While we typically focus on ways to improve, this article is all about how to be mediocre. Now, chances are you don't want to be mediocre, so while many of these listed points are tongue-in-cheek,...Read More
While we typically focus on ways to improve, this article is all about how to be mediocre. Now, chances are you don't want to be mediocre, so while many of...Read More
Time and again, we've stressed on this site that scales are not the secret to jazz improvisation. However, scales can be beneficial if you practice and apply them in the right way. Once you aurally...Read More
Time and again, we've stressed on this site that scales are not the secret to jazz improvisation. However, scales can be beneficial if you practice and apply them in the...Read More
In Zen Buddhism there is a concept of the beginner's mind. To quote Wikipedia: It refers to having an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions when studying a subject, even when studying at...Read More
In Zen Buddhism there is a concept of the beginner's mind. To quote Wikipedia: It refers to having an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions when studying a...Read More
There's one important idea that we must remember as musicians: When you practice, you create habits. Think about it, this is essentially the reason that we set out to practice in the first place. By...Read More
There's one important idea that we must remember as musicians: When you practice, you create habits. Think about it, this is essentially the reason that we set out to practice...Read More
As the article last Wednesday discussed, learning to apply language to tunes is crucial because it puts the language into context, allowing your ears and fingers to gain an understanding of how to integrate the...Read More
As the article last Wednesday discussed, learning to apply language to tunes is crucial because it puts the language into context, allowing your ears and fingers to gain an understanding...Read More
So you've transcribed some ii-V lines. You've even learned a few solos note for note directly from the record, but, despite your efforts, you're not seeing the results you expected. Transcribing those lines from your...Read More
So you've transcribed some ii-V lines. You've even learned a few solos note for note directly from the record, but, despite your efforts, you're not seeing the results you expected....Read More
The commonly known Pareto Principle states that 80% of the effects of something, come from 20% of the causes. In terms of learning, this means: figure out where the largest gains can be made and...Read More
The commonly known Pareto Principle states that 80% of the effects of something, come from 20% of the causes. In terms of learning, this means: figure out where the largest...Read More
Do you find yourself having trouble remembering the solos you've transcribed? Have you ever memorized the melody to a tune only to forget it a week later? Do you have trouble recalling the chord progressions...Read More
Do you find yourself having trouble remembering the solos you've transcribed? Have you ever memorized the melody to a tune only to forget it a week later? Do you have...Read More
We talk a lot about ingraining language. It's vital to have an array of ideas at your fingertips for any given harmonic situation. And these ideas should be so ingrained that you can easily make...Read More
We talk a lot about ingraining language. It's vital to have an array of ideas at your fingertips for any given harmonic situation. And these ideas should be so ingrained...Read More
There aren't many things that we can all agree on when it comes to discussing the history of jazz, but one thing that we can come to a consensus on is that all the masters...Read More
There aren't many things that we can all agree on when it comes to discussing the history of jazz, but one thing that we can come to a consensus on...Read More
In my article 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...Read More
In my article 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...Read More
The funny thing about learning a new skill is that we often carry our first experiences around with us for years. You might try drawing or you may try learning a new language and without...Read More
The funny thing about learning a new skill is that we often carry our first experiences around with us for years. You might try drawing or you may try learning...Read More
So you finally transcribed your first solo, but unfortunately, you don't feel like you're improving at the rapid rate you'd hoped for. Where did you go wrong? This is a common situation. I know people...Read More
So you finally transcribed your first solo, but unfortunately, you don't feel like you're improving at the rapid rate you'd hoped for. Where did you go wrong? This is a...Read More
Remember those times in school, where you were assigned a huge project and given a deadline to finish it by? You know, the ones where the teacher threw an enormous assignment at you as soon...Read More
Remember those times in school, where you were assigned a huge project and given a deadline to finish it by? You know, the ones where the teacher threw an enormous...Read More
As you progress, you feel more confident. You have more language. You can play well over more and more tunes. And you can approach different types of tunes with ease. Still, no matter how much...Read More
As you progress, you feel more confident. You have more language. You can play well over more and more tunes. And you can approach different types of tunes with ease....Read More
Learning the hard way? You thought you came here to find an easier way to learn improvisation, right? Well to be honest, the easier way is not always the best way and if you're in...Read More
Learning the hard way? You thought you came here to find an easier way to learn improvisation, right? Well to be honest, the easier way is not always the best...Read More