Introducing Jazz to Your Program

There is one common struggle I've heard from many of you, and that is where to start when it comes to teaching or performing jazz music. Those of you that didn't play a "jazz instrument" never had the opportunity to be in a jazz ensemble, assuming your school had one. A "How to Teach and Play Jazz" class isn't the most common in universities either. However, none of those reasons should discourage you from starting your own jazz ensemble. Whether it be a swing version of "Jingle Bells" or an arrangement of "When the Saints Go Marching In", everyone from the flute down to the tuba should have the opportunity to perform jazz. This not only shows jazz is for everyone, but it also encourages interest in joining a jazz ensemble down the road. I am going to provide you with tips and materials that will aid you in teaching jazz music.

Instrumentation

The traditional instrumentation of a jazz big band is 5 saxophones, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, piano, bass and drums. You may not always have rhythm section players in your concert band so don't be hesitant to invite students from the rest of the school to audition. When it comes to drums you want to make sure you have at least a 4-piece set (snare, two toms, bass drum) and cymbals. If you are low on certain instruments encourage your students to learn a secondary instrument. Students eager to be in a jazz ensemble are also the ones who are willing to learn a second instrument. I myself was a baritone player who wanted to be in jazz band so I learned bass guitar and trombone.

Method Books

There are some great method books for teaching jazz music. You don't have to have a jazz band in order for your students to perform jazz music. It not only helps students be more artistic with their playing but it also builds confidence in their instrument. Here is a list of some method books that will aid you in teaching jazz music:

• Essential Elements for Jazz Ensemble This method book focuses on basic jazz styles, includes jazz history and people, teaches improvisation using two measure phrases, and includes seven full band arrangements. It includes all instrumentation you find in a beginning concert band and has piano, bass, drum and guitar parts also available. What's great about this book is you do not need a full rhythm section to perform the music. The tuba part doubles the bass part and you can use concert percussion in place of a drum set. This is a fantastic method book for students who have been playing for one to two years.
• The Best of Essential Elements for Jazz Ensemble This method book contains 15 arrangements for a beginning jazz band. These grade 1.5 arrangements are a perfect "next step" when using the Essential Elements for Jazz Ensemble method book. It can be played with as little as 3 saxes, 2 trumpets, 1 trombone and rhythm section or as many as 5 saxes, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones and rhythm section. There are also flute, clarinet, french horn and tuba books available allowing you to have your entire concert band play these arrangements.
• Jamey Aebersold Volume 1: How to Play Jazz & Improvise This is the first book I recommend to any of my students when they are ready to work on improvisation. Jamey Aebersold is a jazz educator who has developed a multitude of play-along method books for improvisation. What I personally love about the first volume is it focuses on the "modal" approach of playing, meaning instead of multiple chord changes over many measures it focuses on one chord change. This allows for your students to work on one chord when they are just getting into improvisation. The method book focuses on scales, improvisation fundamentals, time and feel, patterns/licks and includes 2 play-along CD's. This is a must for anyone wanting to learn improvisation.

Listening

You can't expect your students to be able to perform jazz if they have never listened to it. Listening is one of the most important tools you should use as a musician. Anytime you present a piece for your students to play, find some recordings of popular jazz musicians performing the same tune. It's even better if it ISN'T a note-for-note recording of your arrangement as jazz is never meant to be played the same way twice. The more you share with your students the more comfortable they will become with the style and feel of jazz music.

You too should practice jazz

This all comes back to the educator. How can one expect to teach jazz music if you yourself haven't done it? All of the method books I suggested come with play-along tracks, meaning you can work on playing jazz from your office or your home. This can be done on your main instrument or on a secondary instrument. Use this as a way to challenge yourself to become more competent on a secondary instrument. You do not have to be a well accomplished jazz musician in order to teach it.

Teaching jazz music should be fun and exciting not only for your students but also for you. It will help you grow in a way you may have never experienced before and will allow your students to expand on their own personal musicianship. All of the books I mentioned can be purchased through your educational representative. If you have any questions at all please don't hesitate to reach out to me.