Scale Workout for Bands – Free Download

 Scales, Patterns & Exercises for Individual and Group Practice

Scale Workout for Bands is a practical collection of scales, patterns, arpeggios and technical exercises designed for wind band musicians of all levels.

The book is divided into two main sections: Scales Together, focusing on group practice and playing together as an ensemble, and Scale Aerobics, featuring technical exercises for individual practice.

The exercises are primarily intended for band warm-ups and technical practice. The book also includes suggestions for articulation and rhythmic variations, as well as opportunities to play scales together in harmony through simple canons.

Scroll down to preview the book, or use the download option to save your own copy.

This book is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) licence:

• Share the PDF freely.
• Print copies for your students or band.
• Adapt the exercises for educational purposes.
• Credit the original author.
• Don't sell it or use it commercially.
• Share adaptations under the same licence.

Disclaimer: This book is provided for educational purposes. Always practise within your own technical abilities and comfortable playing range. The author accepts no responsibility for injuries or damage resulting from improper use of the exercises.

Cheers and happy learning,

Mihai

Blues in All Keys Practice Backing Tracks

 I recently sat down and built a library of blues backing tracks covering all 12 keys to help step up my own daily practice and I am putting the entire collection out here for free!

Whether you are looking to master your pentatonic scales, target chord tones over the 12-bar progression, or simply jam out after a long day, there is a track here for you. No logins, no paywalls, just fire up a track and start soloing.

Scroll down, pick a key, and plug in. If you find these useful for your practice routine, leave a comment and let me know which key is your favorite to jam over.

Click the image to download:

The collection currently includes 12 backing tracks based on classic Billie's Bounce chord progression.
Will be expanded in the future with Blue Monk style chord progression as well as high-energy, rock-blues guitar shuffles for that traditional driving feel.

Disclaimer: All materials are properties of their owners, and are used here for informative and educational purposes. I don't accept any responsibility for any damage, loss, liability, injury or upset caused to or suffered by you as a result of misusing this material.

Cheers and happy learning,

Mihai

Day by Day / Blott en dag - medium level

"Blott en dag" or "Day by Day (and with Each Passing Moment)" is a Christian hymn written in 1865 by Lina Sandell with music added in 1872 by Oscar Ahnfelt. 
The hymn's Swedish name is "Blott en dag" (its first three words), meaning "just one day" or "just another day". In Sweden and Finland, it is popular at funerals.

You may download the music sheet as PDF, or in MuseScore format, so you can edit, transpose, transcribe and customize it to your own needs.

Click the image to download the format you want:

   

Here's the backing track. You can use it to practice, to play it on a concert or to make a YouTube video with you playing the trumpet.

Mihai Sorohan · Blott En Dag-Backing Track

Disclaimer:
Notes based on this clarinet version:
https://musescore.com/user/370826/scores/5751904
All materials are properties of their owners, and are used here for informative and educational purposes. I don't accept any responsibility for any damage, loss, liability, injury or upset caused to or suffered by you as a result of misusing this material. 

Cheers and happy learning, 

Mihai

Free Jazz Practice Backing Tracks

 Whether you're learning your first jazz scale or preparing for your next jam session, playing with accompaniment makes practice much more enjoyable.

This collection contains backing tracks based on the chord progressions of well-known jazz standards. To respect copyright, the original melodies are not included, only the harmonic accompaniment.

Feel free to use these tracks to practice improvisation, scales and modes, phrasing, ear training, sight-reading of the themes or your own exercises, or simply to enjoy making music.
I hope they help make your practice sessions both more inspiring and more fun.

Click the image to download:

The collection currently includes 37 backing tracks based on well-known jazz standards and will be expanded regularly with new titles.

Disclaimer: All materials are properties of their owners, and are used here for informative and educational purposes. I don't accept any responsibility for any damage, loss, liability, injury or upset caused to or suffered by you as a result of misusing this material.

Cheers and happy learning,

Mihai

Chromatic Jazz Lick Warm-Up

This exercise was inspired by a short jazz lick heard in a live performance of Cantaloupe Island by Jean Caze, expanded into a longer chromatic warm-up pattern.
You can listen it here (around min 0:46)

It is a great exercise for developing finger coordination, articulation, flexibility, and smooth chromatic movement throughout the instrument.
You may download the music sheet as PDF, or in MuseScore format, so you can edit, transpose, transcribe and customize it to your own needs.

Click the image to download the format you want:

 

Although inspired by a jazz idea, this exercise can be useful for players in many musical styles.

Disclaimer: All materials are properties of their owners, and are used here for informative and educational purposes. I don't accept any responsibility for any damage, loss, liability, injury or upset caused to or suffered by you as a result of misusing this material.

Cheers and happy learning,

Mihai

"Jingle Bell Rock" by Bobby Helms (medium-advanced)

 "Jingle Bell Rock" is one of the most beloved Christmas songs of the 20th century. Composed by Joseph Carleton Beal and James Ross Boothe, the song was first recorded by Bobby Helms in 1957 and quickly became a holiday classic. Its playful combination of festive atmosphere and early rock 'n' roll rhythm offered a modern twist on traditional carols.

This trumpet version perfectly captures the joy of Christmas with a touch of retro charm , offering a colorful performance ideal for concerts, music lessons, or holiday events.

You may download the music sheet as PDF, or in MuseScore format, so you can edit, transpose, transcribe and customize it to your own needs.

Click the image to download the format you want:

   

And here's the backing track. You can use it to practice, to play it on a concert or to make a YouTube video with you playing the trumpet:

Mihai Sorohan · Jingle Bell Rock-Bb Jazz Backing Track

Disclaimer: All materials are properties of their owners, and are used here for informative and educational purposes. I don't accept any responsibility for any damage, loss, liability, injury or upset caused to or suffered by you as a result of misusing this material. 

 

Cheers and happy learning, 

Mihai

Franz Schubert - Ave Maria (medium-advanced)

Franz Schubert’s Ave Maria remains one of the most cherished works in the classical canon, a hymn of purity, grace, and quiet devotion.

This arrangement for trumpet and orchestra, featuring organ and strings, preserves the sacred character of the original while giving the trumpet a lyrical, almost vocal expressiveness that soars above the ensemble.

The piece is transposed to F (G for B♭ instruments), making it more comfortable for medium-advanced players to perform. In this register, the trumpet’s tone becomes warmer and softer, blending beautifully with the orchestral texture and enhancing the overall serenity of the piece.

You may download the music sheet as PDF, or in MuseScore format, so you can edit, transpose, transcribe and customize it to your own needs.

Click the image to download the format you want:

   

Here is an example:

Mihai Sorohan · Ave Maria - Schubert - Bb Trumpet Version

And here's the backing track. You can use it to practice, to play it on a concert or to make a YouTube video with you playing the trumpet:

Mihai Sorohan · Ave Maria - Schubert - Backing Track

Disclaimer: All materials are properties of their owners, and are used here for informative and educational purposes. I don't accept any responsibility for any damage, loss, liability, injury or upset caused to or suffered by you as a result of misusing this material. 

 

Cheers and happy learning, 

Mihai