"Given this melody note, what chords can I put under it?"
by New York pianist David Berkman is a definitive, 206-page spiral-bound course designed to bridge the gap between basic theory and professional jazz re-harmonization. Rather than focusing on soloing, this text explores the process of adding chords to melodies, demonstrating how a single melodic line can support vast harmonic variations. Core Philosophy: The Concentric Circles of Harmony The Jazz Harmony Book By David Berkman Full
The book is famous for its focus on and melodic embellishment . Where other texts might list the available tensions on a dominant chord (b9, #9, #11, b13), Berkman demonstrates how to connect those tensions to the next chord. He teaches that harmony isn't a series of isolated blocks, but a flowing river of counterpoint. "Given this melody note, what chords can I put under it
Berkman provides a step-by-step iterative process, often starting with a simple tune like a Christmas carol to demonstrate how to layer complexity. Modern Colors: Includes advanced concepts like quartal harmony slash chords pedal points , and "unavailable tensions". Practical Supplements: Where other texts might list the available tensions