![]() ![]() Psychologists and pedagogical experts have labeled this approach “chunking” since you slice up the material into bite-sized informational chunks that are easily digestible. The best way to learn jazz standards is to break them down and learn them in units, linking the melody with the harmony. Learn the changes by finding out by ear what notes the bassist plays on the downbeats of each measure first (they’re almost always the roots of the chord progression), then try slowly arpeggiating the chords and playing the scales that sound like they fit best with the harmony you hear on the recording. Pay close attention to the phrasing, timing, and subtle nuances of the artist’s melodic interpretation of the tune.įinally, learn the harmony by ear (and refer to a lead sheet only to check your work or if you get seriously stuck). Take your time and really focus on the details of the performance you’ve chosen to learn the song from. Then learn the melody by ear on your instrument by carefully copying what you hear from the recording. Next, learn to sing the melody of the tune by ear (don’t worry if it’s not perfectly in tune!). one after another until you are very familiar with that recording. Start by focusing on the melody (and lyrics if present), then zero in on the harmony, the bass movement, the drums, the solos, etc. Each time listen for something different. Learning the Tuneįirst, locate a good recording of the song and listen to it many times. Here I’ll be looking at“Stella in its most commonly played key, Bb Major (concert). Let’s start by making sure we know the tune and its form well, and then we’ll tackle the 3 approaches mentioned above to help us maximize our creativity as we improvise over Stella. ![]() After walking through the process for learning and analyzing this song, we’ll tackle these 3 different approaches to soloing over Stella:Ģ) Taking advantage of all the melodic minor scale. Stella is especially helpful to learn because it gives you the opportunity to try out 3 crucial different approaches to improvising over a tune. This iconic song has been recorded and performed by many of jazz’s greatest artists including Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, and Chet Baker, so there are a lot of great recordings out there to check out.Īlso a highly flexible tune, Stella can be played as a ballad, at medium tempos, at fast tempos, as a straight-8 th tune, and it can even be morphed into odd meters.Īs has been mentioned on LJS before, Stella is a harmonically complex and challenging tune, and by learning it you will greatly expand your horizons and vocabulary as an improviser. Ned Washington later set lyrics to it in 1946. “Stella,” written by Victor Young, was featured in the 1944 film The Uninvited. ![]() As one of the most commonly called “workhorse” songs on gigs and jam sessions, this is a must-know tune for jazz musicians. Stella By Starlight is arguably one of the most popular jazz standards of all time. ![]()
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