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trumpetdiva1 · 12-09-2006, 03:47 PM

I, too, used to play classical music extensively, then switched to lead trumpet, and now I’ve decided to completely focus on jazz improvisation. Here is what I have learned on my journey to the study of jazz improvisation, and believe me I have still have got a lot to learn.

* Listen, listen, and listen to jazz trumpet recordings (see Pat Harbison's website or John McNeil's "Art of Jazz Trumpet" for recommendations).
* Recommended books: Aebersold Vol. 1, Chase Sanborn's "Jazz Tactics," Mark Boling's "Jazz Theory Workbook" (edited by Jerry Coker), John McNeil's
"Art of Jazz Trumpet," and Jim Snidero's "Jazz Conceptions" (there are books for different levels from easy to advanced)." Visit the Aebersold website for most of these books. There is also some free materials on the site.
* Practice all major scales in the circle of 4th's (C-F-B-flat, etc.) using quarter notes; tongue first note and "smoothly" tongue (not choppy) the next two notes and follow this pattern all the way up to the 9th and back down to C. Try "Clarke Technical Studies" #2 using the circle of fourths. A lot of jazz is based on 4th's from what I’ve heard.
* Work on modes (start out with Dorian; D Dorian=C Major if you start out on D or flat the 3rd and the 7th ; Ionian= Major); work on patterns such as 1-3-5-7-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1/1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-7-5-3-1) in all keys
* Start out with the an easy transcription such as Chet Baker's "But Not for Me" and gradually work on more difficult solos; may want to try memorizing a jazz solo. If you become stuck or frustrated with a transcription, put it down for a little while and pick it up again and come back to it later or move on to another section. Learn solos that you are really into and love. Pick up on the inflections and sound in addition to the notes and rhythm that the soloist is playing.
* Learn the B-flat concert and F concert Blues in Aebersold's Vol. I; sing a chorus and then play a chorus; alternate between the two
* Do not be afraid to make mistakes. (This is a big one for me coming from a classical background where everything is written out for you where the notes are all written out for you).
* Try practicing without a music stand and learn to play more by ear.
* Keep a positive frame of mind and a relaxed body when playing.

Best wishes! Hope that this helps!

Janell

12-09-2006, 03:47 PM	#20 (permalink)
trumpetdiva1 Pianissimo User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Brooklyn, New York Posts: 135	Re: Improvisation I, too, used to play classical music extensively, then switched to lead trumpet, and now I’ve decided to completely focus on jazz improvisation. Here is what I have learned on my journey to the study of jazz improvisation, and believe me I have still have got a lot to learn. * Listen, listen, and listen to jazz trumpet recordings (see Pat Harbison's website or John McNeil's "Art of Jazz Trumpet" for recommendations). * Recommended books: Aebersold Vol. 1, Chase Sanborn's "Jazz Tactics," Mark Boling's "Jazz Theory Workbook" (edited by Jerry Coker), John McNeil's "Art of Jazz Trumpet," and Jim Snidero's "Jazz Conceptions" (there are books for different levels from easy to advanced)." Visit the Aebersold website for most of these books. There is also some free materials on the site. * Practice all major scales in the circle of 4th's (C-F-B-flat, etc.) using quarter notes; tongue first note and "smoothly" tongue (not choppy) the next two notes and follow this pattern all the way up to the 9th and back down to C. Try "Clarke Technical Studies" #2 using the circle of fourths. A lot of jazz is based on 4th's from what I’ve heard. * Work on modes (start out with Dorian; D Dorian=C Major if you start out on D or flat the 3rd and the 7th ; Ionian= Major); work on patterns such as 1-3-5-7-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1/1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-7-5-3-1) in all keys * Start out with the an easy transcription such as Chet Baker's "But Not for Me" and gradually work on more difficult solos; may want to try memorizing a jazz solo. If you become stuck or frustrated with a transcription, put it down for a little while and pick it up again and come back to it later or move on to another section. Learn solos that you are really into and love. Pick up on the inflections and sound in addition to the notes and rhythm that the soloist is playing. * Learn the B-flat concert and F concert Blues in Aebersold's Vol. I; sing a chorus and then play a chorus; alternate between the two * Do not be afraid to make mistakes. (This is a big one for me coming from a classical background where everything is written out for you where the notes are all written out for you). * Try practicing without a music stand and learn to play more by ear. * Keep a positive frame of mind and a relaxed body when playing. Best wishes! Hope that this helps! Janell __________________ Janell Carter