What is alternative string playing? It's the most important and exciting area for string players who want and need to expand their horizons beyond classical music by exploring other styles and learning varied approaches and techniques offered by these styles. The string community is in the midst of a stylistic metamorphosis. Scores are incorporating scales, rhythms, ornaments and textual ideas from the music of the world. Over 18 string styles have surged in popularity, including blues, swing, rock, old time, Celtic, Cajun, Cape Breton, Flamenco, Gypsy and Latin to name a few. Whether you want to learn a new style, be ready for anything that comes up at a jam session, or meet the demands of new orchestral scores with ease, Alternative Strings will help you develop the necessary skills. The CD contains musical examples as well as many interviews with top players.

Count Basie, the Dorsey Brothers, Duke Ellington - these and more were the American idols of the golden era of the big bands. This is the ultimate guide to American big bands, with over 650 entries spanning the entire history of this uniquely American musical style. It's a comprehensive, chronological investigation of these bands in the United States, canvassing the entire 20th century. Each entry contains the name of the band, its leader, essential personnel, the years it existed, top hits, and a brief description of the band. Whether you use it as a reference tool or simply as an enjoyable read, you will find this book fascinating!

Create arrangements with texture and style with this complete guide to arranging for large horn sections! Now, for the first time, learn the same jazz ensemble arranging techniques taught by renowned Berklee College of Music faculty, and studied by the best and brightest arrangers working today. While the book focuses on classic big band and jazz styles, the core information about horn harmony and arranging can be used for any style, from hip-hop to ska. "Arranging for Large Jazz Ensemble" includes all the information you need when creating horn charts, fueling and inspiring you with the charts of esteemed Berklee professors Jeff Friedman, Ted Pease, Scott Free, Greg Hopkins and Bill Scism. The play-along CD includes more than 60 demo tracks and arrangements written in the style of masters such as Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Gil Evans, and performed by Berklee faculty. Covers: writing and voicing techniques; soli, background and shout choruses; special effects; creating your own style and more.

An invaluable text outlining the "art" of combo playing from master leader, player, and composer, Horace Silver. Includes sections on jazz philosophy, group and solo playing, composing and arranging, the music business, and seven of Horace's combo arrangements.

Acclaimed jazz trombonist, pianist, composer, arranger, teacher and author Hal Crook offers a methodology to guide the advancing improviser through the unchartered musical territory known as free jazz. This book shows improvisers how to prepare for soloing and comping in free settings by exploring the issues of musical accuracy, musicality and continuity (motive development) on form, and then reveals how to create structure and order within free settings by using the known to navigate the unknown. With the aid of clear explanations, concise musical examples, practical exercises, solo transcriptions and a compelling demonstration CD featuring 17 performances by the author and a stellar rhythm section, this book solves the mystery long associated with how to make free improvisation make sense, without losing your freedom in the process.

Rottenburg, Germany: Advance Music ©2006

Qty	Number	Description	Level	Price
	10041638	Paperback book New!	A	$34.95

A valuable resource for learning the basics of jazz from Mike Steinel of the University of North Texas. It covers the basics of jazz, how to build effective solos, a comprehensive practice routine, and a jazz vocabulary of the masters.

How many times have you heard a jazz ensemble that sounds great, except - the chords played by the pianist do not "agree" with the ensemble voicings? This handbook is intended to be a reference guide, allowing the struggling pianist to take a "non-notated" piano part and come up with a sophisticated, accurate rendering of the music in minutes. Almost immediately, your jazz ensemble will sound better, and your aspiring pianist will get a boost in self-esteem. This handbook is also great for composers and arrangers.

One of the most comprehensive and appealing books of its kind! Packed with a wealth of information, examples, and excerpts, the book alone would be an excellent addition to anyone's library. Add in the 79-track CD that lets you hear the printed examples, and this really becomes essential! Covers virtually everything an aspiring arranger needs to know: scoring techniques for all instruments from piccolo to harp, effective arrangement forms and components, concepts of orchestration, how to use synthesizers and other electronic devices, writing for symphonic band and much more. The format is user-friendly and logical, and the strong wire binding makes the book easy to use at the keyboard. Highly recommended!

Are you thinking of starting your own vocal jazz group, or bringing some characteristic jazz charts into your choir program? Make sure you check out this indispensable book by Steve Zegree. It will get you started on the right foot, and keep you swinging along each step of the way. Savvy with a strong dose of humor, Steve covers all the bases from the beginning - jazz traditions, styles, theory, improvisation, rehearsal techniques, solo singing, PA systems and staging. 27 recorded samples are included on the CD and a glossary will keep you hip on the difference between "riffs" and "licks." Use the discography to begin your own CD collection - it's a virtual "who's who" of jazz artists from the last 100 years. For the seasoned professional or the raw beginner, this book is a superb resource that you'll read again and again.

Playing music should be as simple as drawing a breath, yet most musicians are hindered by self-consciousness, apprehension and stress. Kenny's remarkable work deals directly at overcoming the distractions that can make musical performance difficult by taking control of our thought process. Inspiring and insightful!