What we’re about
This group is open to all levels of musicians who would like to learn and explore jazz standards & improvisation with others in a friendly & supportive environment
The "novice setlist" sessions are especially suited for those getting started with jazz, looking to build up a repertoire of standards and learning to improvise with other musicians in a relaxed environment. Each session is individual and there is no longer term commitment.
If you're already comfortable with the above, but are looking to improve the more nuanced aspects of your playing and over more challenging standards - then check out the sessions at the sister group, "Practice Jazz Jams (Intermediate)".
If you're new to the group and had some questions on how it all works just drop me (Xie) a message!
A contribution is charged to cover payment of the room hire, meetup's monthly organiser fee, and my time in organising the sessions.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Novice+ | 10-1pm Apr 26, Vortex downstairsThe Vortex Jazz Club, London£15.00
Note: direct sign ups are not available here, please message Xie if you are interested in joining.
Update: full for drums, bass, piano, guitarThis is a novice session with some of the songs swapped out for more tricky standards. There is also a single slot each for piano and guitar, as part of progression from playing as individuals toward paying more attention to the collective sound of group. The additional time will also allow ballads to be sometimes included.
The group is also encouraged to use some of the additional time to listen to parts of well known recordings together and pick up on features and ideas beyond what's on the real book.
Attendees would be expected to be comfortable playing at a novice session first before signing up.
Sometimes the group gets through the setlist, with multiple renditions, with time still to spare. If everyone is happy to move on, feel free to use the remaining time to call and jam over a few tunes.
full list of scheduled sessions: https://www.meetup.com/Practice-Jazz-Jam-Sessions/events/
What is it
a pre-selected set of jazz standards for each session that you can prepare for in advance, and rehearse live with others in a friendly and welcoming environment. See below for this week's setlist.please message Xie to find out more about signing up to attend.
Location: Vortex downstairs
This novice+ session is limited to up to: 1 drummer, 1 bass, 1 keys, 1 guitar, 3 lead instruments. The top of the description will indicate if there is an available slot for your instrument.
Playing the melody, or "head" - the responbility is shared between horns players (e.g. sax, trumpet), guitar and piano. Feel free to discuss among the group before each song - different parts of the head or the starting / ending heads can be played by different players. Some melodies will better suit several voices at the same time, whereas others are sensitive to variations in how they are played and may prefer a single instrument at a time.
What it's like
a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere - please put aside any worries of making mistakes if you’re thinking of joining us for the first timeTunes this week (Sat Apr 26)
- Milestones (new) in Gm (modal)
(Miles Davis) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k94zDsJ-JMU
(Roy Hargrove) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zj2SI0SJWSQ- Poinciana in D (latin)
(Scott Hamilton) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_h3RWVeTlGM
(David Sanborn) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cquhc9aiHpU- Summertime in Am
(John Coltrane) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2T4naw681g (reharmonised)
(Sidney Bechet) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYm8ZD1B5VY- Days of wine and roses in F
(Chad LB) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2vxaRFAAf0 (blistering tempo)
(Dizzy Gillespie) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-s2QvjvulXA (latin)Everyone is encouraged to listen to a variety of recordings for each song, but please ensure you are familiar with the recording provided as a primary reference.
Preparing for the session
The chordal form of each song follow the iReal Pro app as a common reference, or you can use sheet music from Real Books.Resource for sheet music:
https://www.seventhstring.com/fbindex.html
http://therealbook.info/Try to immerse yourself in the songs by listening to recordings by different artists on youtube, spotify etc.
Learn the head (main melody) of the song if you can. Don't hesitate to let the band know you can play it so you can start things off
Equipment
there is a piano, drum kit (no cymbals or high hat clutch), bass and guitar amps, stands, and microphones. Drummers: please bring cymbals (none available for rental) and hi hat clutchVocalists
singers very welcome though usually I suggest you come to the intermediate sessions where you can pick your own song and key (as chances are many of the above are not in the right key for your range)Cancellation policy
Please try to make it to any session you sign up to, as the jams are organised around a particular mix of instruments. However, if things do come up and you can no longer make a session, please send a message to the organiser, Xie, as soon as possible.Places are non-refundable if your plans change, but if you provide over 1 week notice it may be possible to carry over the fee for a future session.
