MS Band Director

For music educators - By music educators

Middle School Jazz Improvisation

Directors,
This discussion will be on how different programs teach the jazz improvisation to middle school students.

Concepts and worksheets encouraged and compiled.

Attachments:

Ready Set Go improv Concept.pdf, 88 KB
Wynton on MS Jazz!.pdf, 72 KB

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by GHN on November 11, 2008 at 8:08am

THE site for American Jazz improvisation, free downloads, student favorite... all of it.

Directors,
If using this website is not part of your yearly teaching, you might want to consider having a quick look. It's as easy as having your students, go there and download the scale syllabus, place it in their jazz band folder and refer to it when they have a solo. Even if you are not really familiar with the contents, allow them to have this opportunity and explanation of jazz chords and scales. Helpful, necessary and around since the 60's (concept, not the site) it's:

http://www.jazzbooks.com

enough great things can not be said about Jamey's contribution to American Jazz Education. Allow your students to benefit from the wealth of material included on this website. You might also consider sending some of your more advanced students to his Summer camps. I am a product of them and they work.

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Permalink Reply by Russ Weaver on May 10, 2009 at 12:58pm

Scale syllabus should be in every middle school students jazz band folder. Even if you do not know how to use it, they should be allowed to figure it out on their own. There is an Aebersold play along that demonstrates every scale on this sheet. Also available at Jazzbooks.com

Attachments:

Scale Syllabus.jpg, 751 KB

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Permalink Reply by Russ Weaver on May 10, 2009 at 1:01pm

I start teaching students by ear with "Dukes Place", otherwise known as C Jam Blues (in Bb).

No notes, just rhythm. Check out the handout.

After this, scale syllabus, chords to the blues, ready set go concept. Voila!

Attachments:

Rhythm to C Jam.mus-2.pic, 53 KB
Rhythm to C Jam.mus, 48 KB

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Permalink Reply by Russ Weaver on October 24, 2009 at 10:31am

Beginning Guitarists can be challenging if the director does not actually play guitar. Here are some sheets for your beginning guitarist that can get them started in band keys (easy transpositions, movable chords).

Attachments: