Jazz Improvisation

Cornwall County Music Service
Tel: 01872 323476
email: Cornwall Music Service

As well as tackling the grammar of jazz and its attendant problems and how to overcome them, a jazz Standard is learnt weekly, and students are expected to memorise the melody for the following class.  These standards are chosen to illuminate topics covered in the class, and this encourages students to learn tunes which they will encounter many times in their jazz performance.
These classes are run on a continuous basis; students who progress quickly are encouraged to attend a more advanced class which cover jazz topics at a higher level.

Here are links to all the files offered to participating pupils.  You will need 'Band In A Box' in order to use these files.  Also, many files on this page require you to have Acrobat Reader™ installed on your computer.  To obtain this free software, click on the logo below.

Look!! - jazz Standards now all together on a new page!!
	s		J
This page has been re-organised.  You will now find the files in a more logical order, with some additional files never seen here before.  I hope that this new format will help you find what you are looking for more easily - Andy
As of 6/11/09, jazz standards files of all types will only be added to the Jazz Standards Download Area on our new website, www.cornwallmusicservice.org.uk  Please remember that you will need to register on this site in order to access these resources.  Contact me for the enrolment key on cornwallmusicservice@hotmail.co.uk
Here are the files promised for Nick (and others!) - swing drums only MIDI files at 4 different speeds.
Drums only 90bpm	Drums only 120bpm	Drums only 150bpm	Drums only 180bpm
While we are on the subject of online resources, here's a link to Marc Sabatella's Online jazz Primer.  Once again packed full of useful information and links to further resources.
Here's a link this is the link to a blog by a Michigan alto player named Bob 'Storm' Hartig.  He is a pro jazz altoist and amateur (I think) storm chaser.  His blogs cover a wide range of topics, but you can search for jazz related topics on the left hand column.  Some really interesting bebop stuff here - spend a few minutes and have a nose around.
Piano Practice Technique - for Ross and Will (and any others who might be interested!)
Bebop major scales - overview	Bebop major scales - playfile long
Bebop major scales - concert	Bebop major scales - playfile short
Bebop major scales - Bb	Bebop dominant scales - playfile long
Bebop major scales - Eb	Bebop dominant scales - playfile short
For Will Finch - Mastering A and B Axis Voicings
http://www.alisdair.com	this page contains lots of really useful BIAB links - some of which I have used myself, like the enhancing a basic file tutorial!
Band In A Box Real Book - playfiles - don't worry about the odd look, it's coz this is linked to a folder not a single file!
playfiles
Oscar Peterson - Jazz Exercises
Oscar Peterson - Jazz Piano for the Young Pianist
Jazz Rhythm
Jazz Rhythm - concert	Jazz Rhythm - Bb	Jazz Rhythm - Eb
Comping Rhythms from Jazzology	Trevor Tomkins Pulse Placements
Transcriptions
Task: to transcribe some Chet Baker, Clifford Brown or Miles Davis.  Here are links to 3 mp3 files to get you started.
Chet Baker - Autumn Leaves	Miles Davis - It Could Happen To You	Lee Morgan - Sidewinder
Autumn Leaves - Chet Baker transcription - C	Autumn Leaves - Chet Baker transcription - Bb	Autumn Leaves - Chet Baker transcription - Eb
Remember that the most important part of transcription is not the writing it down, but the aural training required.  Work out the solo using a keyboard wherever possible, and then learn the solo on your instrument and play along (this is essential!).  Use 'Transcribe' if available, and slow down to at least 50% to aid your calculations.  Once you have transcribed a section, learn any licks that you like, noticing which chords they work over.  Then learn these licks in different keys, and find one of the standards previously worked on to find a similar chord progression.  Then run the BIAB file and see if you can insert the lick at the right place in the progression.  Of course you can change the rhythm, etc. but strive to learn it as transcribed first.
Scales and Modes
Demystifying Modes	How to spot a II-V-I Prog	Primary Modes
Scale Practice - all keys	Scale Practice - slow - play	Scale Practice - fast - play
Scale Practice - all keys	Scale Practice - slow - play	Scale Practice - fast - play
Guide Tones
Guide Tones - (all transpositions)
Guide Tones Ex 1 - play	Guide Tones Ex 2 - play	Guide Tones Ex 3 Long - play	Guide Tones Ex 3 - play
Guide Tones Ex 1 - play	Guide Tones Ex 2 - play	Guide Tones Ex 3 Long - play	Guide Tones Ex 3 - play
Guide Tones Ex 4 Long - play	Guide Tones Ex 4 - play	Guide Tones Ex 5 Long - play	Guide Tones Ex 5 - play
Guide Tones Ex 4 Long - play	Guide Tones Ex 4 - play	Guide Tones Ex 5 Long - play	Guide Tones Ex 5 - play
Guide Tones Ex 6 Long - play	Guide Tones Ex 6 - play
Guide Tones Ex 6 Long - play	Guide Tones Ex 6 - play
ii-V and ii-V-I Progression playfiles - please note that the keys in the titles are all CONCERT!
2-5-1 Progressions
II-V-I 2 keys swing	II-V-I 2 keys latin
II-V-I 2 keys swing	II-V-I 2 keys latin
II-V long F swing	II-V long F bossa	II-V-I-VI F swing	II-V-I-VI F bossa
II-V long F swing
II-V long Bb swing	II-V long Bb bossa	II-V-I-VI Bb swing	II-V-I-VI Bb bossa
II-V long Bb swing
II-V long Eb swing	II-V long Eb bossa	II-V-I-VI Eb swing	II-V-I-VI Eb bossa
II-V long Eb swing
Just came across a great site by accident (whilst browsing the Associated Board fora) - check out http://bopland.org/ where you can find thousands of licks, just sitting there waiting for you to learn them (in all keys!)
i-V-I Patterns - concert
ii-V-I Patterns - Bb	ii-V-I Patterns - Playfile
ii-V-I Patterns - Eb	ii-V-I Patterns - Playfile
i-V-I Minor Patterns - concert
i-V-I Minor Patterns - concert BC	ii-V-I Minor Patterns - playfile (C Minor)
ii-V-I Minor Patterns - Bb	ii-V-I Minor Patterns - playfile (C Minor)
ii-V-I Minor Patterns - Eb
Blues Sequences
F Blues 12 bar - concert	F Blues - Swing play file	F Blues - Mojo play file
	F Blues - Swing play file	F Blues - Mojo play file
F Blues 12 bar - Bb	F Blues - Funk play file	F Blues - JL Hooker play file
F Blues 12 bar - Eb	F Blues - Funk play file	F Blues - JL Hooker play file
Simple F blues - playfile	Simple F blues with 2-5 b9-10 - playfile	F blues with chord 6 b8 and turnaround - playfile	F blues with 2-5 b4 and tritone subs - playfile
	Simple F blues with 2-5 b9-10 - playfile	F blues with chord 6 b8 and turnaround - playfile	F blues with 2-5 b4 and tritone subs - playfile
Parker-style 'Clock' F blues - playfile
Parker-style 'Clock' F blues - playfile
Minor ii-V-I sequences - remember to transpose and practise in all keys!
Minor 251 sequence - concert	Minor 251 C fast
Minor 251 sequence - Bb	Minor 251 C slow
Minor 251 sequence - Eb
Diminished Scales
Diminished Scales - concert	Diminished Scales 2 - C
Diminished Scales - Bb	Diminished Scales 2 - Bb
Diminished Scales - Eb	Diminished Scales 2 - Eb
V-I Sequence with V(b9)
V-I with b9 no.1 - play
V-I with b9 no.2 - play
V-I with b9 no.3 - play
V-I with b9 no.4 - play
Circle of 5ths Major 7ths
Circle of 5ths maj7 - concert
Circle of 5ths maj7 - Bb	Circle of 5ths maj7 - play file
Circle of 5ths maj7 - Eb	Circle of 5ths maj7 - play file
Miscellaneous Playfiles
You Are My Sunshine - playfile	Magic Time - med swing Eb - playfile	Another June - playfile	After You - playfile
You Are My Sunshine - playfile	Magic Time - med swing Eb - playfile	Another June - playfile	After You - playfile
I Got Rhythm - concert
I Got Rhythm - concert
Miscellaneous files and software
Circle of 5ths diagram	Aebersold ii-V-I Supplement book	BIAB 2K5 for evaluation purposes only	azz tutor
Transcribe	VLC Player