Aebersold Play-Alongs

The Lynchinator · #1 06-30-2007, 11:32 PM

I'm not sure if there's already a thread about these, I couldn't find one anyways.

I really want to start working on my jazz, and the Aebersold play-alongs really seem like they may be helpful. Do any of you have any experience with them? How well did they work for you?

Any feedback or other advice is welcome and appreciated, thanks

DocBop · #2 07-01-2007, 06:21 AM

Aebersold materials have been helping people for decades. If you haven't got a Jazz improv book Aebersold's handbook is free on his website has a lot of information.

If taken seriously Aebersold are not easy and good tools to develop the necessary skills. My complain in the early days was a lot of the tempos were pretty fast, but now with all the tools to slow tempos that is no longer an issue.

needmoney · #3 07-01-2007, 06:36 AM

Aebersold tracks are a godsend!

Pruitt · #4 07-02-2007, 10:55 AM

I have quite a few Aebersold Play-A-Longs. They are really good. They were a huge help to me when I first started getting into playing jazz, and have continued to be a valuable asset in my ability to learn to play. I definitely recommend them!

The Lynchinator · #5 07-02-2007, 11:34 PM

Cool, thanks for your responses guys. Now I think I'm gonna go buy me some Aebersolds. Any suggestions on which ones to buy first? or should I just get the ones that they recommend on the site(Volumes 1, 2, and Maiden Voyage)?

Andrew Jones · #6 07-02-2007, 11:40 PM

Get the "Cycles,Turnarounds" one.

Also get the Program "amazing Slow Downer" so you can vary the tempos. Thats a real draw back to playalongs, allways playing at the same tempo.

Aj

Pruitt · #7 07-03-2007, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Lynchinator

Any suggestions on which ones to buy first? or should I just get the ones that they recommend on the site(Volumes 1, 2, and Maiden Voyage)?

Those are good ones to start with. I'd also consider the "ii-V" book and the "Killer Joe" book for someone starting out. I'm also a fan of the "Rhythm Section Workout" book. It's a little more advanced then the others mentioned, but not that difficult and there's a bunch of fun tunes to play in it.

I'm sure you'll enjoy any of the books though, so pick one and give it a try.

And +1 on the Amazing Slow Downer idea Andrew mentioned. It's a nice program. Another one that's nice is Transcribe!, I've used both for a while now and have really come to prefer Transcribe!, but they'll both get the job done as far as changing the tempo of the tunes.

Have Fun!!

Wilbyman · #8 07-03-2007, 11:07 AM

I think the Maiden Voyage Aebersold has been a standard "intro to jazz" item for years.

That said, Aebersolds should not be used in place of practicing with a metronome IMO/IME.

Have fun!

DocBop · #9 07-03-2007, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Lynchinator

Cool, thanks for your responses guys. Now I think I'm gonna go buy me some Aebersolds. Any suggestions on which ones to buy first? or should I just get the ones that they recommend on the site(Volumes 1, 2, and Maiden Voyage)?

A big part of learning to play Jazz is learning to play over changes, you might want to check out the Aebersold number 3 II-V-I and number 21 Gettin' It Together. Lots of common situations to practice, but definitely get something like Maiden Vouage so you can practice in a musical context too.

SuperDuck · #10 07-03-2007, 12:09 PM

On say, the "ii-V" book, can you get a version of it without the bass?

DocBop · #11 07-03-2007, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperDuck

On say, the "ii-V" book, can you get a version of it without the bass?

I believe all the Abersold play-a-longs have a wide stereo spread for the bass and piano so you can pan to one side or other and eliminate the bass or piano.

For those just getting started Aebersold has transcriptions of some of the bass lines from the play-a-longs. Rufus Reid and Ron Carter transcriptions are cool basslines to learn and analyze.

jacofin · #12 07-04-2007, 10:53 AM

If one wants to learn tunes and to work with different kinds of chord progressions, they are great tools for that. Also, as a bass player, I suggest playing the heads in order to get more melodic with bass (which, I think, is a challenge for many bass players). Aebersold series is a good way for a beginner to get a feel for playing jazz. But, naturally, they lack the real-life situation of communication and interacting with other musicians. And that's what music basically is about.