Harris’s Intervallistic Concept was originally a self-published method book (often listed as The Intervallistic Concept for Saxophone). It’s out of print, but you may find:
If you want a practical 1‑page PDF guide summarizing the exercises and philosophy, I can generate that for you. Just let me know.
The Intervallistic Concept by jazz legend Eddie Harris is a monumental pedagogical work designed to break the linear habits of improvisers. This method focuses on wide-interval jumps and non-traditional melodic paths to expand a musician's harmonic and technical range. Overview of the Method
Harris’s approach challenges the standard "bebop" style, which typically relies on scale-wise, linear movement. Instead, his concept emphasizes:
Intervalic Phrases: Melodic patterns built on skips and leaps rather than scalar steps.
Logical Progression: Materials are presented in a straightforward way to develop both improvisational and compositional skills.
Technical Versatility: Designed primarily for single-line wind instruments but applicable to any soloist looking to modernize their sound. Key Components and Exercises
The book (often sold as a three-volume collection) contains hundreds of studies covering a vast range of advanced jazz theory: eddie harris intervallistic concept pdf
Altissimo Mastery: Extensive exercises to increase the range of the saxophone.
Harmonic Superimposition: Lessons on polychords, superimposed triads, and chord substitutions.
Rhythmic Innovation: Deep dives into syncopation and complex rhythmic sequences.
Structural Devices: Use of cycles, modulations, and interval-based sequences to create unexpected melodic curves. The Philosophy of "Eddieisms"
The text is peppered with Harris's unique musical philosophies, which encourage a mindset of creative freedom:
On Mistakes: "There are no wrong intervals if played in succession" and "no wrong chords, only wrong progressions".
On Musical Beauty: Harris viewed musical sounds as a universal language that should not be overly "chastised" or restricted by rigid categorization. Access and Availability If you want a practical 1‑page PDF guide
Physical Editions: The book is available through specialized music publishers like Charles Colin Music and Jamey Aebersold Jazz.
Pricing: The complete 321-page version is typically priced around $90.00.
Digital Copies: While "PDF" is a frequent search term, the book remains under copyright. Official digital versions are rare, and users are encouraged to purchase from EddieHarris.com to support his estate.
If you'd like to dive deeper into a specific part of the method: Wide-interval leap exercises (e.g., fourths and fifths) Altissimo fingerings and techniques Chord substitution theories used in his compositions Tell me which area to focus on for your next section. INTERVALLISTIC CONCEPT: Eddie Harris: - Ejazzlines.com
Legal & Practical Sources:
Reconstruct the Concept Yourself (Recommended): You don’t need the PDF to apply the principle. Here’s a practical exercise Harris used:
Eddie Harris (1934–1996) was a legendary jazz saxophonist known for his electric saxophone, slap-tonguing, and deep harmonic innovation. Beyond his popular hits like Freedom Jazz Dance, he developed a unique theoretical system called the “Intervallistic Concept.” Legal & Practical Sources:
In essence, this concept moves away from traditional chord-scale theory (thinking in modes and chord tones) and instead treats intervals as the primary building blocks of melody and improvisation.
Core Ideas of the Concept:
Harris outlined specific ways to practice this. You can start these today on your instrument:
Exercise 1: The "Skips" Approach Take a standard scale (like C Major: C-D-E-F-G-A-B). Instead of playing it in order, play it using specific intervals:
Exercise 2: Random Interval Jumping Pick a starting note. Without thinking about a key, force yourself to jump a specific interval away.
Exercise 3: Chord Tone Interpolation Instead of running scales over a chord, Harris recommended outlining chords using wide intervals. Over a Cmaj7 chord, instead of playing C-D-E-F-G, play the chord tones (C, E, G, B) but connect them with wide intervals. For example: C (jump up a major 7th to) B (jump down a minor 6th to) E (jump up a perfect 4th to) G.
The book is dense and often described as "dry" or "mechanical" because it is essentially a rigorous calisthenics manual for the fingers and ears.
A. The Interval Cycles Harris organizes the study by intervallic distance:
B. The Exercises Unlike standard scale books, Harris does not just run intervals up and down. He presents specific, difficult permutations: