Alfred Jazz Play-Along Series, Vol. 2: Swingin' Now: C, B-flat, E-flat, & Bass Clef Instruments Book & CD

Swinging and conversational, with the authenticity of a professional rhythm section behind you. These are standards that breathe and swing, not charts written down to a single tempo; the recorded horns model phrasing and articulation that sheet music alone can't capture.

Jazz ensembles, improvisation-focused students at the intermediate level, and instrumentalists in any clef who need serious play-along material for solo development. Works equally well in a band or orchestra setting where jazz literacy is part of the curriculum, or for students preparing for jazz combos and small ensembles.

• Listen to the demo track and study the written-out solo on first encounter, then switch to the play-along track and practice comping or soloing over the rhythm section alone before joining the full arrangement.
• Rhythm section players should isolate individual stereo channels during rehearsal (piano only, bass only, guitar only) to understand voice-leading and accompaniment patterns, then combine channels as ensemble cohesion improves.
• Use the provided improvisation tips alongside each tune before you solo; they're tailored to each standard's harmonic and stylistic demands rather than generic advice.

Insert this into a unit on jazz improvisation and harmony, or use individual tunes as reinforcement after teaching specific harmonic concepts (ii-V-I progressions, tritone substitutions, and so on). The nine standards span enough stylistic ground that you can scaffold from ballad interpretation early in the year up to faster swing tempos later.

• Improvising over jazz changes and song forms
• Listening to and transcribing phrasing from professional horn players
• Comping voicings and rhythmic accompaniment appropriate to each standard's style
• Recognizing and responding to harmonic landmarks in real time
• Playing both melody and improvisation with appropriate jazz articulation and time feel