Now that I've got my G3 clarinet, I want to start learning jazz clarinet, with a view to doing G1 in the autumn. I can have lessons during the summer, but in the meantime I've got the book with the pieces in and also the jazz scales book. Is there anything else I can be working on between now and having lessons? The following books are listed by the ABRSM -

- "Aural Tests & Quick Studies"

- AB Real Book

- Play Jazz from Scratch - a how-to guide for melody instruments

Are any of them worth getting? Presumably the first one would be for teachers to use? Thanks for any advice

I think that the thing that makes the biggest difference in jazz is the feel and style of playing and IMO, you can't really get that from books, only from listening. I know that you already listen to quite a lot of jazz, but to prepare for playing try listening to it more analytically. Listen to the drummer, where is he placing the rhythm, what beats is he emphasising. Try and isolate the bass line and work out what the bass is doing, then the soloist - what degree of swing (or not) is there? How is he articulating the notes? How is it different to playing classically? etc

I didn't know the AB had done a melody instrument guide to Jazz.

I have the "Jazz piano from scratch" book which I got off ebay - really good actually. I wonder how different the new one is: where did you see it listed?

One thing I found helpful is when looking at the guide tones in the pieces (for jazz flute obviously!) working out what scale or mode it was, and practising that through the range of the instrument so you have a good basic idea of what will work with the piece, obviously really good jazzers don't always stick with things like that but I found it really helped having parameters within which to work as then I worried less about the notes and could flow with it a bit more... if that makes any sense. That also led me on to playing the different scales and modes in more keys than were listed in the book... which was quite fun...

If you've got a DAB radio then theJazz would be a good way to get access to lots of free listening material!

There are also free jazz radio stations online... I know janexxx found a great jazz violin one some time back.

The Aebersold (I've misspelled that but can't work out how...) books are supposed to be good...

Anyway... I'm very much a novice myself, but have had a lot of fun trying it out. Have this vague notion of doing G1 this summer but it's a case of finding out which if any of my local exam centres do it, and then sending in the application before the online closing date which is coming up fast

I think you're absolutely right, TSax, and I think your reply has inadvertently highlighted the difference between us - I think you're a naturally talented musician, whereas I feel as if I can learn to be a reasonably competent clarinet player (hopefully) with good teaching and practice and I think I was approaching learning jazz clarinet in the same way as learning the instrument. On reflection, it probably does need a different approach, so thanks for making me realise that.

Sarah you've said something along similar lines, about thinking less about the notes and just letting the music flow, and being aware of scales. I never thought I'd be able to play jazz because I didn't think I'd be able to improvise, but then I discovered that there were "rules" to do with scales, so I thought if I learn the rules, perhaps I could have a go And it's quite good fun, isn't it!

So I'll see if I can loosen up a bit and just go with the flow. Funnily enough I've just started reading "The Inner Game of Music" which I think is saying the same thing. I think I've got a long way to go yet before I'm technically good enough to do this when playing "serious" clarinet, but I think I could try it for jazz clarinet

Thanks for the advice

No, no, no - I'm not! honestly. I have lessons with some great, naturally talented musicians and I regurgitate their advice here so it makes me sound good! I'm going to get found out big style if/when anyone actually hears me play. I'm very much a scientist/mathematician and approach things quite analytically, I put a fair amount of effort into my playing and am delighted when I manage to make some progress. On a good day I'm sort of competent, on a bad day I wonder why I bother. In grade terms I find it impossible to assess my standard. Above grade 6 I think because I did that on clarinet many years ago, I suspect I'd struggle with grade 8 though.

The stuff about listening is absolutely true. The more I listen, the better, in terms of style, my playing gets. I listen to my iPod on the way home from work and listening through headphones somehow makes me listen more carefully. Quite often I'll pick things out of solos that aren't difficult but sound great then resolve to try and give it a go when I'm practising - Miles Davis is good for that.

