This is a great 25 pattern to work out in twelve keys. Slonimski studied at the academy of fine arts in warsaw. Thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns by nicolas. Colemanross, 1947, a book of nearly scales described by its author as a reference book for composers in search of new materials persona studio recording. Finding slonimskys thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns in two concerti by john adams john adams has candidly acknowledged the signi. Jazz musicians emphasize that john coltrane studied this text in enahncing his improvisational genius. The slonimsky thesaurus contains material which is virtually identical to portions of countdown and giant steps, and slonimksy may be the most direct link between john coltrane and structural principles of the late nineteenth centuryit is truly remarkable that a musicologist born nearly a century ago in russia might have had such an effect on this jazz saxophonist. This new biography, the first by a professional jazz scholar and performer, presents a huge amount of neverbeforepublished material, including interviews with coltrane, photos, genealogical documents, and innovative musical analysis that offers a. Swinging with slonimskys thesaurus of scales and melodic. John coltrane one of the jazz great, from the persona. Nicolas slonimsky 18941995 was a russianborn american conductor, author, pianist, composer, and lexicographer. Physicist and saxophonist stephon alexander has argued in his many public lectures and his book the jazz of physics that albert einstein and john coltrane had quite a lot in common.
Lazy bird appeared on coltrane s 1957 album, blue train. In fact, right near the front of that book, theres a 12tone example its giant steps. Yeah, he was famously obsessed with the thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns. The hypertexts lee slonimsky lee slonimsky has published one book of poems in free verse, talk between leaf and skin srlr press, austin tx, 2002, but has been working primarily in traditional forms and meter for the past several years, especially with the sonnet. That book started all the jazz guys improvising in 12tone. In an interview, slonimsky stated that the scales are compositions and they also provide materials for more extended compositionsi wrote several works in those scales. However, at times i wonder whether the famous phrase applied to his playingsheets of soundactually might. In an interview, slonimsky stated that the scales are compositions and they also provide materials for more extended compositionsi wrote several works in those. But thats only one reason why this book should be acquired, cherished, and continually browsed. Coltrane, jaco, eddie harris, pat martino, and so on.
This book is a condensed, madeforguitar version of nicolas slonimsky s publication thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns the book that musicians as diverse as john coltrane and frank zappa used for ideasand inspiration. John coltrane, nicolas slonimsky and the arduino part 2. The purpose of the book was to give the modern musician circa early 1900s a resource for playing all the weird patterns that modern classical composers were putting into their weird pieces. John coltrane was a key figure in jazz, a pioneer in world music, and an intensely emotional force whose following continues to grow. The slonimsky family name was found in the usa, and canada between 1911 and 1920. John coltranes giant steps, animated representation. This book definitely isnt for the faint of heart, that said there are a nearly an infinite number ideas to be taken from this text. Heres another great pattern taken from john coltrane. This new edition of a sixvolume reference originally edited by eminent musicologist, nicolas slonimsky, who died in 1995 contains an additional 2,000plus entries on popular, jazz, country, and rock musicians, as well as 20thcentury classical musicians not previously covered. Full facsimile of the original edition, not reproduced with optical recognition software. Slonimsky began contributing to oscar thompsons international cyclopedia of music.
A must have for any schillinger inspired musician and great for any instrumentalist. John coltrane draws a picture illustrating the mathematics. Nicolas slonimsky, author of widely used reference works. John coltrane used this book as his bible and although im not certain about it ive heard frank zappa did too. Both of his grandfathers were ordained ministers in the african methodist episcopal zion church. John coltrane probably was the person that brought the most attention to the thesaurus. Coltrane carried that book around till the pages fell off. Antoni slonimski, polish poet, translator, and newspaper columnist known for his devotion to pacifism and social justice. Alexander in particular draws our attention to the socalled coltrane circle, which resembles what any musician will recognize as the circle of fifths, but incorporates coltrane s own innovations.
The analysis is categorized in two distinct sections. According to tyner, coltrane carried the book with him constantly. Music of latin america by slonimsky nicolas abebooks. Nicolas slonimskys first edition of music since 1900 came out in 1937his entry into the world of lexicographyand this fifth edition, published in 1994, was the last book he wrote. 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. If youre a serious musician you should get this book. Finding slonimsky s thesaurus of scales and melodic. Im going to try to break down how the book works in a manner that doesnt require a phd to understand. I purchased this book after learning that john coltrane would obsessively carry it with him for practice material. Slonimsky was the only person i knew personally that was born in the 19th century and recognized both ives he made the first recording of ives in 1934 and was conducting ives as early as 1930 and zappa as great musical geniuses. Rockfusion guitarist allan holdsworth was also known to have adapted many of the concepts found in the thesaurus to his unique and brilliant guitar playing. Petersburg, russia, in 1894, nicolas slonimsky was a writer, lexicographer, pianist, composer, conductor, and champion of contemporary music.
