How to Play in a Rock or Jazz Band is designed to teach each member of the rhythm section, as well as soloists, the basic fundamentals necessary to play with each other as a single musical unit. This not only includes scales; chords; harmonic function (music theory); common song structures, forms, and styles; as well as the role and function of each member of the band; but explanations as to how and why each of these elements work, giving the student a thorough understanding of what they are doing. Coupled with the accompanying play-along recordings, which are individualized for each instrument and are available for download from the publisher's website, this collection is as close to playing in real situations as students can get, short of rounding up the rest of the members of the band and playing this material live. Self-sufficiency for the student is the goal. The successful completion of How to Play in a Rock or Jazz Band will give the student the ability to comfortably play from a fake book with a live band, which will improve their performance in any middle or high school jazz band program.