Together with the bass and drums, the piano creates a strong swing feel which “leans” on the weak beats. De- fying the classical music feel of one and three and comping on the second eighth note on two and four there is tension developed. This tension helps to reinforce beats two and four as the target beats.
Guitar F r eddie
Green created a style of play- ing that has borne his name
over the years. The “Freddie Green Style” is a way of playing chords on each quarter note in a measure. Most young players find this to be very dif- ficult. One, because they have to rap- idly change chords; two, because the rest of the rhythm section sounds like they are accenting on two and four. I always had my students practice it slowly and then I would have them play along with Freddie. If you have a device or software that will slow the music down without altering the key, use it. I would use a metronome at a slow tempo and have my guitarists play one chord per beat. Once you’ve given each player their purpose and responsibility, it’s now time to teach them to function as a single unit. There are two ways to achieve this. First, have them lis- ten to recordings again but this time focusing on the rhythm section as a whole with each instrument complet- ing the puzzle. Second, what I con- sider the most important thing, have them play together. Encourage them to listen carefully to one another and get a “feel” for how they can “fill in the blanks.” The more mileage they can get by playing together, the more natural they will begin to feel.
MARCH 2016
LOCAL PARKS:
GREAT ESCAPE June 3, 10, 17 Tentative Performance in the Park
SIX FLAGS GREAT ADVENTURE
May 6, 13, 20, 27 June 3, 10
LAKE COMPOUNCE
May 26, 27 June 1, 2, 3
Performance in the Park
DORNEY PARK May 6, 13, 20, 27 June 2, 3, 9, 10
2016
Non-Competitive and Motivational
• High School • Middle School • Elementary School
• Band • Choir • Orchestra • Jazz Band • Show Choir Performance in the Morning, Fun in the Afternoon
See our complete brochure on the web at:
www.highnotefestivals.com • 877-239-3007
HN2016_NJ Ad
4.5x7_rev.indd 1
Once you’re satisfied
that your
students understand the concept of swinging, be sure to select music that gives them the opportunity to put their newly acquired skills to good use. Songs like Groove Merchant have good arrangements for young bands that mirror the arrangements played by Basie. Swinging is an attitude as well as a style. As Duke Ellington
33
said, “It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing.”
Ron Kearns is the author of Quick
Reference for Band Directors and is a Vandoren Performing Artist and a Selmer of Paris Performing Artist.
& TEMPO
10/25/15 3:56 PM
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68