The core of jazz legend Eddie Harris's instructional method is found in his 1974/1975 book, The Intervallistic Concept
This pedagogical work focuses on improvising through fixed intervals (fourths, fifths, etc.) rather than traditional scalar or chordal methods, a style that became a hallmark of Harris's unique saxophone sound. University of Miami
The "patched" or "story" aspects mentioned often relate to the book's history and digital availability: Rarity and Reprints
: The book was originally published through his own company, Seventh House
, and remained out of print and highly sought after for decades. It was later republished (around 2006) by Seventh House Ltd., though physical copies remain rare in the used market. The "Patched" Digital Version
: In the online jazz community, "patched" versions usually refer to digital PDF scans that have been cleaned up or compiled from multiple sources because the original 1970s printings often had low-quality typesetting or missing pages. Methodology
: The "concept" requires musicians to practice shifting any given melody or pattern by specific intervals. Harris believed this helped players break out of repetitive "finger patterns" and develop a more modern, unpredictable melodic language. University of Miami
For musicians looking to study this today, it is often listed as required reading in university jazz programs for advanced theory and composition. University of Miami from Harris's method or find modern retailers that stock his instructional materials?
Eddie Harris Intervallistic Concept is a comprehensive instructional manual written by legendary jazz saxophonist Eddie Harris
. It provides a unique pedagogical method for musicians—particularly wind instrumentalists—to move away from standard scalar and chordal patterns toward a more modern, interval-based improvisational language Key Features of the Intervallistic Concept Three-Volume Structure : The work is typically organized into three sections: : Focuses on foundational exercises and basic concepts of intervallic playing. : Expands into advanced techniques and their practical applications in jazz. : Features specific compositions and solos that utilize these intervallic methods. "Eddieisms" : The text is peppered with Harris’s signature witty and insightful quotes regarding music theory and professional life. Versatility
: While written by a saxophonist, the method is intended for all single-line instruments
, including flute, clarinet, trumpet, and trombone, as well as piano and guitar. Availability and "Patched" Versions
Users often search for "patched" versions of the PDF due to common digital formatting issues in early scans of the physical book, such as missing pages or incorrect orientation. Physical and Digital Access : The book was originally published by Seventh House Ltd. and has been made available via various academic and archival online sources Internet Archive Note on Downloads : Sites claiming to offer "patched" versions or direct downloads
should be approached with caution, as they are often third-party file-sharing sites that may not be official distributors. from Volume 1 or find authorized academic repositories where the text is cited for study? Eddie Harris Intervallistic Concept Pdf - Facebook
Three-Volume Depth: The method is often sold as a combined 321-page edition that spans three volumes of increasing complexity.
Volume I: Introduces foundational intervallic patterns, scales, and basic chord substitutions.
Volume II: Focuses on advanced techniques like superimposing intervals, polytonality, and asymmetrical meters.
Volume III: Explores creative application across various genres, including blues, Latin, and funk, with an emphasis on melodic development.
Technical Studies: The book is packed with hundreds of exercises covering: Altissimo playing and range extension. Chord substitutions and polychords. Superimposed triads and modulations. Syncopation and rhythmic resources.
Philosophical Insights: Includes "Eddieisms," which are Harris's personal reflections on music theory, such as the idea that "there are no wrong notes, only wrong connections". Purchase Options
The following physical editions are available through retailers like Sheet Music Plus and Charles Colin Music: Intervallistic Concept (Single Line Instruments)
: A 321-page master volume for all wind instruments. Available for approximately $90.00 at EddieHarris.com Saxophone Paperback Edition eddie harris intervallistic concept pdf patched
: A 192-page version specifically tailored for saxophonists, often found at eBay for around $35.00. Intervallistic Concept (Sheet Music)
: A performance-focused book from Sheet Music Plus priced at $75.95.
Intervallistic Concept By Eddie Harris - Jamey Aebersold Jazz
Let’s distinguish this from the garbled 50-page versions circulating on file-sharing sites since 2005.
The Restoration: The “patched” edition appears to be a composite. A high-resolution scan of a mint-condition original has been digitally cleaned, and crucially, missing pages 18-23 (the “Circle of Fourths/Chromatic Interval Matrix”) have been redrawn in a vector format that matches Harris’s hand-drawn originals. The “patch” refers to the correction of a famous error: in all previous editions, the chart for “Interval Cycle 7 (Minor 2nds)” incorrectly listed B# as the 11th step; this version corrects it to C natural while preserving Harris’s marginal note: “B# = C to ear, but not to eye.”
