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Improvising over Classical Music Masterpieces

Improvising over Classical Music Masterpieces

This book explores Improvising over Classical Music. The examples in the book were recorded by Spooky Actions, a New York based ensemble created by John Gunther and Bruce Arnold. Spooky Actions has produced a diverse set of recordings include the music of 20th century composers Anton Webern, Arnold Schoenberg and Olivier Messiaen; interpretations of Native American music Volume One and Volume Two, and well as a recording of Early Music from the 2nd century BC through the 1500’s. Their unique and compelling sound is being met with critical acclaim and widespread interest.

Improvising on Classical Music Masterpieces

by Bruce Arnold Add digital copy to cart - $14.99

Contents of the Improvising over Classical Music Book

This book contains not only analysis of how the group "Spooky Actions" improvised over various Classical music masterpieces but a large body of ideas that a musician can use to Improvising over Classical music from various periods. There is a primer section in the book that covers: The most used scales in improvisation. (22 in total) The improvisational concepts of guide tones The improvisational concepts of playing over harmony. The improvisational concepts of using chord tones. The improvisational concepts of using approach notes. The improvisational concepts of using pitch class sets. Fingering for guitarists for the twenty two scales. All of this information is actually useful no matter what type of music you are improvising over!

Full Tracks Included from Many "Spooky Actions" CDs.

MP3s are included in the download as is a webpage where you can listen and see full scores of the music. There is a wide range of Classical Compositions included in this book which gives you a good background on how to approach different periods of classical music. Below you will find a list of the music analyzed and a link to the CD in which it can be found. You can also use this link if you want to listen to an excerpt before buying this book or want to hear a music excerpt from that composer or period.

"Early Music"

The following compositions were analyzed from the "Spooky Actions" CD "Early Music." "Skolion-of-Seikilos" Earliest known piece of music that was written. "Ode from the Kanon for Easter Sunday" The 1st Canzonet, “Qual si può dir maggiore“ by Claudio Monteverdi

“Quartet for the End of Time” by Olivier Messiaen

The following compositions were analyzed from the "Spooky Actions" CD "Quartet for the End of Time" by Olivier Messiaen “Quartet for the End of Time” 1st Movement “Quartet for the End of Time” 6th Movement “Quartet for the End of Time” 8th Movement

"Five Piano Pieces," Opus 23 2nd Movement by Arnold Schoenberg

Five Piano Pieces, Opus 23 2nd Movement by Arnold Schoenberg from Spooky Actions "Five Piano Pieces" recording.. The following compositions were analyzed from the "Spooky Actions" CD Five Piano Pieces, Opus 23 2nd Movement by Arnold Schoenberg "Five Piano Pieces," Opus 23 2nd Movement by Arnold Schoenberg

The Fünf Canons, Opus 16 1st Movement by Anton Webern

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Tools for Music Mastery

Tools for Music Mastery

Tools for Music Mastery Series

The "Tools for Music Mastery" is a series of six books geared toward improving a musician's ability simultaneously in ear training, sight reading, sight singing, time development, music recognition skills, phrasing and articulation diversification, and finally, the improvisational concept of combining a scale and approach notes. What makes this series unique is that each of the included exercises address all of these aspects of musicianship simultaneously! Since a student's abilities in each of these areas can vary greatly it is highly recommended that you purchase the bundle edition of "Tools for Music Mastery" so that you have access to all levels of these exercises. Each exercise in "Tools for Music Mastery" is a written piece of music which includes a drone to establish the key center. This makes even the simple act of sight reading an exercise a good away to improve your note recognition skills because you will hear all notes in relationship to a key center. Your ability to feel time (as opposed to counting time) will be enhanced by the fact that the drone only happens on beat 1, or on beats 1 and 3. This naturally leads to building up your long line rhythm skills as you read through the exercise. Each exercise is also a combination of a scale and various approach note figures. This teaches how to add improvisational figures into scales; a common technique used in contemporary improvisation. The exercises will also deepen a student’s rhythmic diversity when soloing, and also prepares them for just about any sight reading situation. As mentioned each exercise includes a drone, and starts with simple and slow melodies. Throughout the course these become more and more difficult, which make them excellent for honing transcription abilities. It is recommended that you try some of the examples below to test your abilities in all these various areas. Some students may wish to work on one aspect of their musicianship and therefore there are individual downloads of each book available if needed.

Get Tools for Music Mastery Bundle save almost 30.00 by buying the bundle rather than individual courses

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Test your abilities with the six levels of this course!

Test below concentrate on sight reading, sight singing and rhythm comprehension skills. REMEMBER.. Each of the six volumes covers a different metric level. Each varies how often you hear the drone. Each varies the rhythmic difficulty. Each varies the types of rhythms used. Each of the 6 courses gives you 12 different examples in all 12 keys. That is 144 different examples for each level with 432 MP3 per course! Each exercises has 3 MP3s at different tempos plus midi files if you want to play the exercise slower or faster. There are 12 different examples for each scale/approach note figure exercise Please Note: We recommend that all guitarist work with the Guitar Technique and Physiology Course so that you learn with proper scale technique. This course gives you a comprehensive approach to playing guitar and includes a videos on all aspects of guitar technique. Click on triangle to see a Level 1 example. Use this to test your sight reading, sight singing or your rhythmic ability. You can also test your transcription ability by transcribing the notes from the MP3 below and then check your transcription by clicking on the triangle to see the score. Test your level one sight reading, sight singing, rhythm comprehension skills below. There are 3 MP3s available plus midi files if you want to play the exercise slower or faster. There is a different example for all 12 keys in the Tools for Music Mastery course.

