Thesaurus of Scales and Melodic Patterns

by Nicolas 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 comprehensive vocabulary of melodic patterns, for composition and improvisation.

Genres: Music, Reference, Nonfiction, Textbooks, Jazz, Art

256 pages, Hardcover

First published August 4, 2012

Reviews

[Craig Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Slonimsky Thesaurus of Scales and Melodic Patterns is classic music literature. Jazz musicians particularly should find this text, because the text leads to ideas in understanding improvisation. Jazz musicians emphasize that John Coltrane studied this text in enahncing his improvisational genius. I studied music at Musicians' Institute in Los Angeles California. I then formally studied Jazz Guitar as a Music Major at the University of Southern California. As a child, I studied classical guitar at the Conservatory of the Arts in St. Louis, Missouri. I performed as a professional musician throughout the 1980's and 1990's. I enjoyed the opportunity to work as a studio musician during this time, and this text definitely helps improving one's improvisational skills or "Chops." Study Slonmisky. I would suggest not to simply read the text, but study it.

[Serge Pierro · Rating 5 out of 5]

The legendary book by Slonimsky is a must read for the serious musician. This is not a book for people who are unwilling to work hard, or unwilling to stretch their ears. When I practiced 12-16 hours a day, this was one of the books that I worked out of. "Intervallic Designs" by Joe DiOrio would be a good introduction to the use of this book, as it is shorter and more accessible and relevant to a couple of pages of this book. There's a reason why players like John Coltrane studied it!

[Noodle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm only on page four or so, but this book portends to be a methodical and systematic exploration of every possible scale and pattern imaginable. It begins with synthetic patterns rather than traditional scales. This is great for guitar technique although it is intended for any instrument. I purchased this after watching Buckethead on youtube.com all night long. I really would like to be a good guitar player one day. Why not I've only been playing for nearly twenty years now. Maybe it's time to take this music thing seriously. Now I have an electric guitar and amp in my bedroom. It's like I'm 16 again except my room-mates don't complain...yet.

[Gypsy Novela · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is the book Charlie Mingus studied before baffling his audience. very compicated and long, good for serious musicians seeking solace in improv.

[Alex Delogu · Rating 4 out of 5]

As if I finished reading this.

An indispensable text book for patterns and melodic motifs. Technical and mechanical, maybe, but rich nonetheless.

[Sagekeyboard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it and shred. All hail Slonimsky

[Andrew Pitkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of those, "You have to read it at least once," kind of books for musicians. Indispensable and vast, but there are many other resources out there to pull from that are as valuable, and sometimes more valuable.

[George Barker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A useful addition to any musician's library.

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