Building Jazz Standard Repertoire

[Jason Sioco]

One thing I learned in my musical life is that the first repertoire is always the hardest. As I learn more repertoires, it gets easier. I always try to make myself better on the guitar. I am not talking about the melody or the chord progression of a repertoire, more like the little things: comping, rhythm changes, accompaniment style. I plan to buy this cool software called "Band in a Box". My finances are down right now, but I am in the process of saving. I have benefited from using "Guitar Pro", but it is more inclined to rock and metal and not jazz. I know Autumn Leaves, All the Things You are, Billie's Bounce, There Will Never Be Another You, and What is This Thing Called Love? I know some jazz repertoire already, but with Band in a Box, I will learn the comping, the rhythm changes, and accompaniment style of that tune. I think that's what Band in a Box does. Keeping my fingers crossed.

This is what I like to share.

[grahambop]

Band in a Box is a useful tool for practising over a reasonably realistic backing, but I would not say it is the best way to learn comping, different styles etc. The best way to do that is listen to real musicians, either on recordings or live.

[gmek]

Agreed that live musicians are best, but backing tracks can be helpful.

For a less expensive alternative check out iReal Pro. Aebersold books can be useful, too.

[lawson-stone]

Many of us live in places where finding live jazz musicians to play with is simply not possible, at least not often enough to make it the mainstay of our growth. I like iRealPro a lot, but wish it had more of the versatility of Band-in-a-Box. I wish BIAB had a more seamless interface with tablets; right now, it's really clunky getting your BIAB files to work on a tablet.

For a great many of us, though, digital band mates are a necessity.

[grahambop]

I agree that backing tracks are useful, I use them too, but it seemed to me the OP thought that BIAB would help him learn comping and different styles (read his exact words). Perhaps I misunderstood what he meant.

I suppose you could learn to comp by playing along with it, or listening to what the piano track does, and you'll get some style pointers from it.

But you'd get more education in these matters by listening to actual recordings I would have thought.

It's useful for practising your soloing over, I'll go along with that. But it didn't seem as if that's what the OP was talking about.

Anyway I'll shut up now, I've probably got the wrong end of the stick!

[Jason Sioco]

Agreed that live musicians are best, but backing tracks can be helpful.

For a less expensive alternative check out iReal Pro. Aebersold books can be useful, too.

I have iReal Pro. It's pretty useful in knowing the chord progression of every standard. It has pop tunes too. It's also useful in improvising. If I find the song too fast, I can slow it down with iReal Pro.

[Jason Sioco]

I agree that backing tracks are useful, I use them too, but it seemed to me the OP thought that BIAB would help him learn comping and different styles (read his exact words). Perhaps I misunderstood what he meant.

I suppose you could learn to comp by playing along with it, or listening to what the piano track does, and you'll get some style pointers from it.

But you'd get more education in these matters by listening to actual recordings I would have thought.

It's useful for practising your soloing over, I'll go along with that. But it didn't seem as if that's what the OP was talking about.

Anyway I'll shut up now, I've probably got the wrong end of the stick!

Nothing can beat learning from actual recordings. I checked a tutorial of BIAB, the advantage of it is that the music notation of the comping is shown. I think that's what it does, keeping my fingers crossed.

[voxss]

ive just played through the 228 jazz guitar solos in band in a box...time to start again..cycle .and of course will be a whole lot easier...its an incredible journey...some extremely tough chord progressions..good luck on your journey...have fun

[targuit]

"For a great many of us, though, digital band mates are a necessity." - Lawson.


Yes, especially at four o'clock in the morning. I don't have BIAB, but I think it is helpful if you are recording songs with supplying a decent percussion track with Real Tracks. From what I've seen, it also seems to do a fair job with notation, though that is certainly third hand info as I have never used it.

[grahambop]

Nothing can beat learning from actual recordings. I checked a tutorial of BIAB, the advantage of it is that the music notation of the comping is shown. I think that's what it does, keeping my fingers crossed.

OK I get you. I think it does that, though I've not really used that feature. But it does show you the notes being played on a virtual piano keyboard, as the piano comping plays them. I always thought that was quite cool.

[grahambop]

Nothing can beat learning from actual recordings. I checked a tutorial of BIAB, the advantage of it is that the music notation of the comping is shown. I think that's what it does, keeping my fingers crossed.

Jason you're in luck. It does do that. Also you can do it for any instrument, e.g. the bass line. Here's a screenshot with the piano part display on.

[christianm77]

Top UK jazz guitarist Mike Outram's advice regarding BIAB

#167 What You Will Learn From Band In A Box - Electric Campfire

[nick1994]

honestly I don't get why more people don't just play along with records, it's great playing with all the greatest rhythm sections. however, i understand why people use these backing tracks it lets you take the head, a couple of forms solo, comping and so on. they are better than nothing but I just prefer to use a looper.