Level One MP3: Click triangle above to see drop down score. Count off is two measures of half notes. Half note MetroDrone® builds your ability to keep time with out metronomic subdivision by every beat especially at slower tempos. https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.muse-eek.com/mp3/tfmm/01_C_app_ChroAbove_4th_L1.mp3 Level Two MP3 for example above https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.muse-eek.com/mp3/tfmm/01_C_app_ChroAbove_4th_L2.mp3 Level Three MP3 for example above https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.muse-eek.com/mp3/tfmm/01_C_app_ChroAbove_4th_L3.mp3 Remember you can play these examples at any tempo... Super slow or extremely fast with the midi files that accompany this course. Click on triangle to see a Level 2 example. Use this to test your sight reading, sight singing or your rhythmic ability. You can also test your transcription ability by transcribing the notes from the MP3 below and then check your transcription by clicking on the triangle to see the score. Test your Level Two sight reading, sight singing, rhythm comprehension skills below. There are 3 MP3s available plus midi files if you want to play the exercise slower or faster. There is a different example for all 12 keys.

Level Two MP3: Click triangle above to see drop down score. Count off is two measures of whole notes. Whole note MetroDrone® builds your ability to keep time with out metronomic subdivision by every beat especially at slower tempos. https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.muse-eek.com/mp3/tfmm/07_Gb_app_ChroAbove_Below_4th_L1.mp3 Level Two MP3 for example above https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.muse-eek.com/mp3/tfmm/07_Gb_app_ChroAbove_Below_4th_L2.mp3 Level Three MP3 for example above https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.muse-eek.com/mp3/tfmm/07_Gb_app_ChroAbove_Below_4th_L3.mp3 Remember you can play these examples at any tempo... Super slow or extremely fast with the midi files that accompany this course. Click on triangle to see a Level 3 example. Use this to test your sight reading, sight singing or your rhythmic ability. You can also test your transciption ability by transcribing the notes from the MP3 below and then check your transcription by clicking on the triangle to see the score. Test your Level Three sight reading, sight singing, rhythm comprehension skills below. There are 3 MP3s available plus midi files if you want to play the exercise slower or faster. There is a different example for all 12 keys.

Level Three MP3: Click triangle above to see drop down score. Count off is two measures of whole notes. Whole note MetroDrone® builds your ability to keep time with out metronomic subdivision by every beat especially at slower tempos. https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.muse-eek.com/mp3/tfmm/09_E_app_ChroBelow_Below_8th_L1.mp3 Level Two MP3 for example above[ https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.muse-eek.com/mp3/tfmm/09_E_app_ChroBelow_Below_8th_L2.mp3 Level Three MP3 for example above https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.muse-eek.com/mp3/tfmm/09_E_app_ChroBelow_Below_8th_L3.mp3 Remember you can play these examples at any tempo... Super slow or extremely fast with the midi files that accompany this course. Click on triangle to see a Level 4 example. Use this to test your sight reading, sight singing or your rhythmic ability. You can also test your transcription ability by transcribing the notes from the MP3 below and then check your transcription by clicking on the triangle to see the score. Test your Level Four sight reading, sight singing, rhythm comprehension skills below. There are 3 MP3s available plus midi files if you want to play the exercise slower or faster. There is a different example for all 12 keys.

Level Four MP3: Click triangle above to see drop down score. Count off is two measures of whole notes. Whole note MetroDrone® builds your ability to keep time with out metronomic subdivision by every beat especially at slower tempos. PLEASE NOTE FOR TRIPLETS THERE IS 12 EXAMPLES THAT GIVE HALF NOTES AS DRONE FOR THOSE THAT NEED IT. https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.muse-eek.com/mp3/tfmm/10_A_app_DblChroAboveDblChroBelow_Triplet_L1.mp3 Level Two MP3 for example above https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.muse-eek.com/mp3/tfmm/10_A_app_DblChroAboveDblChroBelow_Triplet_L2.mp3 Level Three MP3 for example above https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.muse-eek.com/mp3/tfmm/10_A_app_DblChroAboveDblChroBelow_Triplet_L3.mp3 Remember you can play these examples at any tempo... Super slow or extremely fast with the midi files that accompany this course. Click on triangle to see a Level 5 example. Use this to test your sight reading, sight singing or your rhythmic ability. You can also test your transcription ability by transcribing the notes from the MP3 below and then check your transcription by clicking on the triangle to see the score. Test your Level Five sight reading, sight singing, rhythm comprehension skills below. There are 3 MP3s available plus midi files if you want to play the exercise slower or faster. There is a different example for all 12 keys.

