The Ramon Ricker Improvisation Series Vol. 1 The Beginning Improviser Volume one is for the absolute beginning jazz student who knows his/her major scales. Subjects covered in this book include. VOCABULARY: Intervals, Roman Numerals, Scales, Modes, Diatonic Seventh Chords, Major, Minor, Dominant, and Suspended Chords, Chord/Scale Relationships, The Blues Progression, Using Pentatonic Scales with Blues, Pentatonic Chord/Scale Relationships, The II-V-I Progression, Rhythm Changes, The Circle of Fifths, and The Circle of Fourths, and Steps for Playing on Changes. STYLE: Swing Eighth Notes, Use of the Metronome, Scale Practice, and Scat-Singing Solos. EAR TRAINING: Specific examples and suggestions with recorded tracks for practice. REPERTOIRE: A suggested basic repertoire. This improvisation method is more than just another play-along. It is a series of books and CDs that progress step by step, offering concrete suggestions and advise that shows you how and what to practice. Drawing on twenty-five years of teaching experience at the Eastman School of Music, Ramon Ricker uses text, recorded demonstrations by him and his students, and practice and play-along tracks that present the material in a clear and concise manner. Most of the play-along tracks feature the rhythm section of the 1980 Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Big Band with Harold Danko on piano, Rufus Reid on bass and the late, great Mel Lewis on drums. Since they performed and recorded together consistently over a period of several years, they played as a unit - a true jazz rhythm section. The recordings were brought up to meet todays higher CD standards and served as an inspiration for Ramon Ricker to write three entirely new books. In addition, new demonstration, ear training, and play-along tracks were added.
SKU: AP.1-ADV7150
ISBN 9783892210979. UPC: 805095071504. English.
Improvisation is at the heart of Jazz, but knowing how to play stylistically correct in a large Jazz ensemble is also a necessity. How to Play Lead Alto Saxophone in a Big Band offers tips, suggestions, examples, and a play along CD to help you put it all together. The repertoire covers many jazz styles from Basie to Latin and African-influenced music, to ECM and contemporary jazz (the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Bob Brookmeyer, etc.).
SKU: AP.1-ADV32009
UPC: 805095320091. English.
Ramon Ricker's First Flight has a contemporary straight-eighth Maiden Voyage feel which uses only two suspended chords and adds a bridge. There is space for anyone in the band to solo. To help the beginning improviser, the composer has included some brief notes on the improvised sections.
SKU: AP.1-ADV7510
UPC: 805095075106. English.
Wayne Shorter's chart, Witch Hunt, arranged by Ramon Ricker, has a medium groove tempo. After the initial melodic statement, the entire saxophone section is showcased in an interesting orchestration of Shorter's improvised solo of the same name. Arranged for five saxophones (AATTBar), piano, guitar, double bass, and percussion.
SKU: AP.1-ADV7033
ISBN 9783892213925. UPC: 805095070330. English.
A moody impressionistic piece set in a rhythmic 9/8 Latin groove with a good balance of composition and improvisation. Includes CD, featuring play-along and complete versions: Ramon Ricker, alto saxophone; Bill Dobbins, piano.
SKU: AP.1-ADV7674
ISBN 9783892217350. UPC: 805095076745. English.
This suite was inspired most notably by the saxophone quartets of Phil Woods and was written in a conscious attempt to wed certain stylistic elements of classical and jazz music. The players are not asked to improvise, but the piece does feature sections that sound spontaneous and freely created. The piece is difficult, but no more so than other quartets, like Glazunov and Desenclos, that are standard repertoire for this instrumentation. Talented high school and all college groups will find success working on this piece. The first movement, subtitled Danse Macabre, is ominous, dark, sometimes bluesy, and is propelled along by the use of intricate counterpoint and an improvised sounding solo section for the tenor saxophone.
SKU: AP.1-ADV7675
UPC: 805095076752. English.
This suite was inspired most notably by the saxophone quartets of Phil Woods and was written in a conscious attempt to wed certain stylistic elements of classical and jazz music. The players are not asked to improvise, but the piece does feature sections that sound spontaneous and freely created. The piece is difficult, but no more so than other quartets, like Glazunov and Desenclos, that are standard repertoire for this instrumentation. Talented high school and all college groups will find success working on this piece. Soft Shadows of the Night features the alto saxophone in a quasi Bolero setting. The piece conveys a feeling of a big city in the tranquil pre-dawn hours---hence the title. Arranged for saxophone quartet (SATBar).
SKU: AP.1-ADV7676
ISBN 9783892217374. UPC: 805095076769. English.
This suite was inspired most notably by the saxophone quartets of Phil Woods and was written in a conscious attempt to wed certain stylistic elements of classical and jazz music. The players are not asked to improvise, but the piece does feature sections that sound spontaneous and freely created. The piece is difficult, but no more so than other quartets, like Glazunov and Desenclos, that are standard repertoire for this instrumentation. Talented high school and all college groups will find success working on this piece. Trance Dance, is a rhythmically grooving 12/8 feel that features the tenor and baritone saxophones.
