Rehearsal Bands?

[Ant Illington]

This new-to-me concept came up in another thread and it was implied by at least one person that the band organizer actually provides notated bass lines. That was surprisingly good news as it would be a good way to dip my toes into jazz with other people.

What has been your experience? Notated bass lines to read or just chord charts? If notation is available can you pass and improvise your lines, not that I care to improvise walking in front of others yet.

Thanks

 

[elgecko]

It depends on the charts. Older charts are often pure notation with no chord changes. Deciphering the chords from the notes and improvising your own is always a fun game and something I do often. More modern charts are typically a combination of notation and slash chords and often include chords changes over notated lines. A lot of times, the notated parts will have unison lines with other instruments or rhythmic hits that you probably shouldn't improvise. Notated walking lines are fair game though.

 

[dreamadream99]

They are fairly common in larger metropolitan areas, as a vehicle for former high school and college big band players to continue playing and reading in that style. Rehearsals are often sponsored by a large venue, in exchange for free music.

Not sure about your abilities, but these groups are usually for experienced readers and players. There are other avenues for people learning to play or read, like adult community bands

 

[Nephilymbass]

This new-to-me concept came up in another thread and it was implied by at least one person that the band organizer actually provides notated bass lines. That was surprisingly good news as it would be a good way to dip my toes into jazz with other people.

What has been your experience? Notated bass lines to read or just chord charts? If notation is available can you pass and improvise your lines, not that I care to improvise walking in front of others yet.

Thanks

last time I had to sight read sheet music was playing in a jazz band. And I had to do both so I would suggest being able to do both.

 

[BassChuck]

I play in one regularly. All the players are capable of taking an big band arrangement and playing it extremely well without rehearsing. I enjoy it because it keeps my sight reading (not just reading, but reading correctly the first time you see a part) skills up. Also they will read music that I've arranged.
It's not a place to try to figure things out.