So What
Original recording (1959)
This tune is from the Miles Davis album 'Kind of Blue'.
It's one of the most famous
and popular jazz
recordings of all time.

Miles Davis

Paul Chambers
The main tune is played on the double bass by Paul Chambers.
The trumpet (Miles Davis) and saxophones (Julian Adderley and John Coltrane)
play a simple riff in between. That's the bit we're going to learn:

Miles Davis (1926 -1991)
There are 3 trumpet parts and 2 trombone parts.
Each part has 3 lines. There are only 2 notes in each.
We play the 1st line 8 times, the 2nd line 4 times and the 3rd line 4 times.
The 2nd line is a semitone (half-step) higher than the 1st line.
The 3rd line is the same as the 1st line.
1st line: x8
2nd line: x4
3rd line: x4
Trumpet 1


4 beat rest
2 beat rest


1st & 3rd line

2nd line
Trumpet 1



Trumpet 2



4 beat rest
2 beat rest

1st & 3rd line

2nd line
Trumpet 2




1st & 3rd line

2nd line
Trumpet 3



4 beat rest
2 beat rest
Trumpet 3




1st & 3rd line

2nd line
Trombone 1


4 beat rest
2 beat rest

Trombone 1



Trombone 2



4 beat rest
2 beat rest

1st & 3rd line

2nd line
Trombone 2



Improvise
Play these notes over the 1st and 3rd lines.
Play these notes over the 2nd line - listen for when the chord changes.