The Breed Is Funkin': E-flat Instruments Book & 2 CDs

These arrangements strip away the intimidation factor of jazz playing by centering the student on rhythm and feel rather than chord changes. The recorded accompaniments are genuinely musical partners, not click tracks, which means your section will develop their ability to lock in with real ensemble sound from day one.

Funky, grounded, and contemporary. These pieces walk the line between jazz sophistication and accessible groove, with melodies that sit comfortably in the alto register and rhythmic contexts that demand players develop a mature relationship with the backbeat and syncopation.

Alto saxophone and alto clarinet players at the intermediate to advanced high school or college level who are ready to develop their chops in jazz and funk contexts. This set works equally well for private lesson students working toward jazz competency and ensemble musicians looking to strengthen their time feel and stylistic flexibility.

• Listen to the recorded accompaniment multiple times before the first rehearsal. Your players need to hear the groove and phrasing they're aiming for, not just read notes on the page.
• Resist the urge to correct every rhythmic deviation. If the section is playing behind the beat intentionally and it matches the accompaniment, that's not an error; it's style. Distinguish between sloppy playing and deliberate pocket playing.
• Keep the accompaniment at a volume that doesn't overwhelm the melody parts. The goal is for your section to play into the groove, not be buried by it.
• Work through the explanations included with each piece before rehearsal. Understanding the structural or stylistic concept behind each tune will help players make better musical choices when they encounter the music.

Use these pieces in jazz or contemporary ensembles as material for sectional work, small group recitals, or as the foundation of a jazz unit within a general music class. They also serve well as motivating repertoire for alto saxophone and clarinet players seeking meaningful jazz literature beyond standard big band charts.

• Playing rhythmic figures with precision and pocket awareness
• Listening and responding to groove rather than strictly following harmonic progression
• Stylistic phrasing and articulation in funk and jazz contexts
• Ensemble balance and blend while maintaining individual voice
• Transcription and analysis of original contemporary composition