Introducing Variations on Clarke’s Second Study, Volume Two: 24 melodic variations through the 7 modes of the ascending melodic minor scale, for trumpet, by Rich Willey.
Like Volume One, Volume Two is based on Herbert L. Clarke’s classic Second Study, systematically exploring the modes of the ascending melodic minor scale, a very important scale for jazz improvisation and modern classical composition. There are 24 permutations of the Second Study resulting in a full exploration of all seven modes of the ascending melodic minor scale, 2016 studies in all.
Now you can gain massive amounts of musical knowledge while improving your technique. Each of the 24 Second Study variations is presented in all 12 keys and through the 7 modes of the ascending melodic minor scale (Ascending Melodic Minor Scale, Dorian Flat Two Scale, Lydian Sharp Five Scale, Lydian Flat Seven Scale, Mixolydian Flat Six Scale, Locrian Sharp Two Scale, and Super Locrian Scale). 168 clearly presented pages of material to hone your technique, train your ears and stimulate the growth of your musicianship.
The text at the front of the book offers suggestions to help you find ways to get the most out of this book. Each page has suggested articulation patterns, and there are two pages of practice logs in the back of the book to help you record and keep track of your progress.
170 pages printed on high quality paper and GBC comb-bound to lay flat on your music stand, this beautifully engraved presentation (24 variations in 12 keys through 7 modes totals 2016 printed studies) is full of material just waiting to help you improve your playing and musicianship by leaps and bounds.
“What I did was to write exercises based on Herbert L. Clarke’s Second Study (from his Technical Studies book) so I don’t always have that same little melody running around in my head. I organized them into a ‘logical’ series starting with mostly scalar movement and gradually becoming more arpeggiated (wider intervals than a second).
“I came up with 24 such melodies. They appear in all 12 keys moving through the cycle of fourths (add a flat or subtract a sharp). I wrote each one of them so that they use all the notes of a standard scale (a minimum of one full octave), and then I put them into all seven modes of the ascending melodic minor scale, a very important scale for jazz improvisation and modern classical composition.
“So you have 7 chapters of 24 variations of Second Study inspired melodies going through all 12 keys, 2016 studies in all.
“Plus, there are suggested articulations at the bottom of each page.
“This way you can improve your technique while learning (I mean, really learning) all the modes of the ascending melodic minor scale in all the keys. You can play a different one every day and never get bored (but you’ll keep on learning).
“This has turned out to be a great, systematic way to work on improving my jazz improvisation while continuing the seemingly never-ending chore of cleaning up my technique. Now I’m thoroughly exploring the modes of the ascending melodic minor scale including the dorian flat two scale, the lydian sharp five scale, the lydian flat seven scale, the mixolydian flat six scale, the locrian sharp two scale, and the super locrian scale. My improvisation has steadily improved since I’ve started practicing out of this new book.”
— Rich Willey
Click here to see larger front cover.
Like Volume One, Volume Two is based on Herbert L. Clarke’s classic Second Study, systematically exploring the modes of the ascending melodic minor scale, a very important scale for jazz improvisation and modern classical composition. There are 24 permutations of the Second Study resulting in a full exploration of all seven modes of the ascending melodic minor scale, 2016 studies in all.
Now you can gain massive amounts of musical knowledge while improving your technique. Each of the 24 Second Study variations is presented in all 12 keys and through the 7 modes of the ascending melodic minor scale (Ascending Melodic Minor Scale, Dorian Flat Two Scale, Lydian Sharp Five Scale, Lydian Flat Seven Scale, Mixolydian Flat Six Scale, Locrian Sharp Two Scale, and Super Locrian Scale). 168 clearly presented pages of material to hone your technique, train your ears and stimulate the growth of your musicianship.
The text at the front of the book offers suggestions to help you find ways to get the most out of this book. Each page has suggested articulation patterns, and there are two pages of practice logs in the back of the book to help you record and keep track of your progress.
170 pages printed on high quality paper and GBC comb-bound to lay flat on your music stand, this beautifully engraved presentation (24 variations in 12 keys through 7 modes totals 2016 printed studies) is full of material just waiting to help you improve your playing and musicianship by leaps and bounds.
“What I did was to write exercises based on Herbert L. Clarke’s Second Study (from his Technical Studies book) so I don’t always have that same little melody running around in my head. I organized them into a ‘logical’ series starting with mostly scalar movement and gradually becoming more arpeggiated (wider intervals than a second).
“I came up with 24 such melodies. They appear in all 12 keys moving through the cycle of fourths (add a flat or subtract a sharp). I wrote each one of them so that they use all the notes of a standard scale (a minimum of one full octave), and then I put them into all seven modes of the ascending melodic minor scale, a very important scale for jazz improvisation and modern classical composition.
“So you have 7 chapters of 24 variations of Second Study inspired melodies going through all 12 keys, 2016 studies in all.
“Plus, there are suggested articulations at the bottom of each page.
“This way you can improve your technique while learning (I mean, really learning) all the modes of the ascending melodic minor scale in all the keys. You can play a different one every day and never get bored (but you’ll keep on learning).
“This has turned out to be a great, systematic way to work on improving my jazz improvisation while continuing the seemingly never-ending chore of cleaning up my technique. Now I’m thoroughly exploring the modes of the ascending melodic minor scale including the dorian flat two scale, the lydian sharp five scale, the lydian flat seven scale, the mixolydian flat six scale, the locrian sharp two scale, and the super locrian scale. My improvisation has steadily improved since I’ve started practicing out of this new book.”
— Rich Willey
Click here to see larger front cover.

Variations on Clarke's Second Study, Volume Two: 24 melodic variations through the
7 modes of the ascending melodic minor scale, for trumpet, by Rich Willey
$45.00 | Catalog: BMPMSE004
7 modes of the ascending melodic minor scale, for trumpet, by Rich Willey
$45.00 | Catalog: BMPMSE004