Anybody played in a Jazz big band

Axe_meister · December 2014

I've potentially got the opportunity to play in a jazz big band (Benny Goodman style). However I've never played that style before. They thankfully will supply chord charts (can't read music) any particular tips on how to move from a blues/rock style over to big band jazz?

Hootsmon · December 2014

yon Cunt Basie did for a few years

Phil_aka_Pip · December 2014

The chord charts will probably have all sorts of scary looking extensions 11ths 13ths etc but so long as you recognise what's major, minor and dominant you can for the most part get away with simplifications. For diminisheds, remember that if you raise the root of a dominant by a semitone you can make a diminished eg D#dim is D7 with the root sharpened, leave the other notes alone.

fretmeister · December 2014

Yup.

Drums, piano, 14 saxes, trumpet, trombone, guitar, bass.

Loved it.

Listen to as much as you can and start to read music! 10 mins reading per day and you'll get the hang of it quickly.

bingefeller · December 2014

I'm guessing you're just gonna play Freddie Green type chord shapes...?

littlegreenman · December 2014

fretmeister said:

Listen to as much as you can and start to read music! 10 mins reading per day and you'll get the hang of it quickly.

+1

If you're looking to play in a big band setting, you don't want to be the only one who can't read!

Yep, guitarists, they're looking at you

So keep it as simple as you can get away with for starters until you can get with the extensions (9ths, 11ths 13ths, sus and add, etc...)

Roland · December 2014

Just because the chord has an extension doesn't mean that you have to play it. Quite often the keys or another instrument will be playing that note. If often helps if the guitar can keep things simple, and play three or four-note chords

Jalapeno · December 2014

Roland said:

Just because the chord has an extension doesn't mean that you have to play it. Quite often the keys or another instrument will be playing that note. If often helps if the guitar can keep things simple, and play three or four-note chords

What he said. Practice counting bars, that's the main thing.

Guitar = rhythm section in a big band unless you are soloing.

It's an awesome feeling though when it all locks together !

chillidoggy · December 2014

No.

Cacofonix · December 2014

Jazz seems to focus on clear note runs. When soloing, clean picking is key rather than the slurring you might favour with o/d. Practice your solos clean.

Great opportunity. Have a good time.

edit: @bingefeller the Freddie Green site looks worth perusing. Good find.

Phil_aka_Pip · December 2014

I would also suggest trying triads or at least cut-down versions of the 6-string bar-chords you might be used to. could get muddy otherwise .. just play enough to characterise the chord

bigjon · December 2014

Learn this chord: xx7788. Play it in random positions on the neck at random points in the music for random lengths of time. If it sounds disastrously wrong, quickly move it up one fret. Sounds very convincing!

jonnyburgo · December 2014

I've played in a few bag jizz bands

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Anybody played in a Jazz big band

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