The Content:
No restoration can fix the fundamental opacity of Harris’s writing style. He was a mystic as much as a musician. He writes things like: “The tritone is the question. The perfect fifth is the answer. But the minor sixth is the silence after the answer.” This is inspiring poetry but terrible pedagogy for a beginner.
Furthermore, the “patched” PDF retains one irreparable flaw from the original: no play-along or audio. Harris intended for a 2-LP set to accompany the book, but it was never released. You are left with 90 dense pages of interval charts and philosophical asides, and no guide track. The restoration cannot fix the fact that you will spend weeks wondering if you’re doing the “C up major 6th” cycle correctly.
While you hunt for the patched PDF, you can start practicing the Intervallistic Concept right now using a simple "Brute Force" method. Eddie Harris called this "The Shuffle."
Exercise 1: The Interval Cycle (No Horn Required) Take a root note: C. Choose an interval: Minor 3rd (3 half-steps). Move up by that interval: C → Eb → Gb → A → C (octave). Now, reverse direction, but change the interval quality. This builds neural pathways between notes that ignore key signatures.
Exercise 2: The Broken PDF Workaround Assuming you have a corrupted PDF that only has text, look for the section titled "The 12 Tone Row minus 1." Harris believed that playing 11 of the 12 tones in strict interval order (alternating Major 2nds and Minor 7ths) creates the most "vocal" melodic line.
Write this out: C (root), D (Major 2nd), C (down Minor 7th? No—Harris’s rule: always change direction after a half-step). Just play this sequence on your instrument:
C - D - B - C# - Bb - A - G# - F# - G - F - E
Notice there is no scale. There is only distance. This is the Intervallistic Concept in a nutshell.
Why do musicians obsess over a "patched" PDF of a book written 50 years ago? Because the concept works.
In an era of AI-generated solos and lick libraries, Eddie Harris’s Intervallistic Concept forces you to listen to pure geometry. It strips away the emotional baggage of modes and the ego of chord scales.
The search for the "patched" file is a search for clarity. We don't want a corrupted gospel. We want the original sermon, exactly as Harris preached it.
Final Advice: Do not just download the patched PDF and let it sit on your desktop. Print it. Spiral bind it. Put it on your music stand next to your horn.
Take one page—just the "Table of Perfect 4ths" (Page 12 in the patched version). Play nothing but Perfect 4ths for 10 minutes over a blues backing track. You will sound strange, then interesting, then finally, like Eddie Harris.
And when your friends ask what you’re practicing, smile and say: “It’s the Intervallistic Concept. Sorry, the PDF is patched. You can’t have my copy.”
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes. The author does not host or distribute copyrighted PDFs. The estate of Eddie Harris deserves compensation for his genius. If the Harris estate re-releases a clean, authorized digital edition of The Intervallistic Concept, buy it immediately. Until then, treat the "patched" PDF as a study tool—not a replacement for supporting the art form. The core of jazz legend Eddie Harris's instructional
Intervallistic Concept Eddie Harris is a comprehensive 3-volume method designed to expand the harmonic and technical vocabulary of single-line instrumentalists
. Rather than relying on traditional scalar patterns, Harris’s system focuses on using intervals to create modern improvisational and compositional textures. Core Content of the Concept
The method is structured across three volumes, often consolidated into a single 321-page edition: Volume I: Foundational Intervals
– Introduces basic interval patterns, scales, and chord substitutions to build a fundamental understanding of intervallic improvisation. Volume II: Advanced Techniques
– Explores complex concepts such as superimposing triads, polychords, polytonality, and asymmetrical meters. Volume III: Practical Application
– Provides holistic examples of how to apply these intervals across various genres, including blues, funk, and Latin, along with transcribed solos and compositions. Key Educational Features "Eddieisms"
: The book is peppered with Harris's witty and insightful philosophical quotes, such as "There are no wrong notes, only wrong connections". Altissimo Studies
: Includes specific exercises to develop the saxophone's upper register. Versatility
: Although written by a saxophonist, the method is intended for all single-line instruments, including flute, trumpet, trombone, and even guitar or piano. Systematic Growth
: The layout encourages both structured practice and random experimentation to help musicians develop a personal voice. Availability and "Patched" Versions Authentic physical copies are published by Charles Colin Music and are available through specialized retailers:
Intervallistic Concept By Eddie Harris - Jamey Aebersold Jazz
Finding a clean, "patched" PDF of Eddie Harris’s Intervallistic Concept can be tricky due to its rarity and out-of-print status. This book is the "Holy Grail" for musicians looking to break out of scalar patterns and master modern interval playing. Why This Book is Essential
Eddie Harris wasn't just a soulful saxophonist; he was a mathematical theorist. This book focuses on:
Breaking Linear Habits: It forces your brain away from standard scales.
