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Our tune this week is a fantastic mid tempo ballad with some great twists...but its also very accessible.
Short form too, feel free to take a few choruses...I did two.
For me, comments and criticism always welcome.
Post yours below! Let's talk approaches too...
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01-21-2021 06:41 PM
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Never heard it, never even heard OF it, so this will be fun!
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That’s a nice tune, always meant to play it but never got round to it.
As it happens, the very first jazz concert I ever went to was Sam Rivers, in Sheffield of all places. He had a trio with Dave Holland on bass, and drummer Steve Ellington. It was in a school hall and was put on by a local jazz society. I was just starting to get curious about jazz so thought I’d give it a try.
He might have played Beatrice, although as I recall he said that the music they were playing was completely improvised. It was actually quite melodic stuff, not particularly way-out. So I survived my first live jazz experience unscathed, and carried on!
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I must have been impressed enough to buy a Sam Rivers record, still got it (and Beatrice is on it):
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What a fantastic record.
I was listening to this and "Contours" a lot this week...its what sparked this choice.
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That's a Yamaha Pacifica 012 ($179 new, including amp, case, strap and book; made in Indonesia) with a Lil 59 pu in the neck position (that's what you hear). ME80 adding reverb. Little Jazz. Into the phone.
Backing track: Irealpro played back thru a Roland KC150. 100 bpm. Fmaj. "Jazz-Medium Swing".Last edited by rpjazzguitar; 01-23-2021 at 10:55 PM.
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Great tune, was a favorite of some of my jam friends back in NYC.
Great album. Sam Rivers was incredibly melodic even though he was an "out" saxophonist.
I'll throw my hat in as soon as I can head down and play some. Great choices so far. "Contours" is also a great album. A little more forward leaning maybe, but still groovin' as all can be
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OK. I'll bite. here's my take. I decided for an easy swing and a bluesy approach. One take, no edits. No chart, all by ear. Some tuning issues as you may hear. Sorry for that.
DB
P.s. A suggestion if I may. I think video only is the best thing for your virtual jams Mr. B.. Audio only may some people have editing out mistakes and combining solos etc. which is against the spirit of your project ...Last edited by Dutchbopper; 01-22-2021 at 11:38 AM.
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So you think there's impostors around here on the forum?
Originally Posted by Dutchbopper
Great playing all around - great tones from the F-style solid bodies as well.
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DB, sounds great! Great bop style lines on this one.
I agree on video, just because I like seeing people, I'm not so concerned about "cheating" or anything like that. But I do think there's real value in going in as cold as possible. My rule is going to be to post a first take if at all possible (assuming it doesn't get interrupted completely-- which can happen in my house!)
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Well, let's say video stimulates a more jazz like and honest approach. I know from experience what pro audio software can do and it ain't in the spirit of jazz., heh heh. Originally Posted by TOMMO
So you think there's impostors around here on the forum?
Great playing all around - great tones from the F-style solid bodies as well.
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\ Originally Posted by mr. beaumont
Excellent idea. First take though you never know that of course. Clams and all should no problem, right? Good for spontaneity.
DB
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Video also makes it a little more personal and I like seeing how players handle fingerings and such. Originally Posted by Dutchbopper
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What would you suggest for people like me who never even heard of this tune before yesterday? My first take will be a train wreck! Originally Posted by mr. beaumont
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Mmmm .... yeah. I understand. Consult Dr. Jeff for that. You can probably get a disclaimer due to personal circumstances. Originally Posted by lawson-stone
What would you suggest for people like me who never even heard of this tune before yesterday? My first take will be a train wreck!
DB
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I actually have a bunch of suggestions!!! Originally Posted by lawson-stone
What would you suggest for people like me who never even heard of this tune before yesterday? My first take will be a train wreck!
I have my "internalize a tune quickly" scheme I do. I've been using this for jam of the week on Facebook for years, and it's gotten me very good at committing a tune to short term memory in a very short period of time. Keep in mind, it only gets the tune into short term memory, so if you actually end up liking the song and you want to go further with it, you'll have to keep playing it!
