Jazz Saxophone Etudes by Greg Fishman

Item Number: MO.MMOCD4131

ISBN 0976615304. Greg Fishman, alto saxophone.

This superb new set of etudes fills a major gap in the musical resources for the aspiring jazz saxophonist . Master player Greg Fishman demonstrates the concepts of soloing to those students who know their chords and scales but lack the musical vocabulary to create professional-level solos. These twelve jazz etudes are enjoyable to play, yet present some technical challenges. But most importantly this album will allow you to play through the chord changes in a musical manner while clearly expressing the song's harmonic structure. The etudes are based on familiar chord progressions, including blues, rhythm changes, and a variety of common "standard" 32-bar song forms.

This unique and terrifically rewarding album will become part of you complete practice regimen!

"THIS IS REALLY A GREAT BOOK! A powerful sight-reading, ear-training, swinging, improvising jazz tool. Perfect for the student of jazz. Wish I had it when I was growing up. Glad I have it now." --Michael Brecker

"This is one of the most concise and easy to digest collections of solos over standard tune chord changes that I have seen. All the elements of good voice leading, passing notes and common scale usage are here. Very enjoyable!" --Dave Liebman

I wish I had material like this when I was coming up. These etudes are little masterpieces. There is such a wealth of material to learn from here. Great line construction and great conceptual ideas. Having the rhythm section continue after the etude is a great idea! I will be using these with virtually all my students from now on. Greg Fishman has done a terrific job of putting this book together, and the play-along rhythm section is first class!"--Mark Colby, Depaul University, Elmhurst College

"This book is a written version of the way jazz is supposed to be taught--learning from a great player who truly understands how to distill the language into clear, understandable terms. Chicago-based saxophonist Greg Fishman has composed a set of etudes based on standard tunes that are one of the best collections of this type I've seen. The lines he composes are textbook versions of post-bop saxophone improvising, and will give students at all levels a wealth of material to practice and internalize. Fishman is equally well-versed as a teacher and as a saxophonist--it's a rare combination that is showcased in this book." --David Demsey, William Paterson University, Saxophone Journal

Each etude demonstrates the use of:

-Theme and development, including use of sequence.
-Syntax -- the order in which musical events occur.
-Voice-leading -- the smooth connection of chords by moving no more than a whole step.
- Phrasing -- a wide variety of starting and ending points.
-Eighth-note lines -- the use of long streams of eighth notes, sometimes in the 'change-running' style.
-Idiomatic Construction -- these etudes were written for saxophone, and use patterns, scales and intervals common to the jazz saxophone lexicon.
-Chord Changes -- try to hear the chords in your head while playing these lines.

Soloist: Greg Fishman. Ensemble: Rhythm Section accompaniment.