How Classical and Jazz Music Shape Versatile Musicians

My main focus on this site is woodwind doubling. If you recall, my definition of woodwind doubling has two parts. First and most obviously, you must be able to play many woodwind instruments. Secondly, you must be able to play in a wide variety of styles.

Among the many styles a doubler might encounter, two stand out as essential: classical music and jazz. Mastery of these two genres provides a deep understanding of music that extends into virtually every modern style. This post introduces two upcoming series that will explore these styles in depth:

• Jazz From the Ground Up – A structured approach to learning jazz, focusing on swing, improvisation, and style.

• The Art of Classical Music – A deep dive into the classical tradition, from technique and phrasing to historical context.

In this post, I’ll explain why classical and jazz music is an almost all encompassing study of music.

Part 1: Why Learn Classical Music?

Western classical music provides the structural foundation for much of what we hear today. It began in the Roman Catholic Church with plainchant—a style many recognize as the sound of monks singing. These chants were monophonic, meaning they consisted of a single melody with no harmony or accompaniment.

Over time, this simplicity gave way to more complex musical structures. Poets in medieval France, known as troubadours and trouvères, began setting their poetry to melodies. While their music remained relatively simple, it introduced the idea of secular (non-religious) music as a recognized art form.

As the Church gradually loosened its grip on musical rules, composers began experimenting with harmony. This led to polyphony—music with multiple independent melodic lines—laying the groundwork for what we now recognize as Western music theory. Composers such as Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven expanded these principles, developing harmonic progressions, counterpoint, and orchestration techniques that still define music today.

Why Classical Music Matters for a Woodwind Doubler

Classical music encompasses nearly every theoretical and technical concept found in modern music. By studying classical repertoire, you develop:

• Tone Control – Classical music demands a refined, consistent tone, which is crucial for playing multiple woodwinds at a high level.

• Technique – The technical challenges in classical etudes and concert repertoire build the finger dexterity and articulation needed for any style.

• Music Theory Mastery – Classical music forms the backbone of harmonic and melodic theory, from diatonic harmony to chromaticism and counterpoint.

If classical music offers such a comprehensive foundation, then why not focus exclusively on it? This brings us to jazz.

Part 2: Why Jazz Complements Classical Music.

While classical music provides structural and theoretical grounding, jazz introduces two critical elements missing from the classical tradition:

1. Swing and Groove – Classical music, even in its most rhythmically intricate forms, does not teach the concept of swing or how to internalize groove-based playing.

2. Improvisation – While classical musicians may develop strong theoretical knowledge, classical training does not emphasize spontaneous composition and musical conversation in the way jazz does.

A classical musician might understand harmony well enough to compose intricate melodies in their head, but that doesn’t mean they can improvise in real time or navigate chord changes freely. Jazz forces musicians to apply their theoretical knowledge in a spontaneous and interactive way.

By combining classical training with jazz study, a woodwind doubler gains the best of both worlds—technical precision and stylistic flexibility. In future posts, I’ll break down each style further and explore how to develop the skills necessary to master both.