Approaching the Standards, Volume 3: C Instruments Book & CD

Hill selected eight absolute cornerstone standards that every improviser should know, and the recorded accompaniments transform this book into a real practice partner rather than just a collection of lead sheets. The progression across three volumes builds systematically, and Volume 3 rewards students who've earned their footing with pieces that demand both harmonic fluency and stylistic authenticity.

These eight tunes carry the DNA of American jazz across different eras and moods, from the bebop fire of 'Tenor Madness' and 'Killer Joe' to the ballad vulnerability of 'Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise' and 'Speak Low.' Playing through the book moves you through swing grooves, rhythmic sophistication, and harmonic depth, each piece building confidence for the next.

This book serves C instrument players (flute, oboe, clarinet, and saxophone players reading in treble clef) who have solid fundamentals and are ready to engage with actual jazz standards in a rigorous way. It works equally well for private studio teachers building jazz literacy, jazz ensemble directors preparing students for combo settings, and self-directed improvisers who want guided, quality repertoire with professional-sounding accompaniments.

• Listen to multiple interpretations of each standard before you play through your part; understanding how the melody can be phrased and interpreted across different eras and artists will unlock your own choices.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to practice sitting back in the pocket rather than rushing; jazz time feels different than classical time, and the backing band will reveal where you're pushing or dragging.
• Focus on the lyrical content of each tune (where one exists) even as an instrumentalist; knowing the song's narrative or emotional arc will inform how you shape your phrases and what stories your improvisations tell.
• Record yourself playing the melody and head against the accompaniment track, then listen back to identify spots where you're fighting the harmonic rhythm rather than moving with it.

Use Volume 3 as the core repertoire for a jazz combo unit later in the semester or year, once players have developed their reading and rhythmic independence through Volumes 1 and 2. These standards also integrate cleanly into jazz ensemble repertoire or as supplemental material for students preparing for jazz auditions and All-State competitions.

• Reading and interpreting jazz melody notation with swing articulation and phrasing
• Navigating chord changes through ii-V-I progressions and extended harmonic territories
• Developing time feel and rhythmic placement in a swing context with professional accompaniments
• Building improvisation vocabulary through standards that appear in real performance contexts
• Understanding stylistic authenticity across different jazz eras and regional traditions