Approaching the Standards, Volume 2: Rhythm Section/Conductor Book & Online Audio

Swinging, sophisticated, and grounded in real jazz vocabulary. These eight standards span from the bluesy confidence of Now's the Time to the modal spaciousness of Maiden Voyage, giving your rhythm section exposure to different harmonic and rhythmic textures within a single collection.

Rhythm section players (piano, bass, drums) in school or community jazz ensembles who are ready to move beyond lead sheets and need written guidance that reflects how jazz standards actually function. Conductors managing mixed-level rhythm sections will find the conductor book invaluable for keeping everyone anchored while soloing happens around them.

• Study the online audio tracks to lock in the harmonic framework before you focus on individual comping choices; hearing the soloist's phrasing first shapes better accompaniment decisions.
• Work out basic voice leading on piano before rehearsal so you can listen to bass and drums in the ensemble setting rather than reading every chord change in real time.
• Have the drummer reference the recorded hi-hat and kick patterns early, then encourage independence once the groove is secure.

Build a three-week or four-week unit around this book where your rhythm section prepares one or two standards per rehearsal while soloists practice over the audio. The conductor book makes it feasible to run full ensemble rehearsals without waiting for improvising musicians to find their way, and the recorded accompaniments let section members practice independently at home.

• Reading and voicing jazz chord changes in a rhythm section context
• Responding to soloist phrasing while maintaining ensemble cohesion
• Understanding the relationship between written rhythm section parts and improvisation
• Internalizing swing feel and groove through audio modeling
• Trading time and managing rhythmic flexibility across piano, bass, and drums