The technical side of jazz instrumentation and performance.
An exploration of the rhythmic and harmonic foundations of the Jazz Age, focusing on the transition from the percussive banjo to the guitar and the piano’s evolution from ragtime to jazz orchestration.
An exploration of Duke Ellington’s ‘Jungle Style,’ where the strategic use of muted brass and dissonant textures challenged racial stereotypes and expanded the sonic palette of early jazz.
An exploration of ‘comping’—the sophisticated art of accompanying in jazz. From the sparse elegance of Count Basie to the dense modal textures of McCoy Tyner, this guide analyzes the harmonic and rhythmic strategies used to elevate the soloist.
Learn how to listen to jazz through simple exercises in rhythm, improvisation, and form, with guided recordings, a beginner glossary, and a one-week listening plan.
Discover the roles, sounds, and history of jazz instruments, from trumpet and saxophone to piano, bass, drums, organ, percussion, strings, and voice.
Exploring the dual nature of the jazz bass as both the rhythmic heartbeat and the harmonic anchor. From the tuba’s early dominance to the virtuosic freedom of the modern double bass.
From its invention by Adolphe Sax to the bebop revolutions of Charlie Parker, the saxophone evolved from a classical curiosity into the definitive symbol of jazz. Explore the technical and cultural shift that placed the sax at the heart of the jazz ensemble.
From the early lead roles of Buddy Bolden to the modal revolutions of Miles Davis, the trumpet has served as the primary voice of jazz. This guide explores the technical evolution and stylistic innovators who redefined the instrument’s role in 20th-century music.