Improvisation (or “improv”) is the art of creating a unique, new musical statement on the spur of the moment. This does not mean that your utterance is entirely without precedent. Jazz improvisation is a product of the individual’s history, temperament, technical facility, and mood, as well as the thrust of the composition which houses the performance, the history and legacy of jazz as a whole and ones chosen sub-genre in particular.
A brief definition of jazz improvisation
June 22, 2009
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Ear Training, Improvisation, Jazz, Jazz for Youth, music | 
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Posted by Craig Buhler
New Jazz Blog
May 29, 2008Here is a new resource for jazz fans. Check out http://jazzbreak2.blogspot.com:80/
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Jazz, Jazz Band, Jazz for Youth, Music Education K-12, music, musician | Tagged: new jazz blog | 
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Posted by Craig Buhler
OVERCOMING FLAPPY FINGERS
March 20, 2008From a quick viewing of YouTube video footage, it appears that Coltrane’s fingers may move further from the keys than do Bird’s. Do you agree?
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Clarinet, Improvisation, Jazz, Jazz for Youth, Music Education K-12, Saxophone, music, musician | Tagged: fingering, loop, practice techniques, Saxophone, swing, tempo, trill | 
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Posted by Craig Buhler
“Capistrano Sessions” & “Larger Than Jazz” now available as MP3 downloads from CDBaby
March 12, 2008You can now download MP3 copies of our 2 best-selling CDs from CD Baby for $9.00 per CD.
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Posted by Craig Buhler
Jazz Musicians as Role Models
October 2, 2007Is it possible for an older jazz musician to influence younger players in a constructive way? Read the rest of this entry »
Leave a Comment » | Charlie Parker (Yardbird, Bird), Honk, Jazz, Jazz Band, Jazz for Youth, Music Education K-12, Northwest, Sequim, music, musician | Tagged: Bird, Honk, Jazz, Music education, Music lessons, Role Model, surf | Permalink
Posted by Craig Buhler
Charlie Parker Teaches Focus
September 29, 2007Have you tried reading the charts in the Charlie Parker Omnibook? I find that some of them require a level of focused attention that is quite difficult to maintain over a 3-hour practice session.
Leave a Comment » | Charlie Parker (Yardbird, Bird), Clarinet, Ear Training, Improvisation, Jazz, Jazz Band, Jazz for Youth, Music Education K-12, Saxophone, music, musician | Tagged: Bird, Charlie Parker, focus, improvisation, Jazz, Omnibook, sightreading | Permalink
Posted by Craig Buhler
Cool uses for the Charlie Parker Omni Book
September 23, 2007There are so many wonderful phrases that Bird created. When one phrase in particular captures my imagination, i try learning it in all 12 keys. Read the rest of this entry »
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Posted by Craig Buhler
On Tone Control and Playing in Tune
August 14, 2007Written by noted woodwind artist & teacher Signe Crawford for the “Keys to Music” collection of jazz etudes.
Think of tone as your material for creating music.
If you can create a good tone, good pitches will follow.
If you can create a good pitch, a good tone will follow.
2 Comments | Clarinet, Jazz, Jazz Band, Jazz for Youth, Music Education K-12, Saxophone, music, musician | Permalink
Posted by Craig Buhler
Can You Learn to Play by Ear?
July 5, 2007YES YOU CAN! How do i know? Because I have taught over 100 musicians to do it over the past 7 years. These are musicians of all ages and levels of ability on various instruments, and you can be one of them.
7 Comments | Clarinet, Ear Training, Improvisation, Jazz, Jazz Band, Jazz for Youth, Music Education K-12, Saxophone, music, musician | Permalink
Posted by Craig Buhler
Psych Yourself Up to Play Fast Tempos!
June 22, 2007I’m not by nature a fast player. I don’t do anything fast except breakfast.
4 Comments | Clarinet, Improvisation, Jazz, Jazz Band, Jazz for Youth, Music Education K-12, Saxophone, music, musician | Permalink
Posted by Craig Buhler
Choosing repertoire for a working jazz combo
June 2, 2007How can you choose songs you love to play, the band loves to play, AND the audience loves to listen to? Read the rest of this entry »
1 Comment | Jazz, Jazz Band, Jazz for Youth, Sequim, music, musician | Permalink
Posted by Craig Buhler
SWAB IT! How to Keep Your Saxophone Clean
May 24, 2007You spent a lot of money on that horn. How can you make sure it will give you great service for many years to come?
Written by Daniel “Dr. Dan” Parker
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3 Comments | Clarinet, Jazz Band, Jazz for Youth, Music Education K-12, Saxophone, music, musician | Permalink
Posted by Craig Buhler
Practice Priorities
May 23, 2007How you can develop an effective practice routine and get the most benefit from your practice time
1 Comment | Clarinet, Ear Training, Improvisation, Jazz, Jazz Band, Jazz for Youth, Music Education K-12, Saxophone, music, musician, worship band | Permalink
Posted by Craig Buhler