[nick1994]

but if it helps build your repertoire then whatever works for you.

And I agree with christian said
"they can't be any good for your time/feel and encourage a tendency to 'float on the top' harmonically rather than developing real changes playing."

[voxss]

notation and tablature in Band Box..it has both..i suggest tablature until your brain can translate the notation...specially at the 8 th fret onwards...and depending on tempo...

[christianm77]

honestly I don't get why more people don't just play along with records, it's great playing with all the greatest rhythm sections. however, i understand why people use these backing tracks it lets you take the head, a couple of forms solo, comping and so on. they are better than nothing but I just prefer to use a looper.

I think they are worse than nothing.

I will occasionally use a (usually Aebersold) backing track for specific exercises, but never for simply 'blowing on changes' or 'learning a tune.' I don't understand what you would learn about a tune from a backing track that you wouldn't learn better by listening, singing and playing along with the record a few dozen times.

In terms of learning to solo, you will never learn to define your own harmonic and rhythmic space if you have some robots doing it for you.

And we all know what happens when the robot slaves revolt!

One day there you are noodling insipidly over a lame non-swinging backing track of No Greater Love, and suddenly the robots start playing 26-2.

And after that, global nuclear annihilation.

Say no to robo-jazz. Down with the droids! Heed my warnings.

[voxss]

