Jazz Fiddle Wizard


Book Description

Jazz Fiddle Wizard is a book/CD set tailored for advanced violinists who want to learn to improvise in the jazz tradition. the book contains practical theory lessons, presenting rhythms and scales that are immediately put to use. Concepts are introduced progressively, requiring comprehension of previously introduced techniques and terminology. Each lesson includes a theory section and an exercise or performance section.The book's companion play-along CD provides professional full rhythm section accompaniment for each exercise and tune. As the method was designed for college students and advanced players, no violin tracks are included on the CD. the Stuff Smith solo from "Knock, Knock- Who's There?" transcribed at the onset of the book is readily available at http://www.rhapsody.com/stuffsmith/tracks.htmlThis method assumes that the reader/player has a basic technical command of the instrument and reads standard music notation at an elementary level or higher. Jazz Fiddle Wizard is the most challenging of Martin Norgaard's fiddle improv books. If you are a novice jazz player, the author recommends beginning with Jazz Fiddle Wizard Junior, Books 1 & 2 followed by Getting Into Gypsy Jazz Violin, all of which include violin tracks on their respective companion CDs.Jazz Fiddle Wizard works in conjunction with the www.jazzfiddlewizard.com website, offering a unique interactive experience in which the reader is invited to pose questions directly to the author. This method has been field-tested with college students and other players from different musical backgrounds and at various levels of technical proficiency. the bottom line on this product is that IT WORKS!




Jazz Fiddle Wizard Junior, Book 1


Book Description

Jazz Fiddle Wizard Jr. is designed for beginning to intermediate middle and high school violinists in the tradition of the parent method, Jazz Fiddle Wizard-a break-through approach for string players who want to learn to improvise within the jazz style. No step is left out in this sequentially arranged introduction to the role of rhythm, call and response, articulation, scales, and chord changes in jazz improvisation. the exercises are turned into catchy tunes arranged to work in any configuration of string groups. That is, three-part arrangements for each tune may be played with any number of like instruments or in conjunction with Jazz Viola Wizard Jr. and Jazz Cello Wizard Jr. books. Suitable as a self-instruction book or for use in private and/or group string instruction, Jazz Fiddle Wizard Jr. contains piano accompaniment parts as well as a CD that provides a full rhythm section accompaniment for every exercise and tune. the appropriate tone and style are modeled by the author's performances of more than 50 sample exercises and improvised solos.Also available in Japanese from ATN, Inc.




Jazz Fiddle Wizard Junior, Book 2


Book Description

Jazz Fiddle Wizard Junior 2 is a continuation of Jazz Fiddle Wizard Junior (Mel Bay, 2002) and is designed for upper middle school and high school string students. JFWjr 2 uses the same basic approach as JFWjr; students learn mainly through imitation, the same way we learn to speak our native tongue. It also introduces very easy optional chord theory but only AFTER the student has experienced improvising with chords aurally. the books come in three versions—violin, viola, and cello/bass—designed to be used together in studio and classroom situations. This volume introduces three basic concepts that are prerequisites to advanced jazz improvising: solo development, modes, and inner melodies - the single most potent technique to get students to improvise on advanced progressions immediately.




Latin Violin


Book Description

"A wonderful book. Sam Bardfeld's approach to teaching soloing along with being able to listen to examples of the masters of Afro-Cuban style on the violin sparked new and creative ideas in me. He presents a huge amount of material in a way that seems fun and lets you dive right in." - Regina Carter, jazz violinist and MacArthur "Genius" Award recipient"It's very satisfying that Sam Bardfeld's contribution to the texts on Latin music comes out of the gate so strongly. The historical context is wonderful, the information about the overall structure of the music is invaluable and a great place for the violinist to start, and the transcriptions are beautiful. Congratulations on a wonderful project that is going to fill a vacuum that is vast and fill it completely. I see no reason for there ever to be another book besides this one on Latin violin playing." - Matt Glaser, violinist, Chairman Emeritus, Strings Department, Berklee College of Music"This book is a welcome addition to the growing number of texts on Afro-Cuban based music. Sam opens the door for all violinists (and all instrumentalists) to this incredibly rich tradition in a clear, concise manner with a great deal of respect for its history. I recommend it highly." - Bobby Sanabria, 8x Grammy Nominee, percussionist, bandleader and educator"A very useful book for the violinist who wants to begin to understand the complexities and intricacies of Latin jazz music." - Mark Feldman, jazz violinist, composer, recording artist.Originally published in 2001, Sam Bardfeld's book Latin Violin is considered one of the classics of the creative/alternative strings literature. It's been out of print since 2014 and is finally getting re-released as an eBook. The music on the original accompanying CD can be accessed via a download link provided in the book. Latin Violin is useful for both professional and student violinists who want to learn something about playing violin in the Afro-Cuban tradition (aka "salsa" or "Latin music"). The book is in four sections and covers an historical overview of the role of the violin in Afro-Cuban music; how the music works; transcriptions and analyses of solos by the seminal violinists in the Afro-Cuban tradition; and an outline of the music featured on the accompanying CD. The CD includes famous Afro-Cuban violin solos and an extended play-along session. "Salsa, and Latin music in general, have been exploding in popularity since the late seventies and show no sign of slowing down. The violin has filled an intriguing role in this kind of music, and there are many great opportunities for string players playing this style, but there has been very little documentation on the style up until this book. One of the great things about the book is its powerful approach to context: Bardfeld managed to get the rights to important recordings of some of the originators of the style, and included them in a CD recording with the book. Historical information and painstakingly accurate transcriptions of those solos complete the picture. Discussions of Clave and other important features of Latin music make this book a must for any serious violinist, professional or amateur." - Darol Anger, violinist, educator, recording artist




