How to Make a Good Band Better

Jazz occupies a unique place in society as a genre of music pioneered by African-Americans and one could assert that the music is a reflection of civil rights - specifically, the inherent equality and individuality of each of the performers. The rhythm section needs longer passages of music to understand the overall arc of the music dynamically and in order for the players to be fully aware of the context of the various parts of the composition and for the drummer to know how to set up the horn players. Challenge the strongest and most experienced players in the band to create backgrounds for solos and teach even more difficult tunes to more advanced bands. Some of the best band programs teach students to read lead sheets and to understand the harmonies of the pieces.