BAM

Hi Ingrid (or anybody else who would like to throw their .02 cents in). I'm giving a jazz improv clinic this week at a high school festival and am wondering if you could give me some highlights of things you might talk about in a 1 hour clinic. There won't be any playing as there isn't a rhythm section, so I was going to talk about listening, transcribing, knowing the changes/tunes, ways of building a solo etc... Any suggestions on ways of structuring a class like this? Thanks!

BC

(PH, I'd love to get your advice too!)

administrator

Everyone feel free to post away on this one while Ingrid is out of town.

BergeronWannabe

Hi there,
I am by no means qualified to tell you what to teach, but I can tell you
what I'd like to learn...right now I've been struggling with constructing
fluid solos. I know what the scales and chords are and have transcribed
and use patterns I like, but when I see the changes there's not much there.
I listen all the time and think I have a good 'vocabulary'- what am I missing?
Thanks,
Andrew

Brekelefuw

If they are beginners I would suggest doing a blues in Bb or F.
You could always write out parts for people to play so you don't need a rhythm section. Aebersolds are always good as well if you have access to a sound system.
I find the most enjoyable jazz clinics are ones you listen and play in, so try to incorporate as much interactivity as you can. High schoolers aren't the best people to sit and listen for an hour.

PH

........

ptynan

Well said PH

The first thing is to get them hooked on listening...

tpter1

As a hs band director, I have to teach it, even though it is far from my strong point. As Breklefew said, anything you CAN do to get them to play is going to be helpful.

What I'd like to see as a director for my kids is maybe how to organize your thoughts; how to plan ahead, or that it's not just blindly picking up the horn and wiggling fingers; how to interact and converse with the other members of the band in a musical sense. Using the Aebersold recordings is a great sub if no rhythm section is available. (For young pups vol. 1 and the Nothin' But Blues books are great). Getting as many people playing is key, in my kids' eyes. Playbacks, call-response sessions, collective improvising (less fear or intimidation in numbers) are some things I've seen done that have had positive results in the kids' reaction. Even a bit of scales...going over the basic ones such as blues, major, minor and dom 7 can take kids quite far and give them a good vocabulary to start off with.

BAM

thanks PH, great advice!

Siegtrmpt

A lot depends on who is in class and why they are there. Jazz majors intent on building a career have far different needs than the 5th grader who's just learning to get around on the instrument. Dispensing too much information way to quick is a good recipe for getting students to quit. Too many jazz books and texts out there use high brow, technical language and are just plain boring to read or play out of. OK for graduate school (maybe) but totally useless for trying to hook young people on learning to enjoy and play. Crawl, walk, run.

upoils

I do these kinds of clinics occasionally. One tip would be similar to what others have said -- bring a backing track in Bb or Eb from the Aebersold blues CD. Bring your boombox if the room does not have a sound system.

Write out the blues scale in Bb and Eb for the different instruments as a safe place to start. Then start up the music and play a simple line, using only the notes from the blues scale. Have the students mimic you, trading one bar at a time. A lot of it should be very simple notes, but syncopated rhythms. It is easy and fun for the kids to try this, and since everyone is playing, no one will be shy or embarassed. The notes almost don't matter -- it is the participation that counts.

Take a whole chorus or two by yourself to show how you would play the blues -- again, sticking to the blues scale to keep it simple and non-intimidating for the kids. Then ask for a volunteer to try their shot at the blues -- a chorus or two. By the time you have done this with several kids, half the hour or more will have passed.

Spend some time listening to jazz artists who play close to the blues scale -- vintage recordings of Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Ella's scat singing are great and fun for all ages. Many of these kids will be hearing jazz for the first time, so play quality music for them. If you can find VHS or DVD videos, so much the better -- it is fun to see the masters in action (check your local library for jazz videos).

Have fun!
-Ken