dont forget to match the song to BB jazz solos here they are............GS001 Manha De Carnaval/Day In The Life Of A Fool Easier
GS002 East Of The Sun Easier
GS003 I Didn't Know What Time It Was Easier
GS004 Rosetta Easier
GS005 Pennies From Heaven Easier
GS006 Sunny Side Of The Street Easier
GS007 Nice Work If You Can Get It Easier
GS008 In A Mellow Tone Easier
GS009 Man I Love Easier
GS010 A Foggy Day variation w/bridge ??? Easier
GS011 Lady Be Good Easier
GS012 Girl From Ipanema Easier
GS013 It Could Happen To You Easier
GS014 How High The Moon Easier
GS015 You'd Be So Nice Easier
GS016 I Love You Easier
GS017 Ain't Misbehavin' Easier
GS018 Alone Together Easier
GS019 Wave Easier
GS020 Someday My Prince Will Come Easier
GS021 Satin Doll Easier
GS022 Sweet Georgia Brown Easier
GS023 Bb Blues w/variation Easier
GS024 Corcovado Easier
GS025 Autumn Leaves Easier
GS026 Stella By Starlight Easier
GS027 Honeysuckle Rose/Scrapple Easier
GS028 Rhythm Changes Easier
GS029 Green Dolphin Street Easier
GS030 "Take The ""A"" Train" Easier
GS031 My Funny Valentine Intermediate
GS032 When Your Lover Has Gone Intermediate
GS033 It's Only A Paper Moon Intermediate
GS034 Our Love Is Here To Stay Intermediate
GS035 A Foggy Day Intermediate
GS036 This Will Be My Shining Hour
GS037 My Romance Intermediate
GS038 Have You Met Miss Jones Intermediate
GS039 Advanced
GS040 Like Someone In Love Advanced
GS041 Just Friends Intermediate
GS042 Shadow Of Your Smile Advanced
GS043 It's You Or No One Advanced
GS044 Blue Skies Advanced
GS045 I Concentrate On You Advanced
GS046 All The Things You Are Advanced
GS047 Rhythm Changes Advanced
GS048 I Remember You Intermediate
GS049 There Will Never Be Another You Intermediate
GS050 How About You Intermediate
GS051 My Funny Valentine Easy
GS052 When Your Lover Has Gone Easy
GS053 Confirmation Easy
GS054 Once I Loved Easy
GS055 I'm In The Mood For Love Easy
GS056 Old Devil Moon Easy
GS057 Lazy Bird Easy
GS058 Georgia Easy
GS059 KTOBCTOI also 119 Easy
GS060 I Thought About You Easy
GS061 Where Or When Easy
GS062 It Don't Mean A Thing… Easy
GS063 Moonglow Easy
GS064 Fly Me To The Moon Easy
GS065 Don't Get Around Much Anymore Easy
GS066 All Blues Easy
GS067 Hello Dolly Easy
GS068 Blue Skies Easy
GS069 Bluesette Easy
GS070 A Night In Tunisia Easy
GS071 Darn That Dream Easy
GS072 Deed I do???? Easy
GS073 All The Things You Are Easy
GS074 Perdido Easy
GS075 On A Clear Day Easy
GS076 Triste Easy Bossa
GS077 Love Walked In Easy Swing
GS078 Yesterdays Easy
GS079 Back Home In Indiana/Donna Lee Easy
GS080 Just In Time Easy
GS081 That's All Intermediate
GS082 Airegin Intermediate
GS083 All Of You Intermediate
GS084 Am I Blue Intermediate
GS085 Blue Moon Intermediate
GS086 There Will Never Be Another You Intermediate
GS087 There Is No Greater Love Intermediate
GS088 Jeannine Intermediate
GS089 Jordu Intermediate
GS090 Intermediate
GS091 If I Should Lose You Intermediate
GS092 Speak Low Intermediate
GS093 Algo Bueno Intermediate
GS094 Blue Bossa Intermediate
GS095 Easy Living Intermediate
GS096 Bye Bye Blackbird Intermediate
GS097 Four Intermediate
GS098 Joy Spring Intermediate
GS099 Laura Intermediate
GS100 Colors of Chloe???? Intermediate
GS101 Falling In Love With Love Intermediate
GS102 I Should Care Intermediate
GS103 In Your Own Sweet Way Intermediate
GS104 Alice In Wonderland Intermediate
GS105 Just Friends Intermediate
GS106 Up A Lazy River Intermediate
GS107 Cherokee Intermediate
GS108 Dolphin Dance Intermediate
GS109 Doxy Intermediate
GS110 Do Nothing 'Til You Hear From Me Intermediate
GS111 My Funny Valentine Chord Solo
GS112 When Your Lover Has Gone Chord Solo
GS113 Confirmation Chord Solo
GS114 Once I Loved Chord Solo
GS115 I'm In The Mood For Love Chord Solo
GS116 Old Devil Moon Chord Solo
GS117 Lazy Bird Chord Solo
GS118 Georgia Chord Solo
GS119 Same as 59 Chord Solo
GS120 I Thought About You Chord Solo
GS121 Where Or When Chord Solo
GS122 It Don't Mean A Thing… Chord Solo
GS123 Moonglow Chord Solo
GS124 Fly Me To The Moon Chord Solo
GS125 Don't Get Around Much Anymore Chord Solo
GS126 All Blues Chord Solo
GS127 Hello Dolly Chord Solo
GS128 Blue Skies Chord Solo
GS129 Bluesette Chord Solo
GS130 A Night In Tunisia Chord Solo
GS131 Darn That Dream Chord Solo
GS132 Deed I do Chord Solo
GS133 All The Things You Are Chord Solo
GS134 Perdido Chord Solo
GS135 On A Clear Day Chord Solo
GS136 Triste Chord Solo
GS137 Love Walked In Chord Solo
GS138 Yesterdays Chord Solo
GS139 Back Home In Indiana/Donna Lee Chord Solo
GS140 Just In Time Chord Solo
GS141 Satin Doll Advanced
GS142 Night And Day Advanced
GS143 Lullaby Of Birdland Advanced
GS144 Girl From Ipanema Advanced
GS145 Advanced
GS146 I Hear A Rhapsody Advanced
GS147 How Long Has This Been Going On Advanced
GS148 Wave Advanced
GS149 It Had To Be You Advanced
GS150 On The Street Where You Live Advanced
GS151 Falling In Love With Love ????? Advanced
GS152 Easy To Love Advanced
GS153 Deed I Do Advanced
GS154 Days Of Wine And Roses Advanced
GS155 Come Rain Or Shine Advanced
GS156 Bb Blues Advanced
GS157 Am I Blue Advanced
GS158 I'll Remember April Advanced
GS159 All Of Me Advanced
GS160 After You're Gone Advanced
GS161 Yesterdays Advanced
GS162 Autumn Leaves Advanced
GS163 Back Home In Indiana/Donna Lee Advanced
GS164 Tenderly Advanced
GS165 Tangerine Advanced
GS166 Summertime Advanced
GS167 Stella By Starlight Advanced
GS168 The Song Is You Advanced
GS169 Just In Time Advanced
GS170 On A Clear Day Advanced
GS171 I'm In The Mood For Love Comping
GS172 My Funny Valentine Comping
GS173 When Your Lover Has Gone Comping
GS174 Once I Loved Comping
GS175 My Funny Valentine Comping
GS176 When Your Lover Has Gone Comping
GS177 My Funny Valentine Comping
GS178 My Funny Valentine Comping

[guitarplayer007]

ive just played through the 228 jazz guitar solos in band in a box...time to start again..cycle .and of course will be a whole lot easier...its an incredible journey...some extremely tough chord progressions..good luck on your journey...have fun

How are these solo's?
Ken

[Nate Miller]

I just sit down and play tunes. I play solo. I've always done that.

but the hard part of building repertoire isn't the learning of a single tune, its the maintaining all the tunes you have while learning more.