Level Five MP3: Click triangle above to see dropdown score. Count off is two measures of whole notes. Whole note MetroDrone® builds your ability to keep time with out metronomic subdivision by every beat especially at slower tempos. https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.muse-eek.com/mp3/tfmm/03_Bb_app_ChroBelow_Above_16th_L1.mp3 Level Two MP3 for example above https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.muse-eek.com/mp3/tfmm/03_Bb_app_ChroBelow_Above_16th_L2.mp3 Level Three MP3 for example above https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.muse-eek.com/mp3/tfmm/03_Bb_app_ChroBelow_Above_16th_L2.mp3 Remember you can play these examples at any tempo... Super slow or extremely fast with the midi files that accompany this course. Click on triangle to see a Level 6 example. Use this to test your sight reading, sight singing or your rhythmic ability. You can also test your transcription ability by transcribing the notes from the MP3 below and then check your transcription by clicking on the triangle to see the score. Test your Level Six sight reading, sight singing, rhythm comprehension skills below. There are 3 MP3s available plus midi files if you want to play the exercise slower or faster. There is a different example for all 12 keys.

Level Six MP3: Click triangle above to see dropdown score. Count off is two measures of half notes. Half note MetroDrone® builds your ability to keep time with out metronomic subdivision by every beat especially at slower tempos and particularly at this 32nd note level. https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.muse-eek.com/mp3/tfmm/06_Db_app_CBelowDblChrAbove_32th_L1.mp3 Level Two MP3 for example above https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.muse-eek.com/mp3/tfmm/06_Db_app_CBelowDblChrAbove_32th_L2.mp3 Level Three MP3 for example above https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.muse-eek.com/mp3/tfmm/06_Db_app_CBelowDblChrAbove_32th_L3.mp3 Remember you can play these examples at any tempo... Super slow or extremely fast with the midi files that accompany this course.

Recommended first purchase.

We recommend you purchase Tools for Music Mastery Bundle to save money. Because of these multifaceted applications these exercises are an excellent use of your practice time. "Tools for Music Mastery" comes as a set of books; in this case six books that are meant to be used together as musicians skills will vary, each of the six levels will be useful for different tasks. For instance, your sight reading skills may be able to handle harder exercises than your transcription ability, therefore you most likely will be working out of more than one volume of the series at the same time.

Tools for Music Mastery Bundle

Additional Information for Tools for Music Mastery Bundle: Digital IBSN: 978-1-59489-509-8 6 volumes of books 187 pages each with 432 MP3s and 288 midi files for each volume.

Get Tools for Music Mastery Bundle today. Save almost 30.00 off buying all individual downloads. Bring your musicianship to a masters level with the power of all 6 levels!

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Individual purchases for the 6 volumes of: Tools for Music Mastery

We have also found over the years that for many reasons customers may prefer an incremental approach to getting involved with this ear training method. To satisfy this we have broken the Tools for Music Mastery books up so you can purchase them as separate volumes. While not the most cost effective way to approach this course, we include it nevertheless.

Tools for Music Mastery Quarter L1

Tools for Music Mastery Quarter L1 contains the book and associated audio files. Additional Information for Tools for Music Mastery Quarter L1: Digital IBSN: 978-1-59489-503-6 187 pages with 432 MP3s and 288 midi files.

Get Tools for Music Mastery Quarter L1 today and transform your musicianship.

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Tools for Music Mastery Quarter L2

Tools for Music Mastery Quarter L2 contains the book and associated audio files. Additional Information for Tools for Music Mastery Quarter L2: Digital IBSN: 978-1-59489-504-3 187 pages with 432 MP3s and 288 midi files.

Get Tools for Music Mastery Quarter L2 today and transform your musicianship.

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Tools for Music Mastery Eighth L1

Tools for Music Mastery Eighth L1 contains the book and associated audio files. Additional Information for Tools for Music Mastery Eighth L1: Digital IBSN: 978-1-59489-505-0 187 pages with 432 MP3s and 288 midi files.

Get Tools for Music Mastery Eighth L1 today and transform your musicianship skills.

Add digital copy to cart - $14.99 Status: In stock, Digital book is available for immediate access. FREE SHIPPING WHEN ORDER TOTAL IS OVER 200.00 USD.

Tools for Music Mastery Triplet L1

Tools for Music Mastery Triplet L1 contains the book and associated audio files. Additional Information for Tools for Music Mastery Triplet L1: Digital IBSN: 978-1-59489-506-7 187 pages with 432 MP3s and 288 midi files.

Get Tools for Music Mastery Triplet L1 today and transform musicianship.

Add digital copy to cart - $14.99 Status: In stock, Digital book is available for immediate access.

Tools for Music Mastery Sixteenth L1

Tools for Music Mastery Sixteenth L1 contains the book and associated audio files. Additional Information for Tools for Music Mastery Sixteenth L1: Digital IBSN: 978-1-59489-507-4 187 pages with 432 MP3s and 288 midi files.

Get Tools for Music Mastery Sixteenth L1 musicianship skills.

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Tools for Music Mastery Thirty Second L1

Tools for Music Mastery Thirty Second L1 contains the book and associated audio files. Additional Information for Tools for Music Mastery Thirty Second L1: Digital IBSN: 978-1-59489-508-1 187 pages with 432 MP3s and 288 midi files.

Get Tools for Music Mastery Thirty Second L1 today and transform your musicianship.

