FMEA Jazz Clinic

Jazz Combo Performance in Schools

I.  Open with jazz composition “The Core,” by Freddie Hubbard

II.  Introduce the band

III.  Discuss the importance of Jazz combos in High School (even as early as middle school) and definitely in collegiate programs.

  1. Important for students interested in jazz studies beyond high school, and can help with the audition process.
  2. As early as middle school kids can get into the mode of improvising, and familiarizing themselves with learning jazz standards and songs from the great American Songbooks. This will also help students get away from the shyness involved with improvising.
  3. This can be achieved by working with students on really basic concepts as related to learning The Blues, and songs that have ii-V-I harmonic progressions. If teachers can also expose students to SOME music theory it helps with their understanding of harmony, scales, and rhythmic concepts.
  4. Jazz combos in schools can also provide students with performance experience. Jazz combos are excellent for banquets, school functions, local receptions, showcases, and maybe even local restaurants that may want live jazz. Learning jazz tunes and basic improvisation can prove to be more practical for musicians in the future because it will provide a more well-rounded musical experience for the performer and create more work opportunities for them.

IV.  The Rhythm Section

  1. Drums
  2. Bass
  3. Piano

*Will discuss concepts of locking in together and creating a solid foundation for the jazz combo.

V.  Discuss the importance of The Blues

  1. Methods, approaches
  2. Basic 12-bar sequence
  3. Perform Freddie Hubbard composition “Byrdlike.”

VI.  Tunes with different harmonic sequences (ii-V-I Changes)

  1. Exercise Concepts (Three Ways In, Two Ways Out)
  2. Perform Clifford Brown’s “Joy Spring.”

VII.  Discuss The Collegiate level

  1. Learning tunes
  2. Preparing for local gigs
  3. Composing/arranging

VIII.  Listening Resources

  1. Jazz Standards: http://www.jazzstandards.com/index.html

-JazzStandards.com is a website which provides lots of information for jazz standards

  1. Thrall Database: http://www.thrall.org/databases/JazzMusicLibrary.html

-  This site is an encyclopedia of jazz recordings that are listed by the artist’s name in alphabetical order.

  1. Learning Jazz Standards: http://www.learnjazzstandards.com/

-  This is a data base of compositions that have built up the tradition and history of jazz music. Great resource for beginning jazz musicians.