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The Violin Harmony Handbook is packed with practical theory, practice exercises, conceptual, intuitive, and analytical tools as well as chord glossaries, and even solo violin transcriptions and charts. There is no guide more useful for beginning to advanced students of jazz violin.

For beginning improvisers. This lesson shows how to begin improvising only by using different methods and patterns of continuous 8th notes.

For beginning improvisers. This lesson shows how to being improvising with methods such as changing the melody to familiar songs, changing motifs in common exercises, and improvising techniques to cure technical playing problems.

For intermediate improvisers. This lesson demonstrates the importance of knowing how to arpeggiate chords from all four chord tones, the root, the third, the fifth, and the seventh

For intermediate improvisers. This lesson shows how to create fast streams of 8th notes using the bebop scale.

For advanced improvisers. A continued lesson of the first lesson of bebop scales, this video shows more advanced ways to use the bebop scale to create fast streams of 8th notes while improvising.

(intermediate) Billy adapted this tune for a swing arrangement, and he takes an amazing solo. The cello alternates between walking quarter notes and playing in a two feel. The accompaniment violin/viola should be sensitive to the cello by sometimes chopping and sometimes playing legato or syncopated double stops, but always being careful to keep the groove and leave space for the soloist.

(advanced difficulty) Get ‘yo groove on! Billy plays an amazing intro alone on this tune, showing just how funky the violin can be. Cello can try alternating pizzicato and arco and seeing what’s comfortable. Don’t be thrown off by the notated “chopping” parts in this arrangement. You might be better off simply listening to the recording and emulating the chopping as you hear it.

From the European acoustic trio’s second album, Klazyc (2004). This is another flashy, and sometimes wacky, piece to add for an encore to your set. Audiences always love it because it’s so familiar and sounds very virtuosic. The version recorded on “Klazyc” should be self-explanatory. Instead of a “free” piano solo at the end, we’ve made some motific suggestions for a “free” string quartet solo. (Please note, this arrangement is formatted for string quartet, but could be easily adapted by you for trio).

(intermediate) This is a fun, modal tune, in 6/4 meter with straight (not swung) rhythms. The main vamp in d minor should be comfortable for everyone in the group to solo over, while more advanced soloists will want to play over the form. Billy uses a great off-beat-based, double stop accompaniment style, and the melody lies easily on violin. Watch the temptation to use too much vibrato!

less difficulty) This ballad features a simple ostinato bass line in the cello, legato double stop accompaniment in the second violin (which can also be divided between viola/violin or 2nd violin/3rd violin), and a simple melody which can be interpreted by the 1st violin very broadly. This also works well with a freely improvised cello solo as an intro to the tune.

1. 'S I Am 2. 'Trane's Maiden 3. Laughing Tango 4. Sock's Groove 5. Ten Yard 6. Vito's Melody 7. Ode to Sco' 8. Song For Tony 9. Laughing Song 10. Here's That Rainy Day

Tracklist: 1. Amorr Case Imposible 2. Blue Monk part 1 3. A Child is Born 4. Blue in Green 5. When She's Like Water 6. Jazz on Sale 7. Very Early 8. Falling Grace 9. Blue Monk part 2

Tracklist: 1. Doxy 2. The Way You Look Tonight 3. Sunny 4. Maria, Maria 5. Merchants Groove 6. Untitled blues jam 7. Fugue in G Minor for solo violin 8. It Never Entered My Mind 9. Traditional Fiddle Tune 10. The Oracle

Self-described post-bop violinist Christian Howes may shy away from comparisons to Stéphane Grappelli or Joe Venuti, but the young violinist certainly shares those artists’ melodic and lyrical gifts. On his newest outing, Heartfelt, Howes performs ten tracks with a healthy bent in the direction of mainstream accessibility, emphasizing romanticism, conventional performances, and arrangements with a pop sensibility.

Christian's newest release. Blues master guitarist Robben Ford meets virtuoso jazz violinist at the crossroads! The follow-up to the Resonance recording, Heartfelt. Also features acclaimed pianist Tamir Hendelman and drummer Joel Rosenblatt.

Tracklist: 1. On Green Dolphin Street 2. Ode to Billie Joe 3. Felonious Thunk 4. Jazz for Sale 5. Honeysuckle Rose 6. Skylark 7. Bernie's Tune 8. We'll be Together Again

Among the selections included in this network quality production are Jazz classics such as “Nuages" and “I’ve Got Rhythm;" and stunning originals such as “Song For My Daughter" and the scintillating “Waltz For Katherine." Featuring the Horacio Icasto Quartet (Horatio Icasto, Piano; Santiago Reyes, Guitar; Victor Merlo, Bass; and Noah Shaye, Drums), this program is guaranteed to entertain Jazz aficionados and music fans alike. 1. I’ve Found a New Baby 2. Pent Up House 3. Waltz for Katherine 4. Song for My Daughter 5. Madrid Blues 6. Nuages 7. Adios Nonino 8. I’ve Got Rhythm 9. Conejitrami PLUS! This DVD includes a picture gallery, alternative endings, instant access to songs and solos, and more!

Tracklist: 1 – Walking on Broadway 2 – By the Bay 3 – Detective H 4 – Sweet Soul Music 5 – Voyage 6 – Tristeza 7 – Buddy’s 8 – Riggs in the City 9 – Amanda 10 – W.S.

Coming soon: 2012 Registration. Study improvisation, composition, and non-classical styles in an experiential learning context throughout this week long workshop! Work with world class artists every day learning RnB, bluegrass, free improvised music, and more.

Coming Soon: 2012 Registration. Study improvisation, composition, and non-classical styles in an experiential learning context. Showcase your talent in over 25 concerts and performances in various venues in Columbus, OH throughout this week long workshop!