Add digital copy to cart - $14.99 Status: In stock, Digital book is available for immediate access. What people are saying: Truly a tour de force for developing your ability to read, transcribe, and sight sing! I use this course with quite a few other Muse Eek Products such as Ear Training One Note Complete and Contextual Ear Training. The Tools for Music Mastery helps me with sight reading and developing technical skills with approach notes and the other books help with my ear training. I also sight sing each example. Seems to be really helping me a lot! I. Raskin I've been requesting a product like Tools for Music Mastery from Bruce for quite some time. As many of you know its really hard to find sight reading materials that are really challenging that prepare you for the contemporary world of music. It's also almost impossible to find reading materials for approach notes so this is fulfillment of a long awaited product. Thanks!! A. Johnsen I'm a beginning sight reader so I'll probably be stuck on the lower levels of Tools for Music Mastery for awhile. I emailed Bruce and a few things that he recommended seem to make sense. 1. Use the Beat Reading Exercise to read through the levels that are too difficult to train your eye to move ahead of the music. 2. If you can't play the notes a least tap the rhythms for various exercises to gain ability in that area. 3. Don't become overwhelmed just work on this course 15 to 20 minutes a day and over the next few years your ability will skyrocket. I'm following those tips! D. Wang The best reading and transcription examples I've ever seen. Kudos! R. Thompson Recommended books to use with Tools for Music Mastery Ear Training One Note Complete Contextual Ear Training Practice Perfect Applied Ear Training Series Direct Application Ear Training One Minute Lesson Series What should I work on after Tools for Music Mastery? Scale Analysis Harmonic Analysis

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Approach Notes -The Study of Bebop and Jazz Melodic Patterns

Approach Notes Add digital copy to cart - $49.99 Status: In stock, Digital book is available for immediate access.

Approach Notes! Muse Eek's Best Selling Book of all Times!

Within 24 hours of its release in June of 2018 "Approach Notes" became the best selling book by Muse Eek Publishing. This important composition and improvisation concept has been hidden for so many years. Great teachers like Jerry Bergonzi and Charlie Banacos taught this information as far back as the mid-20th century but no one ever made this important concept into a book. This is due partially to the task of covering such a huge subject. The download of this course is 12 gigs with thousands of exercises, études and 35 minutes of videos. But the main book is 97 pages which explains the main concepts then you can branch off to the exercises, études or videos. Personally, approach notes is the most important technique I every learned about composition and improvisation. So even if you are currently working on another task. Read this book! It will explain 80% of all those melodies that you just didn't understand from Bach to Modern Jazz. Then as you dig into the course, it will revolutionize your musicianship. A must own course! Both a treble clef and bass clef version are included with this download.

Approach Notes

If someone was to ask me what are the most important techniques have you have learned about music in your life. I would say, ear training, approach notes, pitch class set improvisation, being sensitive to other musicians when I play with them and knowing when to use silence. If you are a guitarist we also highly recommend that you also work with the Guitar Technique and Physiology Course so that you learn Approach Notes with the proper technique.  There are videos showing the exact technique to use with this "Approach Notes" Course.

Approach Note Overview

Approach notes are best thought of as a completely separate technique for improvising. True, approaches can be combined with other techniques, but you could also play an entire solo solely with approach notes, and not play any scales, arpeggios or other common patterns. While that isn’t the usual use of approach notes, it is important to point out that they are a force within themselves. Historically, approach notes have been used for hundreds of years, but starting in the mid-twentieth century jazz musicians began using approach notes in abundance. It quickly developed as a technique that in some circles has gone on to become the signature sound of a jazz melody.

What are Approach Notes?

Approach notes are chromatic and/or diatonic notes which lead into a target note. These target notes are typically a chord tone but could be many other things depending on the technique being used. Below are some common directions that an approach tones can lead into: Chord Tones. Tensions. Notes that make up other structures such as a chordal superimposition. Other approach notes. Approaches as embellishments.

Approach Notes Techniques Covered in this Course

Let’s first concentrate on a practice regimen to develop technical skill with the 12 chromatic and diatonic approach note patterns. There are many ways to work on approach notes but developing the skill to target chord tones will be the first focus. We will then branch out into 24 applications of approach note patterns. Any of these techniques can be combined with one another, so it becomes a vast quantity of possibilities.

Approach Notes To Chord Tones

The reason for first focusing on approaches into chord tones is this technique not only requires you to have knowledge of the approach note patterns and arpeggios, but also the ability to approach notes of an arpeggio on specific beats within a measure. For most musicians forcing a place in time where an approach needs to be played is a technique that takes lots of practice. The most common pattern is to approach chord tones on beats one and three. This technique is one of the defining sounds of jazz improvisation or more specifically bebop and is one of the core concepts of “playing over the changes.” From Charlie Parker on, you see an abundant use of approach note patterns being used by most jazz musicians. You also see musicians expanding the ways in which approach notes can be used and that is why there are 24 concepts presented in this book. Creative musicians are always inventing new and interesting ways to change music and approach notes are one of the main tools that improvisers have used to develop new techniques.

What to expect from this course?

Approach notes are a big subject so it's easy to get lost and not know where to begin or when to move on. First I'd like to stress the technical side of playing approach notes. The process of learning the fingerings and finding all the information on your instrument, and making it second nature so that you can improvise freely with the information, is daunting. If nothing else, studying approach notes seriously points out your weaknesses whether it is in music theory, knowledge of scales and arpeggios or rhythmic deficiencies. These will all surface, because approach notes demand that all your musicianship skills be in top shape. Another way to look at approach notes study is that it makes you get all of these musicianship skills together all at once, which of course is a good thing

A Long History of Teaching This Subject

I've taught approach note theory for over 30 years and the transformation that takes place with students who patiently work their way through this material is really amazing. One student once told me when he had finished the chromatic approaches that he could "eat chord changes for breakfast." He was no longer afraid of any chord progression in any key. That is the kind of confidence you need to go out there, and be a great musician. The next two pages will show you how I've taught approach notes and the steps you need to take to master this concept.  But don't just take my word for all of this.   Read this review of the course by Az Bin Abd Samad.   I think it will give you a good idea of the breadth of the course.