Stephane Grappelli Gypsy Jazz Violin


Book Description

This book/CD set is the first method ever for learning Gypsy Jazz Violin in the style of Stéphane Grappelli. Have you, too, often listened to Grappelli's solos thinking "I wish I could do that, but it is way over my head?" Here is the answer. Simple theory, licks and stylistic lessons point you towards your first authentic Gypsy Jazz improvisations, which you can try out with the swinging guitar-bass playalong CD rhythm section. Then prepare to tackle six classic Stéphane Grappelli solos, annotated and analyzed for your understanding. to grasp the finesses of sound and timing, there are many sample licks and solos by Tim Kliphuis on the CD as well. It is assumed the student reads music and has a basic command of the instrument.•




Jazz Viola Wizard Junior, Book 1


Book Description

Jazz Viola Wizard Jr. is designed for beginning and intermediate middle and high school violists in the tradition of the parent method, Jazz Fiddle Wizard-a breakthrough approach for string players who want to learn to improvise within the jazz style. No step is left out in this sequentially arranged introduction to the role of rhythm, call and response, articulation, scales, and chord changes in jazz improvisation. the exercises are turned into catchy tunes arranged to work in any configuration of string groups. That is, three-part arrangements for each tune may be played with any number of like instruments or in conjunction with Jazz Fiddle Wizard Jr. and Jazz Cello Wizard Jr. books. Suitable as a self-instruction book or for use in private and/or group string instruction, Jazz Viola Wizard Jr. contains piano accompaniment parts as well as a CD that provides a full rhythm section accompaniment for every exercise and tune. the appropriate tone and style are modeled by the author's performances of more than 50 sample exercises and improvised solos.Also available in Japanese from ATN, Inc.




The Fiddler's Fakebook


Book Description

From the author’s preface: “This book was conceived four years ago, almost to the day, at a time when I was teaching fiddle and mandolin in New York City. It was my idea then, with my students in mind, to compile a book of the most often played, most important and most interesting fiddle tunes from the various Celtic and North American traditions. The tunes were chosen by cataloging a large number of recordings by tune title. A tally was taken to find out which had been recorded most often. This established a foundation of material that could not be left out. To this list I added the names of other pieces which had not been recorded as frequently, but which I knew were played regularly and with respect. I admit to sprinkling the collection with a few lesser known tunes which happen to be personal favorites, but I am sure they will hold their own when placed next to the old war horses of the fiddler’s repertoire. . . . Although I started out with my students in mind this book has turned out to be the book that I’ve always wanted and I hope that it will serve the advanced player as well as the beginner.”




Jazz Viola Wizard Junior, Book 2


Book Description

Jazz Viola Wizard Junior 2 is a continuation of Jazz Viola Wizard Junior (Mel Bay, 2002) and is designed for upper middle school and high school string students. JVWjr 2 uses the same basic approach as JVWjr; students learn mainly through imitation, the same way we learn to speak our native tongue. It also introduces very easy optional chord theory but only AFTER the student has experienced improvising with chords aurally. the books come in three versions—violin, viola, and cello/bass—designed to be used together in studio and classroom situations. This volume introduces three basic concepts that are prerequisites to advanced jazz improvising: solo development, modes, and inner melodies - the single most potent technique to get students to improvise on advanced progressions immediately.




Jazz Cello Wizard Junior, Book 1


Book Description

Jazz Cello Wizard Jr. is designed for beginning and intermediate middle and high school cellists in the tradition of the parent method, Jazz Fiddle Wizard-a break-through approach for string players who want to learn to improvise within the jazz style. No step is left out in this sequentially arranged introduction to the role of rhythm, call and response, articulation, scales, and chord changes in jazz improvisation. the exercises are turned into catchy tunes arranged to work in any configuration of string groups. That is, three-part arrangements for each tune may be played with any number of like instruments or in conjunction with Jazz Fiddle Wizard Jr. and Jazz Viola Wizard Jr. books. Suitable as a self-instruction book or for use in private and/or group string instruction, Jazz Cello Wizard Jr. contains piano accompaniment parts as well as a CD that provides a full rhythm section accompaniment for every exercise and tune. the appropriate tone and style are modeled by the author's performances of more than 50 sample exercises and improvised solos.Also available in Japanese from ATN, Inc.




Getting Into Gypsy Jazz Violin


Book Description

Learn to improvise in the Gypsy Jazz violin style even if you have never improvised before. the style is closely associated with French jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli, who played with Gypsy jazz guitar player Django Reinhardt. Each lesson in the book covers specific key aspects of the Gypsy jazz violin style. the techniques are presented sequentially and the underlying music theory is introduced on a "need to know" basis.Getting Into Gypsy Jazz Violin includes charts of classic swing tunes such as Avalon, the Sheik of Araby & After You've Gone and includes a CD featuring authentic accompaniment tracks and model violin performances. Because the Gypsy jazz violin style maintains common elements of traditional classical violin techniques such as vibrato and shifting, the book is a perfect vehicle for the classical violinist to learn to improvise without having to change their general approach to the instrument.•




Recent Books