8 jazz improvisation improvement projects

8 Improvisation Improvement Projects That Will Change Your Playing

By

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) …

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assumptions about what to transcribe

Your Assumptions About What To Transcribe

By

Forrest

Transcribing

People have been writing in a lot lately asking us what’s okay and what’s not okay to transcribe. With all the different styles of jazz and genres of music, people are entirely confused as to what’s acceptable to transcribe. I have to admit, upon receiving these questions, I was a bit confused. I thought to …

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transcribing for musical style

Transcribing for Musical Style

By

Eric

Playing Techniques, Transcribing

A magical thing happens when you listen to a recording of your favorite player and begin to play along with the record. It’s almost as if an unconscious transformation takes place, an instant instruction through aural osmosis. Simply by sitting by the speakers with your instrument and taking in those sound waves, you can instantly …

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the words of the wise

Listening to the Words of the Wise

By

Eric

Jazz Language, Transcribing

Learning improvisation can be a curious process. Every now and then as we endeavor to educate ourselves musically, we hear bits of advice and pick up words of wisdom from master classes, videos, books, and conversations. Yet, we don’t really listen to these directions or take them to heart. The truth is that we can’t …

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transcribing whole solos

Transcribing Whole Solos Is More Than You Thought

By

Forrest

Transcribing

In my lesson on Monday I talked about why you’re not getting the results you want from transcribing whole solos. For the most part, that article was written with respect to language: how to make useful language from a whole solo. While gathering, understanding, and implementing language is one of the most important aspects of …

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