First time playing in a jazz band

[Graeme]

Ok so I took up accordion in lock down. Started to build up a repertoire of songs, play for a dementia choir, visit folk clubs and did a big out door sing along at the caravan site ( with lots of help from the forum ). most of my playing is solo.
So my mate said join our jazz band, Gave me a set list for practice and a folder with about 120 music script in ( piano part with chords).

Each song is only one sheet long but repeated by each section (1920/1950 jazz hits)

Because there are b flat sax and trombones. My part can be in f, b flat even E fat. Keys I am not used to playing in.

They don't play all.of the 120 song but do change the set list

So how keep my old repertoire practice and practice the new ever changing set list in new keys ?? My repertoire has doubled over night

I am retired and usually set a couple of hours a day for practice

Any suggestions, past experiences, tip would be welcome.

 

[JerryPH]

My part can be in f, b flat even E fat. Keys I am not used to playing in.
They don't play all.of the 120 song but do change the set list
So how keep my old repertoire practice and practice the new ever changing set list in new keys ?? My repertoire has doubled over night
I am retired and usually set a couple of hours a day for practice
Any suggestions, past experiences, tip would be welcome.

Yup. When in doubt, refer to the BASICS.

For the first month, take the first 30 minutes of your practice session and do scales, arpeggios and chords in F, Bb and Eb. First day will be a struggle, end of the week it should start to ease in to memory. End of second week things start to get familiar, 3rd week these unused keys become your friends. Week 4 is spent on increasing the speed of the scales, arpeggios and chords. After that a fast daily review of scales, arpeggios and chords in ALL THE KEYS used as a warm-up before starting your day will help. Do this and the keys that you are not used to playing in become as familiar as playing the same in the key of C.

Done right, you should eventually be able to play 2 octaves of all scales/chords/arpeggios in about 5-10 minutes in all keys, rinse and repeat for chords and arpeggios, making the first 15-30 minutes of your daily session. You can also alternate one month of the above exercses and 1 month of the first 15-20 exercises in HANON (30 minutes/day), start slow, build speed. This gives you a month of Hanon and then a month of scales/chords/arpegggios for a nice variation. Don't be mindless, stay 100% focused and set a goal to attain with each practice.

For increasing or maintaining your repertiore, I highly recommend you read and follow the book called "Learn Faster, Perform Better- by Molly Gebrian". It covers not only a system to learn faster but to retain more.

 

[Graeme]

Priceless, I will dig out the exercise books I neglected and buy the " Learn faster" book. Time to step up gear and reshape my practice, so glad I am retired and have the time and now know how to use the time.
Many Many thanks.

 

[JEBrown]

What a nice opportunity! I agree with previous advice on practice. Regarding repertoire, agree with your friend which are the most commonly played jazz classics and start on these first, so you at least have something to go at. Work on just a couple of songs that you really like so you can get these good, and build up your experience in the new style, before expanding the repertoire. Don't expect to become an expert overnight - it all takes time.

You'll have to see if you even enjoy playing jazz!

 

[Tom]

Congrats Graeme! I agree with Jerry and JE. That book is priceless, it has really improved my practice. I also face the necessity of learning a significant repertoire (3 hours) and using the techniques in the Gebrian book helps a lot. Mainly by practicing with intention, ie. concentrating on what is actually going on and fixing things right away rather than blithely playing through song after song. And also taking breaks more often.

I think it’s awesome that you have found this opportunity and wish you fun and success!!!

 

[colinm]

Sounds as though you have hit the jackpot there Graeme, are you going to be able to play from your written part, or have you got to make your own part up from the supplied part ?

 

[Graeme]

For a start I think it's just fitting in with the written part, Small steps. I have already bought the book on kindle and dug out the exercise books. Yes there are some song I am beginning to enjoy. So thanks again you guys are priceless, I really do want make this work.

 

[losthobos]

At the risk of upsetting the apple cart there is another mentality amongst the jazz players I know....
Ditch the scales....your not going to be playing doh reh mi so far lah ti doh in a jazz tune.... concentrate your learning playing meaningful melodies in various keys ..
More specifically practice playing II, V, I progressions and melodic movements to flow through these changes .....cos this is what's gonna be showing up as a staple within "jazz" arrangements....then do the same for the turnarounds at the end of sections.....this will give you far more of the necessary ammunition that linear scales will...
Just another approach.....enjoy.... you'll find your own path anyways...