This book by Lucky Elden is a collection of 30 jazz guitar lines & 2 solos that demonstrate how to use the given lines in a solo. All the examples are notated in both standard notation & tablature. You also get an accompanying CD so you can hear the lines and solos in the book.
The edition that I have was released in 1997. However, based on my research, there is an earlier edition of this book back in 1992 that came with a cassette. The covers are different, though the same guitar, amp and stool are pictured in both editions.
The accompanying CD is an important aspect of the book. You get to hear Lucky play the line at full tempo, slowed down and then with rhythm section accompaniment (drums & bass) – this gives us context to hear the line better. The guitar part is panned right in the stereo mix so you can actually pan the mix to the left. This allows us to use the tracks as playalong tracks if we’d like to do that.
Some of the lines are different than what I’m used to playing or hearing so the recordings are really helpful. Also, Lucky’s timing is precise and gives us a good idea of the flow required to play the lines. There are also points in the CD where Lucky mention certain things about the lines that are not in the written text. For example, Line 25 is a Charlie Parker style line, but in the book that is not written in the description of the line.
As I worked through the book, it was good to see certain parts where Lucky recommended to stop and make sure the lines are internalized. I also appreciate that there are examples that show the lines in context. There two full solos are good studies to connect the lines.
In conclusion, if you’re looking for a good book with interesting bebop jazz lines, it’s worth getting this book (as long as you can get it at a reasonable price). According to the Alfred website, this book is permanently out of print. So, it might be hard to find a copy. However, if you do get a copy I recommend trying to get one with the CD intact. The usefulness of this book is much higher with the CD (or cassette tape, if you find the older edition of the book).
Pros: Good lines & solid practice material.
Cons: Most of the lines sound best in up-tempo setting or for double time playing. If you’re looking for more basic lines, this is not it. Also, at 30 lines, it seems like there are not that many lines in the book. However, if you really learned each line, I believe there is actually A LOT of valuable material in the book.
TLDR: If you’re interested in strong good sounding bebop lines, this book is a valuable addition to your library.
You can try to find a copy on Amazon here:
https://www.amazon.com/Jazz-Guitar-Lines-Orientation-Contemporary/dp/0910957673/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
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