improvisation materials for AUTUMN Leaves

The steps for learning a standard:
  1. Find a classic version of the tune and listen to it a LOT. Learn the melody by ear.
  2. (Advanced): Make a sketch of the form of the tune and figure out the chord changes by ear.
  3. Learn the seventh chords full range on your instrument.
  4. Analyze the key areas.
  5. Learn the chord/scale relationships.
  6. Apply vocabulary (maybe from a solo on the tune that you transcribed!) 

Let's apply these steps to autumn leaves (work in progress)

Recommended versions:
Sketch of the form:
  1. Figure out the length of a chorus (32 bars)
  2. What is the structure? (Eight-measure A section repeated, eight-measure B section, eight-measure C section)
  3. Using your ear, write out the chord changes. This is often a daunting task for the inexperienced; start off with figuring out just the root note of each chord. Use your voice and your instrument! Once you have the root notes you can look for patterns you recognize. For example, if you see A, D, G, you might guess this is a ii-V-I. Otherwise, start off with the root, then try to figure out the 5th. Is it perfect, augmented, or diminished? Then figure out the 3rd (major or minor?). Finally, try the 7th (major or minor?). If a chord is very hard to hear, try checking a different chorus, or even a different recording (remember to transpose).
  4. If you get stuck, check a fakebook.*
*If you use a lead sheet or fakebook to get your chord changes you MUST verify their accuracy against the source material, i.e., the classic recording(s) you are studying. Fakebooks can be immensely useful tools, but they are notoriously inaccurate. Check multiple versions (and preferably recordings) before trusting them completely.
Seventh Chords
Seventh chords are four-note chords that are the building blocks of functional harmony (that is, harmony that sounds like what it "should" typcially). Chords can be played with more or less notes, but any given chord's function can be demonstrated in four. Learn the chords (arpeggios) full range on your instrument.
...check back for the rest soon!