Update: full for drums, bass, piano, lead instruments (sax, trumpet, violin, flute), 1 of 2 spots taken for guitar
Please note this rehearsal will, unusually, be located downstairs at the Vortex
full list of scheduled sessions: https://www.meetup.com/Practice-Jazz-Jam-Sessions/events/
What is it
The novice rehearsal sessions provide an opportunity for people who are relatively new to jazz, to play in a friendly, low-pressure environment. With a short set list that attendees can prepare in advance, it becomes a little less daunting to play and get the most out of practising in a group.
See below for this week's setlist. Please sign up before attending.
Already full for your instrument? Please check back every other Wednesday, when new sessions go live. If you keep not being able to get a spot, please message the organiser (Xie).
Location: Vortex downstairs
Who's it for
Anyone who has practised following the forms (chord progressions) of jazz tunes - maybe on their own at home - and would like to build up playing experience, expand repertoire and practice performing with other musicians.
There are various introductions on how jazz jams work - see e.g.
https://jazznightschool.org/pages/jam-session-basics
You don't need to get all these details right for these novice practice sessions. The set list format should offer opportunities for those at different levels of developing their playing.
While at the beginning one might struggle to follow/comp the chords or play through the melody, it gets easier over time and one can start to develop approaches to improvisation, harmonise lead lines, add intros/endings, work on communication between band members, and even listen to recordings together and pick up specific arrangements.
Bass players are expected to be able to play a walking bass line on swing tunes, and simple bossa lines for bossa novas.
Playing the melody, or "head" - the responbility is shared between horns players (e.g. sax, trumpet, violin), guitar and piano. Feel free to discuss among the group before each song - different parts of the head or the starting / ending heads can be played by different players. Some melodies will better suit several voices at the same time, whereas others are sensitive to variations in how they are played and may prefer a single instrument at a time.
What it's like
A relaxed and welcoming atmosphere - please put aside any worries of making mistakes if you’re thinking of joining us for the first time. To ensure the group is accessible for those at different levels, I ask that each novice session should work on only the below four songs of the set list, unless each and every attendee feels they prefer to move on.
Each novice session is limited to up to: 1 drummer, 2 bass, 2 keys, 2 guitar, 3/4 lead instruments. Always use the top of the description to see if there is an available slot for your instrument - please do not try to work this out yourself by looking at the other attendees' instruments.
Tunes this week (Sat 11 Oct)
- Freddie freeloader in Bb (warm up)
(Dexter Gordon) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiLuG_PFsfI
(Horace Silver) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWeXOm49kE0
(Miles Davis) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-rrt8IYhe0
(Munne, Hamilton) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gcuEdDzg-g
Everyone is encouraged to listen to a variety of recordings for each song, but please ensure you are familiar with the recording provided as a primary reference.
Tune preview - next novice session (Sat 18 Oct)
(Sonny Stitt) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psUdIsccV9M
- Stolen moments in Cm (solo on Cm blues)
(Oliver Nelson) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbaGDDbpcQ4
(Chad LB) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIhCMLBbwqs
(Cohen, Tabackin) https://youtu.be/JdBEWHDpbOg?t=36
Preparing for the session
The chordal form of each song follow the iReal Pro app as a common reference, or you can use sheet music from Real Books.
Resource for sheet music:
https://www.seventhstring.com/fbindex.html
http://therealbook.info/
Try to immerse yourself in the songs by listening to recordings by different artists on youtube, spotify etc.
Learn the head (main melody) of the song if you can. Don't hesitate to let the band know you can play it so you can start things off
Equipment
there is a piano, drum kit (no cymbals or high hat clutch), bass and guitar amps, stands, and microphones. Drummers: please bring cymbals (none available for rental) and hi hat clutch
Vocalists
Singers are welcome, however some of the repertoire are likely not in the right key for your range. If you are an experienced singer, it may be possible to arrange sessions with repertoire catered to you - to explore this, please first come to the "Afternoon Open Jams" so I can get a sense of your singing.
Cancellation policy
Please try to make it to any session you sign up to, as the jams are organised around a particular mix of instruments. However, if things do come up and you can no longer make a session, please send a message to the organiser, Xie, as soon as possible.
Places are non-refundable if your plans change, but if you provide over 1 week notice it may be possible to carry over the fee for a future session.
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any questions do get in touch!
