When I work with jazz ensembles on style and phrasing, I strongly emphasize that everyone needs to know what instruments they are listening to – and why.
Quick Rehearsal Tip: Creative Warmups for Jazz Ensembles
The jazz ensemble warmup is a great opportunity to teach some scales that are useful in jazz improvisation. Common modes like mixolydian or dorian will help get the players moving around their horns and will also give them some basic improvisational tools.
Mix It Up: Take a Fresh Look at Those Same Measures
Sometimes you reach a place in your ensemble rehearsal where woodshedding a few difficult measures is no longer fun – or effective.
Apply Concert Band Warm-Up Concepts to the Jazz Ensemble
If you are like me, your jazz band meets once a week and you are always in a hurry to get things accomplished.
Get More Out of Your Jazz Band Rehearsal: Warm Up Chops and Ears
Any large ensemble director can relate to the feeling of having too much to do, and not enough time. Productive rehearsals require precise lesson planning.