[jazz_guitar] RIP: Arnie Berle, Guitarist, Multi-Instrumentalist, Writer and Educator

[akmbirch]

I have just learnt that Arnie Berle, passed away on October
12, 2008. I know many of you have used his books and a
number of you studied with him personally at his home in
Yonkers, NY and at Mercy College. So rather belatedly, I
have put together the following obituary using sources from
Amsco, Music Sales and Mel Bay. RIP, Arnie, thank you for
all your contributions to jazz and jazz guitar.

--
Alisdair MacRae Birch
Guitarist/Bassist/Educator/Arranger
http://www.alisdair.com

Arnie Berle, Guitarist, Multi-Instrumentalist, Writer and
Educator

Arnie Berle passed away on October 12, 2008, almost one year
after the death of his wife, Rosalie (deceased October 20,
2007) and after suffering the second of 2 heart attacks.

Arnie Berle born and raised in New York City, Arnie began
playing clarinet, saxophone, and flute while in high school.
In the 1950's, he toured with one of the leading dance bands
of the time, Johnny Long. In 1964, with the arrival of the
Beatles, Arnie decided to study the guitar. Studying with
Howard Morgen, Barry Galbraith, Hy White and Jim Hall. While
continuing his studies, he began working in night clubs and
theatres where he accompanied such stars as Tony Bennet,
Jerry Lewis, Alan Kind and Jerry Vale.

Arnie's reputation as a player put him in demand as a
private teacher. He decided to devote his time to teaching
and writing instruction books. His first two books, "Arnie
Berle's Book Of Modern Chords and Progressions For Guitar"
and "Arnie Berle's Complete Handbook for Jazz Improvisation"
became instant classics when they were published by Music
Sales in the late 19602' and early 1970's.

His experience with other instruments, including accordion
and vibraphone, gave him a much broader musical perspective
of the guitar.

In 1974, he began writing interviews and articles for Guitar
Player Magazine, and in 1977 he began his very popular
column "Fretboard Basics." Also in 1977 Arnie began teaching
at Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, New York. Arnie published
over 40 books and his name is cited in the International
Who's Who in Music. He is survived by 5 children and 7
grandchildren.

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[Bob Hansmann]

On 11/30/2010 5:18 PM, akmbirch wrote:
> RIP, Arnie, thank you for
> all your contributions to jazz and jazz guitar.

Amen

Bobby

[denisbarsalo]

If it wasn't for the two Arnie Berle books I bought around the same time I bought my archtop, I probably woulnd't have "stuck to it" until now. Arnie's books are concise, simple and easy to use. I still refer to them from time to time.

Chords & Progressions For Jazz & Popular Guitar
Patterns Scales & Modes for Jazz Guitar.

I also have New Guitar Techniques for Sight Reading.

All three books gave me a good base to build on and would recommend any or all of them to any beginner player.

Denis

[musicmaker1245]

--- In jazz_...@yahoogroups.com, "denisbarsalo" <dbarsalo@...> wrote:
>
> If it wasn't for the two Arnie Berle books I bought around the same time I bought my archtop, I probably woulnd't have "stuck to it" until now. Arnie's books are concise, simple and easy to use. I still refer to them from time to time.
>

I agree his books and guitar column were great. His saxophone books
were good too. He conveyed things in simple easy to understand ways.
RIP Arnie

Mark

[joe_jazz_2000]

I am sorry to hear of Arnie's passing. My copy of Patterns, Scales And Modes For Jazz Guitar is well-worn and sometimes still a reference, though today, mainly to find a musical exercise to run through. The book was invaluable to me and a primary source of scale and line studies. Not a comprehensive jazz guitar method (but what is?)he gave us five major scale shapes, the nearest ii-V-I chords overlaying the scales, neighbor tone studies, digital patterns in each scale some minor scale material, and even examples using chords from standards. A great book. Thanks, Arnie, R.I.P.

[musicmaker1245]

I was in a music store the other day and came across "Fretboard Basics".
It is a collection of his Guitar Player magazine columns from 1978. The one page articles make for a great read especially commuting and waiting for planes.

Mark