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Diane Arthurs

a.k.a.

DISAX

Splanky Quartet

Video Resources

ABRSM Jazz Syllabus

photo of Diane in recording studio

This page is all about PERFORMING the PIECES

There is a selection of full tutorials, performance examples, and shorts.

Scroll down to find your grade.

Scales and Modes

First Music Theory

Jazz Exam Pieces

Short Stop Solo and Ending ABRSM Grade 1 Jazz Alto Sax

00:59

Short Stop Solo and Ending ABRSM Grade 1 Jazz Alto Sax

This is a demo performance of a "SOLO" and "HEAD continues" in Short Stop performed at Grade 1 standard I am using A minor pentatonic, rhythms taken from the head and a few of my own ideas. The "HEAD continues" starts as written, then in bars 35 - 36 I play the given rhythm but use notes from the A minor pentatonic. The final phrases starts as written then again, I use use the given rhythm but alter the pitch. #learnsaxophone #exampreparation

Las Vegas Tango - ABRSM Grade 1 Jazz Flute

17:27

Las Vegas Tango - ABRSM Grade 1 Jazz Flute

Performance analysis designed to help students embellish and improvise within the given material. There are two contrasting performances which are analysed at a grade appropriate level. Some of the background theory is explained, the performances are then shown again with on screen annotation. Related listening suggestions to help the student explore the style are given at the end. MORE VIDEOS Over the coming months (and probably years!) I shall be covering as many of the pieces as I can from the ABRSM jazz syllabuses for flute and sax. Please subscribe to the channel so you know when new videos are uploaded. REQUESTS If you have any requests for videos you'd like me to make - from any of the ABRSM Jazz Flute, Alto Sax or Tenor Sax grades - please do ask in the comments below. I can also make videos of the Alto syllabus on Britone or the Tenor syllabus on Soprano. Please be aware that these videos take a lot of time and effort to make so please be patient if you make a request and it doesn't appear immediately. I will do it as soon as I possibly can! Diane x 00:00 Introduction 00:31 Performance 1 01:51 Performance 2 03:08 HEAD Overview 04:21 HEAD Analysis 05:08 SOLO BREAK Overview 05:29 SOLO BREAK Analysis 06:43 SOLO Analysis 08:15 SOLO Theory 09:39 SOLO Matching The Accompaniment 10:26 HEAD CONTINUES Overview 10:45 HEAD CONTINUES Analysis 12:19 ANNOTATION Introduction 12:35 ANNOTATION Performance 1 13:54 ANNOTATION Performance 2 15:11 Recommended Listening 17:02 Ending @DianeArthurs

Las Vegas Tango - ABRSM Grade 1 Jazz Flute

17:27

Las Vegas Tango - ABRSM Grade 1 Jazz Flute

Performance analysis designed to help students embellish and improvise within the given material. There are two contrasting performances which are analysed at a grade appropriate level. Some of the background theory is explained, the performances are then shown again with on screen annotation. Related listening suggestions to help the student explore the style are given at the end. 00:00 Introduction 00:31 Performance 1 01:51 Performance 2 03:08 HEAD Overview 04:21 HEAD Analysis 05:08 Solo BREAK Overview 05:29 Solo BREAK Analysis 06:43 SOLO Analysis 08:15 SOLO Theory 09:39 SOLO Match Accomp. 10:26 HEAD CONTINUES Overview 10:45 HEAD CONTINUES Analysis 12:19 ANNOTATION introduction 12:35 ANNOTATION Performance 1 13:54 ANNOTATION Performance 2 15:11 Recommended Listening 17:02 Ending

Demo phrase from “Jean Pierre”. G1 ABRSM Jazz Flute

00:06

Demo phrase from “Jean Pierre”. G1 ABRSM Jazz Flute

Tonguing notes means that you can play whole phrases in one breath, keeping the notes defined. This is true for all wind instruments There are more videos on my “flute tips” playlist to help with the technique of how to tongue @DianeArthurs #learnflute #tonguing

Is You Is, or Is You Ain't ARTICULATION ABRSM Grade 1 Jazz Alto Sax

00:25

Is You Is, or Is You Ain't ARTICULATION ABRSM Grade 1 Jazz Alto Sax

Demonstration performance on Alto Saxophone. Tenuto, Staccato and accents are highlighted and explained. #grade1 #jazzsaxophone #exampreparation #abrsmexam #learnjazz #articulation

Melody For Candy. ABRSM Grade 4 Jazz Saxophone (Tenor)

23:30

Melody For Candy. ABRSM Grade 4 Jazz Saxophone (Tenor)

