Email: michael.bryan@vansd.org

 


Helpful Documents
***NEW PERMISSION SLIP FORM***
This new format was created in February. Please complete ths new for for the trips remaining this year. THANK YOU!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
If you would like to volunteer in our band program (or anywhere else in the Vancouver School District) you need to have this form on file in the office. The form is good for 2 years. We will need help at several events throughout the year. Please let Mr. Bryan know if you are interested!
SYLLABUS for Level 23 & Focus Jazz
SYLLABUS for Level 1 Jazz
Educational Documents
Blank Staff Paper
Learning Tunes
Rob Tapper's approach for learning new jazz tunes.
Improvisation Tips from a great teacher!
Major and Minor Scales
This lists 12 major and 36 minor scales!
Comping Rhythms
Here are the most commoning comping rhythms you will find in jazz. This is great for piano and guitar players!
Create Bass Lines
A step by step approach. If you're a bass player you have to check this out!
Left Hand Piano Voicings
Major, Dorian, and Mixolydian Scales
Bass Clef Blues Scales
In all 12 keys!
Treble Clef Blues Scales
In all 12 keys!
Guitar Scales
Scale fingering patterns for guitar. This is explained very well!
Swing Rhythms
Great for your rhythm practice!

Helpful Jazz Links 
Jazz Solo Transcriptions
For all instruments.
Solo Transcriptions
Transcribed by USC jazz students.
Solo Transcriptions
Saxopedia - Transcriptions for almost every jazz instrument!
Jazz Trumpet Solo Transcriptions
Metronome Online
This is a great metronome that I use frequently. Bookmark it!
Woodwind Fingering Charts
Conga Lessons
Drummer World
This iste has several very interesting drumming videos.
Jazz Drumming Jumpstart
Vic Firth Groove Essentials
47 grooves for you to master!
Vic Firth 40 Essential Rudiments
For Snare Drum...With play along tracks!
Vic Firth Web Site
One of the better web sites for drumming information.
Jazz Guitar Comping, Voicings, and Several Other Lessons
Jazz Guitar Chord Finder
Jazz Guitar Chord Book
Yes...An entire book!
saxshed.com
A great site for saxophone information, or for improvising info that applies to every instrument!
International Trumpet Guild
Piano Shell Voicings
More Piano Shell Voicings
Piano Rootless Voicings
You can usually sound better without the root anyway!
Piano Voicings for Less Experienced Jazz Pianists
Walking Jazz Bass Lines
With both notes and TABs.
Bass Lines
A step by step guide. Very cool!
Bass "Shapes"
A cool approach to walking bass lines.

Suggested Listening
Clayton-Hamilton Big Band
On the Sunny Side of the Street
Jimmy Smith
The Sermon - This really SWINGS!
Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers
Moanin' - This never gets old!
Herbie Hancock
Canteloupe Island - Yeah!
Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band
Samba Del Gringo
Freddie Hubbard
Red Clay
Buddy Rich Big Band
Birdland
Cannonball Adderley
Autumn Leaves - with Miles Davis
Clark Terry
Concert at NYU. You should also check out some of his older music. Especially with Oscar Peterson!
Perdido
Listening for Level 23 Jazz Band.


Welcome to Mr. Bryan's web page! On this page you will find the following:

·         VSAA Bands Event Calendar

·         VSAA Event Details

·         Helpful Documents

·         Educational Documents

·         Helpful Jazz Links

·         Suggested Jazz Listening

·         Summer Camp Links

·         Online Radio/Listening Links

·         Much More!

Required Book for Level 23 Jazz Band- Second Semester
"Easy Jazz Conception" by Jim Snidero. We will be using this book during 2nd semester. Students are to purchase this book by February 1st.
Weekly Assignments: Assignment Menu
Used for Level 2, 3 & Focus.
Weekly Assignments: Listening Assignments
An optional menu item for Level 2, 3 & Focus.
Weekly Assignments: Practice Log
Used in all levels. An optional menu item for Level 2, 3 & Focus.
Beginners - Get an extra Jazz Experience at TJMS in March and April!
7th & 8th Graders - Here is an extra jazz experience at TJMS!

***IMPORTANT*** Final Jazz Scrip Order - DUE 5/17
Due to the wooden PTSA box in the VSAA front office by 4:00pm on May 17, 2013. Thank you for your support!
Interesting Article About Music & The Brain
ScienceDaily (Oct. 2, 2008) — Supporting what many of us who are not musically talented have often felt, new research reveals that trained musicians really do think differently than the rest of us.
High School Music and College Success
This article from a professor at Whitworth University explains: 1. Why it is important to participate in 4 years of high school band. 2. Even at a selective university, band students have higher GPAs than non-band students. 3. Students can participate in college music programs – even if they are not music majors. They DO have the time!

JAZZ BAND EVENTS

"F" = Focus

"23" = Level 23

"1" = Level 1

"C" = Jazz Combos

  

6/7             

Swing Dance! 1, 23, F

Discovery Commons

7:00-9:00pm 

 

6/10           

Jazz Combo Night, 1, 23, F

Bortolamis Pizza

5:00-8:00pm

Event Details
SWING DANCE INFORMATION
Find times, location, dessert assignments here. Also, here is a list of jobs that we need our awesome parent volunteers to help with for this event to be a success. Please let Mr. Bryan know if you are interested in volunteering: michael.bryan@vansd.org.
Focus Jazz Combo Playing at a Niche Night in February Focus Jazz Combo Playing at a Niche Night in February
Middle School Trombones Marching in Long Beach, WA Middle School Trombones Marching in Long Beach, WA

SUMMER CAMP LINKS  
University of Oregon Jazz Improvisation Camp
July 21-26, 2013
Central Washington University Jazz Camp
July 21-27, 2013
University of Montana Band and Jazz Camps
Portland Youth Jazz Orchestra Summer Programs
Several dates and classes to check out. Located at SW Terwilliger Blvd.
Mel Brown Jazz Camp at Western Oregon University
August 4 - 10, 2013
Northwest Band Camps at Twin Rocks Oregon Coast
Concert Band Camp with a period of jazz June 16 - June 22, 2013 June 23 - June 29, 2013

 

LISTEN TO JAZZ!  

A few online listening resources.

 
Jazz on NPR
Listen to a variety of archived jazz performances, including a once-a-month live video streaming from the Village Vanguard in New York City.
Pandora Free Online Radio
You can set playlists to jazz musicians you enjoy and you will also be exposed to other, new musicians who play with a similar sound.
KMHD Jazz Radio
Listen online to Portland's local jazz radio station. They almost always have a great selection of jazz to listen to. Also check online to see their playlist!
Spotify
You can find some good jazz music here!

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