Jazz for String Players
A bibliography by Renata Bratt and Paula Zeitlin for the IAJE String Caucus
Contents
Jazz History ..................................................................................................................................... 1
Jazz Strings Instruction Books ........................................................................................................ 1
Other Useful Methods and Jazz Studies, non-string specific.......................................................... 3
Until you find a band: play-along recordings ................................................................................... 4
Standard Equipment: Fakebooks .................................................................................................... 5
Arrangements for Jazz String Ensembles by Publisher .................................................................. 5
Here is the format used for an individual The Smithsonian Collection of Classic Jazz
entry: Smithsonian 2100
title currently distributed by Rounder Records,
author(s) Cambridge
publisher
comment
Jazz Strings Instruction Books
A New and Innovative System for Learning
Jazz History to Improvise for Strings
Mark Chung's Jazz Strings website contains by David N. Baker
a fine bibliography, discography, and a Jamey Aebersold Jazz Inc., 1211 Aebersold
wealth of historical information. You can Drive, New Albany, IN 47150
find it at: 1-800-456-1388
http://shoko.calarts.edu/~chung/jazzviolin.html A method for all strings by a master jazz
educator.
In addition to biographies of individual
musicians and to general books on jazz Stringed Instruments Improvisation, Vol. l
styles and periods, there are three very (Violin and Viola) and Vol. II Cello and
useful tape or CD sets: Bass)
by David N. Baker
The Talking Violin (audiotape series) Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Publishing, 1976
by Julie Lyonn Lieberman and Dr. Billy All levels.
Taylor
Improvised Music Collective, P.O. Box 495- Salsa Violin: How to Play Salsa, Charanga
A, NYC, NY 10024 and Latin Jazz Violin
This set of five tapes covers Blues Fiddle, by Sam Bardfeld
Early Jazz Violin, String Bands, New Age Gerard& Sarzin
Strings, and Violin of the Eighties. Features the history of the violin's role in
Afro-Cuban music, discussion of technique
The Instrumental History of Jazz and clavé, transcription and analysis of 16
by Dr. Willie L. Hill, Jr. solos by major artists, with a CD of the solos
N2K Encoded Jazz, N2KE-10004, 1997 and play-along tracks.
This enhanced two-CD set is an excellent
compilation of examples from different jazz
periods. It will play on all stereos and most
Macintosh and Windows computers.
Jazz for String Players, a bibliography page 2
Jazz Improvisation Made Easy Reading Key Jazz Rhythms
by John Blake and Jody Harmon by Fred Lipsius with Evan Price, violin
1993 Advance Music, 1997
Box 186, 301 Littleton Rd., Westford, MA Distributed by Sher Music Co., P.O. Box
Intermediate levels. For violin, viola and 445, Petaluma, CA 94953
cello. Book and CD with four sections, each A book and two CD set of jazz etudes based
with a jazz composition, scale patterns, call on blues and jazz standards, each
and response, improvised solo by John emphasizing an important jazz rhythm.
Blake, solo transcription, and play-along Includes play-along tracks. Other versions
track. Each section uses a different major are available for other instruments. Use
scale, so that students can improvise trombone version for bass clef readers.
immediately. Both swing and Latin styles
are included. Blues Fiddle
by Julie Lyonn Lieberman
Fiddling Chord Book New York: Oak Publications
by Craig Duncan History of blues fiddle and tunes "in the
Mel Bay Publishing style of". Beginner-intermediate. Good
Helpful guide to chord voicings for the discography.
violinist.
Improvising Violin (revised ed.)
Jazz Violin by Julie Lyonn Lieberman
by Matt Glaser and Stephane Grappelli Huiksi Music, Box495, NYC, NY 10024
New York: Oak Publications, 1981 Also available as instructional audio series
History, discography, and transcribed solos through Homespun Tapes: 1-800-33-
of six great violinists. Intermediate and TAPES.
advanced. A survey of improvised violin styles.
Jazz Chord Studies for Violin Tonic to Chromatic, Tonal Structural
by Matt Glaser and Joe Viola Patterns of Stringed Instruments Tuned in
Boston: Berklee College of Music, 1984 4ths and 5ths. Vol. IV--Violoncello
Intermediate-advanced studies and etudes. by Jeffrey McFarland-Johnson
Johnsong Music, P.O. Box 3646, Napa, CA,
Creative Ability Development (for violin, www.johnsong.com
viola, cello, or piano) Basic jazz theory and a lexicon of intervals,
by Alice Kay Kanack chords, and scale forms as they fit on the
Summy-Birchard Inc./Warner Brothers cello fingerboard.
