Jamey Aebersold Jazz, Volume 93: What's New: Book & CD

Guitar trio accompaniments bring a completely different sonic character to jazz standards than the expected piano trio sound. Dave Stryker's guitar voicings and the stripped-down rhythm section create space for soloists to hear themselves clearly while still feeling the full swing and groove, making this volume ideal for players who want to develop their ears in a less-crowded harmonic environment.

The guitar trio setting creates an intimate club atmosphere rather than a rehearsal hall environment. There's room to breathe, hear yourself, and discover nuance in the standard repertoire that gets buried in busier accompaniments.

Intermediate to advanced improvisers on any instrument or vocalists who want to expand their jazz vocabulary through working with a different ensemble sound. Musicians who feel overwhelmed by denser piano trio textures will find this collection especially valuable for building confidence and developing their own voice.

• Listen to the recording multiple times before playing along. Stryker's comping style and the trio's interaction set a specific groove you'll want to absorb first.
• Start by playing the melody at your own pace, then gradually sync with the recording once the feel settles in your body.
• Pay attention to how the guitar and bass define the harmonic movement. The voicings often reveal chord extensions that might surprise you.
• Use the rhythm section's relaxed tempo as permission to phrase more naturally. This group doesn't rush, so resist the urge to push ahead of the beat.

Assign these tunes to jazz ensemble members who are developing their improvisation skills in sectional rehearsals. The nine standards here work well as stepping stones between beginner play-alongs and full big band arrangements, and they're perfect for jazz recital preparation or small combo coaching.

• Listening and responding to guitar voicings in real time
• Improvising over jazz standards with clarity and spaciousness
• Understanding how rhythm section roles shift between piano and guitar instruments
• Phrasing and rhythmic independence when the accompaniment is less dense
• Building vocabulary through repeated exposure to melody and harmony in live performance context