Jazz Saxophone Etudes - BK/2 CDs

Includes:

For both Alto and Tenor. One Dozen outstanding etudes for the higher-intermediate/advanced player written to sound like real jazz solos, not exercises. All are based on standard chord changes such as blues, I Got Rhythm, Satin Doll, etc..... There are 2 CDs - one with the exercises being played on alto and the other with the exercises played on tenor. This unique feature allows both alto and tenor players to read from the book and have an accompanying demo/play along CD in their key! Mr. Fishman's playing on the CDs is first class and exemplary. This is a fun and challenging etude book for all serious saxophonists.

"I have known Greg Fishman for a long time. He has a very analytical mind. He knows how to get in between the cracks to give you what you need musically. This book is a good example of some of what he does. A lot of the students with whom I come in contact will definitively get this book on my recommendation. It looks deceivingly simple, but looks are deceiving. Greg is not only a fantastic saxophonist, he is a marvelous teacher. You can’t go wrong with anything that comes from Greg Fishman."
James Moody

“THIS IS REALLY A GREAT BOOK!!!! A powerful sight reading, ear training, swinging, improvising jazz tool. Perfect for the student of jazz. Wish I had it when I was growing up. Glad I have it now.” ––Michael Brecker

"This is one of the most concise and easy to digest collection of solos over standard tune chord changes that I have seen. All the elements of good voice leading, passing notes and common scale usage are here. Very enjoyable!!" ––Dave Liebman

“I wish I had material like this when I was coming up. These etudes are little masterpieces. There is such a wealth of material to learn from here. Great line construction and great conceptual ideas. Having the rhythm section continue after the etude is a great idea! I will be using these with virtually all my students from now on. Greg Fishman has done a terrific job of putting this book together, and the play-along rhythm section is first class!“ ––Mark Colby, Depaul University, Elmhurst College

Saxophone Journal’s Review of Jazz Saxophone Etudes
(Reviewed by David Demsey in the July/August 2005 issue)

Recommended for intermediate, advanced or professional players. This book is a written version of the way jazz is supposed to be taught, i.e., learning from a pro player who understands how to distill the language into clear understandable terms. Chicago-based saxophonist Greg Fishman has composed a set of etudes based on standard tunes that is one of the best collections of this type I've seen. The etudes are each one or two choruses in length, based on standard progressions such as blues, rhythm changes, Autumn Leaves, Green Dolphin Street, Out of Nowhere, Have You Met Miss Jones?, Take the 'A' Train, Satin Doll, Alone Together and Body and Soul.

Because of copyright, the titles of the original standards do not appear. Which is which? Answering this will provide some interesting listening homework assignments for students. The etude book contains two CDs, one for tenor and one for alto. Each of the etudes appears twice on each CD, once in a quartet version (with saxophone and rhythm section) with no repeats, immediately followed by another version with multiple repeats. Note that Fishman has taken an original approach: rather than put the rhythm section in one key and make either the alto or tenor transpose into a key that's awkward for their range, the etude stays in the same key for alto and tenor, and it's the rhythm section that plays in a different keys.

The versions with saxophone are the most valuable ele­ments of the set. Fishman is an expert player whose ver­sions show the true "official" approach to the jazz saxo­phone that nobody would dispute. Because of the situation of the written material accompanying the set, his sound, phrasing, attack and other elements are under very close scrutiny, and these recordings are beautiful representations of all of these aspects. The lines Fishman composes are textbook versions of post-bop saxophone improvising, and will give a wealth of practice material to students at all levels.

Fishman's additional analysis provides a launching pad for students to progress to the next level. Intermediate players are instructed in hearing lines, imitating articula­tion and phrasing techniques. More advanced players are moved more in the direction of analysis, breaking apart the lines and their voice leading, watching the way they address the corresponding voice-leading in the harmony. Fishman is equally well versed as a teacher and as a saxophonist. This is a rare combination that is showcased in Fishman’s Jazz Saxophone Etudes.