Klarinet Archive - Posting 000583.txt from 1996/11

From: Michael Andrew Cassara <99casmic@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: How To Swing
Date: Tue, 26 Nov 1996 21:39:35 -0500

Hi Fred and everyone else,

On Tue, 19 Nov 1996, fred cicetti wrote:

> The following is a message I sent to Michael Cassara of the Klarinet
> list. After I mailed it, I realized I should post it to all. Any ideas
> would be greatly appreciated. By the way, you should all visit Michael's
> Web site; it's wonderful. Go to
>
> http://www.en.com/users/cassara/clarinet/index.htm
>
> > Michael:
> >
> > I read about your Jazz clarinet homepage on the Klarinet mailing list.
> > I've visited a couple of times.

Thanks for stopping by!

> >
> > I have a question you probably can help me to answer. I'm a self-taught
> > clarinetist. My goal is to be able to play Swing and Dixie. I've done a
> > lot of reading and practicing. Most of what I've read and worked on seems to
> be designed to get you up to Bebop proficiency.
> >
> > While I like Bop, I want to be able to play traditional jazz. Here's my
> > question: how should I focus my study to reach my specific goal?
> >
> > F'rinstance, I've worked with Dan Haerle's "Scales for Jazz
> > Improvisation." Which of these scales is really important to play
> > traditional jazz?

I really don't know. Perhaps someone with more knowledge on traditional
jazz can help out here?

> >
> > Any advice or direction to reference sources would be greatly
> > appreciated.
> >
> > fred cicetti
> > cicetti@-----.com
>

Well, my best advice, and this goes for all forms of jazz, is to listen.
Jazz, especially the dixie stuff, is all about listening. That's the most
important skill one can have. Some clarinetists in the dixieland/trad.
jazz style you may want to check out:

* Barney Bigard
* Kenny Davern
* Johnny Dodds
* Pete Fountain
* Pee Wee Russell
* Dr. Michael Weiss

Ok, so it's not a very concise list... Anyone have suggestions?

As for books/methods: An excellent text for study of all forms of jazz
(I believe the latest edition has a section on dixie) is Mark Gridley's
Jazz Styles and Analysis. Mark has another book out but the above is what
you want. I think he has both volumes now with an analysis CD.

I would check your area for dixieland bands which you might find
performing. Go to their gigs and talk to the clarinet player. Perhaps
see if he or she would be willing to teach you. Try and hear as many
groups perform as possible. Live performance and recordings are much
different (ESPECIALLY FOR DIXIE!!!). Perhaps a trip to New Orleans? :)
But really, you can find live dixie a lot of places, and these are cleaner
places than where you'll find bop... :)

Well, I hope I was of some help. I'm interested in what other people out
there think of the site. I've received a lot of nice comments and some
very good suggestions. Stop back frequently as I'm updating often.

Fred- Sorry for my delay in reply

Take care,

Mike
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Michael A. Cassara 99casmic@-----.edu
Hawken School in Gates Mills, Ohio Http://www.hawken.edu
Homepage: Http://www.en.com/users/cassara
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