I know! The last thing you want to do during the summer is to do some studying. Hey, just remember that somewhere someone who wants the same gig you want is doing this stuff, so get it together!
Julion Herrlein has put together a voluminous piece of literature together for guitarists who want to get into composing. As you well know, most books about harmony are geared towards pianists, so this guitar friendly work (yes, it works for all instruments) goes into the grit of composing and improvising techniques, focusing on harmony for someone interested in jazz composers and arrangers.
The fingerboard mapping and chord diagrams are wonderful helps, and the cd goes through mnemonic exercises that will be a great benefit. The chapters go into detail about intervals, functional harmony, chord progressions as well as both 4 and 3 note chords. There is some major potential wood shedding here!
UK based 5 string banjo picker (how’s THAT for a unique career!) Leon Hunt does an impressive job taking the American instrument out of Nashville and bringing it into various other genres. This book with tablature and dvd delves into different and exciting musical worlds beyond “Salty Dog Rag.” Styles such as Dixieland, Irish/Celtic and traditional folk as well as jazz are addressed here, and changes the paradigm of this instrument that has been unfairly limited in scope for so long.
Mel Bay Publications
www.melbay.com