Just for context, I’ve been playing guitar for about 6 years, learned to read music and have been pretty much only studying jazz theory during this time. Aside from dabbling in a little bit of transcribing by ear small parts of tunes this will be my first real dedicated attempt to learn a standard.
I’ve been listening to the Chet Baker version of Autumn Leaves quite a bit. Is there another version I should be referencing as a source to get familiar with the tune? Also, concerning the Chet Baker version, it has several solos. I know I should obviously learn the main theme but what classifies a person as “knowing the tune”? Should I just pick one solo and learn that or do I need to know them all before I can say I know the tune? Finally, I plan on supplementing learning this tune with some type of notation…any tips on what notated version would be best to use would be very much appreciated. Oh and i imagine BIAB will be helpful as well though I’m very new to the program.
A fantastic selection. One of the first I committed to decades ago. This american standard will always be called often in jazz giggling. But fefore you select a specific version, be sure to listen to my very favorite version of all time. Not so much a jazz standard version, but this turns the song into one of the most beautiful ever recorded and will always provide inspiration for you to stretch out the timing in your solos. Once you hear this you will never forget it!
A fantastic selection. One of the first I committed to decades ago. This american standard will always be called often in jazz giggling. But fefore you select a specific version, be sure to listen to my very favorite version of all time. Not so much a jazz standard version, but this turns the song into one of the most beautiful ever recorded and will always provide inspiration for you to stretch out the timing in your solos. Once you hear this you will never forget it!
As far as learning the head, decide whether you're playing single notes or using the guitar's polyphony to create a more complex arrangement. If its a guitar arrangement then perhaps listen to some of the great guitarists arrangements of the tunes to inspire you. Perhaps a little of both if you have a band or some backing tracks.
The arrangement is yours and yours alone. Make you part of your work.
On the soloing, personally I find memorization less than compelling. If I want to hear Chet Baker's solo on Autumn Leaves, I just play the record. That being said an homage to Chet in your solo is definitely cool. Identify some real "Chet" licks in his solo and reference them in your solo. A difficult one or two is nice to add just to show your chops. While your adding Chet consider some of the others- maybe even an Eric Clapton lick or a Wes Montgomery octave passage. Its all legit. Certainly does NOT have to be note for note.
Don't think too hard about it. Just start playing the tune. Let it come to you. Rubato. Never play the same thing twice.
Have fun
biab2026(Mac) Latest Build Mac OS (Latest) Mac Mini M2 pro 32GB Ram Logic Pro (latest or pretty close) Daiwa Saltist 35H
Seems every great jazz guitarist has taken a swing or two at Autumn Leaves. They each offer something unique and worthwhile. My favorite is the one by Joe Pass on the Unforgettable album. So elegant and melodic, like everything else Joe did. Enjoy your journey!
DC Ron BiaB Audiophile Presonus Studio One ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM Presonus Faderport 16 Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
Hell ya, if you can cover this you will be able to sit in with anyone! This is jazz! Are you a horn player?
No im actually a guitar player haha.
….Opps.... I see now you are a guitarist (me too). If you are a bit of a newbee, you will be initially relegated to comping so you need to learn the chordal arrangement flat out! No misses with the changes. When you got that under your fingers, you will have a chance to take the melody (head). Only after that will you be able to solo. So don't worry about that for awhile. Your time will come and when it does, that solo will be yours and not a transcription of the masters. Just my experience.
As far as learning the head, decide whether you're playing single notes or using the guitar's polyphony to create a more complex arrangement. If its a guitar arrangement then perhaps listen to some of the great guitarists arrangements of the tunes to inspire you. Perhaps a little of both if you have a band or some backing tracks.
The arrangement is yours and yours alone. Make you part of your work.
On the soloing, personally I find memorization less than compelling. If I want to hear Chet Baker's solo on Autumn Leaves, I just play the record. That being said an homage to Chet in your solo is definitely cool. Identify some real "Chet" licks in his solo and reference them in your solo. A difficult one or two is nice to add just to show your chops. While your adding Chet consider some of the others- maybe even an Eric Clapton lick or a Wes Montgomery octave passage. Its all legit. Certainly does NOT have to be note for note.
