Volumes 1-10 Jamey Aebersold Play-A-Longs
Detailed Descriptions

Volume 1 JAZZ: HOW TO PLAY AND IMPROVISE

ALL NEW, REVISED 6th EDITION BOOK

ESSENTIAL COMPANION: VOLUME 24

Beginning/intermediate level. The culmination of Jamey’s 25 years as one of the world’s leading jazz exponents. Volume 1 has unlocked the mysteries of jazz improvisation for a whole generation of musicians who previously had nowhere to turn for competent rhythm sections and accurate instruction. Now, Volume 1 has all new, updated information presented in a new manner that is both easy to understand and inspiring for all musicians wishing to explore the secrets of jazz improvisation. Includes chapters on scales/chords, developing creativity, improv fundamentals, 12 Blues Scales, Bebop scales, pentatonic scales and usage, time and feeling, melodic development, II/V7s, related scales and modes, practical exercises/patterns and licks, Dominant 7th tree of scale choices, nomenclature, chromaticism, scale syllabus, and more. This complete improvisation set, along with Volume 24, MAJOR AND MINOR, can greatly open your ears and improve your playing. Music is fun and this set is the first step to enjoying it. Each of the 10 recorded tracks feels great and is fun to play with. Recorded tracks include Blues in Bb and F, Dorian minor tracks, four-measure cadences, cycle of dominants, 24-measure song, II/V7 in all keys. Book includes transposed parts for all instruments. *Now available in English, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish! Rhythm section is Jamey Aebersold, piano; Rufus Reid, bass; Jonathan Higgins, drums.

RELATED PUBLICATIONS: “Jamey Aebersold Piano Voicings Transcribed from Vol. 1” and “Rufus Reid Bass Lines.”

Volume 2 NOTHIN’ BUT BLUES

SUGGESTED PREREQUISITES: VOLUME 24, 1, 21

Beginning/intermediate level. The Blues have had the very essence of the jazz sound since the 1920’s. A player who masters the sound and feel of the Blues will play other jazz tunes in a manner that will inspire the listener. The rhythm section on this recording really grooves and makes this set fun to play with. Contains 11 different Blues and is a natural follow-up to Volume 1 or Volume 21. The tempos are not fast. The Blues are presented in various keys and with a variety of moods from slow to rock. Chords and scales are written in the staff for each recorded track. Rhythm section is Dan Haerle, piano; Mike Hyman, drums; and Rufus Reid, bass.

Volume 3 THE II/V7/I PROGRESSION

SUGGESTED PREREQUISITES: VOLUME 2 and VOLUME 1.

Intermediate level. Probably the most important musical sequence in modern jazz! A must for all aspiring jazz players. Book contains all the needed scales and chords to each of the recorded tracks. These are written in the staff. Contains 120 written patterns that can be played with the various tracks on the recording, also includes three full pages of piano voicings that correspond to the tracks on the recording. Booklet contains a Scale Syllabus which allows you to find and use various substitute scales, just like professional musicians use. If you have been working on scales and chords, this book and recording set should be what you are looking for. A new concept in learning and applying basic jazz harmony. Allows you tracks to practice major, minor, dom. 7th, diminished, whole tone, half-diminished, Lydian and dim. whole tone scales and chords. Rhythm section is Dan Haerle, piano; Rufus Reid, bass; Charlie Craig, drums.

RELATED PUBLICATIONS: “Rufus Reid Bass Lines,” Bunky Green’s “Inside Outside.”

Volume 4 MOVIN’ ON

Advanced level. This set contains 9 original songs written by Jamey Aebersold and Dan Haerle. The songs are a challenge but are well worth the effort because they present problems you will encounter when playing jazz tunes. Each tune has the melody and the chord/scale progression written out for all instruments (transposed parts). Rhythm section is Dan Haerle, piano; Rufus Reid, bass; Charlie Craig, drums.

