Introduction

Of all the diverse jazz styles, the swing era of the 1930s and '40s is often overlooked. Many modern jazz musicians begin their journey with bebop methods or Aebersold play-alongs——skipping over the earlier swing and Dixieland traditions entirely.

But for many musicians of that time, their foundation was classical music, learned through their school orchestras and bands. That background shaped their approach to this "new" genre we now call swing.

My own jazz students——mostly middle and high schoolers——share a similar story. They grow up in band and orchestra programs but come to jazz later, often saying, "I can't improvise," or, "What scales do I use?"

This course is designed to answer those questions and a lot more. It’s here to break down the gatekeeping created by modern jazz theory and help students learn to express themselves authentically in this classic style. Beginning players will build confidence, and advanced players will see just how challenging (and rewarding) this style can be.

Enjoy the journey, and have patience!

—David