R&B, Funk, and Smooth Jazz Saxophone Styles

Course Number
ILWD-318
Description

The course focuses on the performance and analysis of saxophone styles in the R&B lineage including funk, blues, soul jazz, acid jazz, Motown, pop, smooth jazz, and fusion. Covered topics include: repertoire and tunes of the different periods and styles; improvisation techniques and vocabulary; transcriptions of major players including David Sanborn, Tom Scott, Hank Crawford, Gerald Albright, Junior Walker, Stanley Turrentine, Grover Washington, Jr., Michael Brecker, Maceo Parker, Kirk Whalum, Ed Calle, Eric Marienthal, and others; understanding various grooves and rhythmic approaches; and applying jazz language and playing outside. These topics are learned through in-class playing, weekly handouts and assignments. Students will gain a working understanding of these various approaches as well as an ability to apply them to their own music in their own way.

Credits
1
Prerequisites
None
Required Of
None
Electable By
Woodwind principals
Semesters Offered
Fall, Spring
Location
Boston
Department
WWND
Course Chair
Walter Smith
Taught By
Courses may not be offered at the listed locations or taught by the listed faculty for every semester. Consult my.berklee.edu to find course information for a specific semester.