2. Variations on Clarke’s Second Study Volume Two for trumpet by Rich Willey

Description

Variations on Clarke’s Second Study, Volume Two: 24 melodic variations through the 7 modes of the ascending melodic minor scale, for trumpet, by Rich Willey

Now endorsed by Al Vizzutti —
“I am a huge fan of Rich Willey’s Variations on Clarke’s Second Study. The books, Volume 1 & 2 are unique, fun and interesting. If your goal is to maintain and improve your trumpet playing skills these studies should immediately become part of your daily routine. I’ve found practicing Rich’s Variations on Clarke’s Second Study to be both challenging and engaging. I find it fun and helpful to practice these clever variations on the iconic, time tested, proven Clarke technical study #2. When approached with a concept of consistent air movement and flow, these studies offer much greater benefit than just improved finger technique. Regular practice in these books will also improve articulation, phrasing, flow, endurance, music theory knowledge, scales, practicing enjoyment and sound. Variations on Clarke’s Second Study can help make your trumpet playing great!” — Allen Vizzutti

Like Volume One, Volume Two is based on Herbert L. Clarke’s classic Second Study, systematically exploring the modes of the ascending melodic minor scale, a very important scale for jazz improvisation and modern classical composition. There are 24 permutations of the Second Study resulting in a full exploration of all seven modes of the ascending melodic minor scale, a grand total of 2016 studies in all.

Now you can gain massive amounts of musical knowledge while improving your technique. Each of the 24 Second Study variations is presented in all 12 keys and through the 7 modes of the ascending melodic minor scale: ★ The Ascending Melodic Minor Scale ★ The Dorian ♭2 Scale ★ The Lydian ♯5 Scale ★ The Lydian ♭7 Scale ★ The Mixolydian ♭6 Scale ★ The Locrian ♯2 Scale ★ The Super Locrian Scale (also called The Diminished Whole Tone Scale or The Altered Scale). 168 clearly presented pages of material to hone your technique, train your ears and stimulate the growth of your musicianship.

The text at the front of the book offers suggestions to help you find ways to get the most out of this book. Each page has suggested articulation patterns, and there are two pages of practice logs in the back of the book to help you record and keep track of your progress.

170 pages printed on high quality paper and GBC comb-bound to lay flat on your music stand, this beautifully engraved presentation (24 variations in 12 keys through 7 modes totals 2016 printed studies) is full of material just waiting to help you improve your playing and musicianship by leaps and bounds.

If you order the PDF version of Variations on Clarke’s Second Study, Volume Two, you will be able to download it immediately after your order is processed.

Here’s something Rich wrote about this new volume:
“What I did was to write exercises based on Herbert L. Clarke’s Second Study (from his Technical Studies book) so I don’t always have that same little melody running around in my head. I organized them into a ‘logical’ series starting with mostly scalar movement and gradually becoming more arpeggiated (wider intervals than a second).

“I came up with 24 such melodies. They appear in all 12 keys moving through the cycle of fourths (add a flat or subtract a sharp). I wrote each one of them so that they use all the notes of a standard scale, and then I put them into all seven modes of the major scale.

“So you have 7 chapters of 24 variations of Second Study inspired melodies going through all 12 keys, 2016 in all.

“Plus, there are suggested articulations at the bottom of each page.

“This way you can improve your technique while learning (I mean, really learning) all the modes of the major scale in all the keys. You can play a different one every day and never get bored (but you’ll keep on learning).” — Rich Willey

Customer Comments

“I ordered Rich Willey’s Variations on Clarke’s Second Study  and discovered an unexpected side benefit: I’m playing much longer, more musical lines/melodies in my improvisation. Somehow, it’s opened up my brain to thinking differently. I really appreciate the effort you’ve put into your books, they are a great new addition to the repertoire and especially well suited to my learning style.” — Michael Jones, trumpeter, Phoenix, AZ

“I just received Rich Willey’s Variations on Clarke’s Second Study  and have really enjoyed playing out of it today. The time and energy you put forth is amazing. This is a must for any player wanting to keep building skills…this book is a masterpiece…thanks, Rich!!!” — David Cooper, trumpeter, Cataula, GA

“I received my copy a few days ago, and I am finding this book to be an excellent new set of challenges. The first set of variations (in the major mode) is mostly, for me, a sight-reading challenge and a speed/technique workout. It’s in the modes other than the major scale where my head and ear start to scream “That note can’t be right!” For instance, in the Dorian Mode exercises, when each line gets to the 6th scale degree for the first time, my major-minor ingrained ear says “That needs to be flatted!” Similarly with each different mode, playing the same variation, the scale degrees which are different from the major or minor modes really make me think and adapt. I think this was an excellent idea you had, Rich, and will help many musicians who are mainly trapped in major/minor mentality as I am (predominantly classical type music played in my earlier formative years). Great book for helping us break out of preconceived scale functions as well as improving our technique at the same time! Thanks!” — David H. Bailey, trumpeter, Nashua, NH

“I have most of Rich Willey’s books and find them fun to play through and extremely valuable. His latest, “Variations on Clarke’s Second Study,” may be the best yet.

“It was only when a trumpet teacher in high school turned me on to Clarke’s Studies, and particularly Study #2, and convinced me that this was the key to real progress, that my playing really took off.

“Years later, when I turned to jazz, one of the best tips for learning the ins and outs of all the scales one must master in becoming a jazz player was to take each scale and adapt it to the template/pattern of Clarke Study #2. That was very helpful. But what Rich has done is create 24 variations of the venerable exercise, and apply it to each of the seven modes of the major scale. He has turned the old workhorse inside out, upside down, and every which way to offer the student a great many more creative options.

“After playing all 24 variations, I realized that I’d never looked at the major scale from such a wide variety of angles—not to mention all the other modes. Working through the method with the Ionian, Dorian and Mixolydian presents a breath of fresh air in Rich’s book, but modes that I had neglected—Phrygian, Lydian, Aeolian and Locrian—really come alive and work their way into your ear when you play these challenging studies.

“I think these would also be great for legit students as well, perhaps lending some variety to the traditional way of working the Clarke’s Studies.” — Mark Prather, trumpeter, Riverside, CA.