This is where the book shines. Berkman teaches you how to take a simple standard (like All The Things You Are or Autumn Leaves) and:
He includes dozens of "before and after" musical examples. You can literally see a boring lead sheet transform into a sophisticated modern arrangement.
Berkman is also a celebrated composer, and this perspective permeates the book. Unlike books that focus solely on re-harmonizing standards, Berkman encourages the student to view harmony through the lens of composition.
The book is filled with exercises that require the student to write. This is a crucial, often overlooked feature. By forcing the student to compose bass lines, create inner voice motions, and write original tunes using specific harmonic devices, Berkman ensures the knowledge moves from short-term memory into the musician's intuitive grasp. He isn't just teaching you how to comp; he is teaching you how to think like a creator of music.
This is where the book truly earns its reputation. Many books show you reharmonization tricks; Berkman teaches you taste.
He introduces the concept of "Harmonic Rhythm"—how often the chords change. The full text includes a brilliant chapter on "The Family of Four": swapping chords based on common tones. You will learn:
Berkman is unique because he includes negative examples. He will show you a reharmonization that sounds "cheesy" or "forced" and explain exactly why it fails, then show you a subtle tweak that makes it sound professional.
To give you a taste of why this book is so highly sought after, let’s look at how Berkman handles the ubiquitous II-V-I (Dm7-G7-Cmaj7).
Standard Textbook Answer: "Play D Dorian, then G Mixolydian, then C Ionian."
The Jazz Harmony Book Answer: "Forget the scales. Look at the voice leading. The 7th of the II chord (C) wants to fall to the 3rd of the V chord (B). The 3rd of the II chord (F) wants to fall to the 7th of the V chord (F... actually wait, it stays)."
Berkman visualizes harmony as a series of "guide tones" moving a half step or whole step. He provides 50+ exercises specifically designed to isolate these two notes (the 3rd and 7th) across the progression. Once you internalize that movement, you can play any scale you want on top of it because the "structure" is solid.
This is the "Full" wisdom that free PDF snippets miss: Harmony is the skeleton; scales are the clothes.
For many aspiring jazz musicians, learning harmony stops at the chord-scale system and a few stock ii-V-I licks. While essential, this approach often leaves players feeling lost when faced with a Wayne Shorter tune, a Herbie Hancock voicing, or the subtle reharmonization techniques used by Bill Evans. The Jazz Harmony Book By David Berkman Full
Enter David Berkman’s The Jazz Harmony Book.
Published by Sher Music Co. (the gold standard for jazz educational materials), this book is not just another chord dictionary. It is a philosophical and practical guide to how harmony actually works in the jazz idiom, from Swing to Post-Bop.
Subject: The only jazz harmony book you need on your shelf?
Body: There are a million theory books on the market, but very few bridge the gap between the classroom and the bandstand effectively.
David Berkman’s The Jazz Harmony Book is the exception.
I’ve seen a lot of discussion about the "best" way to learn harmony, and this book consistently tops the list for a few specific reasons:
If you have been struggling to make your comping sound "jazzy" or you want to understand the "why" behind your favorite standards, this is the resource you need.
You can find the full book here: [INSERT LINK HERE]
Happy shedding! 🎶
Unlocking the "Real World" of Reharmonization: A Deep Dive into David Berkman The Jazz Harmony Book
If you’ve ever felt like the chord changes in a standard "Real Book" were more like a cage than a playground, you aren’t alone. Many jazz students learn by memorizing static lead sheets, but as New York pianist David Berkman The Jazz Harmony Book , that's an incomplete way to play.
This isn't just another dry theory text. It is a witty, step-by-step course in reharmonization This is where the book shines
—the art of finding new, beautiful paths for a single melody. What Makes This Book Different?
While many modern resources focus heavily on complex rhythms, Berkman reminds us that harmony has "devolved" in some modern circles. His approach bridges the gap between classical fundamentals and the sophisticated "harmonic destinations" used by pros like Bill Evans and Herbie Hancock. Concentric Harmonization
: Berkman introduces a brilliant "concentric circles" model. He starts with a core pool of functional archetypes (Tonic, Dominant, Subdominant) and builds outward into more complex variations. The "Silent Night" Method
: He avoids abstract jargon by applying complex jazz changes to simple, familiar tunes like "Silent Night" to show exactly how the functional logic works. A "Digestive" Style
: Instead of just dumping information, the book is designed to be "digested" at the piano. It includes audio of Berkman playing the examples so you can the drama and color of each chord choice. Key Topics You’ll Master The book is divided into two main sections: Functional Harmony Non-Functional Approaches . Highlights include: The Jazz Harmony Book by David Berkman
For musicians looking to move beyond the rigid constraints of lead sheets and "fake books," The Jazz Harmony Book by David Berkman has become a modern cornerstone for understanding how harmony actually breathes in a live performance. Published by Sher Music Co., this 206-page text is more than a theory manual—it’s a guide to the living tradition of reharmonization used by masters like Bill Evans and Herbie Hancock. Core Philosophy: The Living Progression
Berkman’s central premise is that a chord progression is not a fixed set of symbols on a page, but a series of "harmonic destinations" that can be reached via many different routes. He argues that many students have become overly dependent on static lead sheets, which he views as an incomplete way of learning. Instead, his book teaches how to add, subtract, and change chords to reflect mood and variation between choruses. Key Features and Content
The book is structured around a "nested hierarchy of concentric circles" that move from basic functional archetypes (Tonic, Dominant, Subdominant) to advanced non-functional concepts.
David Berkman’s " The Jazz Harmony Book ," published by Sher Music Co.
, offers a comprehensive guide to understanding and applying reharmonization techniques in a creative, non-academic manner. The text introduces a unique model based on "concentric circles of harmonization" that, according to
reviewers, is essential for serious musicians, composers, and arrangers. Amazon.com
This acclaimed resource, featuring audio examples of exercises, is available through Sher Music Co. Amazon.com AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more The Jazz Harmony Book - David Berkman - Amazon.com He includes dozens of "before and after" musical examples
Overview
David Berkman, a renowned jazz pianist and educator, wrote "The Jazz Harmony Book" to provide a thorough understanding of jazz harmony. The book is designed for musicians of all levels, from beginners to advanced players, and covers a wide range of topics related to jazz harmony.
Key Concepts
The book focuses on the following key concepts:
Structure and Organization
The book is organized into 10 chapters, each focusing on a specific aspect of jazz harmony. The chapters are:
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Reception and Reviews
"The Jazz Harmony Book" has received positive reviews from musicians, educators, and critics. Many praise the book's clear explanations, comprehensive coverage, and practical applications. Some reviewers have noted that the book assumes a basic understanding of music theory and jazz fundamentals, but overall, it is an excellent resource for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of jazz harmony.
Conclusion
"The Jazz Harmony Book" by David Berkman is a valuable resource for musicians seeking to improve their understanding of jazz harmony. With its comprehensive coverage, clear explanations, and practical applications, this book is an essential tool for anyone looking to enhance their skills in jazz harmony. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced musician, this book will provide you with a deeper understanding of the complex and rich world of jazz harmony.
Would you like to know more about jazz harmony, or perhaps explore related topics such as jazz improvisation or music theory?