Jacob tomsky is a dedicated veteran of the hospitality business. May 29, 2017 an excellent resource for the facts and key players in russian history from the start of wwi to the mid1920s. Buy thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns text by slonimsky, nicolas isbn. Home books nonfiction entertainment music general ebook slonimskys book of musical anecdotes locations where this product is available this item is not currently in stock in dymocks stores contact your local store to order. Apr 27, 2014 slonimsky and coltrane nicolas slonimsky s thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns 1947 is a highly systematic compendium of templates for composition and improvisation. This book is a condensed, madeforguitar version of nicolas slonimsky s publication thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns the book that musicians as diverse as john coltrane and frank zappa used for ideas and inspiration. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. April 15 1894 december 25, 1995, born nikolai leonidovich slonimskiy russian. Nicolas slonimsky s thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns is a legendary book that has influenced musicians as diverse as john coltrane, jaco pastorius, frank zappa and buckethead. Nicolas slonimskys thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns is a legendary book that has influenced musicians as diverse as john coltrane, jaco pastorius, frank zappa and buckethead. Much has been written about the book s influence on coltrane, who apparently carried the book with him everywhere from 19571959. In 1920 there were 5 slonimsky families living in pennsylvania. The first section analyzes melodic vocabulary that is derived from the cycle of descending major thirds progressions found in the compositions of 1959 to 1960. In the book, slonimsky extends this concept to splitting multiple octaves into equal parts to generate different principle intervals.
Musicians familiar with the original thesaurus know that it contains a. John coltrane, nicolas slonimsky and the arduino part 1. Alessio slonimsky is a spanish painter, with a specialty in gay illustrations. John coltrane was one of the most influential musicians of the twentieth century. Browse willis music from willis music at sheet music plus. This interview took place on april 12, 1986, so that would make him just a couple weeks shy of his 92nd birthday. An insiders testimony from gorbachev to putin by andrei a. Hamilton died the next day, burrs days as a legitimate political candidate were over, and both soon faded into relative historical obscurity. Shop and buy john thompsons adult piano course book 2 sheet music. Many guitarists and others own a copy, but few have got much advantage. Every time i used to see coltrane hed have nicolas slonimskys book. Bair, jeff, cyclic patterns in john coltrane s melodic vocabulary as influenced by nicolas slonimsky s thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns. Of course, slonimsky was a character, and he may have been joking when he said that.
Nicolas slonimsky, a formidably gifted musicologist and lexicographer who also made his mark as a conductor, pianist and composer, died on monday at the u. Slonimsky s thesaurus has been a legendary book among musicians since at least the 1960s, with players as diverse as coltrane, zappa and buckethead all finding inspiration in it. Discover book depositorys huge selection of nicolas slonimsky books online. Also, slonimsky leaves out some great stories in music history which are great anecdotes. Jazz musicians particularly should find this text, because the text leads to ideas in understanding improvisation. Nicolas slonimsky 1894 1995 was a russianborn american conductor, author, pianist, composer and lexicographer.
Nicolas slonimskys thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns is a legendary book that has influenced musicians as diverse as john coltrane, jaco pastorius. John coltrane would leave for a road trip with the quartet carrying nothing but his horn case and the slonimsky book. The most slonimsky families were found in the usa in 1920. Nicolas slonimsky by book only sheet music for guitar. Slonimsky said he assembled the thesaurus as a joke. Yet many guitar players find it difficult to understand and use.
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. John coltrane before my favorite things john william coltrane was born on 23 september 1926 in hamlet, north carolina. This is most certainly derived from slonimsky but garys routine is more accessible. John william coltrane september 23, 1926 july 17, 1967 was an american jazz saxophonist and composer. They all are a major third apart and they divide the octave into three equal parts. Since its publication in 1947, great musicians and composers of all genres from arnold schoenberg to john coltrane have sworn by this legendary volume and its comprehensive vocabulary of melodic patterns for composition and improvisation. His early recordings capture a musician in the relatively conventional confines of bebop and hardbop, but his enduring legacy primarily rests on the modal jazz pioneered by his classic quartet 196064 and by free jazz explorations late in his career. Nicolas slonimsky, born nikolai leonidovich slonimskiy, was a russianborn american conductor, author, pianist, composer and lexicographer. This study documents and analyzes cyclic patterns used as melodic vocabulary in john coltrane s improvisations from compositions of 1965 to 1967. Antoni slonimski polish writer and translator britannica. This book is truly quite amazing wow, what a challenge this book is extremely advanced. Much has been written about the influence of slonimsky s thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns on john coltrane, who apparently carried the book with him everywhere from 19571959. My biggest complaint is the fact that there is no index.
John thompsons adult piano course book 2 sheet music plus. Must reading for all serious students and fans of american jazz. His life and music the michigan american music 1st pbk. Thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns slonimsky, nicolas.
It is said coltrane and other seminal jazz musicians derived a wealth of ideas for their solos from it. Cyclic patterns in john coltrane s melodic vocabulary as influenced by nicolas slonimsky s thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns. Finding slonimsky s thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns. Everything that coltrane ever played was in that thesaurus. Think about this book as a melodic reference manual or plot wheel.
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. Nicolas slonimskythesaurus of scales and melodic patterns. John coltrane 19261967 is generally recognized as one of the most significant saxophonists in music history. This was about 25% of all the recorded slonimsky s in the usa. Jan 21, 2016 in 1947 nicholas slonimsky published the thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns. Jul 26, 2016 coltrane, jaco, eddie harris, pat martino, and so on.
