First Place for Jazz
Follow Dean Sorenson:
  • Home
  • Remote Learning Resources
  • Tunes
  • Jazz Starters
  • Rhythm Section Spotlights
  • Rhythm Sectionals
  • Lead Sheets
Click Here to order First Place for Jazz

Rhythm Sectionals

The rhythm section is the heart and soul of the jazz band, but many jazz ensemble directors are not rhythm section players. A good rhythm section makes all the difference in how good the band sounds. Every chart in First Place for Jazz includes a set of four Rhythm Sectionals. The Rhythm Sectionals help the rhythm section work on different sounds and techniques that are unique to the rhythm section. During each of the four lessons rhythm section concepts are broken down into smaller elements, allowing for a greater overall understanding of what is happening in the rhythm section. This greater overall understanding benefits both the students and the director.


Each of the four rhythm sectional lessons is recorded for demonstration. At the end of the four lessons, each individual instrument gets their own Rhythm Section Practice Track, that allows that individual instrument to apply the concept in that rhythm sectional with their part omitted from the mix. All rhythm sectionals, of course, apply to the tunes also.

Rhythm Sectional Topics

Here is a complete listing of ALL topics and techniques covered in the Rhythm Sectionals.
See below for audio and print examples from the student and director books.

TUNE                                            TOPIC AND TECHNIQUE
Jumpin' Jellybeans                        Building a Rock groove
Quarterback Sneak                       Building a Bossa groove
A Darker Shade of Gray                Building a Swing groove
Pink Flamingo Night                      Building a Rock groove
Summer in Sao Paulo                    Drum fills around band figures in a Bossa groove
The Lady Knows Her Cheese        Drum setups, figures, and fills in a Swing groove
Lucky Seven                                  Transitions between regular and half-time feels in a rock groove
Chasing the Sun                            Building a salsa groove around the clave. Includes montuno in piano
Evening Stroll                                Moving smoothly between chord changes in a swing groove
Crutch Not Much                            Drum fills around band figures in a Rock groove
Little Bees                                      Isolating a band figure in a Bossa groove

Rollin' The Blues Away                  Playing band figures and interpreting drumset notation in a Swing groove

Rhythm Sectionals -- For Students

In the student books, all rhythm sectional lessons appear on a single page that includes music and helpful text.
Picture

Rhythm Sectionals -- For the Director

In the Director Score, each lesson includes a full rhythm section score as well as loads of guidance in terms of what to work on and what to listen for. The non-rhythm playing director now has plenty of information at his or her fingertips to help this most crucial section of the jazz ensemble.
Picture











LISTEN HERE
FIRST PLACE FOR JAZZ is a trademark of Kjos Music Press All written, audio, and video examples are © ℗ Kjos Music Press and used with permission. Unauthorized usage is strictly prohibited.