Award-winning jazz educator Caleb Chapman and multi-Grammy-winning saxophonist Jeff Coffin have created a highly effective approach to jazz articulation. Step by step, this book details Caleb Chapman's proven approach to mastering the fundamentals of jazz articulation, phrasing, and interpretation. Inside each book are 17 units with 14 exciting, original compositions by Jeff Coffin, carefully designed to reinforce these concepts. The included CD has both demo and play-along tracks featuring a world-class quartet of Jeff Coffin (tenor sax), Victor Wooten (bass), Roy "Futureman" Wooten (drums), and Chris Walters (piano). Book/CD packs are available for C, Bb, Eb and Bass Clef instruments and Piano, Guitar, Bass, Drums and a Teacher's Edition. The Teacher's Edition includes all the student information plus answer keys and additional teaching suggestions. Designed to be used with jazz ensembles, combos, in private lessons, or in a classroom setting, this method makes approaching jazz articulation easy and fun. When students follow the explanations, do lots of listening, play along, and practice what they have heard, they will become articulate jazz musicians. A solid foundation for any jazz group or player!

Chop-Monster is a jazz language tutor that teaches young players how to improvise in an ensemble setting, and enjoy it from the very first day! Each new concept is easily covered in 10-15 minutes of rehearsal time, utilizing a call-and-response Compact Disc. "Chop Monster Challenges" are provided for more advanced students. In addition, the student books include correlated jazz ensemble charts with open solo sections that are ideal for concert performance. Level 1 is appropriate for junior high ensembles, or for ensembles of any age with novice improvisors. Level 1 matches the recommended Level 1 scope and sequence in MENC/IAJE's "Teaching Jazz" curriculum guide.

Basic Library
Here's everything you need to start a beginning jazz ensemble! It doesn't matter if you're knowledgeable in the field of jazz. This method will get you and your students swinging the right way in no time at all. The important elements of playing styles unique to jazz are introduced and reinforced through easy exercises and arrangements. Basic jazz theory and history are also introduced. The beginning steps to jazz improvisation are covered, and everything is sequentially arranged with the attention to detail you've come to expect from the Essential Elements method series. All of the exercises and compositions can be played by a full jazz ensemble, or individually with the CD that is included in each book. Listening to good jazz players is one of the best ways to learn, and playing along with the CD will be an excellent way for students to hear how jazz is played. With the Essential Elements Jazz Ensemble Method, you'll be laying a strong foundation in jazz that your students can grow on!

Editors' Choice
This is a great instructional tool to use with your jazz band! It's a collection of 23 short riffs made up of essential rhythmic figures that are the basis of all jazz charts. Written in swing, rock and latin styles, you can put this in front of your band and really drive home how the different figures should sound. Some of the phrases are designed for improvising over, and many can be linked together to provide longer exercises. Essential!

First Place for Jazz is a comprehensive, introductory jazz method and can be essential for implementing a jazz ensemble curriculum. The book is divided into three sections by key: Concert Bb, F, and Eb. Within each section the major, Mixolydian, Dorian, and blues scales and correlated chords of that key are introduced through Jazz Starters, Rhythm Section Spotlights, and Rhythm Sectionals. These enrichments prepare students to play each of the twelve grade 1 and 2 Jazz Ensemble Charts and Lead Sheets that are included in the book. Suitable for group or individual instruction, this unique organization, combined with a host of innovative features including an online Interactive Practice Studio and availability in SmartMusic, will provide bands with the tools they need. Additional features include: Aurally Presented Scales (a foundation for more advanced improvisation study); Progressive Pitch Sets (students learn to walk before they run); One at a Time Chord Introduction (allows students to gradually master their harmonic understanding); Rhythm Figures (taken from the included jazz ensemble charts, helping students to develop an understanding of phrasing and articulation); Improvisation Practice (giving students the opportunity to apply what they have learned in the exercises); Let's Check Progress (motivates students by allowing them to chart their growth); Spotlights (develops the individual skills required of rhythm section players); Instrument-specific Recordings (provided online in the First Place for Jazz Interactive Practice Studio for Jazz Starters exercises, charts and Lead Sheets); Rhythm Sectionals (builds the rhythm section groove for the included Jazz Ensemble Charts step-by-step) and much, much more! Essential for implementing a comprehensive jazz curriculum, this method is built from the ground up!

Now there's a well-sequenced approach for your young musicians to begin improvising! If your students have tried the Jamey Aebersold books, but found themselves in too deep, this is the answer. Jazz Basics is designed to work with the full ensemble and is a preliminary step to the Aebersold series. It includes two CDs full of aural exercises and performance examples. It has an in-depth approach to the rhythm section, including comprehensive books for Guitar, Bass, Piano and Drums. There are seven units of learning and six complete charts that are playable with just a handful of players: 1 trumpet; 1 alto sax, 1 tenor sax, and 1 trombone. The CD can double as rhythm section if needed. Alternative instrumentation for clarinet, flute and horn is also provided.

Basic Library
Here is the sequel to the groundbreaking pedagogy introduced in the Standard of Excellence Jazz Ensemble Method. This comprehensive method can be used by students who have completed the first book, or any student with intermediate-level instrumental skills and at least one year of jazz ensemble experience. Building upon the skills introduced in the first book, the Advanced method focuses on improvisation and its integration into full jazz ensemble performance. Each student book comes with a demonstration/accompaniment CD and continues the non-theoretical, aurally-based approach of the first book. It's perfect for advanced middle and high school jazz ensembles or students of any age who have played in jazz ensembles but never formally studied improvisation. The 500+ page Director's Score includes everything in the student books, plus Director Tips, Student Enrichments, duplicable Listening Worksheets and Rhythm Studies, a Jazz Ensemble Director's Guide, Glossary of Jazz Terms and two CDs! It's not just a method, it's a curriculum! Your students and your jazz ensemble as a whole will reap huge rewards with this!

Basic Library
This is a comprehensive method for developing the skills of your young jazz students! Using the experience gained in creating the well-known Standard of Excellence Band Method, the authors have designed an aurally-based method that will help students learn to play jazz by listening! Ideal for group or individual study, each part book comes with an accompaniment CD, providing students with opportunities to listen to and play along with professional jazz musicians. Easy-to-use Rhythm Studies, Improvisation Studies, special rhythm section exercises and full jazz ensemble charts all come together to provide the most comprehensive introduction to jazz possible! The Director Score includes all music and text from the student books, plus teaching tips, rehearsal suggestions, articles on various aspects of putting together a band, and many activities to help reinforce students' abilities.