, equal division of one octave into three parts you see that slonimsky uses the notes.
Even advanced players claim its difficult to use, dry and dauntingly long. Bair, jeff, cyclic patterns in john coltranes melodic vocabulary as influenced by nicolas slonimskys thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns. Every time i used to see coltrane hed have nicolas slonimsky s book. Yet many guitar players find it difficult to understand and use. The story of john coltranes signature albumby ashley kahn. Thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns hal leonard online. Writing an entire book about just one recordespecially one that clocks in at just 32.
Since its first publication in 1947, great musicians and composers of all genres. It influenced many jazz musicians and composers, including allan holdsworth, john coltrane, frank zappa and paul grabowsky, and remained in. But thats only one reason why this book should be acquired, cherished, and continually browsed. Nicolas slonimskythesaurus of scales and melodic patterns. This is most certainly derived from slonimsky but garys routine is more accessible. The slonimsky thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns is classic music literature. According to legend, john coltrane used nichols slonimskys thesarus of scales and melodic patterns to practice from during the period that kind of blue was recorded. Alexander in particular draws our attention to the socalled coltrane circle, which resembles what any musician will recognize as the circle of fifths, but incorporates coltranes own innovations. Cyclic patterns in john coltrane s melodic vocabulary as influenced by nicolas slonimsky s thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns. John coltrane would leave for a road trip with the quartet carrying nothing but his horn case and the slonimsky book. In this vein, he was known to practice patterns out of the slonimsky book, which systematically goes through all the permutations of different intervals and patterns. Coltrane carried that book around till the pages fell off.
Thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns nicolas slonimsky. Jul 27, 2017 john coltrane would leave for a road trip with the quartet carrying nothing but his horn case and the slonimsky book. Musicians familiar with the original thesaurus know that it contains a daunting amount of information crammed. Nicolas slonimskys first edition of music since 1900 came out in 1937his entry into the world of lexicographyand this fifth edition, published in 1994, was the last book he wrote. John coltrane, nicolas slonimsky and the arduino part 1. Many musicians such as frank zappa, john coltrane and jaco.
Dec 07, 2001 the pianist in coltrane s classic quartet will feature music from mccoy tyner plays john coltrane, his new album on impulseuniversal. Since its publication in 1947, great musicians and composers of all genres, from arnold schoenberg and virgil thomson to john coltrane and freddie hubbard, have sworn by this legendary volume and its comprehensive vocabulary of melodic patterns for composition and improvisation. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Jazz musicians particularly should find this text, because the text leads to ideas in understanding improvisation.
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