Are There any Prerequisites to Studying This Course?

To play approaches effectively does take a lot of knowledge of scales and arpeggios. But this course lays out what scales and chords to learn. If even gives you fingerings for the nine arpeggios that you use to work through the technical side of this concept. The course has a balance between technical exercises and real music application. It is recommended that you have some Jam Tracks to use to apply the approach note ideas. We of course recommend one our jam tracks packages because each track is played in all 12 keys.

The Table of Contents of the Book Says it ALL!

Below is a drop down menu showing the audio and video tracks that are included with the Audio and Video edition of this course. List of Subject Covered in the Approach Notes Book: This Table of Contents does not include the 1000's of related études and exercises that are also included with this course. Chapter One Approach Notes What are Approach Notes? Approach Note Techniques Covered in this Course Pre-Approach Note Exercise Learning Arpeggios in All Twelve Keys Practicing Arpeggios Approach Note Diversity Types of Approach Notes Practicing Approach Notes Practicing Technique for Approach Notes Stringed Instrument Practicing Technique for Approach Notes Learning to Target Specific Notes with Approach Notes Nine Chord Types to Use With Approach Notes Approach Notes for Stringed Instruments About Adding Approach Notes to Arpeggios Additional Approach Note Exercises Chromatic and Diatonic Approach Notes Chromatic Approach Note Example Diatonic Approach Note Example Writing Approach Note Solos Two-fers Be-bop Duet 12 Chromatic Approach Note Figures 12 Diatonic Approach Note Figures Write a Solo Each Week Writing Jazz Lines How to Sound Modern Approach Note Articulation Approach Note Rules Possible Uses of Approach Notes Chapter Two Diatonic Approach Notes Diatonic Approaches to Chord Tones Modes of Major Modes of Melodic Minor Ascending Modes of Harmonic Minor Modes of Diminished Scale Modes of Whole Tone Scale Modes of Major Pentatonic Modes of The Blues Scale Modes of Harmonic Major Modes of Hybrid Scales Diatonic Approach Notes Conclusion Chapter Three Approach Notes to Chord Tones on Beats One and Three Double Chromatic Below Chromatic Above Approach to Gb-7b5 Chord Double Diatonic Below Approach to A-7 Aeolian Scale Approaches to ∆7 Chords/ Approaches on Beats 1 and 3 Approaches to All Minor 7th Chords 2 5 1 Approach Note/ Approaches on 1 and 3 Chapter Four Approach Notes to Chord Tones of Every Beat Key of C Turnaround Étude Other Frequent Uses of Approach to Chord Tones on Every Beat Guide Tone Line Étude Approach Notes into Chord Tones/Chord Tones on Every Beat Chapter Five Approach Notes to Scales Approach Notes to Scales Characteristics Approach Notes to Scales Characteristics Approach Notes to Modal Sequencing Approach Notes to Scales Exercises Approach Notes to Scales Excerpts Chromatic Above Scales to Major Scale in All Keys Excerpt Double Chromatic Below Chromatic Above Approach to Sym Dim in All Keys Étude Using Approaches to Various Scales Chapter Six Approach Tensions Approaching Tensions Étude Approaching Tensions Étude Chapter Seven Bebop Approaches-Bebop Scales Bebop Scale Approach Note Étude Bebop Scale Approach Note Étude Chapter Eight Approach Notes into Chord Tones Off the Beat Approach Notes into Chord Tones Off the Beat Étude Chapter Nine Approaching Modal Sequencing Approaching Modal Sequencing Étude Approaching Modal Sequencing Étude Chapter Ten Delayed Resolution of Approaches Similarity in Approach Note Concepts Delayed Resolution of Approaches Étude Chapter Eleven Approaching Approaches Approaching Approaches Étude Approaching Approaches Étude Chapter Twelve Compound Approaches Compound Approaches Étude Compound Approaches Étude Chapter Thirteen Approaching Using Harmonic Superimpositions Harmonic Superimpositions Using Approaches Étude Harmonic Superimpositions Using Approaches Étude Chapter Fourteen Approach Superimposition Based on Chord Tones and Tensions Chord Tones & Tensions Superimpositions Using App Étude Chord Tones & Tensions Superimpositions Using App Étude Chapter Fifteen Intervallic Approaches Examples of Intervallic Approach Note Patterns Developing Intervallic Approach Note Pattern Skills Examples of Intervallic Approach Note Patterns Chapter Sixteen Approaching Intervallic Structures by Chord An Example of Prime Form Approaching Intervallic Structures 027 by Chord Chapter Seventeen Approaching Intervallic Structures 027 by Key Approaching Intervallic Structures 027 by Key Étude Using Intervallic Structures with "Giant Steps" "Giant Steps" Étude 1 "Giant Steps" 025 025 Étude 2 "Giant Steps" Étude 3 Chapter Eighteen Approaching Intervallic Structures 013 by Chord Approaching Intervallic Structures by Chord with 013 Étude Chapter Nineteen Approaching Intervallic Structures 013 by Key "Stella By Starlight" 013 Approaching Intervallic Structures by Key Approaching Intervallic Structures by Key Étude Chapter Twenty Conclusion

Why are Approach Notes important?

