High School Student - How To "Learn" Jazz?

[jacobweglarz]

First post!

So, I'm currently a sophomore in high school, and I participate in a lot of different bands, both in and out of school, but all of these bands pretty much stick to classically composed songs, and never really vary. Aside from the jazz band in my school (which is very small and basic), I really don't have any exposure to swing or jazz-like music. So, when my community band that I play lead trumpet in decided to do a short arrangement of St. Louis Blues, its safe to say I was a little bit shocked. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get a feel for the rhythms or the music in general.

Onto the actual post. I don't know a lot about jazz, swing, and anything that remotely falls into that category. What are the first steps I should take to learn another style of music entirely? If private lessons are the way to go, how do I find a private instructor? I might not be asking the right questions here, so really any tips are helpful at this point. Thanks!
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Bb Trumpet - Bach Stradivarius 180S37 w/ gold trim
Curry 7D [Gold-plated]
Curry 8.5TF
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JoRal Bubble Mute [silver]
Mutec Adjustable Cup Mute [silver]

[dstdenis]

Welcome to TH!

Listen to recordings a lot. Play along with the recordings too. This will get the style into your head. Then try to reproduce that sound with your playing. Listen/visualize/imitate. Have fun with it!
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Bb Yamaha Xeno 8335IIS
Cornet Getzen Custom 3850S
Flugelhorn Courtois 155R
Piccolo Stomvi

[CJceltics33]

Welcome to TH. It’s great to be involved in a lot of bands. Jazz band, in particular, is where high schoolers have stylistic and sound production issues with. In all honesty, your best bet would be to purchase a Monette mouthpiece. Jazz technique and sound become much easier with Monette products. That’s why nearly everyone in Jazz uses them. Some other beneficial ideas:

Learn to play a high C upside down. This will skyrocket your range.

Play the Hayden Trumpet Concerto with lots of swing. Should definitely help you get accustom to jazz.

Watch Blaise Bowman’s channel. Lots of great stuff. https://youtu.be/-aEiuZl4Cds

Take lessons from that other sophomore trumpet in your band. Would be beneficial.

[Dont take this post seriously I know this guy he’s a friend ]

[jacobweglarz]

[TrumpetMD]

[HERMOKIWI]

In terms of learning style there's no substitute for listening to recordings. If you grew up in England you'd have heard the English accent all the time and you'd have developed that accent fluently. It would come naturally to you. If you grew up in China you'd have heard Chinese all the time and you'd have developed the ability to speak Chinese fluently. It would come naturally to you.

Jazz styling is a language. To learn to produce it fluently you have to listen to it for a long time until it comes naturally to you.
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HERMOKIWI

[Ed Kennedy]

Find a big band with a good (stylistically) lead trumpeter that will let you play 3rd or 4th trumpet. You'll pick up the style and phrasing of the idiom.

Do some research, call the musicians union, etc.

[Ed Kennedy]

[jacobweglarz]

[Clayol]

As others have said, one of the most important things you can do is to listen to as much jazz as you can. Youtube is your friend here. There are so many amazing recordings out there - you just have to dive in and try and absorb the music. It won't happen all at once, but you'll soon be able to 'feel' the music. The dynamics and articulation/accent patterns will become much more natural as you listen and practice. Here are some recommended groups/players:

Duke Ellington Orchestra
Count Basie
Thad Jones/Mel Louis Orchestra
Mingus Big Band
Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra
Maria Schneider Orchestra

Clifford Brown
Miles Davis
Fats Navarro
Dizzy Gillespie
Kenny Dorham
Freddie Hubbard
Chet Baker
Clark Terry
Nat Adderly
Harry Edison
Louis Armstrong
Booker Little

Every one of these players/bands has their own distinctive feel and style. Listen as much as you can, and enjoy.
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Trumpets: LA Benge 5, Reynolds Contempora Leonard Smith

Cornet: Olds Ambassador

Flugelhorn: J. Klier rotary flugelhorn

[trumanjazzguy]

I think it is VERY important to start learning jazz from it's early roots, onward. Only when you've mastered how to solo in 1920's and 1930's style, should you move on to 40's swing and 50's bebop, and then to 1960
s and more modernistic playing. Too many people disparage earlier jazz, not realizing it is the stepping off point from march music, blues, and classical, and they miss the transition into jazz.

I have a spotify playlist that, if listened to everyday, will give exhaustive examples of jazz from the 1920's onward. PM me and I'll tell you how to access it. This listening will give you a wealth of ear training and harmonic language you'll need to succeed in your jazz, AND commercial music endeavors.
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TPT: Nova LA
CRN: Getzen 1950’s W/5.5in bell
FL: Jupiter 1100R
‘Pieces:
TPT: 34-throat shallow double-cup, Chet Baker’s Custom Schilke, Bach Corp 3, Bach Mt. Vernon 6C, Ken Titmus BF Custom(s).
CRN: NY Giardinelli 7SV.
FL: Yamaha Bobby Shew

[Ed Kennedy]

[AJCarter]

Learning to swing ins't that difficult. Listening to jazz and big band music will help you get a good feel for it. Try playing scales in that style. It all comes down to using your ears!

When you're ready to learn tunes and begin improv a good friend/mentor of mine, Indianapolis based trumpeter Mark Buselli, posted this a week ago. should be a helpful start with some help from your director.

[Billy B]

Go to this workshop.

workshops.jazzbooks.com/
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Bill Bergren

[Billy B]

http://www.jazzbooks.com/jazz/fqbk
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Bill Bergren

[John Mohan]