Alfred Jazz Play-Along Series, Vol. 2: Swingin' Now: Rhythm Section (Piano, Bass, & Drumset) Book & MP3 CD

Energetic, swinging, and grounded in real jazz vocabulary. These nine standards span decades of American songwriting, each with its own rhythmic character and harmonic flavor, yet all united by the language of swing.

Pianists, bassists, and drummers ready to move beyond reading swing tunes straight off the page. This collection works equally well for individual practice with backing tracks or as a foundation for small group jazz instruction.

• Listen to the demo track first without the book. Let your ear absorb the harmonic movement and melodic shape before analyzing the written suggestions.
• When using the play-along tracks individually, resist the urge to anticipate the other players' parts. Trust the recording to keep time while you focus entirely on your own line.
• Study the written comping and bass line examples as conversation starters, not rigid blueprints. The goal is understanding the harmonic function, then finding your own voice within it.
• Try small group arrangements with another rhythm section player in the room. The book's notation supports this collaborative learning without needing a full ensemble.

Integrate this into your jazz ensemble curriculum as a sectional resource, or assign tunes one at a time throughout the year as rhythm section players develop independence. The written parts also work beautifully as guided listening experiences during full ensemble rehearsal, showing the group how comping and bass lines support the soloist.

• Voicing and comping patterns in jazz idiom
• Walking bass lines and harmonic navigation
• Swing feel and time-keeping at different tempos
• Reading lead sheets and chord symbols
• Jazz improvisation within a harmonic framework
• Listening to and transcribing sample solos
• Responding to and supporting other musicians in real time