Exploration in Rhythm, Volume 1, Rhythmic Phrasing in Improvisation is written for all instruments. Exploration in Rhythm was written to help develop and expand the rhythmic palette and vocabulary of the improviser and composer. The book focuses on playing “over the bar line” rhythms and long melodic phrases based upon rhythmic cycles that stretch over multiple measures. The material in the book has been used for Ed Saindon’s improvisation course at Berklee College of Music in Boston where he has been a professor since 1976.

The book specifically addresses the concept of over-the-bar line phrasing via rhythmic groupings of 8ths, triplets, 16ths and polyrhythms in 3/4, 4/4, and 5/4. Working on these concepts, players should begin to “hear” rhythms that “float over the barline” as well as develop the ability to execute phrases over longer periods of time. The end result will be a sonic erasing of the bar line and an enhanced sense of freedom with regard to rhythm and phrasing.

“Finally, a comprehensive and organized approach to getting out of the eighth note rut – valuable advice from Ed Saindon on how to vary one’s rhythmic approach.” - David Liebman, saxist, educator, author, composer

“Ed Saindon gives us a new book, Explorations in Rhythm, containing tons of useful information and great ideas to work on. This is a great resource for enhancing one’s rhythmic facility and expression, something that gets overlooked all too often. In the search for personal expression, this new book is an additional way for the practicer to further his or herself.” - Dave Douglas, trumpeter, composer, Greenleaf Music

Ed Saindon’s new book provides all the essentials for a contemporary rhythmic tool box. A “must have” for the modern improviser. It puts the “mmmm” in rhythm. - Hal Crook, trombonist, educator, author, composer

This is a new book that I authored and was recently published by Berklee Press. It is being distributed by Hal Leonard. The book features a cd that contains some of my vibe solos which have been transcribed and are included in the book. The book is part of a series which was designed by Berklee College of Music faculty along with Dean of the Performance Division, Matt Marvuglio.

This is the first-ever method that teaches you how to play in a rock band. Learn what all the great musicians seem to know intuitively—how to listen, interact and respond, improvise, and become part of the groove. The book and play-along CD will help improve your timing, technique, and reading ability. Become the great player that everyone wants to have in their band. Lessons throughout this book guide you through technique that is specific to playing vibraphone in a contemporary ensemble. When you play in a band, your primary concern is chords—how to read and play them, how to progress from one to the next, and how they interact with other instruments, melodically and rhythmically. Daily practice routines are designed for practicing by yourself or with other musicians. The accompanying CD features outstanding Berklee players and covers a variety of styles including rock, funk, jazz, blues, swing, and bossa nova.

Topics Include:

• improvisation
• establishing a practice routine
• learning by ear
• theory and technique
• rhythmic interpretation
• comping
• reading
• song form
• interpreting lead sheets

This series coordinates methods for many different instruments, and all are based on the same tunes, in the same keys. If you know a guitarist, bassist, drummer, keyboardist, sax player, etc., have them pick up the Berklee Practice Method for their own instrument, and jam together!