Hal Leonard Jazz Play Along Disney Book and CD (Bb, Eb, C) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Ooops, It should have been 5 stars.

This book is exactly what it claims to be. 10 tunes and 21 CD track (includin tuning notes). The book is a fake book with all ten tunes, lyrics for all tunes are provided at the end of the book. The book is in three parts, first a fake book with all tunes for C-instruments, then for Bb instruments and then for Eb instruments.

On the CD each tune is recorded twice. The first recording (split track/melody) is with a solo instrument and typically runs like this: First with a solo-instrument playing the tune once, then one repetition of the backing without the solo instrument, so you may solo, and then the solo instrument returns for the last repetition of the melody (no improvising). It is possible to remove bass or piano by turning down volume on one of the channels, but I have had no need for it, and my stereo does not allow it. The second recording (full stereo track) is the same backing, but with no solo-instrument.

I found this a perfect companion to learning these tunes.

My main complain is: while the tempo is fine when I have learned the tune and am familiar with the chords and arpeggios, it is too fast in the inital stage until I become familiar with the tune. I solved this problem by ripping the CD and using software to reduce the tempo without altering the pitch and use a 20% slower version in the beginning. I would have preferred the first track to be slower, but those who want to use that track for practicing comping may have other preferences. The first track is also intended as a "learning tool for melody style and inflection". On some melodies I'd prefer a version closer to the written melody and later use my favorite recodings for ideas about style and inflection, but that is also a matter of taste.

I use these books a lot and love them (I own vol 10 and 27 too). Excellent value for the money, highly recommended.

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Product Description:
For use with all Bb, Eb and C instruments, the JAZZ PLAY-ALONG SERIES is the ultimate learning tool for all jazz musicians. With musician-friendly lead sheets, melody cues and other split-track choices on the included CD, this first-of-its-kind package makes learning to play jazz easier than ever before! FOR STUDY, each tune includes a split track with: · Melody cue with proper style and inflection · Professional rhythm tracks · Choruses for soloing · Removable bass part · Removable piano part. FOR PERFORMANCE, each tune also has: · An additional full stereo accompaniment track (no melody) · Additional choruses for soloing. INCLUDES: Alice in Wonderland · Beauty and the Beast · Cruella De Vil · Heigh-Ho · Some Day My Prince Will Come · When You Wish upon a Star · Whistle While You Work · Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? · You've Got a Friend in Me · Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah.

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