Over the last two years we’ve all had great fun putting together this video. No matter what our level, I’m so thrilled that nearly every student who was studying with me at that time entered into the sprint of the project.
Coleman Hawkins, (1904 – 1969) was the one of the pioneers of the tenor saxophone. Whilst he is associated with the Big Band era, (in particular Fletcher Henderson) he was also one of the early BeBop pioneers and had a huge influence on many of the Bebop players, including Charlie Parker and Sonny Rollins.
Our second transcription course to follow on from our ‘Memorising Chord Changes’ course is Stanley Turrentine’s solo over ‘When the Saints’.
I have chosen this particular piece to transcribe because it will help to ingrain the lessons you have studied in our ‘Memorising Chord Changes’ course. Blue Seven is a simple 12 bar blues form with some classic Sonny Rollins language, short punchy phrases that are packed full of harmonic inventiveness.
If I want to be a confident improviser that is ‘speaking’ the language of music – I need to obey the rules of musical ‘grammar’ so that I am able to interact and express my true feelings to the listener.
The Sleigh Bells have started ringing, the lights has been lit and your family have started asking you what you would like for Christmas. So that means it is time for the Cambridge Saxophone Christmas Project!