Reviews of the Improv Pathways Jazz Improvisation Method
"It's Very Empowering"
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My Kids LOVE Working Out of the Books
"As a horn player (french horn) with no experience performing in a jazz band, I can't tell you what a blessing these books have been. I've learned so much using them and my kids love working out of the books. I just thought you should know that the program works! It's very empowering to me as a teacher and to the performers. Like you said in the book, now they aren't just grabbing random ingredients from the fridge hoping they go together. They are using skill and artfully crafting. Thank you!"
Dave Rogers Walled Lake Central High School |
Nothing Else Has Worked Like Improv Pathways
"As a non-jazz person, this method book has made it so much easier to teach improv to my students. I have tried so many things (for YEARS I've gone to every session on jazz at the state Music Educators conference) and NOTHING has worked like Improv Pathways. The lesson plans are very specific and easily laid out. After just three lessons, my students are amazed at how comfortable they are feeling with improv. Their eyes literally light up each day in class!"
Emily Smith Mt. Nebo Junior High |
"Their Eyes Literally Light Up"
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Improv Pathways Guides Students Through Clearly Defined and Attainable Steps
“Curtis Winters has created a remarkable new curriculum for jazz improvisation at the Junior High level. With keen insight into the practical issues of employing an improvisation curriculum at the Jr. High level, Mr. Winters has created a method that guides students and teachers through clearly defined and attainable steps for learning improvisation skills. Avoiding the tendency of so many other methods to move too quickly and to assume or require that the teacher has expertise in improvisation, this method outlines pathways to learning that are clearly and professionally laid out for both the instructor and the student. The learning pathways created by Mr. Winters provide students and teachers the opportunity to explore jazz improvisation through iconic, symbolic and aural experiences that are age-appropriate and which build towards mastery. The recordings and published materials are impressive in their quality and professionalism. I believe that this jazz improvisation curriculum will have a significant impact upon jazz education in our schools.”
Dr. Kirt Saville
Brigham Young University, Associate Director of Bands
Dr. Kirt Saville
Brigham Young University, Associate Director of Bands
Easy to Learn and FUN!
I have played trombone for 50 years, and am now playing in a good jazz big band. My only problem is improvisation - even though I have studied several books. With your videos on YouTube, and now with your book Improv Pathways, it seems easy to learn, and it is fun. Many thanks and my best wishes!
Reiner W, Germany
Reiner W, Germany
Curtis Winters Has a Unique Ability to Connect With Students
“I have had the pleasure of knowing Curtis for over 16 years - first as students at Brigham Young University and later as colleagues in music education. Over this time I have had the pleasure of both working with him and observing him teach on many occasions.
As President of the international board for the Jazz Education Network, I am constantly working with educators to pioneer new methods for teaching the jazz idiom. This method (Improv Pathways) is one of the most exciting I have seen in recent years, and I feel it has the potential to make a great impact on the field.
Curtis has consistently demonstrated compositional expertise over his career. The Crescent Super Band, which I direct, has been named the top youth big band in the country by DownBeat Magazine on several occasions. We were honored to perform one of Curtis’ arrangements a few years back and I was impressed with his skills in that regard.
Curtis is incredibly passionate about jazz education and has a unique ability to connect with students when discussing improvisation and other key concepts. With years of teaching experience as a public school music educator, Curtis understands the specific challenges of conveying the difficult concepts associated with jazz in a way that many celebrity musicians or college level educators may not. In short, I am happy to give Curtis my highest recommendation!"
Caleb Chapman
Director of the Crescent Super Band
Vice President, Jazz Education Network (JEN)
2011 John LaPorta International Jazz Educator of the Year
As President of the international board for the Jazz Education Network, I am constantly working with educators to pioneer new methods for teaching the jazz idiom. This method (Improv Pathways) is one of the most exciting I have seen in recent years, and I feel it has the potential to make a great impact on the field.
Curtis has consistently demonstrated compositional expertise over his career. The Crescent Super Band, which I direct, has been named the top youth big band in the country by DownBeat Magazine on several occasions. We were honored to perform one of Curtis’ arrangements a few years back and I was impressed with his skills in that regard.
Curtis is incredibly passionate about jazz education and has a unique ability to connect with students when discussing improvisation and other key concepts. With years of teaching experience as a public school music educator, Curtis understands the specific challenges of conveying the difficult concepts associated with jazz in a way that many celebrity musicians or college level educators may not. In short, I am happy to give Curtis my highest recommendation!"
Caleb Chapman
Director of the Crescent Super Band
Vice President, Jazz Education Network (JEN)
2011 John LaPorta International Jazz Educator of the Year
Improv Pathways is a Genuine Breakthrough that is Deeply Scholarly and Kid-Friendly
“In my opinion, the beginning jazz improvisation curriculum developed by Curtis Winters is a genuine breakthrough in instrumental music instruction. Mr. Winters has established a carefully conceived sequence of instruction that has tremendous potential to help young jazz musicians—and their teachers—develop creative improvisational skills. The curriculum is clearly and effectively organized—both “kid-friendly” and “teacher-friendly”—reflecting Mr. Winters’ years of real-world experience in the classroom. But it is also deeply scholarly and research-based, founded on current best knowledge about learning theory and music education. This is a method that promises to make an important impact on jazz education.”
Dr. Andrew Dabczynski
Author of String Explorer and Fiddlers Philharmonic
Dr. Andrew Dabczynski
Author of String Explorer and Fiddlers Philharmonic
