Applying Melodic Contrast to Diatonic Phrases. For C, Bb, Eb treble clef instruments. Transposed changes included.

Uncommon Etudes from Common Scales will better equip students and challenge improvisers of all levels with etudes that travel through all keys using common chord types. Also, expand your melodic and creative ability as an improviser and composer by applying Contrast to diatonic phrases! The etudes are suited for C, Bb and Eb treble clef instruments. The appendix features the changes for all etudes in the correct transposition to accompany Bb and Eb instruments.

This volume of etudes by Mike Rossi is packed with appealing, swinging, modern, modal, model melodies. Like Dr. Rossi’s previous volume, “Contrast and Continuity,” this is a further contribution to learning contemporary jazz vocabulary, based on swing articulation and occasionally venturing into odd time signatures. Although intended for individual practise as preparation for soloing, selections from these etudes were performed by saxophone ensembles accompanied by rhythm section at recent jazz education conferences I attended and they sounded great. Like worthwhile etudes in every tradition, Uncommon Etudes focus on particular instructional outcomes while revealing the musical insights of a thoughtful and talented composer.