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Download the Keynote presentation of Pathways towards Greatness Jazz Education Network Conference Dallas, TX - January, 2021 presented by Bob Sinicrope 
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Pathways towards Greatness - Strides for Building Foundation
is a comprehensive and progressive practice method for learning, internalizing and utilizing chord tones. Each book in the method focuses on applying exercises and solos to the chord changes of tunes frequently played at jam sessions. With emphasis on ‘learning by doing’, it outlines essential pitch and rhythmic choices that will offer freedom when improvising.
Being able to successfully play the exercises is a start. However, the real value of this approach will manifest when, through repetition and understanding, you take ownership of each concept and then make up your own exercises. This will contribute to your ability to craft strong solos. Inherent throughout the method are the following concepts: Approach Notes, Forward Motion, Passing Tones, Syncopation and Voice Leading. Once you get command of this material you are not obliged to limit yourself to focusing on chord tones, but you will have the option of choosing. You can’t play outside until you learn how to play inside – John LaPorta
Being able to successfully play the exercises is a start. However, the real value of this approach will manifest when, through repetition and understanding, you take ownership of each concept and then make up your own exercises. This will contribute to your ability to craft strong solos. Inherent throughout the method are the following concepts: Approach Notes, Forward Motion, Passing Tones, Syncopation and Voice Leading. Once you get command of this material you are not obliged to limit yourself to focusing on chord tones, but you will have the option of choosing. You can’t play outside until you learn how to play inside – John LaPorta
Acknowledgements
Pathways Towards Greatness represents the current state of my ongoing learning and understanding of how to help students deepen their ability to freely express themselves in the jazz language. I love working collaboratively, and am blessed to have caring, dedicated, and knowledgeable partners on our team for this project. I am fortunate for the impact of many teachers and these include Jamey Aebersold, David Baker, Charlie Banacos, Jerry Bergonzi, Steve Bailey, Gary Burton, Jerry Coker, Hal Crook, Hal Galper, Mick Goodrick, Bob Gullotti, Dan Haerle, Dick Johnson, John LaPorta, Harry Pickens, Herb Pomeroy, Rufus Reid, Kenny Werner and Victor Wooten. These wonderful players/teachers/learners have had a powerful impact on me. Being on the staff of the Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshops for over 40 years, and more recently the Victor Wooten Berklee Bass Weekend Workshop, has provided invaluable enrichment and inspiration. I am grateful to Milton Academy, the wonderful institution that hired me as a full-time math teacher in 1973 and has supported and encouraged my transition to becoming a full-time jazz teacher.
This project has been amazingly enhanced by my editors Shannon LeClaire, Chats DeVroop and Ted Scalzo. Their advice, keen eyes, perseverance and encouragement were instrumental in getting this project to completion. Others who were very helpful with reading and editing were Paul Bangser and John Goldsby. I am also grateful to Austin Mitchell and Peter Flom at SmartMusic for their skill and efforts in transforming this work to SmartMusic format. A well-deserved shout-out goes to my wonderful Finale and SmartMusic teachers over the years, Jonathan Feist, Tom Johnson, Leigh Kallestad, Mavis Kallestad, Mike Moniz and Tom Rudolph. I greatly appreciate the fine musicians and technicians Mike DiLiddo (guitar and recording), Bobby Floyd (Hammond B3), Barry Lit (drums and recording), Austin Nill (recording), Joel Scanlon (mixing) of ScanHope Sound, Ron Zack (piano) who recorded and/or produced the backing tracks. It was a pleasure for me to play bass with them on these tracks.
Finally, and most significantly, my wife Frances Scanlon has been amazingly helpful with her cover design, project formatting, and more importantly her love and support throughout. I thank her for her enthusiasm and commitment to me and this project.
Bob Sinicrope 2024
This project has been amazingly enhanced by my editors Shannon LeClaire, Chats DeVroop and Ted Scalzo. Their advice, keen eyes, perseverance and encouragement were instrumental in getting this project to completion. Others who were very helpful with reading and editing were Paul Bangser and John Goldsby. I am also grateful to Austin Mitchell and Peter Flom at SmartMusic for their skill and efforts in transforming this work to SmartMusic format. A well-deserved shout-out goes to my wonderful Finale and SmartMusic teachers over the years, Jonathan Feist, Tom Johnson, Leigh Kallestad, Mavis Kallestad, Mike Moniz and Tom Rudolph. I greatly appreciate the fine musicians and technicians Mike DiLiddo (guitar and recording), Bobby Floyd (Hammond B3), Barry Lit (drums and recording), Austin Nill (recording), Joel Scanlon (mixing) of ScanHope Sound, Ron Zack (piano) who recorded and/or produced the backing tracks. It was a pleasure for me to play bass with them on these tracks.
Finally, and most significantly, my wife Frances Scanlon has been amazingly helpful with her cover design, project formatting, and more importantly her love and support throughout. I thank her for her enthusiasm and commitment to me and this project.
Bob Sinicrope 2024