Nice Collection for Beginning Jazz Improvisers
Aptly named, Maiden Voyage features tracks that are nearly ideal for beginning jazz improvisers. The chord changes are not overly quick, nor are the tempi on the tunes. Like most of the packages that Jamey Aebersold has put together over the years, Maiden Voyage works best for players of melodic instruments (flute, trumpet, saxophone, trombone, guitar, etc.). This is useful for guitarists and pianists who want to practice their comping, as it is for bass players. The only problem with using the basic version of any of Aebersold's book/CD packages for comping or working out bass lines is that there is no soloist to react to. This features, however, a solid rhythm section and putting yourself into it requires practice. A nice selection of tunes. Some people that prefer a more chord-based approach to improvisation might find Aebersold's focus on modes a little tricky at first, but this kind of modal approach is basically where jazz has been for some time now. Besides, using a scale (mode) based approach will help the improviser develop a more flowing melodic style. Give Maiden Voyage an "A."

Got me up and running
I'm an intermediate level bass player backing up a praise band at church and a company sponsored big band, but I'd never soloed or played a melody till I took a jazz class that used this book.

Melody lines in the tunes are very readable, even though I did not know most of the songs, and had never played any of them. Tempos are moderate for a productive learning experience--our jazz band performs "Impressions" a lot faster than Aebersold teaches it. And his improv technique got me up and playing pretty quickly. Now I know what in improv solo is and how to get there. It improved my backup skills as well, and overall improved my confidence to step out more even in the backup role. Had a great time, and I'm headed back for another class with another Aebersold book.

A First Class Learning Aid
This is a terrific purchase for intermediate level players. The selections are in relatively slow tempos and there is a wealth of information if you are a multi-instrumentalist. The CD recording is good and allows you to mute either the bass or piano acoompaniment as they are recorded on separate channels. There is a recommended discography for each track. My only criticism is that it would be better to have the tracks recorded twice, once with just piano,bass and drums (what you get now) and recorded again with a lead instrument playing the notated themes in the supplied booklet.

FABULOUS-
Professional backup for you to solo in whatever key- c, bflat, eflat, your instrument is in. really fun to improvise and learn the "art" of jazz. This is a must for anyone wanting to learn how jazz musicans improvise.