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I'm looking for some recommendations of some solo jazz pieces that are handy when someone says: "Play me something!".
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01-16-2023 09:07 AM
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Originally Posted by cbgrey
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Originally Posted by cbgrey
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Laura.
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Yesterday by The Beatles solo guitar style. Jazz in the same style would be Autumn Leaves.
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A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square.
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Chitlins Con Carne. Everyone likes the blues.
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"The Days of Wine and Roses" is my go to these days but if you're looking for "recognizability" by the non-jazz audience, probably "Summertime" would be a better bet.
Also please no matter what you do, don't choose "Take Five", that's rock players idea of jazz, lol.Last edited by Tal_175; 01-16-2023 at 02:32 PM.
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Thanks for the responses so far. Really great.
Not too important that it be recognizable but something that would show some level of musicianship.
I always feel like it's asked with a bit of a critique implied. "Show me you can play something more than the licks to 'Sweet Child O' Mine', 'Smoke on the Water' or 'Layla'."
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Those are good ones to pick too. If someone plays Smoke on The Water with the right voicings, right key, solid feel and time I’d be impressed.
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Beatles tunes too. I worked up a medley of Lucy in the Sky and In My Life and working on another of Blackbird and Free as a Bird.
The Kinks tune, Tired of Waiting for You is another favorite to do.
Summertime can be very nice, Autumn Leaves, too. Some blues maybe; I do a medley of Freddie the Freeloader and Blue Monk.
If it feels like a ballad is in order, Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most is lovely, as is Someone to Watch Over Me. If it’s holiday season, The Christmas Song.
Those are my go to songs if I’m spontaneously asked. I suppose it also depends on the room, so to speak. Thankfully, I’ve never been in a situation like, “OK, dude, show us what you got.”
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"Stella BSL" was the most popular song in America the last century;
something older folk would recognize and enjoy. For younger folks
maybe something soft and light like Norah Jones - Don't Know Why.
Whatever, don't try to test your chops, if it is important, they'll hear.
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Originally Posted by AllanAllen
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Smoke Gets In Your Eyes chord melody.
Tony
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Originally Posted by cbgrey
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Originally Posted by mr. beaumont
Tony
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Originally Posted by cbgrey
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Anything by Lyle Lovett. I’m serious. Play extended chord voicings and call it jazz.
Musically interesting and, often, lyrically fascinating.
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Lately it’s been Nuages. It’s a pretty tune, nice tempo, and seems well suited to solo guitar.
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For a ballad, Moonlight in Vermont.
Tom
Grant Green, What is This Thing
Yesterday, 01:59 PM in Ear Training, Transcribing & Reading