Publications
Entry-level/beginning improvisation method The Jazz Fiddle Wizard
using jazz, blues, Latin, and classical styles, by Martin Norgaard
with accompanying CD. Mel Bay Publishers
A step-by-step jazz violin instruction book
Improvisation for Children and CD. For intermediate/advanced
by Alice Kay Kanack violinists. This method teaches
Warner Brothers improvisational patterns by using tunes and
Book and CD method for pre-schoolers, chords from standard jazz repertoire.
contains 27 different songs and games to
help children expand their creative musical
abilities.
Jazz for String Players, a bibliography page 3
Jazz Philharmonic How to Play Bebop, for all instruments,
by Randy Sabien and Bob Phillips vol.1-3
Alfred Publishers by David Baker
For string orchestra students who are Alfred Publishing Co. Inc., 16380 Roscoe
learning their instruments and/or at the same Blvd. POB 10003, Van Nuys, CA 91410
time learning basic jazz concepts. Each of A set of books for intermediate through
the books presents original tunes with advanced improvisers wishing to learn basic
interchangeable parts, backgrounds, bass "bebop licks".
lines, and solos. Any combination of string
instruments will work using this format. Inside Improvisation Series: Vol. I Melodic
Beginning improvisation is handled with Structures, Vol. 2 Pentatonics, Vol. 3 Jazz
preparatory rhythms, scales, call-and- Live
response, with musical listening examples by Jerry Bergonzi
on the accompanying CD (purchased Advance Music.
separately). Each comes with CD.
Jazz Cello, Viola, or Violin, a book and CD How to Improvise
by Chris White with Amy Merrill by Hal Crook
Cello Works, 501 Linn St., Ithaca, NY Advance Music, 199l
14850 Includes 2 CDs. A very clearly organized
Toll free (877) 665-5815 (phone/fax with methods book, covering almost all
credit card) or improvisational topics.
www.newdirectionscello.com (go to
"Store") Approaching the Standards, Jazz
Three jazz tunes (blues, jazz standard, and Improvisation Series Vol. 1-3. Treble Clef or
Latin) are featured in this method for strings. Bass Clef book and CD
Includes good advice on improvisational by Dr. Willie L. Hill, Jr.
techniques (note choices, accompaniment Warner Bros. Publications
patterns, etc) and jazz string history. A very friendly format for any instrument,
these three books each feature eight classic
jazz tunes with accompaniment,
Other Useful Methods and Jazz
discography, and composer information.
Studies, non-string specific Nice jazz language examples for each piece
There are hundreds of jazz methods books, as well as very clear chord charts are
etude books, and transcriptions, but a few included. Recommended for good junior
we have found very useful and clear are: high players and above.
The Charlie Parker Omnibook, bass or Teaching Jazz, A Course of Study
treble clef by the International Association of Jazz
by Jamey Aebersold and Ken Slone Educators
The great alto saxophone player's MENC, 1806 Robert Fulton Drive, Reston,
transcribed solos. Excellent for the advanced VA 20191-4348
string player as jazz etudes and source of A basic book for all teachers interested in
ideas. teaching improvisation. Particularly useful is
the chapter on jazz in general music, with
Improvisational Patterns: the Blues many ideas for incorporating
by David Baker improvisational concepts when teaching
New York, Colin Publishers, 1980 young children.
An important jazz educator (and cellist),
Baker has many more books, distributed
through Aebersold.
Jazz for String Players, a bibliography page 4
Ten Easy Jazz Duets (for C instruments or Until you find a band: play-along
Bass Clef) recordings
by John LaPorta with Greg Nielsen Again, these are only a few of many play-
Miami: Warner Bros. Publications, 1996 along materials available. (alas, viola
Beginner-intermediate, with CD. Good for players have to read treble or bass)
learning to read jazz rhythms.
A New Approach to Jazz Improvisation
The Jazz Theory Book by Jamey Aebersold
by Mark Levine Jamey Aebersold Jazz, Inc., P.O. Box 1244,
Sher Music Co., PO Box 445, Petaluma, CA New Albany, IN, 47150
A 552 page book written in a 1-800-456-1388
straightforward and easy to understand style, More than 90 volumes of a book plus CD or
with many musical examples. It starts with tape. These are the most popular play-along
the basics and moves on. For teachers, books, with a complete rhythm section
advanced high school and college students. playing several choruses of each tune,
giving you a chance to take long solos. The
A Chromatic Approach to Jazz Harmony books cover blues, jazz standards, Latin
and Melody jazz, contemporary jazz, and jazz by specific
by David Liebman composers. The best ones for beginning and
Advance Music,1991 intermediate players are:
An ear-opening approach for experienced
improvisers, and a classic. Includes CD of Vol. 2 Nothin' But Blues
examples and practice tracks. blues in several keys, tempos
Vol. 24 Major and Minor
Comprehensive Technique for Jazz for scale pattern work using different
Musicians jazz rhythms
by Bert Ligon Vol. 42 Blues in All Keys
Houston Publishing Inc. distributed by Hal self- explanatory
Leonard Vol. 54 Maiden Voyage
Very useful for musicians with basic jazz standards and modal tunes
understanding of jazz tunes and materials. Vol. 70 Killer Joe
standards
Muy Caliente
by Rebeca Mauleon Books of transcribed bass lines are available
Sher Music, 1999 for all volumes.
