John Vana, Associate Professor of Music in Saxophone,
School of Music, Western Illinois University writes:

Dear Greg,

Your book is tremendous and much needed.  I love the flow of the lines and the beautiful voice leading.  The students really enjoy working out with it.

This will now be a required text in my studio.  Please let me know how we can set this up with our bookstore. Thanks and congratulations on your great work.

Sincerely,

John Vana

Patrick Langham, Associate Professor & Director of Jazz Studies,
University of the Pacific Conservatory of Music writes:

Hi Greg!

I think you've got a wonderful product. Jazz Saxophone Etudes has everything I look for in a practice tool. Not only are the etudes full of jazz language, but they're great for analysis, and excellent technique builders/finger movers. I personally look forward to each encounter with a new etude and found on several instances that I felt closer to the horn after using it as a warm-up prior to other things I work on.

As you mentioned to me prior to receiving it, this book is definitely for the
intermediate/advanced student and the possibilities for utilizing it other than sight-reading material are numerous. Lastly, having the concept of two CD's for Bb & Eb respectively (without simply transposing the etudes) was a great idea.

Your book is now a part of my own practice routine and will be added to the work of my students.

Thanks for your contribution.

Patrick

Wally West, Saxophone Teacher,
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill writes:

Greg, I’ve been using the Bob Mintzer and Jim Snidero play-along books now for quite some time, and have always thought they were well written and achieved a good solid feel for the jazz idiom.  Although I am praising their books, I must admit that they also replicated their respective authors’ style and feel.  Your book offers a fresh approach to the jazz idiom without sounding like etudes!  They are wonderfully written and swing hard.  The etudes in your book really capture the essence of the changes.  I’ve had a ball playing them and sharing them with my advanced students.  Both of my thumbs are pointing upward.  Let me know when volume two comes out!
 
Best wishes and warm regards,
 
Wally West

Gary Keller, Associate Jazz Saxophone Professor,
University of Miami writes:

Hi Greg 

Great CD and a nice book!  The playing and writing is all really on the mark.  The book is really well done and perfect for my advanced high school students and beginning jazz majors here at UM.  I have  recommended it to all of them. 

Warm regards

Gary Keller 

Wayne Colyer, Music Teacher,
San Rafael School District writes:

Hi Greg,
 
Just a note (no pun intended) to let you know that I have really enjoyed playing the etudes in your book.   I bought 4 copies and three of my more advanced students are also enjoying and learning from your book and CDs.  I'm telling people about your book and giving them your web sight.  I hope the sales are doing well and book 2 is in the horizon. 
 
Thanks for a great teaching tool,
 
Wayne

Brad Eastin, Saxophone & Clarinet Teacher,
Colorado State University Pueblo writes:

Hi Greg
 
My name is Brad Eastin.  I have been working out of your book for a few weeks now and it is great!  I recently retired from the USAF Academy Band where I played in The Falconaires Jazz Ensemble.  I am currently teaching saxophone/clarinet and jazz studies at Colorado State University Pueblo. 

I have had my students working on the etudes and they all love them.  Don’t be surprised if you start getting orders from the Southern Colorado area.  The style and analysis section is extremely helpful.  The concept of identifying enclosures has already helped several of my students get a better handle on putting more chromaticism in their playing. 

The best thing about the book is that it is applicable to an intermediate student all the way to a seasoned pro.  I haven’t had a text charge up my playing in a while and yours definitely has. I also picked up your Stan Getz transcription book, reconfirming my belief that he was and is the most creative earthling ever to place fingers on the saxophone.

Keep up the good work.
 
Brad

Nick Drozdoff, Professional Trumpet Player and Teacher,
Chicago, Illinois writes:

Often trumpeters who stumble across my stuff on the internet email me with questions about playing and book recommendations. I'm jumping the gun on this with an unsolicted book recommendation.

The book is titled Jazz Saxophone Etudes by Greg Fishman. I bought it because I dabble in tenor sax. However, these are FANTASTIC studies for trumpet! I mean this! FANTASTIC!

If you read them as is, you're dealing with Dizzy range, but not unreasonable. Nothing really above E just over high C (there is one F, but it is only a stab). The lines are gorgeous and imaginative. They'll definitley trigger new ideas in you.

The book comes with two CD's; one with Greg playing the solos, and one with just the rhythm section.

I can't over sell this. If you're looking for some new jazz material to work on, this stuff is just fantastic! Here is Greg's info.

http://www.gregfishmanjazzstudios.com
email: greg@gregfishmanjazzstudios.com
Greg Fishman Jazz Studios
824 Custer Avenue
Evanston, Illinois 60202
Phone: 847-334-3634

Gerg's stuff is self published, so you'll need to contact him for this stuff, but it will be WELL worth the effort! Fishman is, without a doubt, one of the finest jazz tenor virtuosos out there and his ideas are amazing.

Check it out, but drop my name! He'll get right back to you.
Peace, all!
Nick Drozdoff

(As posted by Nick Drozdoff on Trager Trumpet Talk)

Terry Summa, Saxophone teacher, Los Gatos, California writes:

Greg: Thanks for sending your Jazz Saxophone Etudes so promptly. I managed to get through them on alto and a couple of tunes on tenor. I like the concept of keeping the parts the same and changing keys for the rhythm section. Several of them kicked my butt on a sight reading basis. I'm going to have to practice most of them. Bummer!

Also sent was the Chicago Jazz Magazine with one of your articles about the diminished scale. I would love to share the article with some of my advanced students--if that is okay with you. Also, your playing is outstanding and will be an excellent example for students to emulate. I've have a feeling this book is going to sell well. Have a great summer. 
 
Terry Summa 
Summa Music Services 
Los Gatos, CA USA 

Greg Balas, Saxophonist, Phoenix, Arizona writes:

Hi Greg:

I just wanted to let you know that I have been using the book religiously for the past two weeks and I am really enjoying it. I feel that it has been well worth the money. It has certainly expanded my mind, approach and ears.

You really do have a rare gift ... someone who cannot only play, but also communicate and teach the required concepts. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and insight.

I also saw a nice review of the book in this month's issue of Saxophone Journal too, in case you weren't aware of that.

Quick, feedback-wise, my favorite Etude to play from the book is State
Street. I feel as though that's a perfectly lined solo.

Thanks again, Greg. Best wishes to you!

Sincerely,

Greg Balas, Phoenix, AZ

Ed Zentera, Saxophonist, Troy, Michigan writes:

Greg-

You forgot to include a warning with your book that the etudes are insanely catchy! I've got Halsted Street beboppin' through my head throughout the whole day, it seems.

I've been able to progress using the speed control on my CD player usually starting at 50% and working my way up gradually to identify the "hot spots" that require attention.

I see what you mean about good improv stemming from a good melodic line. No wonder your etudes are so catchy! A hell of a lot more fun than Voxman studies...

- "Jazz Grasshopper" Ed

Hi Greg, 

I am enjoying your book alot! The etudes lie pretty well on the oboe, and certainly give us oboists exposure to bebop. I especially like your explanations at the front of the book, and your recommendations for practicing.

I am going to recommend your book to my aspiring jazz students.
 
Excellent work, beautiful book, and good training for aspiring players!!! 
 
Thanks, 
Barbara 

Hi Greg:

I got your book. I am enjoying it a great deal, and you are right the tempos are a little fast to me -- for now. I am going to keep working on them.

But for now, I am delighted to be able to practice while playing music that really sounds like jazz.

Because your book allows me to catch a glimpse of what I might sound like after a few more years of hard practice, it is one of the best motivators in book form I have found for a beginning/intermediate player.

Jeff