An analysis of Jesse van Ruller's improvisation style and pedagogical guitar exercises for his playing approach

Abstract

The purposes of the graduate recital document were to analyze Jesse Van Ruller improvisation style in three selected standard jazz tunes and to create jazz exercises based on his approach for the researcher's recital preparation. The three standard jazz tunes from the albums Here and There, and Trio are the following: (1) Subconscious Lee composed by Lee Konitz (2) Everything Happens To Me composed by Matt Dennis and Tom Adair (3) The Best Things in Life Are Free composed by Lee Brown, Buddy DeSylva, and Ray Henderson. The analysis investigated Van Ruller's solo line and use of harmony in order to gain insights into his playing, which were then applied in the exercises. Issues regarding his unique synthesis between traditional and contemporary jazz elements were addressed in depth.;