Jazzsteps 1: Starting Out: Woodwind - Mixed Ensemble Book

Robb's aural-first methodology cuts through the intimidation many young woodwind players feel about improvisation. By starting with listening and copying before asking students to respond, the ensemble book removes barriers and builds genuine jazz language acquisition rather than relying on pattern memorization or chord theory alone.

The pieces carry an infectious, conversational energy. The simple phrases and responsive patterns create a sense of musical dialogue, and the rhythm section grooves underneath with enough pocket to feel like real jazz while remaining forgiving for ensemble synchronization.

Woodwind ensemble students encountering jazz improvisation for the first time, particularly those in middle or early high school bands and chamber groups. This book works equally well for students who read fluently but have no jazz experience and for those building confidence in a supportive ensemble setting.

• Play the recorded models multiple times before attempting to copy or respond; let your ear absorb the phrasing, articulation, and rhythmic nuance.
• Work through the listening exercises as a section before moving to ensemble passages; unified aural understanding makes ensemble responding far more cohesive.
• Record your own section's responses and listen back to identify which phrases sit well together and which need rhythmic adjustment.
• Keep the tempo conversational; resist rushing through the call-and-response patterns, as clarity matters more than speed at this foundational stage.

Introduce this resource in rehearsal as part of a dedicated jazz unit, particularly if you're programming a jazz-focused concert or festival showcase. The methodical progression works well alongside other jazz literature, giving students foundational listening skills before tackling more complex big band or combo arrangements.

• Listening and aural discrimination of jazz phrasing and articulation
• Copying melodic contour and rhythm from recorded models
• Call-and-response improvisation within structured ensemble frames
• Jazz ensemble balance and rhythmic precision in small group settings
• Developing jazz vocabulary through repetition and internalization rather than theory alone