Nicolas slonimsky is the author of lexicon of musical invective 4. Musicians familiar with the original thesaurus know that it contains a daunting amount of information crammed in its over 230 pages. More than a decade ago, when he was in his early nineties, nicolas slonimsky used to delight. Here is a link to the book john coltrane used to get his inspiration. Nicolas slonimsky s first edition of music since 1900 came out in 1937his entry into the world of lexicographyand this fifth edition, published in 1994, was the last book he wrote. Slonimsky takes joseph schillingers theory of pitch scales and lays them out in a form of enctclopedia of pitch scales. Cyclic patterns in john coltranes melodic vocabulary as. His portfolio consists of pornographic illustrations and comics called fetuccini carbonara, that have been published in spanish, portuguese and even russian. Nicolas slonimsky born nikolai leonidovich slonimskiy russian. Jacob tomsky author biography, plus links to books by jacob. Im having trouble using nicolas slonimsky s book entitled thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns whick i bought last month. Therefore, its hard to find stories which youre looking for. Musings on connotation, communication and cheating a few months ago, republican representative daniel fisher introduced a bill to the oklahoma state legislature, hb 80, that would revoke all funding for advanced placement united states history classes and put in their place a. Books, thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns, slonimsky.
Coltrane acknowledged practicing out of the book and borrowed many ideas and melodic patterns from it. Slonimsky and coltrane nicolas slonimsky s thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns 1947 is a highly systematic compendium of templates for composition and improvisation. In this lesson, were going to take a look at some exercises that i pulled from slonimsky s thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns. John coltranes role in spearheading innovations in jazz that were an expression of the new cultural and political ferment that marked the rise of the mass struggle for black rights. Early this morning, two hundred and fourteen years ago, alexander hamilton was shot in an infamous duel with rival aaron burr. Best known for his writing and musical reference work, he wrote the thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns and the lexicon of musical invective, and edited bakers biographical dictionary of musicians.
John coltrane, nicolas slonimsky and the arduino much has been written about the influence of slonimskys thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns on john coltrane, who apparently carried the book with him everywhere from 19571959. Much has been written about the books influence on coltrane, who apparently carried the book with him. Slonimsky has a wonderfully smart method of delivery, and he certainly has a great sense of humor. John coltrane, nicolas slonimsky and the arduino much has been written about the influence of slonimsky s thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns on john coltrane, who apparently carried the book with him everywhere from 19571959.
Nicolas slonimsky author of lexicon of musical invective. Nicolas slonimskys thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns 1947 is a. If readers are interested in a broad work covering the essential actors and historical events leading up to and following the russian revolution of 1917, this book is a good place to start. Many musicians such as frank zappa, john coltrane and jaco. Garys extensions book basically outlines the procedure of moving interval or motifs up or down in symmetric intervals. Brecker credited his practice routine to gary campbell. Wellspoken, uncannily quick on his feet, and no more honest than he needs to be, he has mastered every facet of the business, worked in many departments, and received multiple promotions for his service. Working in the bebop and hard bop idioms early in his career, coltrane helped pioneer the use of modes and was at the forefront of free jazz. Very methodical mathhead or librarian methodology for considering intervals and melodic motioninterpolation. Many musicians such as frank zappa, john coltrane and jaco pastorius would use this book to practice and subsequently apply these.
I heard that john coltrane and freddie hubbard swore by this book. He lived for a time in munich, germany, and paris and published his first poetry in 19. The slonimsky thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns is classic music literature. This book originally published in 1947, was written by nicolas slonimsky 1894 1995, a russianborn american conductor, author, pianist, composer and lexicographer. Slonimsky is an ashkenazi jewish surname popular among people of belarusian, polish and russian people of jewish origin. Thesis john coltrane, avant garde jazz and the evolution. He would live almost another decade, passing away on christmas of 1995 at the age of 101. Many guitarists and others own a copy, but few have got much advantage from it. See nicolas slonimsky s thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns new york. 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. Best known for his writing and musical reference work, he wrote the. In 1947 nicholas slonimsky published the thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns. John sokol sculptures proposals is a catalog of photographs of finished outdoor sculptures and drawings of proposed ones.
Thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns guitar tricks forum. Ive read several times that john coltrane practiced extensively from the slonimsky thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns and that coltranes giant steps is. John coltrane, nicolas slonimsky and the arduino part 1 atchai. Best known for his writing and musical reference work, he is the author author and editor of numerous books on music, including music since 1900, lexicon of musical invective, and the redoubtable bakers biographical dictionary. Thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns by nicolas slonimsky. He has also made a series of erotic drawings of naked men set against the background of 19th century industrialisation. Thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns download free. It influenced many jazz musicians and composers, including allan holdsworth, john coltrane, frank zappa and paul grabowsky, and remained in. He led at least fifty recording sessions and appeared on many albums by other musicians, including trumpeter miles davis. Bakers biographical dictionary of musicians by nicolas. This book is filled will many different types of scales and modern chords and is quite valid for any composer or music student or theorist.
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