David Crisler - An Introduction to Jazz Improvisation
ACUTAB
Transcribed by David Crisler
Vol. I (book & audio CD)

David Crisler has put together an extremely useful instruction manual for pickers who want to explore jazz structure and harmony on the 5-string banjo. The 54 page book starts with an in-depth discussion and presentation of the major scales, including many useful practice patterns. This progresses to a study of the 4-note chords derived from these scales, with many inversions presented along with more patterns.
We finish up with a look at modes and the famous II-V chord progression. David then pulls it all together in a romp through the swing classic, "All Of Me," in which we look first at the chords and then at how to build a jazz solo from the scales which correspond to each chord. Finally, he presents his own solo for you to learn/study.
All of the scales, exercises, tunes, and licks are presented in tablature and a companion audio CD is included. This is a terrific book, the first in what will be a series of invaluable aids as non-bluegrass style banjo wins more and more practitioners. We can't guarantee that it will turn you into the next Bela Fleck, but we can promise that this book will open your eyes (and your ears!) to the possibility of playing serious jazz on the banjo.

About David Crisler
David Crisler was first attracted to the banjo by seeing a closeup of a guy's hands on T.V. picking the strings of one at breakneck speed. That, combined with a love for the sublime beauty of the Appalachian Mountains, propelled him headlong into the desire to play this instrument. He started out, peacefully trucking along, learning basic Bluegrass from Pete Wernick's "Bluegrass Banjo" book, when out of the blue, he was struck upside the limitations by an earful of the great banjoist Tony Trischka. Then came a whirlwind of Carl Jackson, Larry McNeely, Bill Kieth, Bela Fleck, and others. Soon, he began to realize that he had been born during a special period of it's history when the banjo was undergoing a tremendous re-definition in terms of what it could do. An author of two instructional books, David also created the excellent Jazz Banjo Network website: http://www.bopjo.com