[TPIN] Jazz Pedagogy, teaching and some help

[David Adams]

Having directed and adjudicated a lot of high school and middle  
school jazz groups, I would say that the biggest issue is getting the  
rhythm section to understand its true function in the band.  While  
there are a number of good pedagogy books out there that do a good  
job of explaining "what" to play, there is really no substitute for  
doing a lot of listening.  The Basie recordings, for example, are  
essential to understand "time," and how the music feels.  Mike is  
right about teacher preparation, but I think the situation is getting  
better in most music ed. programs.  Having outside clinicians come in  
is great, but be sure they can articulate and explain what they are  
doing (not all can!).  Another big help is for the director  
(especially if he/she is unfamiliar to jazz) to plunge himself into  
some of the great community college rehearsal bands and other playing  
opportunities that abound in most metropolitan areas.   I have always  
been amazed at the number of music directors who haven't played their  
own instruments for years.  And lastly, while playing the style is  
vital, it is also imperative that kids learn to improvise.  There are  
lots of resources, workshops and clinics for that.  (hopefully my  
comments are not too generic for a trumpet site)  Dave Adams
On Jan 11, 2007, at 3:03 PM, Vaxtrpts at aol.com wrote:

>
> In a message dated 1/11/2007 7:29:26 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,
> baissie at yahoo.com writes:
>
> This is  a *really* important issue to all future jazz musicians,  
> especially
> the high  school and community big band variety. Remember, today's  
> music
> education  students are tomorrow's jazz "experts", even if they've  
> never played a
> jazz  lick in their lives. It most definitely would help for them  
> to have some
> reference before they start telling kids (and adults) how it's  
> suppose to be
> done. Long time teachers tend not to accept contridiction well.  
> They've been
> teaching it that way for years. It must be right. You all know at  
> least one
> of  them.
>
> ...Steve
>
>
>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
> I agree, Steve.  I'm also glad that  Bryan asked the original   
> question.
> Many of our colleges and universities are very lacking in any  real  
> preparation fo
> r a high school band teacher to understand jazz  education.   Not  
> only are
> the "older" teachers, who might be set in  their ways a problem,  
> but the newer
> ones who are really concert band people  thrown into the jazz  
> realm, have no
> idea what to do.
> I think that getting their hands on some books about jazz pedagogy and
> teaching are a good idea to start.
> For these people, the best thing is to find some funds (I know that  
> is a
> challenge in many places) to bring in people who know jazz music to  
> help with
> the jazz band.  There are many musicians who would love to come  
> into the
> schools for not a lot of money to work with the kids.  Also, a  
> GREAT  resource that
> is never tapped are the many jazz societies around the country,   
> who would
> love to support the local high school jazz program and might even  
> help  fund some
> clinicians coming into the schools.
> Mike Vax
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David B. Adams
Palo Alto Unified School District
Director, Foothill Symphonic Winds
www.windband.org/foothill