[targuit]

I think that comment from the top UK jazz guitarist is a bit over the top. Realistically, it is hard to find musicians good enough to play decent jazz, and if they are that good, they are likely not hanging out at jazz jams with wannabes but rather playing paying gigs. I know there was a culture in NYC and elsewhere of after hours jams with top musicians but that was in the jazz heyday, and most people are not out at 2 AM cruising jazz clubs.

So what is the alternative? I played along with records for years and it is a great resource. But imo the most critical aspect about learning to play well is s-l-o-w- I-n -g the music down! I can transcribe and play anything if I can slow the tempo down by 20-30% which does help you learn the nuances of any top player. I'm talking about learning a solo or taking away some insights about a player's approach and style or even fret position. Now my slow downer was a Tascam Guitar Trainor CD player that was very helpful until it broke.

I don't have BIAB, but I do the same thing with Sibelius G7, a legacy starter edition (you really don't need the expensive Cadillac edition unless you are charting for the Boston Symphony Orchestra). How do you know you are learning? Well, the feedback is immediate - if what you notate in yourself sounds like the record, you must be doing something right, no? And at least there are no personality issues and drugs to deal with. Plus when you create the arrangement yourself rather than the program, you are learning a hell of a lot that will give you the tools to play with humans on a sophisticated level. 'Cause if you don't know what you are doing or how to notate music, rhythms, and create good parts, you will know it the minute you hit "playback".

Will that replace playing with real live humans? No, because that experience teaches you something about listening and interacting in the moment that is hard to learn any other way. But if you want to play with top musicians, you need to put in the time on your instrument.

[christianm77]

I think that comment from the top UK jazz guitarist is a bit over the top. Realistically, it is hard to find musicians good enough to play decent jazz, and if they are that good, they are likely not hanging out at jazz jams with wannabes but rather playing paying gigs. I know there was a culture in NYC and elsewhere of after hours jams with top musicians but that was in the jazz heyday, and most people are not out at 2 AM cruising jazz clubs.

So what is the alternative? I played along with records for years and it is a great resource. But imo the most critical aspect about learning to play well is s-l-o-w- I-n -g the music down! I can transcribe and play anything if I can slow the tempo down by 20-30% which does help you learn the nuances of any top player. I'm talking about learning a solo or taking away some insights about a player's approach and style or even fret position. Now my slow downer was a Tascam Guitar Trainor CD player that was very helpful until it broke.

I don't have BIAB, but I do the same thing with Sibelius G7, a legacy starter edition (you really don't need the expensive Cadillac edition unless you are charting for the Boston Symphony Orchestra). How do you know you are learning? Well, the feedback is immediate - if what you notate in yourself sounds like the record, you must be doing something right, no? And at least there are no personality issues and drugs to deal with.

Will that replace playing with real live humans? No, because that experience teaches you something about listening and interacting in the moment that is hard to learn any other way. But if you want to play with top musicians, you need to put in the time on your instrument.

And my wife will not take kindly to me staying out all night somewhere till dawn....

It is an issue, sure. One reason I couldn't live anywhere other than in a big city is because there are so many great players to play with, and they are sharp and hungry. And they kick me up the bum.

That's life. You make choices. You won't advance your jazz playing from BIAB in my opinion, but if it gives you pleasure, well where's the harm in it?

I think you would learn more by accompanying yourself - have you tried that recording a solo, then recording a comping track afterwards exercise, BTW? I love that exercise....

[christianm77]

Sorry saying 'we make choices' is too harsh. We can't always make are own decisions. I'm lucky to be able to live in London and play music. But life isn't always fair.

Although I have also learned that sometimes we are making choices when we don't know it.

[Nate Miller]

I know how lucky I am to live out in the country and still have a great friend who plays upright bass and another who is a 2nd generation jazz drummer. We're all about the same level and like the same 50s era of jazz. So God provided me with a trio to play with, a 1954 Gibson 175 and an old Polytone Cube. In return, I play anything Father needs down at the parish free of charge. Right now, I'm playing our Lenten fish dinners every Friday evening from here to Holy Week

not everybody's got a setup like that

but if I thought I was good enough to get famous, then I would pack it up and move to the City and have a go

that's where choices come into it

Thing is, growing up I knew guys my age like Clint Strong and Shelley Carroll and so I know better than to move to the big city with stars in my eyes

[voxss]

How are these solo's?
Ken well ive never played them in public....as a matter of fact ive never played a gig or in a band...i think theyre good enough for a performance..least youll never be caught out with players cramp..

[voxss]

I remember april...band in box guitar solo...