Novice+ | 1-4pm Nov 16, Vortex upstairs

Note: direct sign ups are not available, please message Xie if you are interested in joining.

This is a novice session with some of the songs swapped out for more tricky standards. There is also a single slot each for piano and guitar, as part of progression from playing as individuals toward paying more attention to the collective sound of group. The additional time will also allow ballads to be sometimes included.

The group is also encouraged to use some of the additional time to listen to parts of well known recordings together and pick up on features and ideas beyond what's on the real book.

Attendees would be expected to be comfortable playing at a novice session first before signing up.

Sometimes the group gets through the setlist, with multiple renditions, with time still to spare. If everyone is happy to move on, feel free to use the remaining time to call and jam over a few tunes.

full list of scheduled sessions: https://4142298.xyz/Practice-Jazz-Jam-Sessions/events/

What is it
a pre-selected set of jazz standards for each session that you can prepare for in advance, and rehearse live with others in a friendly and welcoming environment. See below for this week's setlist.

please message Xie to find out more about signing up to attend.

Location: Vortex upstairs

This novice+ session is limited to up to: 1 drummer, 1 bass, 1 keys, 1 guitar, 3 lead instruments. The top of the description will indicate if there is an available slot for your instrument.

Playing the melody, or "head" - the responbility is shared between horns players (e.g. sax, trumpet), 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

Tunes this week (Sat Nov 16)

• Blues in the Closet in Ab
• All the things you are in Ab
• Nature Boy in Dm (ballad)
• 500 Miles High in Em (latin/fusion)

Tune preview - next novice+ session (Sun Nov 24)

• TBC, festive setlist with Sam (drums)

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 very welcome though usually I suggest you come to the intermediate sessions where you can pick your own song and key (as chances are many of the above are not in the right key for your range)

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!