Here's what I do.
1. Listen to as many different versions of the tune as possible and learn to sing an approximation of the melody. For a knotty bop head, that's not always possible, but for tunes like whisper not and beatrice, it's very possible.
2. write out the changes and pay very close attention to form. A lot of times, when I write things out, I'll simplify the changes, or I'll write it out twice and compare the original to the simplified. Even if I have a chart to the tune--WRITE IT OUT. It's crucial. And REALLY pay attention to the form.
3. Play the chords and sing the melody.
4. Play the chords and sing improvised melodies.
5. Then actually try playing some improvised melodies on guitar. Before I ever try this step, the form of the tune must be internalized.
So a ton of the work is done without a guitar in hand.
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Definitely. Originally Posted by Dutchbopper
There's a flub in my take this week. Fuck it, it stays in
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Yes, a note from my doctor! Originally Posted by Dutchbopper
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Very helpful (why am I not surprised?) Thanks! Originally Posted by mr. beaumont
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Still considering myself a beginner at jazz guitar I have to say that tunes like "Whisper Not" and especially "Beatrice" are not ones I can just put on and play tuneful imrovisations over, I need to analyze what can be done and practice quite a bit.
Thanks for the tips, Jeff!
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My last bit would be to say analysis is great and all, but deep theoretical dives are not all that necessary. Most tunes give you exactly what you need to know right there in the chords and melody.
If you get stuck on a tune, there is a LOT to be said for simply playing a chord (I like to use a keyboard for this, but whatever works) and simply seeing which notes sound good to your ears against it.
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Ha,ha,ha...every take is good .Video or audio if the quality is ok.All works here are virtual.You play with backing track like any others.All takes here with backing tracks are only presentations. Originally Posted by Dutchbopper
I played a lot of real jams with real musicians.It is completly different thing if musicians create music alltogheter.
Virtual life!!!
I prefer better audio than bad video...
Last edited by kris; 01-23-2021 at 05:26 AM.
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My name is Mitch and I live in New Jersey and attend University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Here is my first crack at Beatrice. I used the I Real Pro backtrack with two repeats. PS, I'm always looking for jam buddies on Zoom.
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Welcome aboard Mitch, hope to hear a lot more from ya. Originally Posted by MFaber
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That's not what I meant by "analysis" but rather sort out in advance what I can play over what chord - that is: not which scale but rather something like Am over F and Bbm over Gb for example and how I get smoothly from one chord to the other Originally Posted by mr. beaumont
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signed off for a week with the blues. Originally Posted by lawson-stone
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Mr. Beaumont... Awesome, really enjoyed that.
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rpjazzguitar, that Yamaha sounds great. Thanks for the jam, enjoyed that.
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Dutchbopper, sounding really good, bluesy and boppy.
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Got off the wrong turn and made a detour to Pismo Beach, home of the worlds largest clams.
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Nice bluesy take, Frank. I've really enjoyed your laid back feel on these tunes so far. Originally Posted by fep
Which means of course I have to pick something with a little FIRE to it for next week
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Nice feel. Soulful. Originally Posted by fep
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I am fine with whatever, as long as there's more posting of music and less posting of typing.
Get's me outta that bad habit. Typing never helped my playing much.
Great playing on these submissions by the way. Makes me itch to play and post... but recording setup is such a THING. Post soon, when my fam gets to sleep or some sort in the middle.
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Okay, so apparently you can use Youtube as video capturing software anymore... when did that happen, again?
Oh Google, how I loathe--I mean, how I love you
I tried and failed to record video using my Zoom H4nPro as the mic... no dice.
I think I'm not even recording my guitar right for this room--lessons to learn, right?
Here it is:
My exclamation is added in disgust. Wasn't crazy about this take, but that's the point. Makes me miss jamming live... If you all are ever in Seattle, let me know
Nice musicians over here and you might recognize a couple of us 
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Thank you mr b. That was a new tune for me, very nice!
