Exercises for Developing Jazz Improvisation

This method book covers some improvisation techniques to help the developing jazz player expand their jazz skills. It can be broken down into 3 sections:

Introducing Bebop Scales



This section introduces you to the 3 main bebop scales relating to major, minor and dominant 7th chords. It relates each scale to chord tones, moves melodic shapes through each scale type as well as giving you a few sample ?licks? to get started. There are also 2 written sample solos using these techniques with audio demonstration and backing tracks to accompany the practice exercises and sample solos.



Pentatonic Scales



This section explores 5 pentatonic scale types - major, b6, b3, minor and b4. There are 4 basic patterns which are then adapted for each scale type along with a list of suggested scale/chord applications. There are also 2 written sample solos using these techniques with audio demonstration and backing tracks to accompany the practice exercises and sample solos. .

Approach Notes and Enclosure

This section covers 2 note, 3 note and 4 note approach notes and enclosures. Each note grouping is written in all 12 keys ready to practice around the circle of 5ths. There are also 2 written sample solos using these techniques with audio demonstration and backing tracks to accompany the practice exercises and sample solos.

Although originally created for sax students, the book has now been adapted for all instruments and is available for C, Bb, Eb and Bass Clef instruments.

Dixieland delights features 10 popular numbers from this fantastic period of music. The etudes include - Ain't misbehaving, All of me, Big Butter & Egg man, I can't give you anything but love, Just a closer walk with thee, Stardust, Struttin' with some babecue, The Sehik of Araby, When the Saints go marching in & When you're smiling! All the etudes have 2 choruses except Stardust, which has 1, When the Saints and Just a closer walk with thee have 4. Although the etudes are written over the chord changes of Dixieland classics, the etude itself is written to challenge intermediate players, using a good variety of jazz language. This book would suit Bb Trumpet, Clarinet, Treble clef Trombone, Soprano sax & Tenor sax (may need to transpose small sections into a more comforstble playeying range). Check out www.jazzetudes.net.

Color-coded Lead Sheets for Jazz Combo. Separate lead sheets for Concert instruments and Bb instruments included with purchase. Color allows quick understanding of the sections and form of the tune, the rhythmic hits, and the counter-melodies. Special care has been taken to clearly indicate intros, sections, solos, and codas/outros. These form-based markings are in GREEN. Special care has also been taken to notate the rhythmic hits. Hits are often partially or completely missing from standard fake book versions of the tune. Hits are notated above the staff, in RED. Finally, any counter-melodies or harmonies appear in reduced size, in BLUE.

Melodies often written in straight rhythm in standard fake books have been rewritten in a swing style, or ?As Played By? some of the all-time jazz greats. Some of the tunes have been transposed from their standard fake book keys to an easier, better-sounding key for Bb saxophone.

Slurs have been added to all the Bb parts for smooth and consistent jazz articulation on the Bb saxophone. A duplicate Bb part, without the slurs, is also included (marked with an asterisk for Bb* Instruments), for Bb players who would prefer to customize their own articulation.

All tunes have been vetted for playability and accuracy.

The arranger, Rob Ames, is a soprano saxophone player from New Hampshire and the Boston, MA area. His album of original tunes, ?Sounds From the Boardwalk?, is widely available.

Color-coded Lead Sheets for Jazz Combo. Separate lead sheets for Concert instruments and Bb instruments included with purchase. Color allows quick understanding of the sections and form of the tune, the rhythmic hits, and the counter-melodies. Special care has been taken to clearly indicate intros, sections, solos, and codas/outros. These form-based markings are in GREEN. Special care has also been taken to notate the rhythmic hits. Hits are often partially or completely missing from standard fake book versions of the tune. Hits are notated above the staff, in RED. Finally, any counter-melodies or harmonies appear in reduced size, in BLUE.

Melodies often written in straight rhythm in standard fake books have been rewritten in a swing style, or ?As Played By? some of the all-time jazz greats. Some of the tunes have been transposed from their standard fake book keys to an easier, better-sounding key for Bb saxophone.

Slurs have been added to all the Bb parts for smooth and consistent jazz articulation on the Bb saxophone. A duplicate Bb part, without the slurs, is also included (marked with an asterisk for Bb* Instruments), for Bb players who would prefer to customize their own articulation.

All tunes have been vetted for playability and accuracy.

Exercises for Developing Jazz Improvisation Volume II

This method book covers a further 2 techniques to help the developing jazz player expand their jazz skills. These can also be purchased individually:

Examining Diminished Scales

This section looks at Whole/Half and Half/Whole step diminished scales. It includes ascending/descending broken chord exercises plus scale patterns for both Whole/Half and Half/Whole step diminished scales. There are also 2 written sample solos with audio demonstration and backing tracks to accompany the exercises.

Triad Pairs and Hexatonic Scales

This section focuses on 4 common triad pairs and their related hexatonic scales - 2 major triads a whole step apart, 2 major triads a tritone apart, major/augmented triads a whole step apart and 2 minor triads a whole step apart. There are exercises and patterns for each triad pair/hexatonic scale plus suggested chord applications for each. There are also 2 written sample solos with audio demonstration and backing tracks to accompany the practice exercises and sample solos.

Although originally created for sax students, all books have now been adapted for C, Bb, Eb and Bass Clef instruments.