This is the song I’ve been working on for the month of October. So far, I have Moon River and now autumn leaves. Next will be Misty. Right now I’m planning on trying to learn one song from each keys from the lead sheet fundamentals courses. I’m hoping to rotate these songs in my practice sessions to start building a small repertoire that I can improve on. Thanks for watching. All feedback is welcomed.
Hi Ivan, I have really been enjoying your progress and calm way of playing. Would it be possible to arrange for a more centered view of the keyboard so that some fingers don’t hide others from view? I have been playing this tune as well and would like to more clearly see the differences in our playing…and learn from that!
Thanks Nivaldo. Yes, I will try for an overhead view of the keyboard on my next post. Look forward to your version.
Hey @Ivan.C 
Thanks for sharing this performance.
Your playing is sounding great and congratulations on learning your 3rd jazz standard!
With each jazz standard that we learn, the process of learning new tunes becomes easier as we become familiar with jazz standard harmony and common chord progressions.
I’ve recorded a quick video for you below which shows some devices that I like to use to add subtle movement, colour, and texture to the basic chord changes of “Autumn Leaves”:
Experiment with these devices and gradually incorporate them into your arrangement. It can be nice to play the 1st A section with the pure R-3-7 voicings, and then on the 2nd A section start to incorporate some of these variations.
Keep up the great work!
Hayden
Wow, Hayden, thanks so much for the video and the detailed feedback! There’s a lot to unpack and absorb here. I really like the idea of incorporating some of the inner voicings you demonstrated, and I’m looking forward to experimenting with them in this tune.
I realize now that the voicing I used over the Gm, which you originally suggested, was definitely overused. I didn’t intend to use it so often and hadn’t even noticed until I listened back to my recording! I’ll spend some time internalizing a few of your ideas and work on using them more selectively throughout the sections.
Thanks again for taking the time to put together the thoughtful feedback, especially the video. That was cool, and I appreciate it!
Autumn Leaves will go into my long-term repertoire for continued study and improvement. I’ll definitely post an updated version in the future. Thanks again!
My pleasure, Ivan.
I have a new music room with this camera setup which I’ll be using for seminars, courses, and it’s also great for creating quick feedback videos like this.
I’m glad the tips and feedback was useful.
In most of the examples that I showed you, we are just changing or adding 1 or 2 notes compared to the basic R-3-7 version. They are subtle changes/additions, but at the same time those little ‘internal chord movements’ add a lot of interest and most importantly create some variation on repeating sections (such as the repeating A Section). That’s the crux of the feedback. Have fun experimenting with that.
Also thanks for sharing your performances - I’m sure they are a great motivation for other students!
Hayden
Just following up on my lesson with Autumn Leaves. As you suggested, I’ve added some inner movement to the second A section. The changes are minimal, but I’m really liking how they’ve worked out.
I’ve added this tune to my development list and plan on revisiting to incorporate a few more embellishments as I continue working through the Lead Sheet Fundamentals material.
I’m now debating whether to move on to either My Foolish Heart or The Nearness of You in the Ballad Stride Piano module.
Thanks again for all your help, Hayden. It’s very much appreciated!
Hi @Ivan.C
Great job applying some of those melodic variations and inner voices!
Immediately your arrangement sounds more interesting with the little variations in the repeating A section.
Always keep in mind repeating sections in jazz standards and try to apply similar ideas to other tunes that you are playing. To start, you may need to very consciously think about this, but with practice, adding these variations will start to happen more spontaneously.
Yes that’s a great call.
You certainly have this tune ‘under your fingers’ now so I think it’s a good idea to start working on some other tunes, and remember to revisit this one as you learn new theory.
I’d say that “The Nearness Of You” would be a good tune to cover next, as you have already worked on “Moon River” in the key of C major.
We cover “The Nearness Of You” in the key of F so that will introduce some new 251 progressions into your repertoire.
I’ve covered “The Nearness Of You” extensively on the website in various seminars and also the ballad runs and fills course, so yes I’d say that’s a solid next choice for you.
My pleasure and again great work on implementing the suggestions so quickly!
A little bit of feedback… watch the pedal when adding the inner voices. Inner voices usually move chromatically and if we keep the pedal depressed it can blur the notes together. So when you add the inner voices over the G-7, try lifting the pedal up whilst playing those inner voice lines… it takes a bit of practice but something to keep in mind when adding inner voices.
Thanks Hayden.
Definitely moving on to Nearness of You and will work on my pedal technique.
FYI…I don’t see any PDF attachments for nearness of you.
My pleasure, Ivan!
I have added the chord chart to ‘The Nearness of You’ lesson pages.
The other PDF downloads which shows triads, to 7th chords, to spread voicings for each 8-bar section don’t exist yet, but I’ll get those downloads created and added asap.
You can find a full transcription of the spread voicings on this lesson page: https://www.pianogroove.com/jazz-piano-lessons/nearness-of-you-for-beginners/ - it’s the same song, but this lesson moves at a slightly faster pace than the new beginner course, and also the whole tune is covered in one lesson instead of one lesson covering each section of the song.