Don't think too hard about it. Just start playing the tune. Let it come to you. Rubato. Never play the same thing twice.
Have fun
Such wisdom. Thank you so much I really appreciate the insight!
….Opps.... I see now you are a guitarist (me too). If you are a bit of a newbee, you will be initially relegated to comping so you need to learn the chordal arrangement flat out! No misses with the changes. When you got that under your fingers, you will have a chance to take the melody (head). Only after that will you be able to solo. So don't worry about that for awhile. Your time will come and when it does, that solo will be yours and not a transcription of the masters. Just my experience.
Thanks so much for chiming in! I wouldn’t say I’m a complete newbie but I definitely don’t have a methodology for learning tunes. To both yours and DrDan’s point I would like to possibly experiment with some chord melody during the head. I’ll probably end up spending more time than I should getting this under my belt but I’m hopeful I’ll learn a thing or two during the process. I really value hearing from you guys as guitar players! Any advice on a chart to use as a supplemental aid?
There are a number of charts, tabs, and video instructions on how to play Autumn Leaves on the Internet. Here are a couple of ones I found that may help:
I'm sure that I have a BiaB file of Autumn Leaves and if you are interested I can give it to you.
Good luck and I hope this helps.
Thanks for the response. I’m extremely new to BIAB. Does BIAB have anything similar to iReal Pro and its community of shared charts and progressions?
I don't think BIAB has quite the volume of standards that IrealPro has available. There are some zip files circulatiing with a 500+ standards in .SGU & .MGU (biab formats) IrealPro has a couple thousand if memory serves. While an overlap exists, there are some major difference.
IrealPro is a great tool for learning the changes of a particular tune. Its also great for practicing those tunes in other keys/tempos etc. Honestly I do think its a better tool for shedding than BIAB. Its just quicker. Not better, Just quicker. Especially if you don't want/need the melody of the head. The IrealPro forum is a GREAT place to argue about whether the changes to a tune are correct. Check out the never ending argument on Wayne Shorter's "FootPrints". Only I seem to know what to play.
But I would NEVER gig with IrealPro. BIAB is what you use to create high quality backing tracks to perform with. BIAB what you use to create a band to back you up that sounds like a real band.
At least that's what I feel is big difference
biab2026(Mac) Latest Build Mac OS (Latest) Mac Mini M2 pro 32GB Ram Logic Pro (latest or pretty close) Daiwa Saltist 35H
I'm sure that I have a BiaB file of Autumn Leaves and if you are interested I can give it to you.
Good luck and I hope this helps.
Thanks for the response. I’m extremely new to BIAB. Does BIAB have anything similar to iReal Pro and its community of shared charts and progressions?
Not as such, but there are some around, try ++ minor9 ++
BTW, I agree with MrGeeze about iRealPro vs BiaB. I can often enter the chords in iRealPro as someone reads them out to me at a jam and a tablet is much more convenient then than a laptop. BiaB definitely wins for performance quality and the head/melody.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
I'm sure that I have a BiaB file of Autumn Leaves and if you are interested I can give it to you.
Good luck and I hope this helps.
Thanks for the response. I’m extremely new to BIAB. Does BIAB have anything similar to iReal Pro and its community of shared charts and progressions?
Not as such, but there are some around, try ++ minor9 ++
BTW, I agree with MrGeeze about iRealPro vs BiaB. I can often enter the chords in iRealPro as someone reads them out to me at a jam and a tablet is much more convenient then than a laptop. BiaB definitely wins for performance quality and the head/melody.
That is quite the collection of files. What is the mgu format? Edited: a quick GPT search says it’s a BIAB format.
What is the mgu format? Edited: a quick GPT search says it’s a BIAB format.
Yes it is ... this is a BiaB forum, so I rather presumed that's what you wanted.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
zplane recently interviewed Peter Gannon, the founder and creator of Band-in-a-Box, about the software's early days, what sets it apart from AI, how zplane's audio algorithms are used in Band-in-a-Box, and more!
Special thanks to the team at zplane for their continued support.
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