Days of Wine and Roses

This isnt that hard a tune and is fun to improvise on (esp. in the key of F). It holds up as "jazz repertoire" (which means that--unlike so much rock, country and "original" pop tunes by guitar-playing singer-songwriters--this one is a quality tune by a professional composer with melody and chords strong enough to communicate without benefit of lyrics). Songs like this are ever harder to find after 1960 (some would say 1950). But avoid a "transcription"--unless youre an astute note-reader or have loads of time to practice. What you want is a "lead-sheet" with the melody (no extra frills) and basic chords. After a while you wont even need a lead sheet. The 32-bar form becomes intuitive and the ear can translate the recorded version without dependence on any sort of written notation. But to begin with, lead sheets for strong melodies (e.g. "All the Things You Are," "Body and Soul," "Stella by Starlight") are not only useful in themselves but constitute a "method course" in how to play jazz--beginning with filling in the chords, passing tones, inflections, runs, etc., in between the notes on a basic lead sheet. Ive never found a book of exercises that can compare (most soon lose your interest).

Did you find this review helpful?