Jazz Tutor is a comprehensive multimedia package featuring Phil Woods and his quintet. It is configured on a CD-ROM disk and is for multimedia Windows based PC's only (not Macintosh). You will need to have a 486SX or higher, with at least 8 MB RAM, and a minimum of 30 MB hard disk space to download the software from the CD-ROM. In addition you would obviously need a CD-ROM drive, an audio sound board (such as a Sound Blaster), VGA or higher resolution monitor, Windows 3.1 or later, a mouse, and headphones or speakers.
Installing the software is simple. There is a standard Windows setup application on the CD which automatically loads the necessary files on your disk. Then all you do is open up Windows and launch Jazz Tutor from the "Program Manager". You're all set to practice, play-along with exercises and tunes, study jazz theory, or peruse through biographic and historical information dealing with Phil Woods' career
When you first open the program it takes you through a short phase of credits with a little supplemental music by the Phil Woods Quintet. There is a main menu that contains an overview of the primary sections of the tutorial. There is an "Introduction" you can access from this menu. This introduction takes you through a narrative about how the tutorial is organized, and gives you suggestions about how to use it and sequence through the various sections. The narrative is completely automated. After the program is initiated, it automatically changes screens and uses graphic examples of different parts of the program for reference. All you need to do is sit back and let it instruct you ( much better than reading a manual, which is included with the CD-ROM as well). The automated portion shows you not only how to maneuver around the tutorial, but also about effective practice techniques and how to access on-line help with the "reference tools".
The reference tools consist of two separate but related areas. there is a jazz theory "Text Book" and a "Chord Browser". The Text Book has sixteen different sections, which are all listed in it's main menu. This menu appears whenever the Text Book is chosen and allows the user to navigate to whatever section they wish. The topic material of these sections spans a wide range of subject matter including basic theory such as intervals, scales, modes, and chords, which are dealt with initially. Harmonic patterns, particularly the iim7-V7 progression are discussed in some detail. Melodic devices, formal structures of tunes, composing original tunes, and chord substitutions and turnarounds are also discussed. Each of these sections contains text and both graphic and audio examples. The text is embedded with "HotText" or "Hypertext" (like an Internet Web Browser page), which is highlighted by color and underlined. Clicking on any of these terms will bring up a small window with a definition of the term. Any number of these windows can be opened at once to allow cross-referencing. Clicking back in the main window gets rid of them. Once in one in these subject areas, it is not necessary to return to the Text Book menu. You may step through the various subject areas in sequence, going forwards or backwards to review material already covered.. The Text Book section could be used as a stand-alone theory tutor, or simply be used as reference while working in the "Jazz Tutorial" component of the program (discussed later in this article). For example, if one encounters a term or concept that is unfamiliar, they need only to go to the Text Book, find the term in question and read the definition. There might even be a related audio clip for further example.
The "Chord Browser" works in much the same manner. It is much more of a reference-orientated tool than the Text Book. The Chord Browser lists all manner of chords encountered in a jazz context, including a complete inventory of alterations, suspensions, and even some common base-note changes or poly-chords. You choose a chord from the list by clicking on it. A series of windows is then displayed. One window displays the spelling of the chord, while the others show scales that can be related to the chord for improvisation. The user may specify the base note of the as any note of the chromatic scale, which then transposes the scale examples to that key.
As I mentioned earlier, both the Text Book and Chord Browser are primarily intended to be used for reference material while you are working in the Jazz Tutorial segment of the program. This tutorial section is a progressively sequenced series of exercises. It is designed to give the student a thorough understanding of chord /scale relationships, common melodic devices and licks, and command of different key areas. Each lesson has a narrative which describes what the lesson is about, how it should be practiced, and what it is intended to accomplish. The narrative has to be initiated each time by clicking a "play narration" button, and since it usually duplicates explanatory text supplied with the lesson it is not completely necessary. It is an engaging feature however, since it allows you to look at or do other things while the lesson is being explained to you. MIDI playback for the example's accompaniment allows the user to specify tempo and instrument transposition. you can select concert pitch, or transposition for Bb or Eb instruments. The tempo adjustment lets the student take the exercises at his own pace. In addition, each exercise may be repeated as many times as you wish before continuing on to the next lesson or example.
The CD contains audio examples recorded specifically for this project. There are five original tunes by Phil Woods recorded by the most recent incarnation of his quintet. The personnel being Phil Woods (alto saxophone and clarinet), Brian Lynch (trumpet), Jim McNeely (piano), Steve Gilmore (bass), Bill Goodwin (drums & percussion). Goodwin and Gilmore have been with Woods for many years. Brian Lynch is the most recent addition, while Jim McNeely replaced Hal Galper on piano a number of years ago (late 1980's or early 90's).
These audio examples can be used in two different ways. You can play along with the original recording, including solo transcriptions. The horn parts (alto and trumpet on the recording) are notated for the tune heads, including harmony parts when used, and displayed on screen in any of the three keys you specify (for concert, Bb or Eb instruments). You may also play along with only the rhythm section if you prefer, by selecting the "Student" mode for any of the examples. MIDI playback may also be used for these tunes, which allows for tempo control and muting parts. For instance, a keyboard or bass player would want to mute their respective part in order to fulfill that role with the rhythm section. When playing along with the audio examples on the CD there is no tempo control, however each line of notation is highlighted on your computer screen as it is being played on the CD.
The audio tracks on the CD may also be played in a standard audio CD player. This gives you the option of playing these examples through your stereo and playing along with them like you would an Aebersold play-along. If your home setup is anything like mine, your stereo probably has better fidelity sound than your computer does, so this is a nice option to have.
The remaining segment of the program deals with biographical and historical information about Phil Woods career. There is lots of antidotal material such as child-hood pictures, letters to home, and a copy of his report card from Juilliard. This section is refereed to as the "Slide Show", which describes it well. Complete with narration, it is like sitting in someone's living room watching slides while listening to your host's description of them. This is definitely the no brainer portion of the program, but it is entertaining. It does contain some useful information, mostly relating to Phil's early influences and collaborations with other players throughout his career.
All in all I found Jazz Tutor to be a very engaging, well organized, useful and entertaining multimedia package. I did encounter some compatibility problems and glitches on one of the machines I tried to run it on, so be careful that your equipment meets the minimum requirements specified.
- Michael N. Jacobson