Approach notes can be thought of in many ways. First you could think of them as embellishments to any melody you play. Learning and applying them gives your melodies a more expressive and musical sound. They are the backbone of jazz melodies so if you have any interest in playing jazz or "making the changes" in any style approach notes are a must learn. They also help to change up your phrasing because approach notes anticipate the next chord change or even a scale pattern. Over time this helps you phrasing be more driving which keeps people interested as you solo because they feel a forward momentum. This makes the importance of studying them obvious. They also help you to create new types of embellishments in your playing. If you just applied approach notes to every melody you already know your playing would be transformed into a much more robust collection of ideas. If you following the directions in the course though you can become one of the greatest improvisors alive. That how powerful these little approach note melodies are. So transform you playing and take it to a new level with approach notes.

Approach Notes

Add digital copy to cart - $49.99 Status: In stock, Digital book is available for immediate access. Additional Information: Digital Edition Treble Clef 978-1-59489-354-4 and Bass Clef 978-1-59489-355-1 are included with this download 97 page technical PDF.  Two versions: One treble clef the other bass clef 1000s of pages of additional materials using both treble and bass cleff Midifiles and Audio files for all exercises 13 Videos for a total of 35 minutes. What people are saying about Bruce Arnold Composition Compilation 2nd Edition This is a tour de force of approach notes study. This should required text for any jazz musician. I learned more about playing over changes in the first 20 pages of this book than I have in years. If you don't read this I can't image you every really understanding how to play over changes. I thought I knew so much before I read this book. Now I know what I missed and it was important. Thanks Bruce! Such an easy book to understand and the additional files are great. They will be going to my students soon :) D. Anderson Ive already studied approach notes with Bruce in private lessons but I got this book just for additional practicing. Such a massive tome. Thanks for all your hard work Bruce! F. Coleman I never knew you could do so much with these target tones. Such a well organized presentation thanks! G. Alvarez Get this it will totally transform you playing! R. Nelson.

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Tools for Music Mastery

Tools for Music Mastery

Tools for Music Mastery Series

The "Tools for Music Mastery" is a series of six books geared toward improving a musician's ability simultaneously in ear training, sight reading, sight singing, time development, music recognition skills, phrasing and articulation diversification, and finally, the improvisational concept of combining a scale and approach notes. What makes this series unique is that each of the included exercises address all of these aspects of musicianship simultaneously! Since a student's abilities in each of these areas can vary greatly it is highly recommended that you purchase the bundle edition of "Tools for Music Mastery" so that you have access to all levels of these exercises. Each exercise in "Tools for Music Mastery" is a written piece of music which includes a drone to establish the key center. This makes even the simple act of sight reading an exercise a good away to improve your note recognition skills because you will hear all notes in relationship to a key center. Your ability to feel time (as opposed to counting time) will be enhanced by the fact that the drone only happens on beat 1, or on beats 1 and 3. This naturally leads to building up your long line rhythm skills as you read through the exercise. Each exercise is also a combination of a scale and various approach note figures. This teaches how to add improvisational figures into scales; a common technique used in contemporary improvisation. The exercises will also deepen a student’s rhythmic diversity when soloing, and also prepares them for just about any sight reading situation. As mentioned each exercise includes a drone, and starts with simple and slow melodies. Throughout the course these become more and more difficult, which make them excellent for honing transcription abilities. It is recommended that you try some of the examples below to test your abilities in all these various areas. Some students may wish to work on one aspect of their musicianship and therefore there are individual downloads of each book available if needed.

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Test your abilities with the six levels of this course!

Test below concentrate on sight reading, sight singing and rhythm comprehension skills. REMEMBER.. Each of the six volumes covers a different metric level. Each varies how often you hear the drone. Each varies the rhythmic difficulty. Each varies the types of rhythms used. Each of the 6 courses gives you 12 different examples in all 12 keys. That is 144 different examples for each level with 432 MP3 per course! Each exercises has 3 MP3s at different tempos plus midi files if you want to play the exercise slower or faster. There are 12 different examples for each scale/approach note figure exercise Please Note: We recommend that all guitarist work with the Guitar Technique and Physiology Course so that you learn with proper scale technique. This course gives you a comprehensive approach to playing guitar and includes a videos on all aspects of guitar technique. Click on triangle to see a Level 1 example. Use this to test your sight reading, sight singing or your rhythmic ability. You can also test your transcription ability by transcribing the notes from the MP3 below and then check your transcription by clicking on the triangle to see the score. Test your level one sight reading, sight singing, rhythm comprehension skills below. There are 3 MP3s available plus midi files if you want to play the exercise slower or faster. There is a different example for all 12 keys in the Tools for Music Mastery course.

