Hello and I'm not quite sure what I've done

ajympt · #1 01-14-2010, 08:57 PM

I am a longtime jazz fan but I have always played everything but. My last live stint was 2 years ago in a country band, but today I agreed to try becoming the accompanist for a really great local jazz singer who wants to pare down to just her and a guitar player- I pretty much spent the rest of the day trying to remember my actual musicianship skills from my pre band classical days and then had an anxiety attack after I realized what I had done. I have now come here for advice and hopefully some guidance as I try to keep going in the deep end I have thrown myself into. Hopefully I won't be too annoying- yes I know how to play a guitar, I knew how to read music a long time ago in a galaxy far far away, but this is definitely outside my comfort zone.

JohnW400 · #2 01-14-2010, 09:46 PM

Play as few notes as possible . root , 3 and 7th. To thicken it up double the root or 3rd. This way you not in the way of the melody and not fumbling around trying to figure out altered 5's or 9th.

Walk a bass once in a while

derek · #3 01-15-2010, 08:39 AM

Welcome to the group. There is a nice long thread here on backing up a singer. John's advice is solid.

ajympt · #4 01-15-2010, 10:56 PM

Thanks for the heads up on that thread, and to John as well- I was always used to lots of "cover"if you messed up here and there- I have heard her sing before and she is really impressive, has a big voice, so I'm obviously not going to be the reason people are there but if I go wrong it is going to be pretty much right out there. she is supposed to be getting some music to me next week, so that should help. See you guys around.

rsclosson · #5 01-16-2010, 10:47 AM

I have worked with several singers over the years. How are you at walking bass? I find that comping with sparse chords and walking bass really effective.

OH! And be sure to rehearse with the singer extensively. The vocalists I have worked with almost never were able to sing the tunes in the original key! Thankfully, as a sax player I have fakebooks for Eb and Bb instruments. It was amazing how many of the tunes in the Eb book were perfect for the female vocalists.

ajympt · #6 01-17-2010, 07:36 PM

Yeah, I need to start listening to examples of a more solo guitar to get a better feel for walking the bass and other techniques that work well in a more limited setting- I am used to 5-6 people so lots of "cover" if you know what I mean. I don't really know what key she likes to sing in, but I do know of a couple sites that have hundreds of chord sheets that will automatically transpose to the key you enter so I figure that may save some time - I use to read sheet music fairly well when I was taking classical lessons, but I got so lazy when I was actually playing that its pathetic.

rsclosson · #7 01-17-2010, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajympt

Yeah, I need to start listening to examples of a more solo guitar to get a better feel for walking the bass and other techniques that work well in a more limited setting- I am used to 5-6 people so lots of "cover" if you know what I mean. I don't really know what key she likes to sing in, but I do know of a couple sites that have hundreds of chord sheets that will automatically transpose to the key you enter so I figure that may save some time - I use to read sheet music fairly well when I was taking classical lessons, but I got so lazy when I was actually playing that its pathetic.

Being able to read and classical training is a major asset. I sure would love to know where these transposing chord sheet sites are.

ajympt · #8 01-17-2010, 07:59 PM

Here is the main one- you have to sign up but it is free- I have not obviously made it through their lists to check the absolute accuracy but I figure if it gets you in the ball park its better then nothing. Its not really all jazz, some pop and whatever. I have not noticed increased spam or anything, but I always sign up for stuff like this through hotmail anyway.

http://www.realbook.us/

rsclosson · #9 01-17-2010, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajympt

Here is the main one- you have to sign up but it is free- I have not obviously made it through their lists to check the absolute accuracy but I figure if it gets you in the ball park its better then nothing. Its not really all jazz, some pop and whatever. I have not noticed increased spam or anything, but I always sign up for stuff like this through hotmail anyway.

Realbook Jazz Charts

In the short time I have been a member of this site, I have already gotten tons of really valuable information. Thanks!!