"Mike Titlebaum's impressive new work, Jazz Improvisation Using Simple Melodic Embellishment, is a welcome fresh take on jazz improvisation methodology. The concept itself is a foundational one that until now, had never been so clearly spelled out in a pedagogical work. Immediately useful and exhaustive in its content, this is a truly singular work in the field of improvisation and should be a part of any performer or pedagogue's catalog!"
— Dan Graser, Associate Professor and Assistant Department Chair at Grand Valley State University

“Titlebaum takes us through a process in slow and patient steps, breaking down how rhythmic and phrasing variations, the addition of neighbor tones, appoggiatura ap- plications, passing tones, Blue notes and enclosures can each add volumes to melodic expression. In parallel, students create their own simple melodies through composition and improvisation activities. Eventually, the act of variation truly leads to the art of improvisation. 

Jazz Improvisation Using Simple Melodic Embellishment works for individual use or group learning, and it delivers way more than a show-and-tell take on teaching. With performance-based exercises, written work, easy-to-digest examples and Web-accessible audio (i.e., play-alongs) and PDFs for higher-level material, this is part textbook, part workbook and a purely trustworthy and knowledgeable guide. It’s a resource like no other and a book that truly belongs on every jazz band director’s shelf.”

— Dan Bilawsky, excerpt of review published in March 2022 Instrumental Jazz Review Column, NYSSMA School Music News.

“Any musician or performers interested in jazz and improvisation needs to have this book on their bookshelf! The concepts have been super helpful in helping me understand improvisation and my jazz chops overall.”
— Emma Vakiener, Music Education/trumpet, Ithaca College class of 2023.

“This book has been one of the best ways for me (a drummer) to understand the melodic side of soloing in the jazz style. All of the material is derived from listening to the greats and dissecting their solos and boiling it down into simple steps. It got me swingin’ in no time. (Insider secret: I also use concepts from the book when I’m arranging)” 
— Jacob Graham, Jazz Studies/drums, Ithaca College class of 2021.

“Mike Titlebaum’s ‘Jazz Improvisation Using Simple Melodic Embellishment’ is a text every educator should own. Material is presented in a codified, friendly plan to teach students of all ages to create melodic improvisations. A perfect outline and method for novice or reluctant improvisors. Many will recognize various ideas from jazz pedagogy, but the organization and pace, along with excellent supplemental materials make the concepts approachable. As a primarily classical performer, I have worked through the book myself with great success and have begun to use it with my own students.”
— Lois Hicks-Wozniak, Performer and Educator.

“As a life long classical player I started playing with a New Orleans band having no comfort level playing bass lines over chord changes, much less improvising. Thankfully I found this book and have been making real sustainable progress. The concepts in book are clearly explained and the techniques are readily accessible and incremental. I feel like so many new doors have opened up for me.”
— Chris Carbone, full time lawyer and avid tuba player

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