Jazz Tactics

Author Chase Sanborn speaks with the insight of a life-long jazz musician who understands the frustrations of those who are trying to learn the complexities of the language. He tells you what you need to know, and shows you the simplest way to go about learning it. Whether you are a student or a teacher (or both), you’ll gain insight into the process of improvising jazz. You’ll be entertained, you’ll be enlightened, and you’ll come away with a greater understanding and appreciation for jazz music and jazz musicians.

 

IS IT AVAILABLE IN PDF?

This question is asked often, especially by international customers for whom shipping represents a substantial cost.

 

From an author's viewpoint, eliminating the printing, stocking and shipping would save a lot of time and money while reducing costs for readers. Still, I have resisted publishing digitally, and here's why:

 

One-time reads, e.g., a novel,  magazine or newspaper, are very effective in digital format. I feel that reference books that may be used repeatedly for years are more effective in print form, that you'll reach for a printed copy of a book on your shelf more often than you will a digital file hidden on your hard drive, and that you're better able to grasp the overall expanse of a book by thumbing through it and opening to individual pages. I feel like I can make a connection with a reader better with a printed book (signed and shipped by the author, just sayin'...) than with a digital file transmitted anonymously.

 

For perspective: The price of a book, even with international shipping, is less than the cost of a one-hour private lesson. Perhaps making the investment to get the book into your hands will incline you to make full use of it. More use = greater value.

 

Not everyone will agree with my reasoning, but now you have it. 

 

WHERE'S THE DVD?

Jazz Tactics used to be packaged with a DVD which is now out of print (not to mention obsolete). You can find many videos relating to the book on YouTube: #chasesanborn

Jazz Tactics is great, full of all the right stuff and packed with humor and honesty. Chase Sanborn has my utmost respect.

Marvin Stamm (New York, NY)

 

Jazz Tactics presents the material in such a clear and simple way, and adds a taste of the human soul to the process.

Bobby Shew (Los Angeles, CA)

 

Jazz Tactics gets right to the heart of making music. Chase Sanborn’s approach is relaxed and engaging, yet brilliant in its simplicity. The concepts are easy for younger players to grasp, but there is a depth of knowledge for more experienced players.

Paul Baron (Bellingham, WA)

 

Reading through Jazz Tactics I’ve got to say that I think Chase could teach most anything to anybody!

Bob List (Baltimore, MD)

 

I am impressed by Chase Sanborn’s ability to express complex thoughts in everyday language. His books are real, human, clear, concise, and informative.

Pete Vogelsang (Ottawa, ON)

 

Chase Sanborn seems to approach every project with joy and love, and it really shows with Jazz Tactics.

Jonathan Gerald (Toronto, ON) 


 

Jazz Tactics is clearly written and well-organized. Chase never takes anything for granted, even common terms are defined, and his advice is practical, not theoretical. It is also a fun read!

Frank Campos (Ithaca, NY)

 

Jazz Tactics is packed with clear, accurate explanations of many of the sounds we hear in jazz today. It places welcome emphasis on our attitude and perspective toward playing music.

Matt Shulman (New York, NY)

 

Jazz Tactics has the vitality and spirit of a live teaching session, and sets a new standard for how to write a clear music-teaching book.

Yngvil Vatn Guttu (Norway)

 

Jazz Tactics is very informative and of course, entertaining, as we have come to expect from Chase Sanborn. It is a very impressive package!

Brian Scriver (GR Mouthpiece Technologies)




I have never seen anything that is even nearly as good as Jazz Tactics. The explanations are clear and the playing is wonderful.

Jim Cunningham (Butler, PA)

 

Jazz Tactics has been a HUGE help in unlocking some of the basic concepts of jazz playing. Thanks for putting the cookies on the bottom shelf!

Wes Hall (Little Rock, AK

 

Chase Sanborn’s books are inspiring and informative, and his music is filled with passion.

