Yosemite Jazz Workshop Tunes

At the Yosemite Jazz Workshop the guitar players are divided into 3 groups. The groups or teams will be determined by playing, reading and Improvisation ability as well as past workshop participation. Each level will have 3 songs to work on as explained below. You will be working on one song each day, Monday – Wednesday, in the classes and playing them that night at the Live Playing Workshop. In the classes, you will learn to embellish the tunes and extract jazz concepts and tools to use on other songs in the future. On Thursday you will break into performance groups to woodshed a tune or two and rehearse for the concert that night.

The songs may help decide the team you are in. Choose the tunes that you feel are within your skill level, ones that you will be comfortable playing at the workshop. If you stretch too far out of your comfort zone you will be spending more effort on the tune than the teaching. Level C is the simplest songs of the 3 groups. However, as you know, even the simplest of songs can be complex depending on the musical ideas that we will explore. We always have a few players between levels, that’s why we have a crossover tune. You can also switch groups as needed. It all works out at the workshop. If you’re still not sure which team you should be on and which songs to learn, talk to Rich (805-460-6370) or Todd for some advice.

The songs are listed by teams below with one song overlapping into the upper team for those who want to play up or down a team on a song. Some of the songs for each team have lessons available at https://guitarcollegelibrary.com/catalog

SONGS for 2024

Team A, Advanced--Songs are more intense to challenge the more advanced players, already possessing a good grasp of improv to be more creative with their skill and knowledge. A Team players should also have good command of the songs for Teams B & C.

BLUESETTE--Bb, Rich’s lessons available at
https://guitarcollegelibrary.com/catalog/search?search=bluesette
JOYSPRING--F, Rich’s lesson available at
https://guitarcollegelibrary.com/programs/joysprheadmp4-68c9dc
ALONE TOGETHER--Dm, Rich’s lessons available at
https://guitarcollegelibrary.com/catalog/search?search=alone+together

Team B, Experienced --Songs may push you slightly out of your comfort zone. Level B players should also be able to play the songs for the C Team confidently.

ALONE TOGETHER--Dm, Rich’s lessons available at
https://guitarcollegelibrary.com/catalog/search?search=alone+together
SUGAR--Cm, Rich’s lessons available at
https://guitarcollegelibrary.com/catalog/search?search=sugar
STOMPING AT THE SAVOY--Db,
No lesson

Team C, Intermediate –Songs are the simpler but not necessarily easy. We’ll break them down and study them intensely to learn valuable jazz concepts that can apply to other tunes.

STOMPING AT THE SAVOY--Db,
No lesson
BLUE BOSSA--Cm, Rich’s lessons available at
https://guitarcollegelibrary.com/catalog/search?search=blue+bossa
YOU’D BE SO NICE TO COME HOME TO--Am, Rich’s lessons available at
https://guitarcollegelibrary.com/catalog/search?search=so+nice+to+come+home+

Please be sure you are familiar with the songs. Work to memorize the songs in your group if possible, both chords and melody. Listen to a variety of recordings and different arrangements; YouTube is a good free source. It is to your advantage to come to the workshop prepared. The better you can already play a song the deeper we can dig into it as a group.

Past songs

2023

Here's that Rainy Day
Blues for Alice
Days of Wine and Roses
Little Boat
My Little Suede Shoes
Meditation
Satin Doll

2022

Eternal Triangle
Have You Met Miss Jones
Unit Seven
Gentle Rain
Shiny Stockings
Autumn Leaves
Weaver of Dreams

2021

Well You Needn't
Softly as a Morning Sunrise
Bernie's Tune
Fly Me to the Moon
Girl from Ipanema
Midnight Blue
All of Me

2019

Wave
Stella
Blues in C
Just Friends
All the Things You Are
One Note Samba
Exactly Like You

2018

Scrapple from the Apple
Four on Six
Affirmation
In a Mellow Tone
Blue Moon
Call Me
Satin Doll

2017