Take the Lead Plus: Jazz Standards: E-flat Instruments Book & CD

Smoky, sophisticated, and surprisingly intimate. These eight standards swing with the kind of ease that comes from decades of playing in small rooms and big bands. Each arrangement respects the tune's character while giving every voice room to breathe.

E-flat musicians at the intermediate level who want to play real jazz standards with authentic arrangement and accompaniment. This works equally well for alto and baritone saxophonists, E-flat clarinets, and E-flat trumpeters building their jazz vocabulary.

• Study the recorded demonstration first as a full ensemble. Hearing the complete arrangement helps everyone understand the style and swing feel before diving into individual parts.
• Lock the rhythm section (bass and drums from the CD) by having your players listen to those instruments exclusively during early run-throughs, then layer in the other voices once the groove is solid.
• Adjust the CD tempo to match your group's comfort level using the playback controls. These standards benefit from a relaxed, conversational pace rather than rushing the swing.

Slot this into a jazz ensemble rotation or use individual charts as appetizers for a pops concert. The eight pieces offer enough variety to program as a full jazz set or mix-and-match selections throughout the season. This book also works beautifully as supplemental material for players developing taste and style beyond their main ensemble.

• Swing rhythm and articulation (comping, laying back, listening to the beat)
• Reading chord changes and navigating jazz harmony
• Balancing within a section while maintaining individual voice in an arrangement
• Listening and responding to accompaniment tracks (ensemble interdependence)
• Style awareness across eight standard-repertoire tunes