Sittin' In with the Big Band, Volume I: Guitar Book & CD

You're on stage with a tight band that knows exactly what it's doing. The rhythm section locks in, the horns punch through with personality, and your guitar part weaves into the fabric with purpose. Each tune pulls you through a different jazz world, from the funky propulsion of 'Drummin' Man' to the lush sophistication of a ballad.

Jazz guitarists ready to move beyond solo practice and learn how to blend and communicate in an ensemble setting. This works equally well for self-directed learners seeking real-time feedback and for guitar students whose teachers want to emphasize listening, time feel, and stylistic flexibility.

• Study the demo tracks first to hear the arrangement, your part's role in the texture, and the overall feel before attempting to play along.
• Lock into the rhythm section by listening intently to the bass and drums; they anchor every style on this recording, from the Latin grooves to the swing feels.
• Work the improvisation opportunities in sections like 'Sax to the Max' and 'Play That Funky Music' by first learning the changes at a comfortable tempo, then gradually matching the recording's speed.
• Pay attention to the dynamics and articulation cues in the book; the professional players on the CD will highlight nuances in phrasing that transform a merely competent part into a musicianly one.

Assign one tune per week over an 11-week unit on jazz styles, pairing specific charts with listening assignments and ensemble rehearsals if you teach in a school setting. Solo guitarists benefit from using this as their primary repertoire during the months when they're not preparing for formal recitals, since the play-along format makes consistent practice feel interactive rather than isolated.

• Playing in time with a recorded rhythm section across tempos and feels
• Recognizing and responding to swing, Latin, ballad, and rock grooves
• Blending tone and dynamics within an ensemble texture
• Reading chord changes and chord melody arrangements
• Improvisation over jazz changes in multiple keys and styles
• Listening to and learning from professional players in real time
• Phrasing and articulation specific to jazz idioms