Level One MP3: Click triangle above to see drop down score. Count off is two measures of half notes. Half note MetroDrone® builds your ability to keep time with out metronomic subdivision by every beat especially at slower tempos. https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.muse-eek.com/mp3/tfmm/01_C_app_ChroAbove_4th_L1.mp3 Level Two MP3 for example above https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.muse-eek.com/mp3/tfmm/01_C_app_ChroAbove_4th_L2.mp3 Level Three MP3 for example above https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.muse-eek.com/mp3/tfmm/01_C_app_ChroAbove_4th_L3.mp3 Remember you can play these examples at any tempo... Super slow or extremely fast with the midi files that accompany this course. Click on triangle to see a Level 2 example. Use this to test your sight reading, sight singing or your rhythmic ability. You can also test your transcription ability by transcribing the notes from the MP3 below and then check your transcription by clicking on the triangle to see the score. Test your Level Two sight reading, sight singing, rhythm comprehension skills below. There are 3 MP3s available plus midi files if you want to play the exercise slower or faster. There is a different example for all 12 keys.

Level Two MP3: Click triangle above to see drop down score. Count off is two measures of whole notes. Whole note MetroDrone® builds your ability to keep time with out metronomic subdivision by every beat especially at slower tempos. https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.muse-eek.com/mp3/tfmm/07_Gb_app_ChroAbove_Below_4th_L1.mp3 Level Two MP3 for example above https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.muse-eek.com/mp3/tfmm/07_Gb_app_ChroAbove_Below_4th_L2.mp3 Level Three MP3 for example above https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.muse-eek.com/mp3/tfmm/07_Gb_app_ChroAbove_Below_4th_L3.mp3 Remember you can play these examples at any tempo... Super slow or extremely fast with the midi files that accompany this course. Click on triangle to see a Level 3 example. Use this to test your sight reading, sight singing or your rhythmic ability. You can also test your transciption ability by transcribing the notes from the MP3 below and then check your transcription by clicking on the triangle to see the score. Test your Level Three sight reading, sight singing, rhythm comprehension skills below. There are 3 MP3s available plus midi files if you want to play the exercise slower or faster. There is a different example for all 12 keys.

Level Three MP3: Click triangle above to see drop down score. Count off is two measures of whole notes. Whole note MetroDrone® builds your ability to keep time with out metronomic subdivision by every beat especially at slower tempos. https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.muse-eek.com/mp3/tfmm/09_E_app_ChroBelow_Below_8th_L1.mp3 Level Two MP3 for example above[ https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.muse-eek.com/mp3/tfmm/09_E_app_ChroBelow_Below_8th_L2.mp3 Level Three MP3 for example above https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.muse-eek.com/mp3/tfmm/09_E_app_ChroBelow_Below_8th_L3.mp3 Remember you can play these examples at any tempo... Super slow or extremely fast with the midi files that accompany this course. Click on triangle to see a Level 4 example. Use this to test your sight reading, sight singing or your rhythmic ability. You can also test your transcription ability by transcribing the notes from the MP3 below and then check your transcription by clicking on the triangle to see the score. Test your Level Four sight reading, sight singing, rhythm comprehension skills below. There are 3 MP3s available plus midi files if you want to play the exercise slower or faster. There is a different example for all 12 keys.

Level Four MP3: Click triangle above to see drop down score. Count off is two measures of whole notes. Whole note MetroDrone® builds your ability to keep time with out metronomic subdivision by every beat especially at slower tempos. PLEASE NOTE FOR TRIPLETS THERE IS 12 EXAMPLES THAT GIVE HALF NOTES AS DRONE FOR THOSE THAT NEED IT. https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.muse-eek.com/mp3/tfmm/10_A_app_DblChroAboveDblChroBelow_Triplet_L1.mp3 Level Two MP3 for example above https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.muse-eek.com/mp3/tfmm/10_A_app_DblChroAboveDblChroBelow_Triplet_L2.mp3 Level Three MP3 for example above https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.muse-eek.com/mp3/tfmm/10_A_app_DblChroAboveDblChroBelow_Triplet_L3.mp3 Remember you can play these examples at any tempo... Super slow or extremely fast with the midi files that accompany this course. Click on triangle to see a Level 5 example. Use this to test your sight reading, sight singing or your rhythmic ability. You can also test your transcription ability by transcribing the notes from the MP3 below and then check your transcription by clicking on the triangle to see the score. Test your Level Five sight reading, sight singing, rhythm comprehension skills below. There are 3 MP3s available plus midi files if you want to play the exercise slower or faster. There is a different example for all 12 keys.

Level Five MP3: Click triangle above to see dropdown score. Count off is two measures of whole notes. Whole note MetroDrone® builds your ability to keep time with out metronomic subdivision by every beat especially at slower tempos. https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.muse-eek.com/mp3/tfmm/03_Bb_app_ChroBelow_Above_16th_L1.mp3 Level Two MP3 for example above https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.muse-eek.com/mp3/tfmm/03_Bb_app_ChroBelow_Above_16th_L2.mp3 Level Three MP3 for example above https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.muse-eek.com/mp3/tfmm/03_Bb_app_ChroBelow_Above_16th_L2.mp3 Remember you can play these examples at any tempo... Super slow or extremely fast with the midi files that accompany this course. Click on triangle to see a Level 6 example. Use this to test your sight reading, sight singing or your rhythmic ability. You can also test your transcription ability by transcribing the notes from the MP3 below and then check your transcription by clicking on the triangle to see the score. Test your Level Six sight reading, sight singing, rhythm comprehension skills below. There are 3 MP3s available plus midi files if you want to play the exercise slower or faster. There is a different example for all 12 keys.