Volume 5 TIME TO PLAY MUSIC

SUGGESTED PREREQUISITE: VOLUME 24, 1 and 3

This is your chance! Take the techniques and theory you’ve learned from Volumes 1, 21, 24, 2 and 3 and apply them to a real playing situation on comfortable tunes. A great volume to use when making the transition from learning scales and chords to actually playing melodies and chord progressions. Eight songs written in the style of the great standards. Book contains suggestions for soloing on each tune and a Scale Syllabus. Dan Haerle, piano; Rufus Reid, bass; Jonathan Higgins, drums.

RELATED PUBLICATIONS: “Jazz Solos” by David Baker.

Volume 6 CHARLIE PARKER - “ALL BIRD”

Intermediate/advanced level. This set contains the essence of modern music and is considered by most musicians to be some of the most important music of this century. Bebop is the music of the future! Ten Charlie Parker songs that truly represent the Bebop Era. This is truly a bebop rhythm section and they make the songs sing! This is a tremendous way to learn ten songs by the master musician, Charlie Parker. The songs have all become well known jazz standards that are essential for every jazz player to know. There are blues, “Rhythm” changes, alternating latin/swing, fast, and standard 32 bar songs in this outstanding collection. Learn from the master! The recorded back-up rhythm section is Kenny Barron, piano; Ron Carter, bass; and Ben Riley, drums.

RELATED PUBLICATIONS: “Ron Carter Bass Lines” and “20 Authentic Bebop Solos.”

Volume 7 MILES DAVIS

Intermediate/Advanced Level. Eight classic jazz originals written by Miles Davis. This is a unique way to learn eight of the most popular songs of the Fifties. These tunes are considered jazz classics because most all jazz musicians around the world have learned them. And the reason so many jazz musicians have learned them is because they are all such interesting vehicles for improvising and interesting chord changes, altered bridges and logical melodies that have been quoted in many compositions throughout the music world. Gain an insight into early Miles and gain an understanding of the transitional bop to post-bop period. Rhythm section is Dan Haerle, piano; Rufus Reid, bass; Jonathan Higgins, drums.

RELATED PUBLICATION: Vol. 50 "Magic of Miles."

Volume 8 SONNY ROLLINS

Intermediate/advanced level. These tunes represent a large portion of the jazz player’s vocabulary. They are all considered jazz standards. Songs range from simple to complex, slow tempos to fast. The chord changes on several tunes are such that the novice improviser can solo using a single scale such as the Blues or Pentatonic scale, yet intermediate and advanced players will still have plenty of challenge playing on the flowing and natural chord changes as they go by. Others present a greater challenge, with fast tempos, 3/4 time signatures and alternating grooves. Something for everyone. Rhythm section is Dan Haerle, piano; Rufus Reid, bass; Jonathan Higgins, drums.

Volume 9 WOODY SHAW

Intermediate/advanced level. These tunes will become jazz standards. Eight beautiful songs, written by Woody Shaw, which are a departure from the typical Bebop jazz melodies and chord progressions. The songs are a challenge and should be a treat for intermediate to advanced players. The styles and tune formulae represented are Bossa Nova, Waltz, minor blues, alternating bossa/swing and latin/swing, slow and fast. These songs are a welcome departure from typical be-bop and swing tunes and are sure to inspire fresh ideas. Rhythm section is Ronnie Mathews, piano; Stafford James, bass; Louis Hayes, drums; and James Williams, piano; Jamey Aebersold, bass; Mike Hyman, drums.

Volume 10 DAVID BAKER

Intermediate/advanced level. This set is a sleeper! These songs are written by one of the finest jazz educators in the world. A pioneer in jazz pedagogy and a prolific writer, David Baker has written eight tunes which contain much variety. A wide variety of styles and tempos. The rhythm section really gets into each tune, which in turn, brings more out of you when you play. Songs are all truly performance level material, yet designed to specifically address the needs of the advancing improvisor with different challenges in each; swing, rock, bossa, waltz, slow groove and ballad. Rhythm section is Dan Haerle, piano; Rufus Reid, bass; Jonathan Higgins or Charlie Craig, drums.

RELATED PUBLICATIONS: “Jazz Solos” by David Baker.

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