Smithi20

I reckon the sounds we can hear in our heads are much more useful!

I was even coming to this subject, which is brought up often as a benefit, with the thought that even to learn a tune away from the playalong and play with them ONCE would be useful, but then I thought, why, they´re ignoring you!

It´s always much better to find musicians who are above or below your level, but are at least listening and reacting.....

is this too extreme?

Brekelefuw

They help when you can't get others to play with, but of course, nothing replaces a live band.
I use Aebersolds daily, as well as band in a box. It helps me work out things while hearing the chords, instead of practicing on the bandstand.

bigtiny

Play alongs, especially for people learning and practicing improvisation are an invaluable resource. They are NOT the only resource that should be used, and your point about the fact that the recordings can't react and interact with the player is well taken.

However, the ability to play tunes repeatedly and improvise over the chord changes provides a context within which one can improve as an improviser. That's basically how jazz players have always learned, it's just that in the past there were MANY more places where musicians congregated and played, therefore one could get the chance to play the tunes at these various sessions.

I would reiterate though, that playing with these recordings (practicing with them) MUST be done with the knowledge that there are 'fine' musical skills which cannot be exercised through their use -- ensemble playing, interacting with other players in subtle ways (phrasing, etc.). These are things that can only be polished by playing with other live musicians.

bigtiny

rowuk

Ian,
you have hit the nail on the head. Playalongs teach you to follow. This is a criticism that I also have of conductors when they conduct a CD to "practice".
Before anybody gets on my case, I am not saying that playalongs are only destructive, rather I only see an advantage when they AUGMENT real ensemble play AND individual practice. Improvising requires that you have the changes in your head. Spoon feeding yourself with canned accompaniment is NOT the fastest way to soak up those changes - playing them yourself is. Stretch your brain. We get enough canned music everywhere these days!

gglassmeyer

I would add that they are great for students. A lot of times when kids practice something they speed up and slow down based on difficulty or stop and go back to hit a note or 2. Playing along requires them to stay in time and if they make a mistake helps them to figure out how to recover and join back in. Also for learning intonation which they can't hear when they're the only one playing. Plus it helps with dynamics, they'll want to play quietly when they hear the recording soften.

Jimi Michiel

I find play-a-longs, especially Abersolds, to be incredibly helpful. I'm a complete novice when it comes to soloing, so it's helpful for me to have that resource. I'm not sure if this is a common position, but I find the reactions and interplay that are missing from play-a-longs to come naturally, whereas learning and hearing the changes do not. Nothing replicates the experience of being onstage with other live musicians, but for me that experience is the culmination of the preparation I have done by myself (this holds true in many "classical" situations as well)

-Jimi

Brekelefuw

The main difference is practicing tunes versus playing tunes.
I don't practice when I am on the bandstand.

BergeronWannabe

They sure help me...of course playing with a live band would be better-
Then again, it's kinda hard to get Louis Bellson, Ron Carter, and
Herbie Hancock to come to my house these days...
-Andrew

trpt2345

I prefer the old fashioned method-put the metronome on 2 and 4, and play the chord tones. Then play a solo. The metronome keeps you honest.

Michael McLaughlin


In our civilization, and under our republican form of government, intelligence is so highly honored that it is rewarded by exemption from the cares of office.
Ambrose Bierce

mrmusicnotes

I play every thursday night @ the brooklyn conservatory of music Jazz Workshop.We usually pick all our tunes from the aebersolds and Hal Leonards Play a longs since the music is printed in all the keys for the different instruments.Of course nothing beats playing in a group,but the play-a-longs are the next best thing.They are ALWAYS the fun part at the end of my practice session.