Perspectives and How to Improvise • Jazzadvice

The Philosophy of Learning Jazz Improvisation: Thinking like a Composer

Chords, Composition, How to Practice Jazz, Jazz Advice and Tips, Jazz Education, Jazz Language, Myths, Perspectives, Playing Techniques, Scales, Transcribing

Composition is selective improvisation – Igor Stravinsky. In 15 seconds the difference between composition and improvisation is that in composition you have all the time you want to decide what to say in 15 seconds, while in improvisation you have 15 seconds – Steve Lacy. Learning to improvise is a big undertaking. Not only must …

The Anatomy of a Sound: Overcoming the Barrier of Music Theory

Eric

Chords, Ear Training, Jazz Advice and Tips, Jazz Education, Jazz Language, Perspectives, Playing Techniques

From the moment we are born, the world tends to have a container already built for us to fit inside: A social security number, a gender, a race, a profession, an I.Q. I ponder if we are more defined by the container we are in, than what we are inside. Would we recognize ourselves if …

Becoming a Musical Character

Eric

How to Practice Jazz, Jazz Advice and Tips, Jazz Musicians, Perspectives, Transcribing

Have you ever seen a movie where a certain character stuck with you long after the film was over? Or what about a piece of artwork that kept popping up in your mind’s eye? Maybe you’ve witnessed a speech that had the same lasting effect or attended a concert where the performer played their instrument …

Critical Vs Creative Thinking: How Initial Judgments Can Cripple Your Learning

Forrest

Perspectives

That’s really good. And that’s bad. That’s ugly. And that’s pretty. I like that. But I hate that. That sucks. But that’s great. Our first instinct upon experiencing something, whether it’s hearing something, seeing something, or meeting somebody new, tends to be that of judgment. We are creatures of classification, often subconsciously fitting everything around …

The Improviser’s Tipping Point

Eric

How to Practice Jazz, Jazz Advice and Tips, Myths, Perspectives

When exactly do I become good at improvising? Is there a single point that occurs where I can finally play like I want to? These are questions that inevitably pop up and hover at the back of your mind as you begin learning to improvise. Is all the work you’re doing now really going to …

The Art of Teaching and Being Taught

Forrest

Inspiration, Jazz Education, Perspectives

Acrobatics is one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen. The physical prowess needed to do even the most basic maneuvers is on par with that of the Incredible Hulk, while the necessary flexibility exceeds even that of a ballerina. Upon seeing my first live cirque performance in Montreal, La Clique, I knew that …

8 jazz improvisation improvement projects

8 Improvisation Improvement Projects That Will Change Your Playing

Eric

Ear Training, How to Practice Jazz, Jazz Advice and Tips, Perspectives, Playing Techniques, Transcribing

Practice is an essential part of your journey as a musician. We all do it every day…or at least we try our best to, however daily practice doesn’t always guarantee improvement. Why? Simply because not all practice is created equal. If you look at the big picture there are two basic types of practice: (1) …

Learning Tunes Your Way

Eric

How to Practice Jazz, Inspiration, Jazz Advice and Tips, Jazz Education, Jazz Musicians, Jazz Standards, Perspectives

On this site we’ve frequently written about learning tunes. This is no coincidence – learning tunes goes hand in hand with improving as an improviser. Whether you’re practicing, performing, or simply listening to a few records with some friends you’re dealing directly with tunes. Keeping this in mind, building a solid repertoire of tunes should …

Know the Rules then Break the Rules

Eric

Jazz Advice and Tips, Jazz Education, Perspectives

You have to know the rules before you can break them. You’ve probably heard this well-intentioned phrase before. It’s as common and overused as “Practice makes perfect” or any of the countless other sayings that we encounter when it comes to learning a musical instrument. As students of the music we get bombarded by these …

Overcoming Creative Blocks as an Improviser

Eric

How to Practice Jazz, Jazz Advice and Tips, Perspectives

Despite what everyone thinks, being creative isn’t easy. You don’t just suddenly find yourself with talent one day and immediately start creating great works of art. It takes years of hard work to develop artistic skills and once you have these skills, it’s no guarantee that your artistic vision will always find a way to …

How to Be More Creative Than A Deer

Forrest

Perspectives

This is a box. This is your mind in a box. Many people’s minds never leave the box. Why? Thinking creatively is something we all do naturally. It’s our instinctive and ordinary way of being. To be creative is nothing less than being human. You can’t help but be creative. But back to the box. …

Learn to Change the Way You Hear

Eric

Chords, Ear Training, Jazz Advice and Tips, Perspectives, Playing Techniques

Each day when you get your instrument out of its case and set out to practice improvisation, your goal is to play the right notes. Whether it’s playing with great technique and great sound or finding the best line to play over that new tune, you’re looking for the fastest way to sound good over …

Perspectives

The Philosophy of Learning Jazz Improvisation: Thinking like a Composer

The Anatomy of a Sound: Overcoming the Barrier of Music Theory

Becoming a Musical Character

Critical Vs Creative Thinking: How Initial Judgments Can Cripple Your Learning

The Improviser’s Tipping Point

The Art of Teaching and Being Taught

8 Improvisation Improvement Projects That Will Change Your Playing

Learning Tunes Your Way

Know the Rules then Break the Rules

Overcoming Creative Blocks as an Improviser

How to Be More Creative Than A Deer

Learn to Change the Way You Hear

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