jazz education
made a conscious effort to utilize only diatonic tones, nothing outside the key of C. (example 7)
Now let’s take the same example and add some accidentals on the off beats. You can see that the possibilities are endless. The more non-diatonic tones, the more tension the line will create. (example 8)
You can implement this strategy in the classroom in several ways:
• As a group activity – In a large group, create the line on the board note by note. Have the students take notes and carefully play each note. Apply this lesson to begin- ning as well as advanced students.
• Homework – I have created sever- al short examples of this type with my advanced students and given it as homework. This gives them time to create independently and pay more attention to detail.
• In pairs – Have the students trade licks with each other in pairs and if possible, have each pair perform them for the class.
This lesson not only teaches how a com- mon practice jazz line is developed but also reinforces several other basic musical concepts. This lesson reinforces the impor- tance of identifying chord tones. It also reinforces the difference between diatonic and non-diatonic note selections. Finally, if done slowly and with the harmony constantly playing in the background it helps reinforce the essential relationship between a line that is idiomatically cor- rect and the chord structure. For a proper understanding, students need to hear those relationships many times.
To teach jazz music properly please re- member several elements should be in place:
• Exercises such as these that force students to think and reinforce chord / scale relationships.
J. Gtr. F7 Pno. F7 B¨7 D‹7 Example 1 Jazz Guitar F7 Piano F7 F7 F7 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4
5
Example 5
Example 6
Example 7
9 J. Gtr. G7 Pno. CŒ„Š7 D‹7
Example 8
• Ensemble playing, in order to apply all of these concepts.
• Have students listen to jazz as much as possible. Like any language, you cannot speak it properly if you have never heard it spoken properly.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions. Thanks so much and my best wishes for a fantastic start to the new school year.
Doug Syme is director of jazz studies and arts department chair at Milwaukee High School of the Arts.
Email:
symedw@milwaukee.k12.wi.us
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