Afro-Cuban play-along CD and book with
great rhythm section. Stereo separation for New Real Book Play-Alongs
cello/bass. See also Mauleon's Salsa Sher Music Co, Petaluma, CA
Guidebook and 101 Montunos (with CDs) Intermediate. This is a series of three
for thorough exploration of this style, also CDs/tapes, each with ten songs, from the
published by Sher Music. New Real Book Volume I (a popular "fake
book" for jazz improvisers). They are: Jazz
14 Blues and Funk Etudes, (for C Classics, Jazz Standards, and Pop-Fusion.
instruments), with two CDs Also, play-along CD for tunes from The
by Bob Mintzer Latin Real Book.
Warner Bros. Publications. (Aebersold dist.)
Etudes and jam tracks, intermediate & fun!
Jazz for String Players, a bibliography page 5
Rock and Roll Backup Compositions by Bert Ligon
Tape/CD University of South Carolina, School of
Homespun Tapes Music, Columbia, South Carolina 29208
1-800-33-TAPES Original compositions arranged for jazz
It's not exactly jazz but it's a lot of fun. 15 string quartet or string orchestra with a
different rhythm grooves, several blues rhythm section, many based on standard jazz
tunes. Homespun also carries videos by Matt chord changes. Intermediate-advanced.
Glaser, Darol Anger and Julie Lyonn- Complete listing available with sample pdf
Lieberman, and backup tracks for David files for viewing at:
Grisman's Dawg Grass/Jazz. http://www.music.sc.edu/departments/jazz/J
azzStringsMusic.HTML
Standard Equipment: Fakebooks
E&R Music Engravers
If you're serious about playing jazz with all
17 Iris Way,
kinds of musicians, it's good to own a
Haverhill, MA 01830-1595
fakebook (melody and chord symbols only)
(978)373-2918
that is used by lots of people. The oldest one
[email protected] or
is the Real Book (not legal nor always easy
www.angelfire.com/ma/eandr
to get) but also useful are the New Real
Publisher of originals and arrangements for
Book Vol. 1, 2 and 3, the Standards Real
jazz string quartet and jazz string ensembles
Book and The Latin Real Book, all
by Miriam Rabson, as recorded by the
published by Sher.
Really Eclectic String Quartet (RESQ).
Selections range from jazz standards to
Arrangements for Jazz String klezmer/jazz fusion. Write for complete
Ensembles by Publisher listing. Intermediate-advanced.
All include at least one section for
improvisation. Fiddlistics Music
POB 19297
Alfred Publications Oakland, CA 94619
Jazz Philharmonic Publishers of originals and arrangements by
by Randy Sabien and Bob Phillips Darol Anger, David Balakrishnan, Mark
Twelve original jazz compositions scored Summer, Tracy Silverman, and Danny
for any combination of stringed instruments. Seidenberg, as recorded by the Turtle Island
Available for Violin, Viola, Cello and String Quartet and others. Includes pieces
Teachers Manual, including full score. for solo cello, jazz string quartet, and jazz
Excellent for beginning strings, and string orchestra. Useful performance notes,
beginning improvisers at any level. suggested solos and suggested bass lines are
available as well. Styles include rock, R&B,
August Watters Music Publishing fiddle/jazz fusion, jazz standards, and more.
P.O. Box 180242, Boston, MA Intermediate-advanced. Some of these are
Publisher of arrangements of jazz standards now carried by Sher Publications.
for jazz string quartet. Write for complete
listing. Intermediate-advanced. Huiksi Music
P.O. Box 495
New York, NY 10024
Publishers of originals and arrangements by
Julie Lyonn Lieberman, including suite for
strings and rhythm section.
Jazz for String Players, a bibliography page 6
Note: there are other arrangements for jazz
band and combos with string sections which
do not include string improvisation. Many of
these have been out of print for many years,
but are gradually coming back into
circulation.
There are also new arrangements for
improvising strings which are available over
the internet. You can use the information
presented here as the starting point for a
search. Here's how: use your favorite search
engine (google.com is a particularly good
one) and enter the name of one of the
authors or the title of one of the
publications; you should then see a list of
related items.