Performance analysis designed to help students explore, embellish and improvise within the given material. There is a three level aproach to each aspect of the piece (the Head the Solo and the Head continues) with explaination and demonstration. This video progresses from simple embelishments through saxophone techniques and background theory to improvisation. There is a full perfromance demonstration near the end. Related listening suggestions to help the student explore the style are given at the end. MORE VIDEOS Over the coming months (and probably years!) I shall be covering as many of the pieces as I can from the ABRSM jazz syllabuses for flute and sax. Please subscribe to the channel so you know when new videos are uploaded. REQUESTS If you have any requests for videos you'd like me to make - from any of the ABRSM Jazz Flute, Alto Sax or Tenor Sax grades - please do ask in the comments below. I can also make videos of the Alto syllabus on Britone or the Tenor syllabus on Soprano. Please be aware that these videos take a lot of time and effort to make so please be patient if you make a request and it doesn't appear immediately. I will do it as soon as I possibly can! Diane x 00:00 Introduction 01:01 First G4 Challenge 01:20 8va 01:47 HEAD 02:34 Head Dynamics Demo 03:54 Head Shaping Demo 06:06 Head Personalisation 06:51 Mistakes Happen 07:20 SOLO 07:51 F MAJ Pentatonic 09:34 Solo Pentatonic 10:35 Chords 11:19 Mixolydian 12:40 Solo Mixolydian 13:22 Work With Backing 14:00 Solo Combined Approach 16:24 Solo Demo 3 17:37 HEAD CONTINUES 20:34 FULL PERFORMANCE 21:59 RELATED LISTENING #learnsax #saxexam #grade4 #melodyforcandy #jazztheory @DianeArthurs

Melody For Candy - Performance Examples

03:15

Melody For Candy - Performance Examples

Two performances of Melody for Candy on Tenor Saxophone. ABRSM Grade 4 Jazz Saxophone #jazzexam #saxophone #grade4 #g4 #learnsax @DianeArthurs

Jive Hoot with solo. ABRSM JAZZ ALTO sax Grade 4 #improvisation

00:38

Jive Hoot with solo. ABRSM JAZZ ALTO sax Grade 4 #improvisation

Jive Hoot by Bob Brookmeyer is in the Standards section of the ABRSM Jazz Saxophone Grade 4 syllabus. The solo section is over the same chord sequence as the main theme of the HEAD (or A section) It is phrased in two bar question and answers In this demonstration I alternate between MAJOR Pentatonic on D and E minor #learnsax #examprep #grade4 #jazzsaxophone #improvisation #pentatonic

Red Top - ABRSM Jazz Sax G4 - Tenor

05:06

Red Top - ABRSM Jazz Sax G4 - Tenor

Two performance examples with description of Red Top by Lionel Hampton from the ABRSM Jazz Sax Grade 4 syllabus by Diane Atkinson. Original Recording (1947) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J89COeIMnAU&list=PLo-2qeLHKN8HbUn4hNP4j2ekOxvtlC06Z&index=5 1959 Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwu7qN6b_Tg

Embellishment: TURN in “What is this thing called love?” Grade 5. Jazz TENOR saxophone (ABRSM)

00:42

Embellishment: TURN in “What is this thing called love?” Grade 5. Jazz TENOR saxophone (ABRSM)

There are many ways to embellish a melody. The TURN can add energy to your performance A "turn" is : written pitch, up one, written pitch, down one, written pitch It is usual to stay within the key signature (but there are always exceptions) This video shows a turn on the note C, using the standard and alternative fingering C C, D' (palm key) C, D', C C, D', C, B C, D', C, B, C (alternative fingering) #turns #examprep #embellishment #learnsax #coleporter

Keepin’ in the Groove. Example ending on TENOR sax. (ABRSM G5 jazz)

00:30

Keepin’ in the Groove. Example ending on TENOR sax. (ABRSM G5 jazz)

This arrangement of Bud Powells "Keepin' in the Groove", by Phil Peskett has an improvised ending. 4 bar phrases, 3 improvised and one with the main lick or motif of the piece. It can be tricky to feel as the written material returns on the and of 4 (the 8th quaver or 8th note in the bar) I basically played E minor Pentatonic (which emphasises the b7) but I did also include the Bb (b5) which gave a slightly blues feel in the third phrase #learnsax #examprep #improvisation #grade5

D7sus funk riff, on TENOR saxophone would suit “Gotcha” - (GRADE 5)

00:24

D7sus funk riff, on TENOR saxophone would suit “Gotcha” - (GRADE 5)

Technique tip: hard playing needs fast tonguing - it is the speed you release you tongue which controls the clarity of sound. Theory: D7sus 1 4 5 b7 or D G A C In this improvisation I started with the melodic rhythm of "Gotcha" which is in the Grade 5 ABRSM Jazz saxophone syllabus. #starsky&hutch #learnsax #funk #gotcha @DianeArthurs

Fading Vibrato technique, explained & demonstrated - “Small World” on TENOR saxophone

00:57

Fading Vibrato technique, explained & demonstrated - “Small World” on TENOR saxophone

Technique: reduce air speed whilst increasing breath support makes for a good diminuendo. Couple this with vibrato and a lovely, spacious affect is achieved This tip would be good for many styles but I was prompted to share having played "Small World" by Martin Speake which is in the ABRSM Grade 5 Jazz Saxophone Syllabus. #GradeV #Grade5 #learnsax

Grace note embellishments in “Blue Room” on TENOR Saxophone

00:21

Grace note embellishments in “Blue Room” on TENOR Saxophone

SImple embellishments make the piece sound relaxed, particularly useful in a standard which can also be a vocal. "Blue Room" is on the ABRSM Grade 5 Jazz saxophone syllabus. This video uses the middle 8 (the B section) of the head as a demonstration #gracenotes #learn sax #blueroom #embellishments

What is this thing called love? Improvised solo. G5 ABRSM Jazz TENOR saxophone

00:37

What is this thing called love? Improvised solo. G5 ABRSM Jazz TENOR saxophone

Improvised solo in the ABRSM exam arrangement of "What is this thing called love?" by Cole Porter Your solo should be different every time. #improvisation #learnsax #examprep #jazzsaxophone

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