Jamey Aebersold Jazz, Volume 29: Play Duets with Jimmy Raney: Book & CD

This volume strips away the ensemble complexity and isolates the conversation between soloist and accompanist, making it an invaluable tool for learning how comping actually functions in jazz. The stereo separation feature transforms a passive listening experience into an active one; students can play the melody in unison, then take turns soloing while hearing intelligent harmonic support, which builds both confidence and ear training simultaneously. The inclusion of original compositions across varied feels and time signatures ensures your students encounter real jazz textures rather than oversimplified progressions.

Intimate and conversational. These duets feel like sitting in on a session with a seasoned jazz musician who's listening and responding to what you play. The variety of feels and time signatures keeps the experience fresh; one moment you're in a swinging blues, the next you're navigating a waltz or samba feel. There's room to breathe and take risks without the pressure of fitting into a large ensemble.

Intermediate to advanced jazz students across all instruments who are ready to move beyond rhythm section play-alongs and into true two-voice jazz conversation. Bassists and drummers find particular value here since the CD removes all other instruments, letting them hear and develop their own comping voice. Horn players and pianists will benefit from soloing over genuine accompaniment that responds musically rather than mechanically.

• Start with the stereo mix to hear how Jimmy phrases the melody and comps the changes together; this models interpretive choices you won't find in a written score.
• Use the isolated channels to alternate who leads. Bassists and drummers benefit from playing the rhythm section parts alone first to lock the foundation before adding melody.
• Study one tune thoroughly before moving to the next. Repeat the same tune multiple times across multiple practice sessions, varying your solo approach each time.
• Listen to Jimmy's soloing track (available as a supplemental book) after you've improvised your own solos over the comping channel. This shows you one musician's harmonic choices without constraining your own.

Assign these duets as the centerpiece of your jazz ensemble's fall improvisation curriculum, pairing them with transcription work on Jimmy's solo recordings. You can also use individual tunes as solo study requirements for sectionals, where students work toward a performance standard before presenting their interpretation to the ensemble. This book works especially well as a bridge between beginner play-alongs and real-world jazz jam sessions.

• Jazz phrasing and note choice over chord changes
• Listening and responding musically to an accompanist
• Soloing across multiple feels (swing, samba, waltz, ballad)
• Harmonic ear training through active solo construction
• Time feel and rhythmic flexibility
• Comping voicings for pianists and guitarists
• Groove and pocket for bassists and drummers