I listened to the original and the takes by mr b, dutchbopper and rpjazzguitar quite a few times for inspiration.
Very nice guys!
Backing track by Guitare Improvisation - YouTube
So "by public demand" here they are, my (left hand) fingers....
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This is my first and only take today......slow latin style.I know this tune over 30 years but I have not opportunity to play it too much.
BB bacing track - Intro 8 bars fm7 / Bb7 plus coda fm7 / Bb7 fade out.Played on Hamadyk-hollow guitar.
Welcome coments:
BoxLast edited by kris; 01-26-2021 at 06:26 AM.
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A fun device I like to use on those maj7 Chords that go up a 1/2 step, is playing a min pent scale from the root of the 1st maj7 chord.
So from Fmaj7 to Gbmaj, I play F major then Fm pent for the Gbmaj7. It adds a (#11) to the Gbmaj7. Most of you probably know this 'trick', but I thought I'd share it anyways!
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Been listening to and enjoying everyone's takes a lot...ill make some specific comments later tonight.
So happy to see all the participation!
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I think this thread is a great concept! It's fun to just record something quickly and be able to release something that's not perfect.
The very famous Rick Beato has a couple episodes where he talks about the age of perfect music that we live in. In my case it's good therapy to be doing this! Thanks Mr Beaumont!
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Here's mine
Beautiful tune. Definitely a work-out for me, and a great choice for this jam concept. I'm tempted to try again in with a more fusion-y/legato sound and approach, if I have time.
(because someone asked last time ...)
Guitar: 77 Hawk Jazz
Amp: BF Super Reverb plug-in in GarageBand mated to a SF Twin cabinet model
Recording method: GarageBand on a Macbook Air with a Presonus Audiobox USB interface
Backing track: . I use an mp3 to youtube conversion site, then drag/drop the file into GB. I also cut the length in half.
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Great take, Dick. Regarding video vs. audio. I often do audio only direct to computer with an amp plug-in because family is around and/or it's late and I can't plug into an amp. Combining this with video is a production that gets in the way (for me, anyway) of doing the tune quickly and spontaneously. You can trust me (and hear the evidence) -- I don't cheat with edits. Originally Posted by Dutchbopper
John
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That sounds just lovely. I enjoyed the tone, the feel, the tune (which is settling into my mind now), and the improvisation. You all are inspiring me. I was going to sit this one out, not knowing the tune at all, but I have been inspired to work on it. Originally Posted by John A.
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But part of the true jazz experience is getting up at a jam session and having to play songs you've never heard before cold. It's worth trying at least some of the time. After a while you get to where you can pretty much function on most tunes. I'll admit, though, that I shedded both of these for a bit before recording (and listened to a few versions). Originally Posted by TOMMO
John
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For some reason this tune keeps reminding me of that Jim Hall tune, "Something Special."
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Thanks for your encouragement, John, I may give it a shot tomorrow. Love your version btw.! Originally Posted by John A.
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Overall, that sounds really cool. I like the bluesy take and Carlton-ish articulations. Modest amounts of seafood complement the rest of the meal. Originally Posted by fep
John
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I keep hearing the Fiddler on the Roof theme. Very hard to resist quoting it. Originally Posted by lawson-stone
John
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So I really love the melody of this. Spacious, beautiful intervals and phrases... then my soloing seems to break the glass somehow! Not saying this is bad, just saying it's a very early take and I'm just trying to make the changes and play some pretty notes here and there. But I can see how this could be a really fun tune to improvise over. After a pretty decent start on the second chorus it really fell apart, so I just cut the clip abruptly halfway through that second chorus. Nobody should have to listen to that!
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That sounds really good, Lawson. You hung with the harmony just fine and had good melodic ideas. Originally Posted by lawson-stone
John
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Another approach to teaching improvisation
Today, 05:26 AM in Improvisation