The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: jmcgann
Date: 2006-12-09 20:54
No personal/financial stake in this, but I'm having fun with it and wanted to share it as a nice practice aid, especially for fellow 'developing' players-
Brazilian/Afro-Cuban Jazz Conception For Clarinet, published by Advance Music (distributed by Kendor). 17 tracks with clarinetist Paulo Sérgio Santoz playing the notated melodies, and 17 tracks of just the rhythm section. Author is Fernando Brandao.
What I love about it is a very authentic rhythm section playing various Brazilian forms like samba, cha-cha, choro, bossa, frevo, etc. feels as well as Cuban son, son-montuno, cha-cha-cha etc. There is a full explanation of the rhythm section feels (with notation); articulation suggestions, performance notes regarding improv. scales and note choices, etc.
As an adult beginner with good 16th note reading skills, I find this to be a great practicing companion. I am using The Amazing Slow Downer to bring the tempos closer to what I can execute comfortably.
There is even a samba in 7/4, which is always fun! None of the keys go beyond 3 sharps. Not exactly beginner stuff, but intermediate...would be great for classical players looking to absorb some 'street music'.
www.johnmcgann.com
Post Edited (2006-12-09 20:55)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Nathan
Date: 2006-12-10 04:09
It's a small world John. The only two forums I frequent are this one and one over at the mandolin cafe. I thought I was the only 'cafe goer doing time on this board. It's nice to see your input here as well, as I always find it of interest.
Nathan
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jmcgann
Date: 2006-12-12 01:16
Small world! I am ordering copies of the violin edition to use with my mando students at Berklee...thanks for your kind words.
www.johnmcgann.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: seafaris
Date: 2006-12-12 18:47
If you really want to have some fun, look up Band in a Box at www.pgmusic.com I use just the bass, piano and drums to practice various songs that are available in the fake jazz books. There are some sites that have a lot of different songs and styles which you can print out to use in BIAB. I do play some Latin songs and also what you would consider standards with various Latin styles. With a good mic and some speakers you are ready to go!
...Jim
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jmcgann
Date: 2006-12-12 19:13
No offense, but the difference between playing along with actual humans (albeit recorded ones) and a MIDI file is night and day. I do have BIAB but I use it more for intonation practice. I find it more fun to play with a good feeling rhythm section of the kind found in the Aebersold and Bergonzi (as well as the Jazz Conception) series...
www.johnmcgann.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: seafaris
Date: 2006-12-13 00:45
I agree with you if you have someone to play with would of course be best and a lot more fun. I have my business in Mexico and there is no jazz down here, so i am limited. I also have the Abersold cd's, but I prefer BIAB.
I have been playing almost 3 years now. I am able to practice with BIAB, and the few times I have played with others have been great and my timing pretty good. I wouldn't have been able to do this without BIAB.
Midi is pretty underrated. The tone generater and speakers are very important. You get out of it what you put into it. Many performers are using it to fill in ay missing instruments. Just check out http://www.garritan.com if you want o see what can be done with midi.
...Jim
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jmcgann
Date: 2006-12-13 00:57
I've used the Garritan Personal Orchestra for arranging projects for the Boston Pops, Utah Symphony and New Philharmonia- lots of fun to hear the simulation of the voicings- much closer to the real thing than banging it out on piano! I used it with Finale, which was tricky to get working with GPO, but it was fine once I figured it out.
If you haven't seen them, the 7 volumes of "Inside Improvisation" by Jerry Bergonzi are excellent, and the rhythm sections on CD are players like Adam Nussbaum and Bruce Barth-fine company!
www.johnmcgann.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: seafaris
Date: 2006-12-13 01:49
I'll check them out. Thanks! BTW pgmusic has just added some real drum styles, what a difference. No matter what it all sounds a lot better with a hard synth unless one has the ram to run GPO and JABB. To me it is just amazing what we have available to us to play with!
...Jim
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
|