Scribd
Upload
179 views

SOJS Ad

The document discusses a new book and CD called 'Sax Solos Over Jazz Standards' that presents saxophone solos over standard jazz changes. It describes the compositional approach taken in the solos and analyzes some excerpts to demonstrate elements like phrasing, chromaticism, and chord-scale relationships.

Uploaded by

GeorgeLouisRamirez
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
179 views

SOJS Ad

The document discusses a new book and CD called 'Sax Solos Over Jazz Standards' that presents saxophone solos over standard jazz changes. It describes the compositional approach taken in the solos and analyzes some excerpts to demonstrate elements like phrasing, chromaticism, and chord-scale relationships.

Uploaded by

GeorgeLouisRamirez
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

i Woodshed I lil*T,?

ir'i*tr i

Sax Solos Over


Jazz Standards
Twould like to inffoduce Sax So/os Over Jazz
lstordards.my new book and play-along CD
that was recently released by Jamey Aebersold's
Jazz Books. In it, I present sophisticated and bal-
anced melodic statements based on standard
changes that can serve as models for practice
and study. While these solos are carefully "com-
posed," each is designed to evoke the spirit of an
improvised performance.
At the core of any investigation into the art of
improvised music is the process of listening to
and transcribing the work of past and present
masters. These performances fully define the ,t
idiom and, for the astute listener, can point the
way for future exploration and development.
To be able to execute the dexterous phrases
associated with so many jazz performances, bt
a-1
solid technical skills are required. Most players
have spent a great deal of time practicing exer-
cises and scale studies; a flashy lickor seemingly
impossible run that goes by in an instant is most
likely the result of many hours of practice and
experimentation.
Technical prowess, however, is just a first
step. Accomplished players must have a firm
grasp of the intervallic relationships that make
up the vocabulary and language of jazz com-
bined with a thorough understanding of harmo-
ny and form. The development of melodic ideas
in any improvised statement is directly related to
the length and arrangement ofindividual phrases
within a composition as well as the overall form.
Finally, technique, theory, language skills
and experience must all come together for any
artist to create a cohesive musical statement.
Intervals and short melodic phrases must be
arranged in a thoughlful and hopefully inspired
mannerto create acomplete musical idea.

fn the refined.iazz 'btudes" found in Sax Solos


Lorrr Jaz.z. Standards. all of these elements
come into play. In like manner, many facets of
post-bop and contemporary playing styles are
addressed, including the use ofpentatonic scales, excitement for both the performer and listener. the tenor saxophone, the intervallic leaps and
various types of chromaticism, the development Throughout the various pieces found in lengrhs of phrases require solid mechanical
of motivic ideas and even "outside" sensibilities. this book, I attempted to balance these kinds skills and musicianship. All are written in com-
To fully understand the intricacies of each of choices to create variety and interest. I also mon ke1's for the standards on which they are
piece, it is important that the reader be cogni- tried to incorporate well-established bits of based. \\hile a few altissimo notes are required
zant of the harmonies, chord-scale relationships vocabulary and language. These include often- fs tens and soprano saxophones, the E-flat
and forms being used. What scale or mode is used chromatic passages, classic arpeggios of traispositioos fit neatly into the written range of
being indicated by the melodic line? Do cer- certain harmonic structures as well as the use aho and baritone. (Both B-flat and E-flat parts
tain structures point to alternate harmonic pos- of altered pitches to create familiar melodic are inchded in the book)
sibilities? How are dffierent types of chromati- phrases. Pacing and the formulation of organic For each of tle 1 tracks
2 pieces , there are two
cism employed? Sometimes the answers to these phrases were also considered. And, with each m Se aooqarying play-along CD. The first
questions are obvious. However, a purposefully solo, I tried to tell a story. trrtr iatds re playing the written solo on
nebulous relationship between melodic ideas and From a technical perspective, this music is tena *ih fre rt}rhm section, then a quick fade-
a harmonic progression can also be a source of designed to challenge. Created originally for orn The track features the same

86 DOWNBEAT FEBRUARY2OI2
rhythm section accompanimentin its entirety for the quality of Trane's early leads the listener away from
individual practice and experimentation. '60s style, this piece is con- the original tonality, then
Several excerpts from,Sax Solbs Over Jau structed predominantly from back again.
Standards demonstrate some of these ideas (all various pentatonic scales 11 is my hope that ,Sax
examples here are in B-flat). Example I contains derived from the two modes Solos Over Jazz Standards
the first eight bars of "Brown Out" (based on that make up the original pro- will be especially useful to
the changes to "srella By Starlight"). The flow- gression. Check out the sim- advancing players who are
ing melodic line clearly indicates the choice of ple, dramatic effect achieved seeking solid material to
chord scales and establishes a measured, organ- with the innoduction of the digest. Hopefully readers
ic sense of phrasing. Notice the one chromatic C-sharp in bar 12. The seem- will enjoy what's here and
passing tone in bar 4 and the arpeggios in bars 5 ingly *outside" notes in bar find material for personal
and 7 that outline upper structures ofeach chord. 16 appear startling at first study and practical appli-
These types of melodic and rhythmic sensibili- but are merely an anticipa- cation. Educators take note:
ties, firmly based in a post-bop style, underlie tion ofthe change ofkey at These etudes can also func-
much of the entire text. the bridge. tion as challenging audition
Example 2 is the bridge of "Silver Lining" In the first eight bars of pieces for local, regional
('In Your Own Sweet Way'). I composed this the second chorus of "Yellow Dawn' (Example and state competitions. DB

solo as a medium-swing exercise that focuses, in 4), you can see several types of chromaticism Ir iir il t iir ftt t,,lt!|til1lil |1i'il | t,I lil ilifiil 1llilt1ifi| $ fiifl I filtil il ir !r u1til fi il ![ | l

part, on double-time figures. Here you can $ee an and phrases that allude to chord scales outside SAXOPHONIST TONY DAGRADI IS AN INTERMTIONALLY
RECOGNIZED JAZZ PERFORMER, COMPOSER, AUTTIOR
interesting ascending motivic sequence in bars the written progression. The G-sharps in bars AND EDUCATOR. FOR MORETHANTHREE DECADES
59-61, followed by descending shapes in the 34 and 37 are used as both lower chromatic HE HAS MADE HIS HOME IN NEW ORLEANS, PERFORM.
ING ON TENOR AND SOPRANO SAX WTH MA}.IY OF THE
chromatic ii-V sequence in bars 63-64. Notice neighbor tones and approach notes. A descend- CRESCENT CITY'S MOST CELEBRATED ARTISTS. DAGRADI
also the use of a pentatonic scale pattern for the ing sequence in bars 37-39 creates the feeling IS BEST KNOWN FOR HIS WORK WTH ASTFAL PROJECI A
QUINTET MADE UP OFTOP NEW ORLEANS PI.AYERS DEDI-
EmajT chord in bar 58. of a downward spiral. The most unconventional CATED TO PLAYING CUTTING-EDGE IMPROVISATIOML
"Totally Golden" is based onJohn Coltrane's notes in this passage are the E-flats in bars 38-39. MUSIC. SINCE f990, NAGRADI HAS BEEN A PROFESSOR OF
SAXOPHONE AND JAZ STUDIES AT LOYOI.A UNIVERSITT
"Impressions." Example 3 is the second'A'sec- Resultant melodic structures seem to indicate the IN NEWORLEANS. SAXSOLOSOWRJM STA'VD/qFDS IS
tion ofthe form leading into the bridge. To echo momentary use of an E-flat whole-tone scale that AVAII ABLE ONLINE AT JAZZBOOKS.COM.

You might also like