Let's Play Rhythm: Melody Instruments (B-flat/E-flat) Book & 3 CDs

The three-disc structure transforms what could be a passive listening experience into an active learning tool. Students hear professional musicians play the material, then strip away layers strategically, forcing them to engage with melody, harmony, and rhythm independently rather than relying on any single component.

Conversational and exploratory. The material moves from observing how professionals handle familiar harmonic concepts to claiming ownership of those same ideas, all grounded in recognizable jazz grooves and accessible melodic frameworks.

Jazz students on B-flat and E-flat instruments (clarinet, trumpet, alto clarinet, soprano, alto, and tenor saxophone) who want structured guidance in building melodic vocabulary and improvisational skills. This resource works equally well for players in jazz combos, instrumental study programs, or self-directed learners exploring jazz fundamentals.

• Start with the full demonstration disc to hear how experienced players shape the phrases and interpret the rhythmic figures before attempting them yourself.
• Use the solo-elimination disc to practice playing the melody without relying on hearing it performed; this builds confidence in your own intonation and phrasing decisions.
• Work with the rhythm-only track last to develop your ability to stay locked in while improvising or composing over the underlying groove.
• Transpose exercises between B-flat and E-flat instruments to reinforce interval relationships and strengthen your knowledge of different key centers.

Integrate this into jazz ensemble curricula as a complement to sectional rehearsals, assigning specific chapters to reinforce harmonic concepts being explored in ensemble repertoire. Solo and small-group instructors can assign chapters progressively throughout the year, using the CD recordings as models for tone quality and phrasing.

• Playing diatonic and pentatonic melodies over chord changes
• Recognizing and executing blues scale passages
• Building bass lines that support harmonic movement
• Improvising rhythmic variations over fixed grooves
• Transcribing melodies and solos by ear
• Executing reharmonization and upper structure extensions
• Maintaining time feel and groove integrity while soloing
• Transposing melodic ideas between B-flat and E-flat instruments