Unlock the Secrets of Jazz Improvisation with 1st Place Jazz Builders

The 1st Place Jazz Builders Digital Book is a comprehensive guide designed to simplify the complexities of jazz improvisation. For students and teachers, this book breaks down the ‘art’ of improvising using chord changes in an easy to digest and effective path to skill development. Builders begins with tuning and common scales, and then divides into 6 sections: Bb, Eb, F, C, Ab, and Phrygian mode. Each ends with short audition pieces, many used for district jazz auditions since 2011.

Develop Your Jazz Improvisation Skills with Chord Progressions

Unlike traditional lead sheets or complex band charts that often overwhelm beginners, the 1st Place Jazz Builders Book focuses on gradual learning. The book starts with simple 2-chord and 4-chord exercises that allow students to concentrate on the melodic choices for common chord progressions (I-IV-V, ii-V-I, and more). This approach helps build a strong foundation in improvisation, allowing you to gradually increase your playing ability without feeling overwhelmed.

Melodic Options & Practice with Jam-A-Long Jazz Builder Tracks

Each section of the book introduces different scales and modes for each key, providing you with a variety of melodic options to explore. The book includes riff and lick study material throughout. You can incorporate them into your solos, or use them to build your own ideas. The highlight of this book is the jam-a-long audio tracks. With 62 combined scale exercises and “following the changes” exercises, you’ll have endless opportunities to practice improvisation over authentic backing tracks. These audio tracks are perfect for both private lessons and self-study, and they can be used for years to come.

Perfect for Jazz and Rock Band Classes

Jazz Builders isn’t just for solo practice. It’s an ideal curriculum for jazz and rock band classes. The rhythm section parts are fully written out and align perfectly with the accompanying audio tracks for ensemble sessions (without the recordings).  Many of the guitar and bass lines also include TAB and chord blocks to quickly learn and follow along. For smaller groups or solos, the jam-a-long tracks ensure all players can participate or even audition/perform without a live band.

Versatile and Fun Practice for All Skill Levels

From Blues to Latin and Ballads, the book covers a range of styles, tempos, and keys to keep your practice sessions interesting and challenging. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced player, the varied exercises offer something for everyone—at an easy to moderate difficulty level.

A Smart Investment for Teachers and Students

1st Place Jazz Builders Method Book is an incredibly affordable resource for any music educator or student. With your purchase, you’ll get the right to copy the materials for your students. You will have everything you need for long-term use. Whether you’re teaching in a classroom, private lessons, or even homeschooling, this book is an invaluable tool that combines flexibility, challenge, and fun.

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Key Benefits of the Jazz Builders method:

• Challenging yet manageable exercises to develop jazz improvisation skills.

• Jam-a-long audio tracks to practice in a group or solo setting.

• Versatile curriculum for classroom, private lessons, and home practice.

• Written-out rhythm section parts, including guitar TAB and chord blocks.

• Affordable and flexible for music teachers, with the right to copy materials for your students.

Here’s the jam-a-long track for #58 – A Phrygian #1.  The chords go from 1 to b2 over and over again. All parts are written out to accommodate any jazz band instrument that wants to join in. Take out your horn and solo along!