In learning jazz improvisation on the trombone, it is very important to make transcribing part of the curriculum for study.

One way to ease into transcribing is to transcribe excerpts from different players. If this inspires you to listen to more of the artist you started transcribing, well that’s great! At this stage of the game, listening is also critical. Having a teacher to help you “frame” the value, breathe life, and offer direction in your study to integrate listening and transcribing can be very beneficial.

In the brief video below, I play excerpts from the following three solos – J.J. Johnson, Misty; Carl Fontana, I Thought About You (including a supportive technical drill where no tongue is used to articulate the notes, but focus on air and embouchure. Then, the tongue is integrated again.); and, J.J. Johnson, Nutville.

Please let me know if you have any questions, or have any feedback to share. Enjoy!

This was a fun trio performance in LA with Gaea Schell and John Leftwich.

Cafe 322, Pasadena, CA, 12/9/11

Dave Bones, trombone
Gaea Schell, piano
John Leftwich, bass

Jazz Trombone Transcriptions to Transcribe and Why:

The 12 bar blues, and the chord changes to “I Got Rhythm” are a very rich part of jazz improvisation heritage.  I recommend including in your learning to transcribe solos and songs based on these chord progressions for two reasons.

The first reason is because these chord progressions are so prevalent in jazz history.  One thing that ties in this art worldwide is a common frame of reference in repertoire throughout the world.  Whether you speak Italian, German, Mandarin Chinese, or any other language does not matter when you play with other jazz musicians from these countries.  You will be able to play, and communicate through music together with this common knowledge of the blues and Rhythm Changes.  How cool is that?

The second reason is that you will immediately get a lot of mileage for a smaller amount of work.  Because many playing situations with other people will offer the opportunity to solo over these chord changes, you can immediately apply what you have learned.

I would encourage that you don’t have to be able to play through an entire transcription to benefit in ideas for soloing. Often, it can be beneficial to memorize and internalize just one or two measures that you find interesting, and can technically play. The next step would be to insert and develop that sound into different settings like over the blues, or other ideas.

Please see below for a few blues and Rhythm Changes solo transcriptions.

F Blues: Fred Wesley playing “Sandu”

Eb Blues: Curtis Fuller playing “Blue Train”

Db Blues: Mark Nightingale playing “On the Side”

Bb Blues: Michael Dease playing “Blues On the Corner”

Bb Rhythm Changes: Carl Fontana playing “I Got Rhythm”

Other considerations for jazz improvisation and transcribing

Another priority is to start hearing more “Tonic” sounds where the improvisor is basing his ideas on the I (Major or minor) chord; as well as, ii-7 V7 transitional sounds offering momentary tension.

Please see below for some examples. If not familiar with the chord progressions of the songs below, please feel free to refer to a lead sheet, or e-mail me for reference ideas.

Urbie Green playing “Lullaby of Birdland” in Ab:

Listen for the following in this track:
A Sections:
– F minor tonal (i minor) ideas
– Ab Major tonal (I chord) ideas
– ii-7 V7 I in Ab (|Bb-7 Eb7|AbMaj7 |)
– ii-7(b5) V7b9 i min in F minor (|G-7(b5) C7b9|Fmin |)
Bridge:
– ii-7(b5) V7b9 in Bb minor (|Cmin7(b5) F7b9| Bbmin |)
– ii-7(b5) V7b9 resolving to Ab Major (|Bb-7(b5) Eb7(b9)|AbMaj7 |)

Carl Fontana playiing “Hey There” in Ab:

Pay particular attention to the A sections on this track. Some points to consider are below:
– I V7/ii-7 ii-7 V7 (|AbMaj7 F7|Bb-7 Eb7|) for tonal ideas based in the key of Ab
– ii-7 V7 I in Ab Major (|Bb-7 Eb7|Ab Maj7 |)
– I V7/ii-7 ii-7 V7 (|CMaj7 A7|D-7 G7|) for tonal ideas based in the key of C
– ii-7 V7 I in C Major (|D-7 G7|C Maj7 |)

Feel free to e-mail me if you have questions, or if you would like to share some insight as well.

I wish you the best in your journey of discovery and improvisation!

Musically,

Dave Bones

Gaea Schell and Dave Bones Jazz Performance and Education Event this Thursday 3/29/12 at Tony Starlight’s!

Be sure to come by the Gaea Schell and Dave Bones Jazz Performance and Education Event at Tony Starlight’s Supper Club – Lounge this Thursday, 3/29/12.

A few words from Tony, the owner of Tony Starlight’s Supper Club – Lounge regarding his dream which has become a reality.

“We wanted to create a place where different kinds of people could come and connect with one another, around music and performance, without a TV or video poker to distract them. The greatest things in life are the personal relationships we forge and with cell phones, email and Facebook we sometimes think we’re connecting with each other but it cannot replace face-to-face contact.”

