Check this description or the list of attendees to see if there is still space for your instrument before you book
Piano : full
Guitar : full
Base : full
Drums : 1 spot left
Saxophones : 2 spots left
Trumpet : 1 spot left
Other head instrument: 1 spot left
What is it
This rehearsal session 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. Depending on how many people sign up, I might have to pick someone and put someone else in the waiting list.
Location: Noisy Rooms
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.
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.
What it's like
A relaxed and welcoming atmosphere - please put aside any worries of making mistakes. To ensure the group is accessible for those at different levels, I ask that each 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 session will be limited to one pianist, 1 bass player, 1 drummer, 1 guitarist, and a few horns or head instruments. We will not have vocalist for this session.
Tunes this week
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.
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
Cancellation policy
Only sign up if you can absolutely make it as you might be taking the spot someone else could get. If you cannot make it, let me know asap so we can find a replacement as that might make it impossible for the while group to meet. Places are non-refundable if your plans change, unless we find someone to replace you.
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any questions do get in touch!
