-
Originally Posted by Doctor Jeff
-
10-13-2023 04:02 PM
-
Originally Posted by John A.
-
Is there a software Real Book? I have iRealPro.
Last edited by Doug B; 10-14-2023 at 06:21 PM.
-
NEVER !!!!!! I use it with students and for learning tunes but NEVER on stage, anywhere ! For solo gigs I have a collection of professionally produced backing tracks which I mix in with "real" solo playing. The iReal stuff is lifeless, static, was never intended for use in a live situation - at least not by anybody for whom the idea of JAZZ is important....
-
Originally Posted by John A.
-
Originally Posted by gitman
Others might opine that “real” solo playing means playing without accompaniment.
These are just observations from one who has never used a backing track on a gig. When I play solo jazz guitar, it’s just me on the stand. I also use iReal and multiple fake books on a tablet for tunes about which I’m uncertain, eg those I’ve never played before and those so deep in my memory that intros, bridges and other details are blurry. It’s nice to be able to respond to requests - and if it takes a teleprompter to play it well, I’m OK with it. So are audiences.
-
Originally Posted by Doug B
-
Originally Posted by Doug B
Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk
-
I was recently hired for a club gig that involved a mixed bag of styles. Some of the tunes were jazz standards. I either knew them or could sight read them without problems. I ended up bringing charts because I had no interest in learning most of the other tunes in the set. The tunes were also arranged, so I wasn't required to improvise.
I like knowing tunes if I'm going to improvise. Otherwise charts are fine. I'm known to shamelessly improvise by looking at the charts in jam sessions however. But I wouldn't do that outside of jam sessions or rehearsals.
-
Originally Posted by docsteve
-
Originally Posted by nevershouldhavesoldit
For most of what I do, I'm still looking at paper if I don't know the tune.
In fact, when I get called for casuals, the leader usually has multiple copies of a book and everybody gets one. No discussion of who knows which tune or which changes are going to be used. There is some variation to address as the tune gets played.
Even when I'm out and about and hear a band someplace, I rarely see chart-less. Nowadays people are looking at lead sheets on a tablet if there isn't paper.
I've been to one jam where the sitters-in are expected to know the tunes they call, but the organist (kicking bass) has his phone out. The leader, who has a well earned Grammy, does seem to know all the tunes. OTOH, if he doesn't know it, they aren't going to play it, since he's the leader.
-
Originally Posted by rpjazzguitar
Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk
-
Originally Posted by rpjazzguitar
Using the internet search function in the iReal app doesn’t produce anywhere close to the number you get by Googling “ iReal pro [name of tune]”, and the only consistent source I’ve found is the iReal forum. Many tunes have 3 or more different versions. I just randomly entered How High The Moon and got 3 different versions on the first page:
-
Originally Posted by nevershouldhavesoldit
Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk
-
Originally Posted by docsteve
-
Originally Posted by Rick5
It’s often worth looking at more than 1 iReal chart for any tune if you’re not thrilled with the first one you find. Some are much better than others.
-
Originally Posted by nevershouldhavesoldit
Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk
-
If you have a local community of jazz players to play with, you don't need backing tracks.
If your style is chord melody, you don't need backing tracks
If you don't play other instruments like saxophone at your solo gig, you don't need backing tracks
Otherwise, you do and you have to learn how to make them sound their best, which iReal styles and instruments to avoid, and how much to mix in.
If handled with some taste the audience won't care and you can perform.
As for those amazing jazz stars whose art demands they make it clear to all of us that *they* would never perform using backing tracks.. yea.. carry on.
-
Originally Posted by Spook410
-
Originally Posted by nevershouldhavesoldit
-
I think it really depends on the level and culture of the jam...and that's why it's always a good idea to attend a few times as a spectator before signing the sheet.
Or let me say it this way...I ain't gonna be the first to pull my phone out...
-
Originally Posted by nevershouldhavesoldit
-
Every few years we have a "tracks in performance" thread, usually goes off the rails.
I'll be polite about it, but I'll just say I've worked pretty hard over the last 2 decades to get a full night's worth of solo guitar together, and well, I'm not going to be using any tracks.
There IS a little stigma to it for me, because I've seen places around here who have the room for a duo or trio (and who are making PLENTY of $) opt for a guy with tracks over real musicians, just to pay less, and I'll be honest with you, I don't like that.
-
Originally Posted by Spook410
Originally Posted by nevershouldhavesoldit
OTOH, live musicians playing from an iReal chart have the option to enhance it as they wish using the edit function and/or their imaginations - it's not static. We're free to interpret and present the music as we wish, changing tempo, time signature, key, style etc. So playing from iReal is only lifeless if the players choose not to breathe life into it.
Backing tracks are obviously popular, and I'm sure they help get gigs because they give the employer multiple musicians for the price of one. I'm not living under a rock - I know this is now necessary to get work, and it's true in major metropolitan areas as well as less populous and demanding regions. Having paid dues to AFM Local 77 for many years and witnessed firsthand the replacement of live music jobs by sequencers etc, I'm still a bit put off by the idea because it has drastically reduced available work for musicians. It has also reduced the mean fee for gigs because those replaced by the musical deus ex machina have had to lower their fees to get gigs. Clubs around here are paying less today than they did 25 years ago for local musicians.
Lastly, I was saying that I'm a bit frosted by those who purport to be playing "solo" but are using backing tracks. Playing with multiple others is simply not playing solo, whether the rest of the band is live or canned. Again, I know it's necessary for many to do this to get gigs. I'm not criticising the practice - I'm criticising the use of the term solo when it's simply not solo playing. The art of solo jazz guitar is withering because fewer and fewer are learning to do it. There's no reason to put in the time and effort when gigs are easier to get if you bring a device full of players with you. This saddens me greatly.
I know, I know - I sound like a crusty old curmudgeon. But at least I play Eastmans through Quilters and Henriksens. I'm not a total throwback.
-
My apologies for mischaracterizing your thoughts on the matter. Though you were representing yourself as the stoic solo jazz performer.. alone on his chair.. sans tracks.. presenting art and craft to the cold, cruel world. That did seem to imply.. well.. never mind.. you get to say what you mean without the jaded interpretation of observers far away peering through a dense fog. It would be nice to attend some of your gigs.
Playing solo.. guess there's shades of grey and we need better terms. Playing with tracks by yourself is not playing in an ensemble. And with a proper mix, it's somewhat unforgiving. But it's not the same as a performer doing chord melody. And then there are the guitarists facing the performance challenges of classical pieces which is yet another category.
And if you think things are bad now.. AI is quite capable of fulfilling the jazz guitar role.
The Autumn of Solo Guitar 2024
Today, 12:42 PM in Chord-Melody