send link to app

Erskine Jazz Essentials Vol. 1 app for iPhone and iPad


4.8 ( 2768 ratings )
Music Education
Developer: Fuzzy Music, LLC
9.99 USD
Current version: 2.2, last update: 8 months ago
First release : 30 Dec 2012
App size: 305.82 Mb

World-class jazz rhythm section play-along in state-of-the-art app setting!

Featuring Peter Erskine on drums, Alan Pasqua on piano, and Darek Oles on bass, this app has been designed and created for use by all musicians who are interested in perfecting their jazz skills and artistry. The heart of jazz is being able to play the blues and “standards” in common keys and at different tempos. With a century’s worth of professional and pedagogical experiences between the three musicians, these tracks target and explore an essential variety of requisite jazz modes and styles that we have found to be of the most use.

Utilizing the built-in mixer, you can create your own combo: full rhythm section (trio), music-minus-piano, music-minus-bass, music-minus-drums, or solo tracks of drums-only, bass-only or piano-only. There are click-track and count-off options as well.

PDF lead sheets are included in the keys of C, Bb and Eb. These charts can be printed or emailed from the app. In the case of some well-known standards, we have adhered to the form and chord changes of the songs unless otherwise noted. The melodies to these tunes can easily be found on-line or in a RealBook, etc. There are also some classic tune forms from the post-bop era, making this collection up-to-date and relevant.

We suggest that you listen to the full trio mixes at least once in order to hear how the band is playing this music — unless, of course, you wish to fully embrace the jazz spirit and experience the performances in real time: hearing and playing the music for the first time just like in a true jazz setting. In any event, you now have a world-class rhythm section at your fingertips.

As the beboppers say: “Straight ahead and strive for tone...”

There’s no better way to play better than to play more. Keep on swinging.
--Peter Erskine

Pros and cons of Erskine Jazz Essentials Vol. 1 app for iPhone and iPad

Erskine Jazz Essentials Vol. 1 app good for

Sounds great! The mixer is very useful and the rec. track is an excellent tool!
What am amazing app/tool!! This is a must have for any player who, like myself, has a live for Jazz and has studied it some but doesnt get nearly enough opportunities to play out in a Jazz setting. Chops will rust no more
Really beautiful arrangements of the most obvious jam choices for when musicians get together. I guess the title "Jazz Essentials" says it all. How often do you get to jam with jazz superstars? Its worth the money. I play bass but didnt bother muting the bass, I just solo or walk depending on what I feel like doing. Thanks Peter, Ill buy any more volumes that you create!
I just wish there was more then 10 TRACKS!!! To play along with :,( but the quality is really good:)

Some bad moments

Not sure who wrote the favorable reviews but this is NOT worth the money. A lot better apps out there for less. If it had been $2.99 maybe.
Fantastic App!Simple and easy to use.I am using this app in my everyday practicing routing,either I am working on walking bass lines or soloing. It doest matter what instrument you play this app is absolute must to have! Great product!Thank you Peter Erskine!
This is a great idea but the apps dont play without stuttering on the iPhone 4. I have a lot of music apps that work fine on this iPhone so it seems to be the apps themselves. I dont see any warning about hardware minimum requirements. If you dont have a recent phone, dont buy this.
This app is incredible. Its like sitting in with a world class rhythm section right in your own home. Learning from the best at its best!
6 songs that arent even super popular standards. This is NOT like the real book or irealB software or aebersold. Not worth $12 or $1
Great app! Lead sheet + very high quality playalong. The last reviewer must have been confused by the titles of the songs in this app because these are undeniably the most important tunes for a jazz musician to know: Blues, Rhythm Changes, All the Things You Are, Autumn Leaves, Stella by Starlight and So What. They have been cleverly renamed, presumably to avoid copyright issues. I use this app when I teach jazz piano - beginning and intermediate improvisers NEED to know these songs. They are staples of the jazz repertoire. I love the mixer feature - an element of control you wont get from Aebersolds.