You can definitely learn to play jazz and improvise by using the rules, learning the harmony, scales etc. That was my starting point, and the thing I come back to over and over again. The other semi-mechanical exercise I've been encouraged to do is to develop my jazz vocabulary by learning "licks" - short phrases that fit over certain chord progressions. This is still a work in progress. I think the idea is that once you've got the grammar in terms of the scales, and the vocabulary in terms of the licks you've got the tools you need to start being really creative and "go with the flow".

Although I enjoy any opportunity to play in a group situation nothing gives me a buzz like improvising - even if I only manage a few bars that really sound good. Five years ago I used to feel sick when I had to improvise something!

I thought exactly the same, then did a workshop with Violinia!

Though I'm still quite a "basic" improviser, I'm still sometimes amazed by what just pops out.

I'm really surprised at what you've said here, because the other word I've always associated with you is "intuitive" rather than "analytical" - and I'm not intuitive, and that's why I've always thought you can play jazz and I can't! Well not yet anyway. I wouldn't say I'm analytical about music, but I like things to be logical (although I reserve the right to be illogical from time to time ), and I've always considered this to be a handicap in playing jazz. So it seems it can be either overcome, or it's irrelevant anyway ...



Apart from one occasion in my ensemble class, I've not done any improvisation in front of anyone else - I can't ever imagine improvising in a concert situation. (But I'm secretly hoping that in xx years time, I'll look back on that sentence with a wry smile )

I think there is a lot said about jazz that can be distracting... there are traps to avoid and so on.

Firstly, quite often and quite widespread, there can be a feeling that there is Music and there is Jazz. This simply isn't true - it's all music, whether you label it Classical, Folk, Jazz whatever.

Feeling these different 'branches' is, to me, a way of thinking. And that comes with doing it, listening, playing, having a go - all in all gathering an understanding.

If you are used to playing "from the dots" you may find it difficult to make the jump to 'no music' - I did and still do. And I find that hearing harmonies, chords and chord changes is something new, too.

Well done on Grade 3, but a jazz exam, I think, needs time to work to - as Tsax said, listen lots and play lots. A lot of jazz is driven by the rhythm section, so listen to the drummer and bass player.
I am trying to say it is different, but not a million miles away, it's all music - it's all moving through musical experiences and it's great!

Nah, I've got Maths and Science A-levels, a science degree and PhD and spend the vast part of my working day messing around with numbers and spreadsheets. I can't stop myself approaching things analytically. For a while, when I started trying to play jazz, I tried switching that bit of my brain off because I thought it would make me more "musical", until I realised that being able to do the analysis was a positive asset and I might as well make as much use of it as I can.

SaxFan's right though, it is all music and while you need to approach jazz a bit differently to calssical you still need the fundamental basis of good technique and the ability to play your instrument and it sounds as though you're making excellent progress with that.

Yes it's all music, and yes I agree a different approach is needed. Thanks for your advice

Skyers, did you see this listed for sale anywhere?

Thinking ahead to when I start getting asked what I'd like for my birthday....

No I haven't seen that one.... isn't the clarinet more of a harmony instrument though (based on the fact that you floooty people always get the best bits )

When's your birthday?

OK... I shall just have to keep my eyes peeled! (not literally.....!)




I think harmony instruments are generally those which can play chords... though if you can do that on your clari, consider me suitably in awe!!


September!

The arranging teacher I've got lined up for the summer is going to have his work cut out, isn't he

Go for it Skylarkl! Hope you enjoy the summer course!

I've just remembered this series of books skylark, and wondered if you had seen them

http://www.oup.co.uk/search/?view=searchre...2858=CREATIVECL

I haven't used them myself, but I did see extracts of the saxophone series when it was a work in progress and it did seem to plug a gap in the market for an instrumental tutor book that introduced improvising along with learning to play an instrument.

No I haven't seen them but you're right, they look like a good series. I'm pretty sure they don't have them at my local music shop but I want to go to Banks Music Shop in York soon where they have a huge selection of books so I'll have a look for particularly the first in the series. Thanks!