[Chris Smith UK]

Hi everyone - as an absolute beginner, I am currently learning Summertime. This is where I am at the moment (click on the link below) - still a lot to work on!

Is anyone happy to share a video or soundclip of themselves playing this? I get inspired by hearing others play

https://youtu.be/zpuMqwXSwYc

 

[Dave Dolson]

Chris: My wife is playing this on the piano as I’m writing this post - an amazing co-incidence as I saw your thread title. She’s reading piano music in Am.

I’ve played it for years, inspired by Sidney Bechet’s version. I do not have any recordings of me playing it.

I admire you taking up the challenge at this stage of your life. Enjoy your growing experience. DAVE

 

[Chris Smith UK]

Thanks Dave!

 

[mrpeebee]

Couldn't listen to your clip yet Chris, being at work.

We did 'Summertime' as TOTM (Tune Of The Month) in December 2013 here on SOTW, see this thread:
https://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?205585-SOTW-TOTM-for-December-2013-Summertime

It contains many examples of the tune by pro musicians and SOTW members, together with backing tracks and sheet music. My submission is on page 4 (post #77).

 

[lesacks]

Although youtube and google are great for finding examples and stuff... there's often value in getting some commercial material. There's piles of great etudes and studies; the pro's will have arranged the tune for the target audience (beginner, intermediate, advanced), will probably have a demo as well as a backing which match the arrangement, in the right transposition for the instrument. Of course, the better you get, the easier it is to play a la cart...
eg with Summertime

http://jazzbooks.com/jazz/product/MVAS

 

[Chris Smith UK]

Couldn't listen to your clip yet Chris, being at work.

We did 'Summertime' as TOTM (Tune Of The Month) in December 2013 here on SOTW, see this thread:
https://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?205585-SOTW-TOTM-for-December-2013-Summertime

It contains many examples of the tune by pro musicians and SOTW members, together with backing tracks and sheet music. My submission is on page 4 (post #77).

Thanks MRPeeBee - loads of great resources there to keep me busy

 

[Chris Smith UK]

Although youtube and google are great for finding examples and stuff... there's often value in getting some commercial material. There's piles of great etudes and studies; the pro's will have arranged the tune for the target audience (beginner, intermediate, advanced), will probably have a demo as well as a backing which match the arrangement, in the right transposition for the instrument. Of course, the better you get, the easier it is to play a la cart...
eg with Summertime

http://jazzbooks.com/jazz/product/MVAS

Thank you!

 

[Chris Smith UK]

Thanks everyone for all of your support and suggestions. It's getting smoother, little by little... https://youtu.be/PqYNmih8Bgg

 

[Dave Dolson]

Chris: The standard advice is . . . LONG TONES, especially after listening to your clip. You should concentrate on how to start a tone smoothly, sustain that tone on pitch from start to end, and how to stop the tone without the pitch lowering.

I'm not bagging on you (like I said before, I admire your desire to get this going at your age and with your lack of any shyness, that's for sure), but my advice may help you improve, and that's the goal, isn't it?

Looks like you ARE keeping at it, that's a good thing. DAVE

 

[Chris Smith UK]

Thanks Dave - getting my tunes smoother is certainly a work in progress at the moment