Teaching School Jazz

Written by an experienced and diverse lineup of veteran jazz educators, Teaching School Jazz presents a comprehensive approach to teaching beginning through high school-level jazz. Thoroughly grounded in the latest research, chapters are supported by case studies woven into the narrative. The book therefore provides not only a wealth of school jazz teaching strategies but also the perspectives and principles from which they are derived. The book opens with a philosophical foundation to describe the current landscape of school jazz education. Readers are introduced to two expert school jazz educators who offer differing perspectives on the subject. The book concludes with an appendix of recommended audio, visual, digital, and written resources for teaching jazz. Accompanied by a website of playing exercises and audio examples, the book is invaluable resource for pre- and in-service music educators with no prior jazz experience, as well as those who wish to expand their knowledge of jazz performance practice and pedagogy.

Teaching Music through Performance in Jazz continues in the best tradition of the Teaching Music series, bringing together insights from top jazz educators and invaluable analysis of the best repertoire published for jazz ensembles of all skill levels. This book is the ideal tool for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the preeminent music for jazz ensembles by seminal jazz composers. In addition, leading jazz educators and musicians contribute chapters on topics such as: "Why Teach Jazz?" by Wynton Marsalis; "A Multi-Cultural approach to Jazz Education" by Ronald Carter; "Rehearsal Techniques: A holistic approach integrating composition, imporovisation, theory, and cultural considerations in the rehearsal" by Ron McCurdy; "The rhythm section: The band within the band" by Reginald Thomas; and "Promoting a high school jazz band" by Ron Modell. In addition, this book includes Teacher Resource Guides to more than 65 of the top jazz charts, broken down into developing, intermediate, and advanced categories. Each Teacher Resource Guide includes vital information on the composer, the composition, historical background, technical requirements, stylistic considerations, musical elements, form and structure, listening suggestions, and additional references. Teaching Music through Performance in Jazz is an essential resource for jazz leaders at all levels and a major contribution to the jazz field. -- from dust jacket.

'Teaching School Jazz' is an edited collection of suggested practices in school jazz education authored by a seasoned and diverse lineup of jazz educators with supporting research-based case studies woven into the narrative. It provides not only a wealth of school jazz teaching strategies but also, and perhaps as important, the jazz perspectives and principles from which they are derived.

This volume was the first published jazz teaching method. One of America's greatest musician-teachers, David Baker, shows how to develop jazz courses and jazz ensembles, with lesson plans, rehearsal techniques, practice suggestions, improvisational ideas, and ideas for school and private teachers and students.

"High School Jazz is the culmination of 40 years of teaching jazz. It is designed to give you clear instructions as well as the reasoning behind why I make these suggestions. I currently travel to high schools around the country doing clinics with jazz bands. The band directors are among the best high school jazz band directors in the country, and yet I am able to transform their bands in 15 minutes. In this book I am going to tell you exactly my procedure and how to do it. At first some of these things I say and do may sound strange or even counterintuitive, but I have used them hundreds, maybe even thousands of times, and they work for me." - David Berger I already have an excellent high school band. What can I learn from this book? High School Jazz is designed to serve all high school band directors regardless of experience and expertise. It deals with the most basic issues to the most complex in a deep way. Even the most seasoned teachers will find information that is known only by top professionals and is of great value to their students. I teach a teaching methods course for music education majors at a college. Would this book be appropriate for my students? Absolutely! It would be indispensable. Very often the high school concert band conductor will be responsible for teaching the jazz ensemble. High School Jazz explains how to teach, what to teach, and gives valuable resources.

DVD provides over three hours of audio and video demonstrations of rehearsal techniques and teaching methods for jazz improvisation, improving the rhythm section, and Latin jazz styles.

This one-of-a-kind book combines practice, theory, aesthetics, history and a proven pedagogy in leading both children and adults in the joys of jazz. It features 70 activities for teachers to do with children based on the Orff approach to music education, a clear developmental sequence and a thorough analysis of the basics of the blues, jazz standards and improvisation. Activities are applicable to preschool, elementary and middle school students and adaptable to any age. They include games, speech, body percussion, movement, songs and arrangements for Orff instruments of classic jazz tunes. Included also is a Middle School curriculum with examples of children's work.

This book provides guidance on starting a jazz-oriented program in conjunction with any existing program. Organized in six levels from Beginner to Advanced, it is suitable for any age or grade level and is designed so students and teachers can work at their own pace. Developed by the International Association for Jazz Education Curriculum Committee. A publication of IAJE and MENC.