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any questions do get in touch!Not open - Novice | 12-3pm Apr 26, 9M Studios9M Studios, London£15.00
Update: full for drums, bass, lead instruments (sax, trumpet, violin, flute)
** The 9M Studios sessions are now 3 hours long. The group is encouraged to use the last hour to call additional songs that are not on the repertoire list - similar to an open jam, or to experiment with arrangements such as intros and endings for the original repertoire. **
full list of scheduled sessions: https://www.meetup.com/Practice-Jazz-Jam-Sessions/events/
What is it
The novice rehearsal sessions provide an opportunity for people who are relatively new to jazz, to play in a friendly, low-pressure environment. With a short set list that attendees can prepare in advance, it becomes a little less daunting to play and get the most out of practising in a group.
See below for this week's setlist. Please sign up before attending.
already full for your instrument? Please check back on Wednesday mornings, when new sessions go live. If you keep not being able to get a spot, please message the organiser (Xie).
Location: 9M Studios, SE17 1DX
Who's it for
anyone who has practised following the forms (chord progressions) of jazz tunes - maybe on their own at home - and would like to build up playing experience, expand repertoire and practice performing with other musicians.
There are various introductions on how jazz jams work - see e.g.
You don't need to get all these details right for these novice practice sessions. The set list format should offer opportunities for those at different levels of developing their playing.
While at the beginning one might struggle to follow/comp the chords or play through the melody, it gets easier over time and one can start to develop approaches to improvisation, harmonise lead lines, add intros/endings, work on communication between band members, and even listen to recordings together and pick up specific arrangements.
Bass players are expected to be able to play a walking bass line on swing tunes, and simple bossa lines for bossa novas.
Playing the melody, or "head" - the responbility is shared between horns players (e.g. sax, trumpet, violin), guitar and piano. Feel free to discuss among the group before each song - different parts of the head or the starting / ending heads can be played by different players. Some melodies will better suit several voices at the same time, whereas others are sensitive to variations in how they are played and may prefer a single instrument at a time.
What it's like
A relaxed and welcoming atmosphere - please put aside any worries of making mistakes if you’re thinking of joining us for the first time. To ensure the group is accessible for those at different levels, I ask that each novice session should work on only the below four songs of the set list, unless each and every attendee feels they prefer to move on.
Each novice session is limited to up to: 1 drummer, 2 bass, 2 keys, 2 guitar, 3/4 lead instruments. Always use the top of the description to see if there is an available slot for your instrument - please do not try to work this out yourself by looking at the other attendees' instruments.
Tunes this week (Sat 26 Apr)
- Freddie freeloader in Bb (warm up)
(Dexter Gordon) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiLuG_PFsfI
- St Thomas in C
(Cohen, Pennicott) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mMEQEgGAJY
- Song for my father in Fm
(Horace Silver) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWeXOm49kE0
- There in no greater love in Bb
(Freddie Hubbard) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MelwhSdHhw0
Everyone is encouraged to listen to a variety of recordings for each song, but please ensure you are familiar with the recording provided as a primary reference.
Tune preview - next novice session (Sat 3 May)
- All of me in C (warm up)
(Sonny Stitt) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psUdIsccV9M
- There in no greater love in Bb
(Ammons, Stitt) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tnEV2IDx6g
- Black Orpheus in Am
(Freddie Hubbard) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XK1lgP0WUhw
- I love you in F
(John Coltrane) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQbk6x21nzU
Preparing for the session
The chordal form of each song follow the iReal Pro app as a common reference, or you can use sheet music from Real Books.
Resource for sheet music:
https://www.seventhstring.com/fbindex.html
http://therealbook.info/
Try to immerse yourself in the songs by listening to recordings by different artists on youtube, spotify etc.
Learn the head (main melody) of the song if you can. Don't hesitate to let the band know you can play it so you can start things off
Equipment
there is a piano, drum kit (no cymbals or high hat clutch), bass and guitar amps, and microphones. Limited number of music stands. Drummers: please bring cymbals (none available for rental) and hi hat clutchVocalists
singers very welcome though usually I suggest you come to the intermediate sessions where you can pick your own song and key (as chances are many of the above are not in the right key for your range)
Cancellation policy
Please try to make it to any session you sign up to, as the jams are organised around a particular mix of instruments. However, if things do come up and you can no longer make a session, please send a message to the organiser, Xie, as soon as possible.
Places are non-refundable if your plans change, but if you provide over 1 week notice it may be possible to carry over the fee for a future session.
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any questions do get in touch!
- Weekend afternoon open jam | 26 Apr 3pm-late, Vortex downstairsThe Vortex Jazz Club, London
Afternoon sessions, free and open to a public audience.
3 to 5pm: house band, open to be joined by others with requests from future standards repertoire. Contact me for sheet music.
5 to 7.30pm: open jam for standards (recommend coming early to put your name on sign up sheet), with possible break for novice+ or improver set.
We'll likely go somewhere for food afterwards.
See you then
Xie
