 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Casey
Date: 2002-10-09 01:48
I just jointed Jazz Band today, of course im a clarinet player, and we dont have a saxaphone,....(im in a 3a school), so the clarinet and flute players are getting all the "gliss's" and sways,..im a freshmen in high school and still getting used to the whole marching band thing,...although i think i got it down better then i thought i would. But anyways, im changing subjects on myself,..Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas on how to play more "jazzy"? Oh, and i'd like to thank everyone that answered my last question a while back about all region try outs,...which here in Texas are coming up on November 9th (hope to see some of you there?) Thanks everyone!!
*Casey*
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Author: jbutler
Date: 2002-10-09 01:56
Casey,
You've got to start with listening to the idiom. Get some great jazz CD's and listen to the masters: Clifford Brown, Coleman Hawkins, John Coltrane, Art Pepper, Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, etc. (too many to list at once). Listen to some of the great vocalists too such as Sarah Vaughn and Billie Holiday. A lot of CD's are available at libraries these days. Check a few out and listen, listen, listen!
jbutler
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Author: Jazsavant
Date: 2002-10-09 03:16
And remember to swing. Listening to jazz helps you get better at that a lot. I've seen a number of young musicians try out for jazz band and not get in because they have no sense of swing. You might also want to try transcribing solos from recordings by ear, it helps as ear training for improvisation later and it also helps you get a bit of an idea on how solos are structured. And practice practice practice what you know how to do already, keep learning more, and keep listening! (it worked for me) And you should consider yourself quite fortunate that you are allowed to play clarinet in your jazz band. At my school, clarinets have always been banned, and flutes were not permitted either until this year. Just take things one step at a time, I suppose.
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Author: Allen Cole
Date: 2002-10-09 05:06
Did you say you're playing clarinet in the group? If so, here are my itens to add
JButler had some good suggestions on records to listen to, but he left out a very important name--Benny Goodman. In addition to being a clarinet virtuoso, he was one of the greatest bandleaders of the swing era. You can learn very much about both swinging and soloing from his recordings dating back to about 1935.
A terrific book that can help on this subject is Jazz Conception by Jim Snidero. It is not an easy book, but it is very effective. A play-along/demo CD is included and Ken Peplowski is the clarinetist on that recording. When ordering, be sure to specify that you want the clarinet book. http://www.jimsnidero.com
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Author: William
Date: 2002-10-09 14:55
Listening and studying transcribed jazz solos are most important, but also remember the old saying, "Analysis is Paraysis". Along with the listening and the studying, I would advise adhering to the advice of the great sage of action, Adidas--"Just Do It!!!"
Nothing can teach swimming better than jumping in the pool--and all of us "jazzers" have "gulped our share of water" learning our art.
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Author: Malaya
Date: 2002-10-09 23:53
I can relate to you, Casey! I joined Jazz band in the 8th grade, and I'm still in it now as a 10th grader. I played Tenor in 8th and 9th, and I've been "promoted" to alto. Learning about Jazz articulations will help you a lot when learning to play jazz, and a good jazz method book will help. Some are offered as "play alongs" with CD's and cassettes, and that's really the best way to learn. A method book will also demonstrate swing patterns and the sometimes complicated rhythms of jazz music. I learned a lot about jazz by listening to live music, improvosational pieces, and some of my more experienced peers. Hopefully, your music teacher is familiar with jazz, and can help you to pick up the style. It's all in your head though... I met and played a wonderful jazz player, Hal Melia, who is very experienced on various saxes, the flute, and the clarinet. He said, "Jazz is a mind-set. It can't be taught, or found in any textbook. It's all in your head, and in your heart. Just keep it swingin'." Best of luck to you... Jazz Band is a blast!
*~*Malaya*~*
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Author: the one
Date: 2002-10-13 14:32
Casey-wow!you've been given alot of good info by these pepople!yes, Benny Goodman,Louis Armstrong, Dizzie Gillespie are wonderful choices. When u listen to them take notice of how there notes sound.When u play jazz u don't play with a classical sound.It's almost like your talking.You can make one note sound many different ways.TRy using ur ambashure(spelling?) to get these sounds,
like -doot dwee dot-.I'm not for sure, but i think they have reeds that are styled for the clarinet in jazz...but they won't let me play clarinet in jazz, i have to play the saxophone.Ya lucky dog!;)
If you think it would help you then when you listen to the jazz players, try to copy some of their licks or learn their solo and play with them.Then when you get comfortable try to do a little bit of soloing on your own with the music.Remember that jazz solos don't require that you fill in every count or that you play random notes.Their is a chord structure and it's like a fence.As long as you stay within the fence you can do whatever you want.Try to make sentences,as said before, Jazz is alot lie talking.You express your self and tell your story through your instrument and the other players will *agree with you* or *voice their opinion*.That means they'll play the same time of part with you or they'll play their different part as though they were saying something to you about what you just said.I don't know if anyone else views it as talking but i do.I think Jazz is alot of fun and i'm glad i joined,but i sure do wish i could play the clarinet for it. i only get to use mine for classical.Hey, does anyone else name their instrument?I named mine Mickey.*eerie silence*:P
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