Reader,
Last week in our workshop we kicked off our new series on My Romance by talking about my process for learning a new tune.
Our first step is to listen to a handful of recordings, pick one that inspires you, and repeat it so many times you can sing along.
(Aside: You guys brought so many recordings to the workshop that Dianne had to make us a playlist.)
When picking up a tune for the first time, I often go look for a Beegie Adair recording first. Why?
Well, Beegie is incredible, for starters. She plays authentic, swingin' jazz, but with a real respect for the original chart. She doesn't go too wild, too fast, keeps the original harmony intact, and plays a straightforward melody. That's perfect for us getting familiar with the tune.