Jazzy Music Education
Evolving Jazzy Music Education
I’ll never forget watching my son’s school jazz band (and hundreds like it) play a concert of 1950s swing charts. The kids played well — but there was no spark, no individuality, no inclusion, no groove or creativity, no sense that the music belonged to them.
They weren’t connecting. They were complying.
That moment hit hard. I realized what many of you may be feeling, too:
Our current model leaves too many students behind.
The current system works for the top 5% — fluent readers, future pros — but what about the rest?
- The ones who feel the beat but don’t sight-read?
- The ones creating loops, remixing on their phones?
- The ones who love music but can’t find themselves in the process?
They don’t need watered-down charts.
They need a different way in.
That’s why I created Unison-Based Content (UBC) — built around shared grooves, everyone playing the melody in unison, creative choice, and student ownership. It’s flexible, inclusive, and modern. It brings readers and non-readers into the same musical space — and makes listening, collaboration, and groove non-negotiable.
UBC is about making room for all the ways students make music today.
Let’s evolve jazzy ensemble learning — together.
“The goal of this website and Unison-Based Content is to bring modern educational discoveries to ‘jazzy’ music educators.”
What do we aspire to do? Pretty much everything below, and more!
Download the PDF One-Sheet
UBC
Unison-Based Content (UBC) for
Secondary Rhythm-Section Based Ensembles
Frustrated with disengaged students, poor sound, or a lack of energy in your music ensemble? Adaptable content and pedagogy help you evolve jazz programs at all secondary and intermediate+ skill levels into vibrant, jazzy, collaborative musical communities. With flexible, student-centered paths and infinite entry points, every musician can shine, exploring culturally rich, contemporary music. Inspire creativity, confidence, and lasting connections while revitalizing our ensemble with the dynamic, UBC approach.
A groove is about how music feels to play. Have fun and get your jazzy band
playing a full song in just one period! The research-based and time-tested
UBC method encourages student-led collaborations where the musicians
choose songs, perform them, and push beyond the fundamentals to deepen
their feel, accuracy, creative expression, and self-confidence. All instruments
and mixed skill levels and instrumentations are welcome.
Best for ‘jazzy’ ensembles. Musicians select songs from a robust library of cutting-edge global artists. All content is provided. Reading music or TAB is strongly suggested.
Best for “poppy” ensembles. Musicians and teachers use modern pedagogy, aural learning, and lead sheets. Reading music or TAB is suggested.
Personalized
& Group
Instruction
Traditional
UBC
Traditional
Feature
Benefits
Voice & Choice
Student ownership of their musical journey is key. They choose the music and identify their preferences, needs, and viewpoints, and then, everyone plays the melody and rhythm and the whole song.
Global Groove Music
With UBC, musicians explore the many forms of music in our global society, broadening cultural awareness and expanding ensemble possibilities.
Nat’l Standards & Frameworks
UBC integrates modern education discoveries, NCAS standards, and social-emotional learning, bringing
validated theories to life in music classrooms.
Process over Product
UBC’s activities emphasize action and problem-based learning, fostering personal ownership, meaningful
results, personal and social growth, and self-actualization.
Musician Resources
Musicians and teachers benefit from both physical and digital materials—recordings, worksheets, sheet music,
and guides—to support diverse learning styles and enhance teaching and comprehension.
Student-Led, Teacher-Guided
By flipping the classroom paradigm with inquiry-based teaching, both learn together; students take the lead
while relying on instructors for guidance in music-making and nurturing 21st-century life skills.
Personalized & Group Instruction
Teaching only to individuals or groups limits growth. UBC’s pedagogy combines the two approaches to build a
stronger foundation and deliver measurable results for all.
RichardJFrank.com • 385.501.4311 • Richard@RichardJFrank.com