Whenever you get into a new hobby, line of work, or general area of interest, there is always one book or resource of information that people in those circles dub “The Bible.”

“Oh, you must get this book!”
“This is the only book you’re going to need!”
“Everyone usually recommends you start here first.”

It’s almost a source of pride for us as people to be able to successfully recommend a resource to someone and have them succeed. “See? I told you so” is perhaps the most gratifying sentence in the history of mankind.

Especially in the opinionated world of guitar, almost everyone you talk to has some book, DVD, or CD that they feel encompasses everything you will need to know. When it comes to learning how to play jazz (which I’m still learning to do), that resource – my “bible” – comes in the form of a book by pianist Mark Levine called The Jazz Theory Book.

From the second you open this book you become absorbed in the language of jazz. I would venture to say that pretty much every conceivable facet of jazz performance and improvisation is covered.

Modes? Got it.
Pentatonics? Covered.
Chord theory? It’s in there!
Coltrane changes? Yep.
Reharmonization? But, of course…

What I love the most about Levine’s jazz theory book is the huge number of musical examples taken from famous jazz recordings. It’s obvious that Levine has done his homework, providing literally hundreds of examples (in musical notation) and footnotes so you know what CD to buy to hear it.

Another highlight for me is extensive use of examples from pianist Mulgrew Miller and trumpeter Woody Shaw – two of my favorites. It’s not an overwhelming amount, but they are quoted enough to really get a feel for their style. Fret not, however, this is not a piano or trumpet book. It’s not a guitar book, either. It’s a jazz book.

This is not a book that you will be able to sit down from page one and play through all of the examples so by the time you are done you can “play jazz.” Nope, it’s not a method book. If anything it’s an expository work that shows you all of the tools you will need to succeed. Learning how to use those tools to build something is up to you.

I have read this book five or six times since I bought it a few years ago. I would say I read it at least once a year from cover to cover in order to keep the information fresh in my mind. You truly can never get enough from this book!

If you are interested in learning the language of jazz, I can offer you no suggestion better than The Jazz Theory Book by Mark Levine. You will not be disappointed.