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The Essence of Bebop: Trumpet: Trumpet Book & Online Audio

$26.95 USD

The Essence of Bebop: Trumpet: Trumpet Book & Online Audio

Name: The Essence of Bebop: Trumpet: Trumpet Book & Online Audio
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 01-ADV14742
Price: 26.95 USD
Availability: InStock

10 Great Studies in the Style and Language of Bebop

By Jim Snidero

Level: Intermediate / Advanced

Item: 01-ADV14742

$26.95

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The Essence of Bebop is by critically acclaimed New York saxophonist Jim Snidero and reveals the heart and soul of this groundbreaking jazz style and is the first real "manual" for mastering bebop. The 10 fun-to-play studies are inspired by Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, and many more, offering a unique basis for in-depth study and analysis. Historical insights as well as recommended listening and reading make this edition an indispensable part of jazz education.

Each etude includes a study guide that covers jazz theory, but also goes well beyond the math, providing insight into how bebop masters mold solos into profound musical statements. Concepts of shape, timing, balance and pacing provide the framework in which ideas unfold and flow. Additional examples, practice suggestions, historical perspectives, listening and reading suggestions (60-plus pages total) result in an instant classic that's perfect for individual or classroom study.

The downloadable play-along recording has versions with and without the soloist, and features Brian Lynch (trumpet), Mike LeDonne (piano), Peter Washington (bass), and Joe Farnsworth (drums). Brian Lynch is one of the only trumpet players to have been a member of both Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers and Horace Silver's Quintet. He has been included in Downbeat Magazine critics polls, is a multi-Grammy winner with over 20 recordings as a leader, and is a professor at the University of Miami.

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1 03 Monktified_TRUMPET --:--

2 04 The Messengers_TRUMPET --:--

3 10 Freddie slow_TRUMPET --:--

4 Amazing Bud --:--

03 Monktified_TRUMPET

Series: Advance Music

Publisher: Advance Music

ISBN10: 3-954810-70-0

ISBN13: 978-3-954810-70-3

UPC: 805095147421

SKU: 01-ADV14742

More about this title

About the Composer: Jim Snidero

Jim Snidero has spent more than three decades establishing himself as one of contemporary jazz's most articulate voices. A saxophonist, composer, arranger, and bandleader, he earned recognition from Downbeat Magazine as both a "master musician" and "alto saxophone virtuoso," and made the 2017 Downbeat Critic's Poll. His journey began in Camp Springs, Maryland, where early mentorship from Phil Woods and membership in the University of North Texas's One O'Clock Lab Band set the foundation for serious jazz study.

After relocating to New York in 1981, Snidero quickly made his mark through sideman work with Brother Jack McDuff, the Mingus Big Band, the Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra, and Frank Sinatra's Duets II project. His discography as a leader, beginning with On Time (1984) and continuing through celebrated releases like Mixed Bag and Blue Afternoon, demonstrates both consistency and range. Teaching and writing have become central to his mission, making him a vital voice in jazz pedagogy.

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Why we love this

Snidero grounds this book in actual bebop practice rather than music theory abstraction. By anchoring each study to specific masters and examining how soloists construct shape, timing, and pacing, he teaches improvisation as composition. The inclusion of Brian Lynch's trumpet performances alongside top-tier rhythm players gives students a genuine model of what mastery sounds like.

What to expect

Bebop burns with harmonic restlessness and rhythmic propulsion, and these etudes capture that urgency without sacrificing clarity. Each line spirals and darts across changes, demanding precision and airspeed while rewarding careful listening with moments of genuine beauty.

Who it's for

Intermediate to advanced trumpet players serious about jazz improvisation and those looking to understand bebop's architecture rather than just copy its sound. Jazz educators and band directors can use this for small group sectionals, jazz history seminars, or as supplementary material for students committed to jazz study.

How to get the most out of it

Listen to the full-length examples with the recorded accompaniment before attempting to play them; hearing how the trumpet voice sits against real musicians shapes your phrasing instinctively.
Study the transcribed solos for intervallic logic and note grouping, not just as finger patterns; understanding why each note lands teaches you to construct your own lines with intention.
Work with the minus-soloist tracks to internalize the harmonic changes without relying on the melody, building independence from the recorded guide.
Return to the historical context and listening suggestions between etudes; bebop doesn't exist in isolation, and reconnecting to Miles, Parker, and Gillespie refreshes your ear.

How to use it

Slot this into jazz history or jazz improvisation classes where bebop is a focal point, pairing it with the recommended listening list to build historical context. For individual students preparing college jazz auditions or planning intensive bebop study, this serves as a semester-long curriculum on its own.