1) This is the only book that is written as a coursebook for Improv, and directed to the college classroom. 2) Brings various aspects of the jazz learning process together – practicing scales, chord arpeggios and melodic motives in 12 keys, along with the assimilation of the rhythmic nature of jazz and its related forms of (primarily African American) music – in one systematic, organized and easy-to-assimilate manner. 3) Chapters are organized with: - a paragraph or two explaining a particular scale/harmonic basis or a common form used in jazz repertoire - suggested exercises, from basic scales to advanced melodic motives taken directly from recordings - a repertoire list that employs the harmonic, melodic or formal aspects being discussed in each chapter - concludes with a transcription of an improvised solo by a jazz master which illustrates how theory is put into practice. 4) Includes supplementary materials such as recordings of the transcribed solos, relevant Aebersold Play-Along recordings, and fake books