Little Leaps and Sounds: 12 Intermediate Contemporary Jazz Etudes is a collection of 12 etudes written over the chord changes to common jazz standards - from a simple Bb blues, to "All the Things You Are", and all the way up to more challenging tunes such as "Giant Steps".

This Infinite Musician Exclusive Edition works on any type of device (computer, tablet, or smartphone) and includes sheet music transposed for both Bb and Eb instruments.

Not Just Another Etude Book with Cool Notes

When writing these etudes, I was not satisfied to just give you some fun sightreading material that does little to improve your skills as a creative improvisor.

If you work through these pieces diligently, at your own pace and don't walk away with significantly noticeable gains in your musical vocabulary and sense of harmony, then I've failed.

Your Multi-Faceted Journey to Head-Turning (in a good way) Solos

My goal with Little Leaps and Sounds is to help you:

  • Add intensity to your solos with unexpected melodic shapes
  • "Speak jazz" authentically by deconstructing precisely what melodic and harmonic devices go into the solos of the jazz masters
  • Develop a satisfying balance of tension and resolution in your melodic lines
  • Play (and sight read!) confidently at faster tempos
  • Develop a rhythmic creativity that brings rhythm sections to life

“Adam has done it again—an interesting, yet fun and accessible group of etudes perfect for the developing improviser. Little Leaps and Sounds is highly recommended for jazz educators and students alike.”

- Dr. Chris Madsen, Director of Jazz Studies, Loyola University, Chicago, IL

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What You Get

Sheet Music with Analysis

  • Transposed for both Bb and Eb instruments , the etudes are based on some of the most common "must know" standards in jazz, including:
    All the Things You Are
    Autumn Leaves
    (Bb Blues changes)
    Blue Bossa
    Cherokee
    On Green Dolphin Street
    Giant Steps
    Lady Bird
    There Will Never Be Another You
    Night and Day
    Out of Nowhere
    Stella by Starlight
  • Each etude appears on its own web page with the PDF embedded in the page, viewable in "full screen" mode, and also available as a printable download.
  • Each etude is also accompanied by a written analysis to help you actually incorporate into your playing the melodic and harmonic sounds that appeal to you.

SAMPLE ETUDE

Below is a copy of the etude with color-coded notes for analysis. A black and white-only copy is included as well.

SAMPLE ANALYSIS

Demonstration and Backing Tracks

  • For each etude, there's a recording of me playing the piece over a backing track to eliminate any guesswork when it comes to knowing exactly what the “end result” is supposed to sound like.
  • After 1 chorus of me demonstrating, the track continues with just the rhythm section so you can soar off into your own solo.
  • Each tune is also accompanied by the backing track in the demonstration.

SAMPLE DEMONSTRATION TRACK

SAMPLE BACKING TRACK

LIMITED TIME FREE BONUS CONTENT (aka "But WAIT! That's not all...")

One Chorus Wonders (normally priced at $25, FREE to you)

As part of the official release of Little Leaps and Sounds, we're adding an additional collection of etudes written over the chord changes to some of the most commonly played standards.

Your Instructor


Adam Larson
Adam Larson

Adam Larson is a saxophonist, recording artist, composer and educator who began playing saxophone at the age of 11. Described by critic Howard Reich of The Chicago-Tribune as “a player for whom the word ‘prodigious’ was coined”, by Peter Hum of the Ottawa Citizen as “a saxophonist who brings Donny McCaslin and Mark Turner to mind”, and by Nate Chinen of The New York Times as “the sort of jazz musician who gets flagged early on as a promising talent and then hustles to meet every requirement for success”, Larson has garnered numerous awards that distinguish him as one of the most promising artists of his generation. Adam holds BM and MM degrees in Jazz Performance from The Manhattan School of Music, where he graduated with honors as a Master's student as the recipient of the William H. Borden Award for Outstanding Performance in Jazz.

Adam is an endorsed artist for P. Mauriat saxophones and Vandoren reeds, ligatures and mouthpieces.


The Coda

By now, I hope, at the very least, that you'll be getting something out of the free content on this page.

But if you're looking to go even deeper into developing your skills in the realm of creative jazz improvisation based on a solid understanding of the "language" of jazz while also upgrading your technique and sightreading chops, I invite you to check out this special edition of my most popular book to date.

Wishing you the very best in your musical journey!

- Adam Larson

Putting Our Money Where Our Mouth Is With a 100%, 14-Day No-Hassle Guarantee

If for whatever reason you aren’t happy with Little Leaps and Sounds, then just let us know within 14 days of making the purchase and we’ll quickly refund you your money, no questions asked. We know for a fact that applying the information in this program is going to have a massive impact on your playing at a fraction of the cost of private lessons, but the most important thing to us is that you’re happy with your purchase , so no need to worry about wasting money on something that’s not going to fit your needs exactly.

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