Jazz

practically every aspect is different from classical playing (sound, equipment, articulation, patterns,

 

Sound: can be explained in different ways:

warm air, larger air column (jazz) vs. cold air, focused pinpoint air stream (classical)

more overtones in jazz sound, subtone-like, no vibrato

each note has its individual quality to exploit, classical (string-like) playing strives for evenness

flat end of pitch that the sax allows (push in) blow down, play with tuner

 

Equipment:  softer reeds than classical (LaVoz, Rico), many kinds of mouthpieces

 

Articulation: no ta-ta articulation, often begins with breath attack

 

Scales:  pentatonic, blues, arpeggios to 13th, modes, patterns/licks, usually use bis Bb, almost always front E, F

 

There are many ways to approach learning jazz. Learn the theory, learn the tunes, listen/imitate, improvise (all must be done, in any order)

  1) Develop the ear; play simple, question/answer melodies; Listen rhythmically, improvise melodically with a drum; sing then play, transcribe solos

  2) Imitate: play (memorize) transcribed solos, imitate every nuance, inflection

  3) know the theory: practice sheet method for progressions (roots, roots/3rds, 3rds/7ths, 1357, 3579...), transpose licks/patterns (especially for ii V I) to all keys, play with Band in Box or Aebersold, memorize chord changes (visualize keyboard or staff, or hear root/bass in your ear), literally move feet to simulate organ pedals. Common progressions: blues: I   IV  I    I    IV  IV  I    I    V7  V7  I    V

  4) Memorize many tunes (and learn the words), bring out characteristic qualities of the tune, in your solo (specific notes, intervals, contour, rhythm)

 

resources: fake book, Abersold, etudes Turpen diss,

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