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Hi all,
I have been learning to sing jazz standards, this question is not about guitar playing specifically.
As an example Come Rain or Shine as done by Chet Baker; he does it very different than more mainstream performances. He does it slower, darker, more intimate somehow including the accompaniment. Most other performances I have found out there are more bluesy and swingy.
How would I communicate this vibe to the jazz jam musicians?
-I know I can set the tempo and have a quick convo right before starting with piano and bassist or drummer about the pace.
-I know I cant expect them to magically play it like the Chet Baker version nor do I want to go up there with too many instructions.
Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
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02-09-2019 03:14 PM
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Tell them you're doing it as a ballad and sing (to them) the first line at your tempo. If they're good, get a note to put you in your key, and start singing into the mic at your tempo - they'll fall in.
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In the rehearsal room have the track on your phone and play it for them. They'll get it in a few bars.
On the bandstand you have to communicate the feel by singing, tapping, dancing and/or with vocal percussion.
Sing a few notes from the bass line, add mouth percussion for the drum feel, and sing a few notes of the melodyh so they don't accidentally halve or double the time.
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Sometimes I’ll ask my usual jam partner (bass player) to let me start solo, and come in when he feels it.
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Why can't being the one to count off the tempo to begin the song accomplish your needs?
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Originally Posted by Reflex
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thank you all!
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be careful in jam session situations: ballads are very hard to play well, especially by amateurs and casual jammers. You might need to go with "slow swing".
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I think if you just say 'there's this Chet Baker version of the tune I really like and the tempo is here...' that'll be fine
There's only so much you can accomplish musically on jam sessions...
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Originally Posted by Reflex
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Snap fingers on 2 and 4 and scat sing the walking bass line. Scat sing the way you want the drums to feel, maybe specify brushes. Then a few words of the lyric and mention Chet Baker. Good players will get close.
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Chet being Chet. He was a lovely musician.
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