Authentic Sounds of the Big Band Era: Guitar Book

Energetic and sophisticated. These tunes swing with the infectious rhythms that made the big band era irresistible, from the infectious groove of 'One O'Clock Jump' to the sophisticated harmonies of 'Moonlight Serenade.' There's a nostalgic warmth here mixed with genuine jazz sophistication.

Jazz guitarists developing their swing repertoire and understanding of comping styles from the 1930s and 1940s. This book works for ensemble players learning to support horn sections and soloists who need reliable lead sheets and chord voicings for these standards.

• Study the comping patterns on each tune before focusing on melody. Big band guitar requires clean, rhythmic chord accompaniment that sits behind the horns.
• Lock into the swing eighth-note feel by listening to recordings of each title. The rhythmic pocket is as important as the notes themselves.
• Use the chord voicings as written to understand period-appropriate harmonic color. These voicings define the sound of the era more than substitutions will.

Use individual selections as feature numbers for guitar in a jazz ensemble concert, or work through the collection as a semester-long study in swing styles and harmonic language. This book pairs naturally with horn arrangements of the same era, creating cohesive program themes around specific composers or bandleaders.

• Reading and executing swing eighth-note rhythms
• Comping within big band texture and dynamics
• Chord voicing and substitution in the swing era style
• Soloing over blues and jazz standards
• Understanding the rhythmic pocket and time feel of classic swing