Level Six MP3: Click triangle above to see dropdown score. Count off is two measures of half notes. Half note MetroDrone® builds your ability to keep time with out metronomic subdivision by every beat especially at slower tempos and particularly at this 32nd note level. https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.muse-eek.com/mp3/tfmm/06_Db_app_CBelowDblChrAbove_32th_L1.mp3 Level Two MP3 for example above https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.muse-eek.com/mp3/tfmm/06_Db_app_CBelowDblChrAbove_32th_L2.mp3 Level Three MP3 for example above https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.muse-eek.com/mp3/tfmm/06_Db_app_CBelowDblChrAbove_32th_L3.mp3 Remember you can play these examples at any tempo... Super slow or extremely fast with the midi files that accompany this course.

Recommended first purchase.

We recommend you purchase Tools for Music Mastery Bundle to save money. Because of these multifaceted applications these exercises are an excellent use of your practice time. "Tools for Music Mastery" comes as a set of books; in this case six books that are meant to be used together as musicians skills will vary, each of the six levels will be useful for different tasks. For instance, your sight reading skills may be able to handle harder exercises than your transcription ability, therefore you most likely will be working out of more than one volume of the series at the same time.

Tools for Music Mastery Bundle

Additional Information for Tools for Music Mastery Bundle: Digital IBSN: 978-1-59489-509-8 6 volumes of books 187 pages each with 432 MP3s and 288 midi files for each volume.

Get Tools for Music Mastery Bundle today. Save almost 40.00 off buying all individual downloads. Bring your musicianship to a masters level with the power of all 6 levels!

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Individual purchases for the 6 volumes of: Tools for Music Mastery

We have also found over the years that for many reasons customers may prefer an incremental approach to getting involved with this ear training method. To satisfy this we have broken the Tools for Music Mastery books up so you can purchase them as separate volumes. While not the most cost effective way to approach this course, we include it nevertheless.

Tools for Music Mastery Quarter L1

Tools for Music Mastery Quarter L1 contains the book and associated audio files. Additional Information for Tools for Music Mastery Quarter L1: Digital IBSN: 978-1-59489-503-6 187 pages with 432 MP3s and 288 midi files.

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Tools for Music Mastery Quarter L2

Tools for Music Mastery Quarter L2 contains the book and associated audio files. Additional Information for Tools for Music Mastery Quarter L2: Digital IBSN: 978-1-59489-504-3 187 pages with 432 MP3s and 288 midi files.

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Tools for Music Mastery Eighth L1

Tools for Music Mastery Eighth L1 contains the book and associated audio files. Additional Information for Tools for Music Mastery Eighth L1: Digital IBSN: 978-1-59489-505-0 187 pages with 432 MP3s and 288 midi files.

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Tools for Music Mastery Triplet L1

Tools for Music Mastery Triplet L1 contains the book and associated audio files. Additional Information for Tools for Music Mastery Triplet L1: Digital IBSN: 978-1-59489-506-7 187 pages with 432 MP3s and 288 midi files.

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Tools for Music Mastery Sixteenth L1

Tools for Music Mastery Sixteenth L1 contains the book and associated audio files. Additional Information for Tools for Music Mastery Sixteenth L1: Digital IBSN: 978-1-59489-507-4 187 pages with 432 MP3s and 288 midi files.

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Tools for Music Mastery Thirty Second L1

Tools for Music Mastery Thirty Second L1 contains the book and associated audio files. Additional Information for Tools for Music Mastery Thirty Second L1: Digital IBSN: 978-1-59489-508-1 187 pages with 432 MP3s and 288 midi files.

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Add digital copy to cart - $14.99 Status: In stock, Digital book is available for immediate access. What people are saying: Truly a tour de force for developing your ability to read, transcribe, and sight sing! I use this course with quite a few other Muse Eek Products such as Ear Training One Note Complete and Contextual Ear Training. The Tools for Music Mastery helps me with sight reading and developing technical skills with approach notes and the other books help with my ear training. I also sight sing each example. Seems to be really helping me a lot! I. Raskin I've been requesting a product like Tools for Music Mastery from Bruce for quite some time. As many of you know its really hard to find sight reading materials that are really challenging that prepare you for the contemporary world of music. It's also almost impossible to find reading materials for approach notes so this is fulfillment of a long awaited product. Thanks!! A. Johnsen I'm a beginning sight reader so I'll probably be stuck on the lower levels of Tools for Music Mastery for awhile. I emailed Bruce and a few things that he recommended seem to make sense. 1. Use the Beat Reading Exercise to read through the levels that are too difficult to train your eye to move ahead of the music. 2. If you can't play the notes a least tap the rhythms for various exercises to gain ability in that area. 3. Don't become overwhelmed just work on this course 15 to 20 minutes a day and over the next few years your ability will skyrocket. I'm following those tips! D. Wang The best reading and transcription examples I've ever seen. Kudos! R. Thompson Recommended books to use with Tools for Music Mastery Ear Training One Note Complete Contextual Ear Training Practice Perfect Applied Ear Training Series Direct Application Ear Training One Minute Lesson Series What should I work on after Tools for Music Mastery? Scale Analysis Harmonic Analysis

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