Jazz Flute Options

[moose]

My son is looking for a nice jazz piece for flute. It does not have to be one of the exam pieces. He passed Grade 6 (not a jazz one) with merit. I was overwhelmed but veriaty of choice at the internet shops. Could anybody recommend sth pleasant. Thanks.

[Flossie]

What are you calling 'jazz'? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) Do you want a piece which sounds a bit jazz-like but is notated fully like the pieces he has learnt for things like his grade 6, or do you want him to be learning jazz which is a different style and draws more upon skills such as improvisation? These are two different things.

I don't do jazz, and tend not to go for 'jazz-like' pieces (so other people will hopefully have better suggestions). However, if he wants a standard piece which is a bit jazz-like then you could maybe look at things like the Mower pieces (try Commandments), 24 Jazz Etudes for Flute (can't remember composer or publisher), Gerswin, Bennett Sonatina or Games (the latter is from Summer Music), Taggart In the Sun or Pictures. Things like Microjazz are used a lot but are probabaly too easy for him as they are grade 1-2 (maybe 3) standard.

If he wants to learn jazz then you ideally will need to find someone to teach him the improvisation skills and things like that. I'm sure that there's books which could help with this kind of thing, but as it does require reasonable aural skills and some ability to play by ear it's probably a lot easier to pick up from a 'live' teacher rather than a book. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Babybird2]

Jazzed Up Too is quite nice (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[moose]

What are you calling 'jazz'? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) Do you want a piece which sounds a bit jazz-like but is notated fully like the pieces he has learnt for things like his grade 6, or do you want him to be learning jazz which is a different style and draws more upon skills such as improvisation? These are two different things.

Thank you. It is very helpful. Yes, I am looking jazz-like fully notated pieces, rather than improvisation. Somehow I think he is too young to improvise (12 years old), but maybe I am mistaken. I will try to get them to listen to the pieces you suggested, so he can choose between them.

Jazzed Up Too is quite nice (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

Will try that one as well. Thanks.

[Dora]

[quote name='moose' date='Sep 29 2009, 02:15 PM' post='878790']
[quote name='Flossie' post='878773' date='Sep 29 2009, 01:40 PM']
What are you calling 'jazz'? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) Do you want a piece which sounds a bit jazz-like but is notated fully like the pieces he has learnt for things like his grade 6, or do you want him to be learning jazz which is a different style and draws more upon skills such as improvisation? These are two different things.

[/quote]

Thank you. It is very helpful. Yes, I am looking jazz-like fully notated pieces, rather than improvisation. Somehow I think he is too young to improvise (12 years old), but maybe I am mistaken. I will try to get them to listen to the pieces you suggested, so he can choose between them.


For what it is worth my 12 year old has just started improvisation with the sax and is loving it.
Dora

[notmusimum]

Thank you. It is very helpful. Yes, I am looking jazz-like fully notated pieces, rather than improvisation. Somehow I think he is too young to improvise (12 years old), but maybe I am mistaken.

My 14 year old has been improvising a couple of years so he's not too young. I would recommend getting him some Jazz lessons from a specialist though if it's a path he decides to take.