Albert Benton (Broken Arrow, OK)

 

Jazz Tactics takes you from the very basic concepts of jazz through advanced concepts, and takes it step-by-step, providing plenty of advice in bite-size ‘nuggets’ of information. Jazz Tactics is where it’s at!

Tim Hutson (Columbus, OH)

 

I’m an intermediate jazz sax player. Jazz Tactics helps me structure my practice sessions, and has increased my efficiency dramatically. There is a lot of information out there about jazz improvisation, but surprising little about the ‘essential skills’ and how to develop them in an organized fashion. Thank you for writing this book!

Al Waldchen (La Jolla, CA)

 

For anyone who has ever wondered about jazz improvisation, I have two words: JAZZ TACTICS! Chase Sanborn’s blend of expertise and good humor make improv practice an easy pill to swallow.

Jeanne Pocius (Boston, MA)

 

Jazz Tactics offers some of the best pedagogical material I’ve ever seen. Chase Sanborn presents the information in a clear, friendly, relaxed, and humorous manner, and plays with a big, beautiful sound.

Rick Rangno (Ottawa, Canada)

 

Jazz Tactics is FANTASTIC! Everything is so clear and easy to understand.

Andy Braet (Petrolia, ON)

 

Jazz Tactics will open many doors of understanding, and could well become a standard component of jazz education pedagogy.

Joe Auty (netmusician.org)

 

Jazz Tactics is well-organized, concise, humorous and full of great information. If you are a student or a teacher, you need Jazz Tactics!

John Bartman (Denver, CO)

 

Jazz Tactics is JAZZTASTIC!

Dave Andrews (Hants, England)

 

In my many years as a professional bass player, I have NEVER found a book so filled with quality information and clear explanations. Simply put, Jazz Tactics is THE definitive book for learning how to play jazz.

Peter Loudon

 

My students and I appreciate the subtle humor, simple and succinct explanations, the exercises designed for specific technical requirements, and the general information on becoming a jazz musician.

Wayne Bowden (Victoria, Australia)

 

Jazz Tactics is fantastic, especially for the elementary and middle school teacher who wants to learn more about the jazz idiom.

Bob Clowes (Mystic, CT)

 

I have always been in the dark about chords and chord notation in jazz music, but Jazz Tactics really clears up a lot of the confusion.

Jonathan Fowler (Houston, TX)

 

Jazz Tactics has shown me for the first time where to start, what to practice and how to practice.

Leonard Brandt (South Africa)

 

Chase Sanborn’s books are both entertaining and educational. I find myself referring to them often as a source of reference (and maybe for a little comic relief after a frustrating practice session).

Chuck Hukari (Lake Forest, CA)

 

I only wish I had Jazz Tactics when I was younger. The information is great and so well-presented!

Jim Allen (Melbourne, Australia)

 

Thanks to the terrific content and organization of Jazz Tactics, improvisation sure seems a lot less murky and confusing now.

Dave Okamoto (Newport Beach, CA)

 

Chase Sanborn’s books and DVD’s are utterly inspirational!

Alan Graham (Berkshire, England)

 

Jazz Tactics is great. I learn something new each time I pick it up.

Alex Gutjahr (Hanmar, ON)

 

There is so much ground covered by Jazz Tactics that it’s truly amazing. This is the most helpful tool I’ve ever had for learning to play music!

Dave Cole (Toronto, ON)

 

I am knocked out with Jazz Tactics, maybe because I dig cheeseburgers! Excellent teaching method, the best I’ve seen!

Doc Little (Las Vegas, NV)

 

Jazz Tactics is clear, logical, inspiring, funny, and VERY helpful. I’m on my way!

Windy Dankoff (Santa Fe, NM)

 

My background is almost exclusively ‘legit’, and Jazz Tactics has allowed me to pass some jazz knowledge along to my students.

Mark Flegg (Farmington Hills, MI)

 

Chase Sanborn educates in a concise, clear and often humorous manner. Anybody who is involved in music education should have Jazz Tactics.

Garry Burns (County Meath, Ireland)