We see this as a great match for jazz performance, and a supportive environment for students to come and listen.  As well, we will be showcasing a few select students sitting in, learning and sharing on the bandstand.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Who:
Gaea Schell, piano and vocal
Dave Bones, trombone
Patrick Harry, bass

When:
Thursday, 3/29 from 7:30 – 10:30 PM (minors permitted until 10 PM)

$8 cover
[The cover charge is directly compensated to the performers. However, if there is a financial challenge, just contribute what you can and come enjoy the music!]

Where:
Tony Starlight’s Supper Club – Lounge
3728 NE Sandy Blvd
Portland, OR 97232
Reservations: 503-517-8584
http://www.tonystarlight.com/events.shtml

Check out this great video of Bill Watrous playing, “Nancy with the Laughing Face.” It blows my mind how smooth he sounds, and has everything to do with his slide technique.

Watch how fast he arrives on each note playing the melody. The next ingredient is what “warms it up.” He then applies his wonderful, individualistic slide vibrato, and back lightning fast to the next note.

The personnel is stellar, and offer a profound performance. Enjoy!

Television performance in 1976

Bill Watrous, trombone
Chick Corea, piano
Ron Carter, bass
Bill Cobham, drums

Who:

Gaea Schell, piano and vocal
Dave Bones, trombone
Eric Gruber, bass
Ed Pierce, drums

What:
=> Original arrangements and your favorite standards
=> Friendly staff
=> Good food, beverages, and atmosphere

$6 cover

Where:
Ivories Jazz Lounge and Restaurant
1435 NW Flanders, Portland, OR 97209
http://www.ivoriesjazz.com/

Please let us know if you have any questions. Thanks for supporting live jazz, we look forward to seeing you there!

Gaea Schell Trio with Dave Bones, Portland jazz trombonist

Gaea Schell, piano/vocal
Dave Bones, trombone
Dennis Caiazza, bass

When:
Friday, February 24th from 7 – 10 PM.  Doors open at 6 PM.

Where:
Bijou Cafe
132 Southwest 3rd Avenue
Portland, OR 97204
Ph: 503-222-3187

$5 Discounted Cover Charge (normally $10)

Be sure to catch Gaea while she is in town at this all ages event.   Students welcome!

The group will be performing original compositions and arrangements, as well as standards.

Excellent food, and family friendly environment.

We appreciate your support for live jazz, and look forward to seeing you there!

Dave Bones and Gaea Schell Quartet

Dave Bones, trombone
Gaea Schell, piano/vocals
Patrick Harry, bass
Chris Conrade, drums

When: Friday, 12/23/11 from 9 – 11 PM

Where: Camelia Tea Zone
510 NW 11th Ave, Portland, OR 97209
(503) 221-2130

Holiday Special – complimentary MP3 recordings of this performance

Thanks to all that attended the Holiday Performance last week!  Since this is short notice, we are offering MP3 recordings of this performance for no charge to show our appreciation for your attendance during your busy holiday schedule.  Just be sure to check with me at the show, and we will send the download links to you by e-mail.

$5 cover, no minimum, great food and ambiance

We look forward to seeing you there!

ONE NIGHT, HUNDREDS OF LIVE MUSIC EVENTS, THOUSANDS OF FANS

SATURDAY OCTOBER 15, 2011 – Benefitting ill, disabled, and elderly musicians in need.

Portland Jazz Trombonist Dave Bones and Friends Perform Sweet Relief Benefit Concert

Night of Sweet Relief
Sweet Relief Musicians Fund Portland Oregon Event

Benefitting ill, disabled, and elderly musicians in need.

Portland jazz trombonist, Dave Bones and friends, featuring jazz pianist, Gaea Schell perform locally in Portland, OR as part of national event. On October 15th, artists across the United States are offering benefit performances in support of Sweet Relief Musicians Fund. For more info regarding national event: http://nightofsweetrelief.org/

When:
Saturday October 15, 2011
6 PM – 7:30 PM

Where:
Emilie Dessert Cafe
8680 SW Canyon Road
Portland, OR 97225
503-206-5576

For a donation of $10 or more, you will receive exclusive access to an MP3 recording of the performance.

Any questions, please contact us.  We look forward to seeing you at the performance!

Trombone Lessons and Brass Technique

Three Embouchure Types: Trombone Lessons Reference

David Wilken is an innovative and passionate music educator and trombonist.  He specializes in brass pedagogy, and offers this informative introductory 6 part video series.

This post is intended for students and teachers regarding trombone lessons, as well as reference for all brass embouchure studies.

Areas that watching the videos in this post can help are non-responsive or quiver in embouchure; ceiling in high or low range; lack of flexibility; and, stuffy tone in specific registers.

I may have a different opinion now about what is fundamental vs. effect than when I first posted this video series. That said, I think it is quite valuable to look at actual examples with the see through mouthpieces to observe how the embouchure is used in practice. I admire David’s careful thought in this area, and opens a very interesting topic for future discussion among brass players.

Please let us know if you have thoughts or insights to share regarding this post.  Enjoy!