Aebersold CD's

[Bobby G]

Has anyone used these or have any opinions on them? I'm self-taught on alto (2 years), but have developed a reasonable ear from many years of guitaring and can read a bit from memories of piano lessons up to about age 12, and understand some theory etc. So, given that my main place of practise is in the car between jobs - yes you can sit and
play alto quite comfortably in the motor and it doesn't annoy the neighbours! - would these CD's be any help in my quest to a) develop a better harmonic sense and technique, and b) progress to doing the odd bit of work between practise sessions? Thanks for any input, Bob

 

[Pete Thomas]

Yes some of them are good. I have listed the ones I like here

http://www.petethomas.co.uk/jazz-books.html

The Alfred mastertracks is also very good

 

[soundzgood2]

At 21:31:56 19/04/06, Bob Green wrote:
Has anyone used these or have any opinions on them? I'm self-taught on alto (2 years), but have developed a reasonable ear from many years of guitaring and can read a bit from memories of piano lessons up to about age 12, and understand some theory etc. So, given that my main place of practise is in the car between jobs - yes you can sit and
play alto quite comfortably in the motor and it doesn't annoy the neighbours! - would these CD's be any help in my quest to a) develop a better harmonic sense and technique, and b) progress to doing the odd bit of work between practise sessions? Thanks for any input, Bob

Yes - used many of them, sell the entire range. If you're in the UK / Europe, Jazzwise is selling Volume 57 Minor Blues (a personal favourite) this week for GBP9.95. I like this one because of the opportunity to really work on altered dominant sounds due to all those minor ii-V7s. Aebersolds are mostly repetoire volumes.

I'd also recommend Vol 26 Scale Syllabus, where Dave Liebman plays over scale sounds (excellent for humming along to in the car).
Cheers
Simon

 

[tengu01]

I've got Maiden Voyage, Jam Session, Wayne Shorter, Bebop and Beyond and II-V-I. All quite handy, especially as they contain loads of songs I know and am familiar with, but not necessarily to play.

I don't get a chance to play with others very much at the moment. The aebersolds give me a chance to shed tunes and practice improvisation over particular chord progressions. THese aren't a substitute for a good teacher, but can be a good practice aid.

Also, I can work on things like ii-v-i progressions and other things with a musical background, which is quite handy. For me, some musical theory only really comes alive when I apply it to a musical setting.

I say get a few and see how you go. Maiden Voyage is a good place to start.

 

[Bobby G]

I've invested in vol 24 as a good starting point, I'm finding it pretty useful too. The play-along part of it is great!

Volume 1 next, I think....

 

[philippe]

Playalongs are great but you can get hooked on them and they aren't a substitute for 'real' playing or practice... they are only a part of it.

 

[Bobby G]

Agreed, Philippe - nothing beats playing with real players, you'll always learn something, and I surely need to...

Jam night in Mill Hill next Wednesday, hurrah!

 

[tengu01]

Agreed. Nothing beats playing with real people. The difference between Coltrane's "Impressions" in Jamey Aebersold and on the bandstand is phenomenal, especially if you learn it the hard way, having called it at a jam session and discovered it is actually 4 times faster when Coltrane or a decent house band play it.

However, let's not forget that the Aebersolds are training aids. You can work things out and repeat them ad-nauseum without people throwing drumsticks at you. You can develop skills that you will be able to put into practice. I often found that what I learned from getting flamed at a jam session, I could practice with less nerves and at a reasonable pace with the playalongs, before going out onto the bandstand again.

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