To practice effectively the musician must be in touch with his intuitive artistic impulses and at the same time, stand outside the process as a coach, making a continuous series of conscious managerial decisions. Most practicers are ineffective coaches because they have never been taught explicitly the intricacies of managing their practice. Practicing for Artistic Success presents an easy-to-learn system to all musicians who are ready to reduce frustration and bring greater meaning and joy into their practice space.

Thirty-Six Jazz Practice Ideas to Get the Most from Your Real Book You may know about the REAL BOOK, but what you probably don’t know is how much MUSICAL PROGRESS can be accomplished with only a single fake book! Don’t know what to practice? Don’t want to waste valuable time? Based on years of university-level teaching, the author of this book gives jazz musicians: Simple, focused melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic strategies on how to use their limited practicing time more efficiently Easy-to-understand practice ideas for any jazz musician to apply over any real book tunes A blueprint of improvisation tips to avoid the pitfalls of directionless practicing Here’s the beginner/intermediate jazz strategy list you’ve never seen before: Thirty-six actionable melodic ideas, harmonic ideas, rhythmic and metric tips, ear training exercises, and basic arranging and composition blueprints, and more… Do you know why many young musicians fail? Why intermediate-level musicians get stuck? Do you feel like the secrets of WHAT and HOW to practice jazz improvisation are out of your reach? Do you want to really deepen your connection to the music you play? Sometimes jazz musicians want to get better, but don’t always know how — even with the help of a teacher. These thirty-six jazz practice ideas cover a wide range of modern jazz improvisation strategies, presented in clear topic chapters to provide the most effective results for beginner and intermediate players. You want to know what to practice? Any real book or fake book tune. Okay, now what? Choose one or more of these 36 actionable practice ideas and make real progress with your musical abilities: improvisation and soloing, ear training, connecting harmony, and more. For jazz piano, jazz guitar, jazz saxophone, jazz trumpet, jazz bass, jazz voice, jazz trombone, jazz drums, and all other improvising instruments.

This well-organized book combines all of the techniques that jazz musicians practice into a comprehensive whole. It covers practice patterns and scales in all keys and tempos, transcribing solos of master improvisers, learning the jazz repertoire, and playing with other musicians. Chapter topics include how to practice, creatively improvise, and teach improvisation; major innovators; important contributors; women in jazz; chord substitutions; scales; and form. Each chapter also contains theory and ear exercises. Applicable to any instrument-or a classroom of varied instruments-this book is for jazz students and professionals at all levels of proficiency.

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.

Why do musicians choose jazz Improvisation as an outlet for creativity? Why are we creating this music and who are we creating it for? All you need is a little information. This book explores the "hows, whats, and whys" of practice, performance, technique, and musicianship. Sometimes, it only takes a nudge to move your playing to the next level. Master Jazz Educator Jerry Coker has put together this wonderfully-structured text summarizing several important topics regarding jazz and jazz improvisatio---giving us all that much needed nudge. 6"x9" paperback. Features: Jazz Study Preparation * Achieving Maximum Results * Vehicle / Tune Types * Instrumental Techniques and Tone * Scales and Keyboard Activities * Listening and Ear Training * Teaching Jazz * Repertoire * and much more. "Jerry Coker's Creative Nudge is an HGH (human growth harmone) for jazz musicians---only legal and void of dangerous side effects. It is an improviser's steroid that stimulates artistic growth by refocusing energy into specific areas of study and practice. Coker speaks candidly to all jazz musicians---from beginners to advanced players---in a manner that is structured, but not pedantic---conversational, yet impassioned. Its 63 pages contain wisdom gleaned by a life dedicated to and enriched by jazz improvisation." ---Steve Crews, master Jazz Pianist and member of the Jamey Aebersold Jazz Quartet "I'm all of one chapter into this pamphlet and am blown away by the positive nature of Coker's outlook. I am so glad I bought this and cannot put it down!" ---Rick Schrenker, Jamey Aebersold Jazz customer from Massachussetts "I love your new book! I just read it and really identified with much of the book---particularly "melodies and tunes in my head" all day and night. I have also always felt that the pinnacle of playing is not a performance but the practicing. I get a lot more pleasure practicing that I do performing---often because it's my escape into a