Jazz Anyone.....?, Book 1---Play and Learn: Guitar Book & 3 CDs

You're learning jazz the way musicians actually learn it: by imitating, absorbing licks, internalizing changes, and then speaking your own voice over those changes. The recorded accompaniments ground you in authentic jazz time and feel rather than abstract practice conditions.

Jazz guitarists from beginning to intermediate levels who want structured guidance in improvisation, whether working through the book independently or as part of a larger jazz ensemble. This method works equally well for self-directed practice and classroom settings.

• Spend time listening to the recorded tracks before attempting to play over them. Familiarity with the harmonic changes and groove reduces cognitive load when you're improvising.
• Work through the licks in isolation first, then apply them to the corresponding mini-charts. This bridges the gap between mechanical execution and musical application.
• Use the ensemble recordings to rehearse trading solos with other guitarists, even if you're working through the book independently. Call and response develops your ear and confidence.
• Record yourself improvising over the tracks and listen back critically. You'll hear phrasing, timing, and concept clarity that real-time playing obscures.

Assign progressive chapters throughout your jazz ensemble curriculum, pairing ensemble rehearsals with individual study from the book. The 70 tracks serve as year-round accompaniment resources for sectional rehearsals and lesson assignments, and students who finish early can cycle back to explore different licks over the same changes.

• Improvising over jazz changes (blues, ii-V-I, rhythm changes)
• Recognizing and executing jazz licks and vocabulary in context
• Listening to and internalizing harmonic movement while playing
• Trading solos and responding to ensemble figures
• Time and feel in jazz comping and solo lines
• Reading lead sheets and chord symbols