Chapter Three-Chords: Major and Minor Triads Continuing with the material laid out in Chapter Two of The Improvising Clarinetist we now turn our attention to three note chords, or Triads as we refer to them in music theory. Wikipedia defines and discusses Triads here...
The Improvising Clarinetist-Mark Sowlakis Introduction The genesis of this book is a result of my experience learning to play the clarinet and saxophone and teaching both clarinet and saxophone to over 2,000 students in the last 25 years. My studies included work with Warne Marsh, Joe Henderson,...
While I don’t truly have a favorite jazz clarinetist, for picking only one would be impossible, one of my earliest and most significant influences is absolutely Barney Bigard. I mean, how can you not love a clarinetist named Barney? True aficionados of jazz clarinet will...
Lester Young was an incredibly influential saxophonist and musician. Known for his signature Pork Pie Hat and work with vocalist Billie Holliday, "The President,” or "Prez" as he was known, combined a unique linear saxophone style with a airy, light sound. His early work in...
A tune every jazz musician must learn to play is Sweet Georgia Brown. This tune has a great set of chord changes, and a memorable melody made famous as the theme song adopted by the Harlem Globetrotters…….https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harlem_Globetrotters I have transcribed several different solos on this tune,...
Bob Mintzer-The Essence of Melody, And A Master of the Saxophone This is a very personal story…. In the summer of 1988 I made a pilgrimage to New York City, to get a taste of the music scene, and to see if I felt comfortable in Gotham....
It is hard to know where to begin when writing about saxophonist, composer and bandleader Wayne Shorter. The man is a legend, of course, and his resume is a who’s who of contemporary music. I became aware of Wayne Shorter in 1977 when I bought...
One of the first things I like to address with any new student is posture and playing position with regard to the saxophone or clarinet. Saxophone posture seems to be a big issue with most students and professional players alike. Bad saxophone posture can lead...
Johnny Hodges, the longtime lead alto saxophonist of the Duke Ellington Band, is one of my favorite musicians. Also known as "Rabbit", Hodges instantly recognizable tone, vibrato and glissandi are basic ingredients any aspiring saxophonist must study. He is a master saxophonist, and my friend...
I've had some memorable experiences in my life with my music, and I had a wonderful job for several years as a page turner for the classical concerts at Villa Montalvo in Saratoga, California. The outdoor open air theater that seats about a thousand people...