About this sectionThis section is just in the beginning stages, but I've been creating a lot of resources for my students lately and figured I'd share. Please know that I'm not a jazz aficionado, but I'm dedicated to helping my students play jazz as a group, but especially on their own. Much of what you'll find here is to help develop improvisation and theory skills. In my ever-developing philosophy of teaching music, I am adamant about "connecting" students to music. If they're connected, they're practicing, they're empowered to get better and explore all that music has to offer. If you have any comments ore requests, please don't hesitate to ask. Major Scale MatrixThis is just a way to look at scales not using a music staff.
Arpeggio PracticeThese exercises and worksheets are designed to help students learn to outline the chords correctly. Some of it is on a music staff, but I've come to like just having the letter names. I like how it doesn't box them into certain octaves and ranges... and it takes up a LOT less space on the page. The first one is just diatonic notes going up to the 9th. Students can then change the notes to fit whatever the chord is (flat third, flat seventh, etc)
Basic Scales and Modes WorksheetThis worksheet is to get the wheel turning in regards to some basic scales and modes. I use these with all my students (not just the ones pursuing jazz). After All-State Auditions are over, I use these scales for assessment and extra credit incentive. I'm a huge proponent of student just knowing their way around the horn. My best players tend to be the jazz kids simply because they have so much to practice thus practicing all the time :)
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Circle of Fourths (fifths too)
After searching the internet for circle of fourths charts to print and give to students (and not finding what I wanted), I decided to just make one myself. There's two versions below.. One is a high quality graphic file that you could get printed and put on a poster. The other is a PDF great for printing and putting in student folders.
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Two Important Shout-Outs
In regards to jazz, I need to give a couple of shout outs. Playing in Matt Olson's Jazz Ensemble at Furman University back in the day taught me SOO much about playing and teaching jazz. Dr. Olson is an incredible educator and has taught me sooo much about jazz over the years. He's got some albums out.. you should take a listen and then buy one. Olson's Website
I also need to give a shout out to my friend and colleague Dr. Vern Weygandt. Over the past few years he's helped me to expand my jazz skills, especially in the pedagogical realm. A lot of what you will see here is from our collaborative teaching efforts. He's got a website (click here) and he's also written an awesome book for prospective music majors. If you have students looking to major in music, they should definitely have this book!! (Weygandt's Book)
I also need to give a shout out to my friend and colleague Dr. Vern Weygandt. Over the past few years he's helped me to expand my jazz skills, especially in the pedagogical realm. A lot of what you will see here is from our collaborative teaching efforts. He's got a website (click here) and he's also written an awesome book for prospective music majors. If you have students looking to major in music, they should definitely have this book!! (Weygandt's Book)
