Coming from a rock/jazz-fusion background, I found playing traditional jazz solos something of a challenge.  I purchased lots of instructional videos and many books, but usually they told me something I already knew: which patterns I should play over which chords. This isn’t helpful at all. I knew how to do that. That doesn’t make for good improvisation.

I’ve always felt that this is the worst approach to take with regard to jazz improvisation. It brings out the worst in guitarists: play lots and lots of notes very fast with little regard for the harmony underneath. This is noodling. And I’m lazy. I like to noodle. But I wanted to learn to play through the changes, not on top of them.

Enter Connecting Chords with Linear Harmony.

Here’s what I love about it: it’s not written for guitarists. There isn’t a chord diagram or page of tablature in sight. It’s a deceptively simple analysis of 3 generic and ubiquitous ii-V-I outlines, followed by lots and lots of examples of these outlines used out in the wild.

Many people swear by this book. Just read the Amazon reviews. I’m studying it again. Just thought I’d share the wealth.