The PDF file can be searched. Acrobat Reader should have an ability to search. As far as this forum is concerned, probably no easy way so if you find something important, I will index it on page 1.

Thanks Jazzwee.

Interesting questions, SwingC.

I found this today:
http://www.nationaljazzworkshop.org/freestuff.php

It has a wealth of material. I'm particularly taken by the backing tracks. KISS principles - keep it simple.

SwingCabbage, a good way to search the forum is with google advanced search. Here's an example (notice the dialogue box "search within a site or domain" - enter pianoworld.com (you can also filter by date):

google advanced search

This thread is SOLID GOLD! A virtual paragon of demystification. I can't believe I paid it no attention for so long... saw the title many times and thought, "well, 'Autumn Leaves' isn't exactly at the top of my priority list right now." But I've finally been reading it, and WOW. Jazzwee and others, I am in your debt. I've learned more and put together more concepts just from reading through portions of this thread than from just about any other source. Bravo.

I'm certainly going to start working through this, but I need to start at the very beginning. My question, then: As I do so, can I post recordings of the early stuff, identifying where I am in the process? Or is that going to hijack the progress of the thread and be annoying to those who've been progressing through for a long time? Feel free to tell me, you won't hurt my feelings. And either way, thanks for the thread.

It's not all Autumn Leaves, is it? Post away, ask questions. I'm sure those qualified to answer will answer. It's a friendly place.

TLT - thanks for handling the welcoming committee duties

It's pretty friendly LegalBeagle. There is no ongoing process now so people come and go and leave recordings at various phases of learning.

As you go through this, it's also gone beyond Autumn Leaves so post away!

Beyond just the people that actively post, the lurkers who download also are very busy downloading materials from this thread. The downloads are in the THOUSANDS.

This thread is like a separate website...

Welcome, and post away. Jazz is a continuing learning process.
It also quite fun!

Had a look at that site TLT
Vgood stuff. I have bookmarked it and will return some day.
thanks
SC

Hi Legal Beagle and a big Welcome.
You are bang on with your observation. Bars and Bars of solid gold.



I am only here a scant few months and the folks are fantastic. Maximum feedback. My advice is to post up your attempts at the different lessons straight away. Practice more based on the advice recieved. Improve or not as the case may be (regression will be also pointed out so it is good that you say "you won't hurt my feelings" . Listen to the new advice. Practice again. And then back to practice. Then put up your new attempt.

The thread is long. I am currently reading at page 76 having first posted about page 100.
If you want a tip on reading such a lengthy thread first look at each lesson on page 1. Then scann for places where JAzzwee has posted and then go back to the question / recording that
he is commenting on.

this will get you to the end quicker. then over the next few months you could read the whole thread again.
and again
and again.
Sometimes you dont see the Gold the first time.


Most of all. post up your practice attempts, warts and all. We all learn from them.

Enjoy the trip

Swing Cabbage

I will try it this way. Thanks Time Flies

Thanks for the warm welcome, all. I'll hopefully get some recordings posted in the next couple of days. My pledge for lent, rather than giving something up, is to practice every single day until Easter, so the timing to start something like this couldn't be better.

And yes, SC, I'm slogging through reading the thread... slowly... thanks for the tips.

Rats. I got to practice this a bit last night and wanted to record my (poor) efforts, only to find I'd left my recorder charging in my office.

Double-rats: I can already see this is going to take over my life.

OK, here we go... my first upload ever on PW.

Here's my first effort at AL, using all 1/7's...

Autumn Leaves

Sorry for the somewhat distorted recording.. the only thing that's lower quality than my recorder is my playing

Well done for recording! That sounded confident.

Nice job LegalBeagle! Time is solid and quarter notes are detached. The eighth notes should be legato though. TLT is right, there's a confidence here that shows. No hesitation at all.

In general, learn to lighten up on the LH. It should a supporting role, not the main player.

Fantastic. Great work!

Thanks for the quick and excellent feedback. I think the recording issue makes the LH sound even heavier than it is, but I also think you're right... I would definitely benefit from tipping the balance more toward the RH and lightening up. Seems pretty "klunky," and a more refined sound would be nice.

Although the volume could be a "recording" issue, the tonal characteristics are clearly apparent on the LH chords and suggests the dynamics. My teacher suggests Chopin Em Prelude as a good piece to control LH chords.

Still, quite a good job here.

Just downloaded Em Prelude... looks perfectly suited to the task, thanks. Also handy that it's in the same key as AL!

Excellent Legal Beagle. Excellent.
Keep posting

Quick update
Was away for two weeks.
I have got to end of thread. At last. Lots of gems.

Knotty
I understand your 4 notes accent first. Discussion was in thread just before I posted so didn't have context. I do now. Thanks

Had three nights practice since back. Two nights focused in 1,7 LH and 3,5 RH. I have it now. As Jazzwee says this is nb for solo. Tomorow I will add chord tones to solo practice.

I have set task to post before paddies day so thatidbe Wednesday.

Jazzwee
Most excellent thread. Most excellent. It was great to see some of the earlier posters coming back into the madness. Also good to see Blues rearing it's head towards the end. I'll have a go at that in a few months. Maybe.

Gonna keep at the scales as well.

SC

I'd love to take a swing at Autumn Leaves. I was never big on playing standards and like my other fellow forum member do not wish to 'hijack' the thread in any way, I'd just like some feedback on my playing...

If you guys accept I will post a recording tomorrow...

You're welcome to post music anytime Cee. But note that Autumn Leaves is just a platform to learning jazz. So feel free to go beyond that

I took a stab at Autumn Leaves

I'm still getting used to this new piano, I really haven't had sound a good sounding piano ever and the keys have a really different feel I need to get adjusted to.

But enough excuses, here's the recording:

http://cl.ly/3c0I2Y1f2u0H243K123J

edit: I also had a go on All The Things You Are, haven't played this one in quite some time:

http://cl.ly/1Q030j122F3s1Q3M3f0N

Nice Cee, swinging !. Only have time to listen to AL. You got into some nice rhythmic things too.

Cee, that's excellent swinging and so tasteful! Join us in the other thread (Advanced). You're in the wrong area. LOL.

You're going to intimidate the beginners here I really love how you build up your solos. Very musical.

Cee,

Man, I got intrigued and checked it out. That recording sounded terrific. Playing with Aebersold like that is no easy task.

Can I ask what the setup is? That's one of the best sounding recording I've ever heard outside of CDs. It really sounds like the 3 of you got in the studio and got it down.

Do you play mostly locally or do you travel?

Fuarte frumoasa!

@ jazzwee: haha, I ain't no "advanced" nothing. But thanks for the kind words.

@ knotty: Thanks man. I love playing with Aebersold, haven't done it in a while and since stumbling upon this great forum and thread, I thought I'd give it another go.

The setup is pretty basic: brand new Nord Piano 88 (Steinway Model D piano patch) + stereo cables into my Macbook Pro's line-in jack. Garageband fired up with the Aebersold, headphones on, record and play

I work with Princess Cruises as a show band pianist once in a while and when I'm home I have a band, we play my original stuff, but not swinging standards...

That's why I'm not an advanced Jazz player, jazzwee

Well Cee, you've got the groove man so that automatically puts you in the super-advanced category.

Seriously though, the more experienced players (we all have our faults) work in stuff in the advanced thread next door. No, we are not jazz masters. That's an "exclusion" for the thread, though Dave Frank (Walking Bass master) stops by and says hi.

You can try "Very Early" next...(over there).

Dang! I couldn't hear the recording. However, I'm intimidated already judging by the comments....