Created for a wide variety of musicians, 12 Medium-Easy Jazz, Blues and Funk Etudes will appeal to both aspiring players and more experienced musicians. Accessible, yet with some challenges, this music was written by world-renowned jazz composer, arranger, saxophonist, bandleader, educator, and member of the "Yellowjackets," Bob Mintzer. Designed at the medium-easy grade level, this book includes: jazz, blues and funk etudes in a variety of styles, tempos, and time signatures; performance notes for each etude to assist in interpretation and improvisation; a play-along CD with a stellar rhythm section; transcription and composition exercises; practice pages with scales and chords; opportunities to study and learn invaluable jazz skills. All books are compatible and written so they can be performed together.

With Big Band Drumming at First Sight, Steve Fidyk offers a comprehensive approach to improve sight-reading skills in a big band setting. With advice on how to accompany different musical forms and playing styles, Fidyk gives detailed information that will strengthen your ability to recognize band figures and beat patterns quickly and easily. The companion play-along MP3 CD features 10 arrangements of varying style with beat and figure examples extracted from each score that are "looped" or repeated several times for thorough study. Big Band Drumming at First Sight will be an invaluable tool in helping you to become a better sight-reader! Read, listen, study, and learn through Steve's experience on what it takes to look at a drumset part once, and know how to deliver the musical goods with confidence!

Essential Styles, Books 1 and 2 are two innovative book and play-along CD packages that teach 50 essential grooves from today's jazz and popular styles. The books include written-out charts of each selection and performance tips for both drums and bass. All of the grooves have been recorded with a rhythm section and woodwinds, with drums mixed on the left channel and bass on the right, so either instrument may be dialed out. In addition, many of the tracks contain open choruses of comping so any instrument can practice playing solos! Essential Styles emphasizes the most important aspects of solid group playing?locking-in between the drummer and bassist? providing a strong rhythmic foundation and creating an authentic feel for whatever the style demands.

Essential Styles, Books 1 and 2 are two innovative book and play-along CD (or cassette) packages that teach 50 essential grooves from today's jazz and popular styles. The books include written-out charts of each selection and performance tips for both drums and bass. All of the grooves have been recorded with a rhythm section and woodwinds, with drums mixed on the left channel and bass on the right, so either instrument may be dialed out. In addition, many of the tracks contain open choruses of comping so any instrument can practice playing solos! Essential Styles emphasizes the most important aspects of solid group playing; locking-in between the drummer and bassist, providing a strong rhythmic foundation and creating an authentic feel for whatever the style demands.

This awesome series features ten big-band charts composed and arranged by Gordon Goodwin; a play-along CD with demo tracks; solo opportunities; transcribed solos in the sax, trumpet and trombone books; and performance tips and suggestions by Gordon Goodwin and his lead players! In the drum book, a question-and-answer session with Bernie Dresel and Gordon discusses aspects of big-band drumming. Chord changes for the solo sections are included in the saxophone, trumpet and trombone books as well as selected transcriptions of the solos recorded by various band members. In the drum book/CD, the original horn solos have been kept intact so the drummer can play off the soloists. Trumpet Book: Wayne Bergeron... one-of-a-kind lead trumpet player! Alto and Tenor Saxophone Books: Eric Marienthal... the remarkable saxophonist! Trombone Book: Andy Martin... sets a new standard for jazz trombonists! Drum Book: Bernie Dresel... one of the most musical and well-rounded drummers on the scene today! Includes: Count Bubba's Revenge; Cut 'n Run; Get in Line; High Maintenance; Horn of Puente; Hunting Wabbits; The Jazz Police; La Almeja Pequena; Swingin' for the Fences and Whodunnit. Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band Play-Along Series will allow players to make huge strides toward improving their big-band skills!

Basic Library
Composed and arranged by Gordon Goodwin, these ten saxophone duets are completely interchangeable for any combination of Eb or Bb saxophones. They can be played with a duet partner, or the CD can be used to play duets with either of these two great saxophonists. On the included CD, Duet part 1 and Duet part 2 are each controlled by dialing in or out the left or right channels of the stereo system. Gordon Goodwin plays tenor sax on Duet part 1 and 2, Eric Marienthal plays alto sax on Duet part 1 and 2. Gordon and Eric play together on parts 1 and 2. There are opportunities to improvise too! Titles include: Act Your Age; Count Bubba's Revenge; El Macho Muchacho; Gumbo Street; Hunting Wabbits; The Jazz Police; La Pequena Almeja; Maynard & Waynard; Swingin' for the Fences and There's the Rub.

Basic Library
The energy core of any jazz ensemble or combo is the rhythm section! It radiates the groove, time and essence of the music. This outstanding and comprehensive series includes introductions, explanations and instructions on the essential elements of performance, such as style, performance tips, and genres required for the solid understanding of what is required of a successful member of this vital part of the jazz group. There is also a play-along piece at the end of each chapter for reinforcement and further development of appropriate skills. The seven genres covered in this excellent method for your rhythm section are: swing, bossa nova, rock, shuffle, samba, funk, and ballad. Additional topics include: volume -- or knowing when not to play; how to keep time as a rhythm section; and effective comping. Each student book includes reproducible pages and a compact disc. The optional DVD is included with the director's book and is also available separately. The CD offers examples of jazz grooves, complex rhythms, and accompaniment tracks for the play-along pieces. Demonstrations of the examples are effectively presented by a driving rhythm section on the DVD. The complete kit includes: the Training Kit plus Bass, Drums, Guitar, Piano and Supplemental Books with CDs. Each book is authored by a professional musician and teacher in the respective performance area. The entire jazz ensemble will reap huge rewards when the rhythm section plays as a cohesive unit and comprehends the elements of the chart being performed! Very highly recommended!

More than a fun play-along, this book and CD combination is written at the easy to medium-easy level for young and developing players. It provides an opportunity to play along with a professional jazz ensemble and improve playing skills. As students play along and listen to the outstanding players in the band, they will learn about blend, style, phrasing, tone, dynamics, technique, articulation and playing in tune. Also, they will experience a variety of styles including Latin, swing, ballad and rock. Performance tips and suggestions are included in each book. Also unique to this series is the availability of rhythm section books providing opportunities for drummers, pianists, guitarists and bassists to experience all the benefits of playing along and learning. The play-along CD includes full-band recordings of each track for demonstration purposes and an accompaniment track for playing along and study. Solo improvisation opportunities exist for each instrument as well. Titles include: Vehicle; Sax to the Max; Nutcracker Rock; Fiesta Latina; Now What; Goodbye My Heart; Two and a Half Men; Burritos to Go; Drummin' Man; Swingin' Shanty and Play That Funky Music.

Sittin' In with the Big Band, Vol. 2 is more than a fun play-along. This book and CD combination features ten big-band charts written at the medium difficulty level for players with some experience. It provides an opportunity to play along with a professional jazz ensemble and improve playing skills. As students play along and listen to the outstanding players in the band, they will learn about blend, style, phrasing, tone, dynamics, technique, articulation, time, and playing in tune. Performance tips and suggestions are included in each book. Solo improvisation opportunities exist for each instrument as well. Titles include: Alianza; Get It On; Greensleeves; Jump; La Suerte de los Tontos; On Green Dolphin Street; The Red Door; Secret Love; Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise and Trofeo de Bolos.