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
Think of a jazz standard that you often play. One that you've been working on in the practice room. Picture the chord progression in your mind and imagine yourself getting ready to play the first...Read More
Think of a jazz standard that you often play. One that you've been working on in the practice room. Picture the chord progression in your mind and imagine yourself getting...Read More
The process of learning to improvise is a journey. A long and rewarding journey and one that is punctuated by a series of milestones. This can be hard to see from that comfy seat inside...Read More
The process of learning to improvise is a journey. A long and rewarding journey and one that is punctuated by a series of milestones. This can be hard to see...Read More
Imagine that you’re a construction worker. You’ve just pulled yourself out of bed at 4 a.m. and slipped on your steel-toed boots. As you stretch your tired legs you let out a sigh as another...Read More
Imagine that you’re a construction worker. You’ve just pulled yourself out of bed at 4 a.m. and slipped on your steel-toed boots. As you stretch your tired legs you let...Read More
Major chords are the easiest type of chord, right? We learn our major scales on Day #1 and from then on, soloing over a major chord is a piece of cake…or so we thought. One...Read More
Major chords are the easiest type of chord, right? We learn our major scales on Day #1 and from then on, soloing over a major chord is a piece of...Read More
Kenny Dorham was one of the first trumpet players that I checked out when I was starting to listen to jazz and after years of studying the music he is still one of my favorite...Read More
Kenny Dorham was one of the first trumpet players that I checked out when I was starting to listen to jazz and after years of studying the music he is...Read More
Transcribing jazz solos is an essential part of learning to improvise. But here's the catch: it’s trickier than it sounds, especially if you're just getting started. Many hopeful players attempt to learn solos from recordings,...Read More
Transcribing jazz solos is an essential part of learning to improvise. But here's the catch: it’s trickier than it sounds, especially if you're just getting started. Many hopeful players attempt...Read More
If jazz is all about being in the moment, but all our practice time is dedicated to figuring out what we want to play when we perform, then how are we supposed to be in...Read More
If jazz is all about being in the moment, but all our practice time is dedicated to figuring out what we want to play when we perform, then how are...Read More
Arecurring theme on this site seems to be language - acquiring, practicing, and applying the jazz language. There is a reason behind all the repetition, however. Language is a very powerful concept when it comes...Read More
Arecurring theme on this site seems to be language - acquiring, practicing, and applying the jazz language. There is a reason behind all the repetition, however. Language is a very...Read More
When you first began learning how to improvise, chances are the first thing you encountered were scales. Memorizing lists of scales from Major and minor to diminished and octatonic. Knowing which scales work with which...Read More
When you first began learning how to improvise, chances are the first thing you encountered were scales. Memorizing lists of scales from Major and minor to diminished and octatonic. Knowing...Read More
Being successful as a jazz musician isn't all about practice routines, ii-V licks, or memorizing tunes. Sometimes getting to the next level as a player is all about having the right perspective. Here are 20...Read More
Being successful as a jazz musician isn't all about practice routines, ii-V licks, or memorizing tunes. Sometimes getting to the next level as a player is all about having the...Read More
Transcribing is the single most effective method of learning how to improvise...or so everyone says. The only problem is it can be a mystery figuring out what the transcription process actually entails. You have your...Read More
Transcribing is the single most effective method of learning how to improvise...or so everyone says. The only problem is it can be a mystery figuring out what the transcription process...Read More
The notion of being original and innovative goes hand-in-hand with the idea of improvisation. The inspired act of being in the moment, creating on the fly with others in a group setting, and ultimately developing...Read More
The notion of being original and innovative goes hand-in-hand with the idea of improvisation. The inspired act of being in the moment, creating on the fly with others in a...Read More
They say that time is money, but in jazz improvisation, it's even more than that! Time is what's passing by while you're desperately trying to recall the next chord change in a tune, the notes...Read More
They say that time is money, but in jazz improvisation, it's even more than that! Time is what's passing by while you're desperately trying to recall the next chord change...Read More
If there is one thing about playing jazz that's shrouded in mystery, it is improvisation. Improvisation exists in other types of music, even in musical traditions from the far reaches of the globe, but in...Read More
If there is one thing about playing jazz that's shrouded in mystery, it is improvisation. Improvisation exists in other types of music, even in musical traditions from the far reaches...Read More
Play it slow. Feel every beat. Subdvide. Hear every note. Concentrate on every single detail. There are dozens of different ways to describe the process of slow practice, yet it seems that the majority of...Read More
Play it slow. Feel every beat. Subdvide. Hear every note. Concentrate on every single detail. There are dozens of different ways to describe the process of slow practice, yet it...Read More