The Ramon Ricker Improvisation Series. Par RICKER RAMON. A new Play along system for learning to play jazz. Each set contains a book with transposed parts for all instruments and a play along CD with Ray playing many of the book examples on his saxophone. Volume one is for the absolute beginning jazz student who knows his/her major scales. Subjects covered in this book include: VOCABULARY: Intervals, Roman Numerals, Scales, Modes, Diatonic Seventh Chords, Major, Minor, Dominant, and Suspended Chords, Chord/Scale Relationships, The Blues Progression, Using Pentatonic Scales with Blues, Pentatonic Chord/Scale Relationships, The II-V-I Progression, Rhythm Changes, The Circle of Fifths, and The Circle of Fourths, and Steps for Playing on Changes. STYLE: Swing Eighth Notes, Use of the Metronome, Scale Practice, and Scat-Singing Solos. EAR TRAINING: Specific examples and suggestions with recorded tracks for practice. REPERTOIRE: A suggested basic repertoire. This improvisation method is more than just another play-along. It is a series of books and CDs that progress step by step, offering concrete suggestions and advise that shows you how and what to practice. Drawing on twenty-five years of teachingexperience at the Eastman School of Music, Ramon Ricker uses text, recorded demonstrations by him and his students, and practice and play-along tracks that present the material in a clear and concise manner. Most of the play-along tracks feature the rhythm section of the 1980 Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Big Band with Harold Danko on piano, Rufus Reid on bass and the late, great Mel Lewis on drums. Since they performed and recorded together consistently over aperiod of several years, they played as a unit - a true jazz rhythm section. The recordings were brought up to meet todays higher CD standards and served as an inspiration for Ramon Ricker to write three entirely new books. In addition, new demonstration, ear training, and play-along tracks were added. / Niveau : Débutant / Jazz / Recueil / Tout Instrument

Winner: Best Print Resource 2013 (Music Teacher Awards for Excellence).Here  for the first time is the definitive practical guide to setting up a choral or instrumental ensemble and running it effectively.Aimed at experienced solo musicians it illustrates how to harness individual skills to build an exciting and creative group dynamic.  Every aspect of performing together is covered from choosing repertoire and arranging the music to devising innovative rehearsal techniques all leading to that successful final performance.Both a step-by-step ?how to? book and a comprehensive reference resource How To Create a Successful Music Ensemble features the insights of several experienced musical directors and also covers topics like practicalities publicity and conducting techniques.With illuminating real-life case studies throughout How To Create a Successful Music Ensemble is the ultimate guide to every practical and artistic aspect of creating and maintaining one of music?s most rewarding collaborative forms.About the author.Patrick Gazard has over 20 years experience in music and music education during which he has run numerous youth and adult ensembles with several of his groups reaching the final stages of national competitions.Now a freelance teacher and conductor/ composer Patrick is also an arranger for Music Sales and Banks Music Publications.