Playalongs: a way to get experience playing with jazz changes
Playalongs and backing tracks are a great way for the experienced or inexperienced jazz improvisor to improve their sound. Playalong books/cds can be purchased online, or go here for Ralph Pat's playalong directory, listen to or download these backing tracks for free.
A playalong is no replacement for the real-life interaction one gets by performing with other jazz artists. Jazz is like a conversation between the musicians, and if the band behind you is just a recording, then there's no 2-way interaction. That said, they are still a great resource to develope ideas, get the feel of performing live, and soloing over real changes.
Some tips for getting the most out of your practice with playalong tracks:
1. To develope better intonation, practice holding long tones over the playalong. For example, if the Chord is CMaj7, practice holding one of the chord tones, C, E, G, B, or D. See if you can lock in completely to the pitch and intonation on the playalong.
2. Practice your arpeggios ver the changes. Try starting from the bottom up, then the top down, then do specific excersizes like playing the 3rd, then 5th, then 7th; or 5, 7,3; or 9, 5, 7, 3, etc.
3. Try to stay only within a certain interval on your horn. For example, only play notes for one chorus between middle C and Octave G. This creates a challenge.
4. Try to develop specific motifs and play them over all the changes. For example, 1231 would be CDEC in Cmaj, FGAF in Fmaj, BbCDbBb in Bbmin, etc.
5. Try being the bass player for a chorus. Many backing tracks have the bass in one speaker, and the piano/guitar in the other. Try turning down/disconnecting the bass side and play the bass lines on your horn.
6. Try to develop your solos, in the following ways:
1. Dynamically: Quiet to loud, or loud to quiet. Start the solo one dynamic and build/diminuendo to the opposite dynamic.
2. Rythmically: Simple to complex, or vice versa.
3. Develop a motif/theme: Try to play like Sonny Rollins.
4. Bebop: Try to play like Charlie parker.
5. Imitate a particular sound/player's style.
6. Copy the rythm section. Pretend to be a drummer, to be a trumpet, to be a piano player, etc.
Playalongs can be great resources, and you can try out things in your room before playing them in public.
A playalong is no replacement for the real-life interaction one gets by performing with other jazz artists. Jazz is like a conversation between the musicians, and if the band behind you is just a recording, then there's no 2-way interaction. That said, they are still a great resource to develope ideas, get the feel of performing live, and soloing over real changes.
Some tips for getting the most out of your practice with playalong tracks:
1. To develope better intonation, practice holding long tones over the playalong. For example, if the Chord is CMaj7, practice holding one of the chord tones, C, E, G, B, or D. See if you can lock in completely to the pitch and intonation on the playalong.
2. Practice your arpeggios ver the changes. Try starting from the bottom up, then the top down, then do specific excersizes like playing the 3rd, then 5th, then 7th; or 5, 7,3; or 9, 5, 7, 3, etc.
3. Try to stay only within a certain interval on your horn. For example, only play notes for one chorus between middle C and Octave G. This creates a challenge.
4. Try to develop specific motifs and play them over all the changes. For example, 1231 would be CDEC in Cmaj, FGAF in Fmaj, BbCDbBb in Bbmin, etc.
5. Try being the bass player for a chorus. Many backing tracks have the bass in one speaker, and the piano/guitar in the other. Try turning down/disconnecting the bass side and play the bass lines on your horn.
6. Try to develop your solos, in the following ways:
1. Dynamically: Quiet to loud, or loud to quiet. Start the solo one dynamic and build/diminuendo to the opposite dynamic.
2. Rythmically: Simple to complex, or vice versa.
3. Develop a motif/theme: Try to play like Sonny Rollins.
4. Bebop: Try to play like Charlie parker.
5. Imitate a particular sound/player's style.
6. Copy the rythm section. Pretend to be a drummer, to be a trumpet, to be a piano player, etc.
Playalongs can be great resources, and you can try out things in your room before playing them in public.
posted by rob at
9:04 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home