“Autumn Leaves” – C Section
Welcome to the final lesson in our beginner exploration of the tune “Autumn Leaves”. Having previously explored both the A and B sections of this classic jazz standard, we now turn our focus to the final 8-bar section of the song: the C section.
In this lesson you will learn the harmony and melody of the C section and then we will play through the song in its entirety to consolidate all of the lessons in this module.
C Section Melody
The C-section is the final 8 bars of the tune. This 8-bar section introduces a new melody which which clearly differentiates it from the A and B Sections. We begin by isolating the melody in our right hand and we pay attention to the the chromatic melody used to transition between the B and C sections.
C Section Harmony & Voicings
Next we isolate the harmony so that we can clearly visualise the chord progressions, voicing configurations, and the voice leading of 7ths falling to 3rds. Emphasis is placed on voicing configurations that create an even spread across both hands to create a balanced sound in our chord voicings.
Practice Tips
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Isolate common progressions: Begin by practicing the C-section’s unique harmonies in isolation before playing them in context of the tune.
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Voicing configurations: Experiment with different voicing configurations to find the most balanced way to spread the notes across both hands.
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Performance time: Once comfortable with the C section, you're ready to combine all of the sections as demonstrated towards the end of this lesson.
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Visualise the form: Develop a mental map of the song’s structure AABC. Dividing it into these manageable sections aids in memorisation and performance.