Interval Mastery: Exercises focus on 4ths, 5ths, 6ths, and 7ths.
Symmetry: Many patterns are based on shifting symmetrical shapes across the horn.
Total Range: It pushes the physical limits of your instrument (originally for sax, but used by all). What to Look For in a "Patched" Version
The original printing was notoriously difficult to read. A "patched" or "cleaned" PDF usually offers:
Higher Contrast: Removing the "gray" background from old scans.
Straightened Pages: Fixing the slanted scans from the original spiral binding.
Annotated Fingering: Some versions include altissimo fingerings or breath marks added by educators. How to Practice It Don't try to read it front-to-back. Instead: The 12 Basic Cycles: Each interval (minor 2nd
Pick One Interval: Focus on one chapter (e.g., Perfect 4ths) for a week.
Use a Drone: Play these patterns over a pedal tone to hear how the intervals pull against the root.
Slow is Smooth: These leaps are awkward; prioritize tone quality over speed.
💡 Pro Tip: If you can't find a reliable PDF, look for Ligon's "Comprehensive Technique for Jazz Musicians" or Nicolas Slonimsky's "Thesaurus of Scales and Melodic Patterns". They share the same DNA as Harris's system. If you'd like, I can help you: Find similar method books that are currently in print.
Break down a specific interval exercise (like 4ths or tritones).
Suggest Eddie Harris recordings where he uses these concepts.
The Intervallistic Concept by Eddie Harris is a comprehensive instructional guide designed for single-line wind instruments, though its principles apply to any melodic instrument like piano or guitar. Spanning over 300 pages, this method provides a rigorous systematic approach to developing improvisational and compositional skills through an interval-centric mindset. Core Philosophy: "Eddieisms"
The book is famous for Harris’s philosophical insights into music, known as "Eddieisms," which encourage players to see music as a language rather than a puzzle: "There are no wrong intervals if played in succession". "There are no wrong chords, only wrong progressions".
"Musical sounds are the beauty of life itself; only when analyzed and overly dramatized does man fail to realize this". Structure and Content
The method is typically divided into three volumes that move from foundational to advanced applications: Volume I: Foundations
: Introduces basic interval understanding, patterns, scales, and harmonic progressions to build an intuitive creative approach. Volume II: Advanced Techniques
: Explores complex concepts such as superimposing intervals, polytonality, altissimo playing, and asymmetrical meters. Volume III: Practical Application
: Applies these concepts across various genres, including blues, funk, and Latin music, while focusing on melodic development and rhythmic variations. Availability and Formats
While original physical copies can be found through retailers like Jamey Aebersold Jazz Eddie Harris Official Store
, digital versions in PDF format are occasionally hosted on community platforms like Facebook Groups specific exercises from the book or more information on Eddie Harris’s other instructional works Eddie Harris Intervallistic Concept Pdf - Facebook
In the dark corners of jazz theory forums and saxophone subreddits, a quiet rumor has persisted for years. It involves a genius, a lawsuit, a lost manuscript, and a specific string of search terms: "Eddie Harris Intervallistic Concept PDF patched."
For the uninitiated, this looks like tech support jargon. For the serious jazz musician, it represents the Holy Grail of improvisation tutorials—a document so revolutionary that its scarcity has turned the internet into a digital archaeological dig.
This article will explain what the Intervallistic Concept is, why every PDF copy online is broken, what a "patched" version entails, and—most importantly—how to actually apply Harris’s genius to your horn without relying on corrupted files.
Sometime in the early 2000s, a fan scanned a rare, original copy of The Intervallistic Concept—a thin, spiral-bound book published by Hip-Bone Music (Eddie’s own label). This PDF began circulating on Soulseek, Scribd, and private jazz trackers.
Here is the problem: **The book is dense with musical examples, diagrams, and "Interval Number Tables."
Due to low-quality scanning (300 DPI in the early 2000s), many copies are corrupted in three specific ways:
Hence the term "patched." Musicians aren't looking for software; they are looking for a human-repaired PDF—a version where someone has:
The request for a “patched PDF” reflects a broader problem: expensive, rare, or out-of-print educational materials drive musicians toward piracy. While understandable, this undermines jazz’s oral & written traditions. A better approach: