When you begin something new, there’s so much to learn. Improvement is quick and often, practice is exploratory and fun. But after doing anything for a while, you settle into a routine and your once...Read More
When you begin something new, there’s so much to learn. Improvement is quick and often, practice is exploratory and fun. But after doing anything for a while, you settle into...Read More
Learning jazz language is vital to your success as an improvisor. Without it you're truly lost. You may know a scale, a chord, a concept...but without the fundamental ideas of what to do with these...Read More
Learning jazz language is vital to your success as an improvisor. Without it you're truly lost. You may know a scale, a chord, a concept...but without the fundamental ideas of...Read More
Every musician wants to sound hip and modern...To play complex lines that move outside of the harmony and above the time. Solos that'll make your fellow musicians shake their heads in disbelief and leave the...Read More
Every musician wants to sound hip and modern...To play complex lines that move outside of the harmony and above the time. Solos that'll make your fellow musicians shake their heads...Read More
Iused to frequent the Village Vanguard to go see my teacher Rich Perry perform all the time. As you gaze upon the walls of the Vanguard, you peer into the past...jazz legends, the inventors, live...Read More
Iused to frequent the Village Vanguard to go see my teacher Rich Perry perform all the time. As you gaze upon the walls of the Vanguard, you peer into the...Read More
The extent to which your aural imagination is developed, largely determines: the quality of lines you play, how you play those lines (articulation, swing feel, inflection), and the sound you play with. Nothing has such...Read More
The extent to which your aural imagination is developed, largely determines: the quality of lines you play, how you play those lines (articulation, swing feel, inflection), and the sound you...Read More
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,...Read More
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...Read More
Ever spend a lot of time learning a tune, only to realize that you've completely forgotten it a few weeks later? When you're not achieving your desired results in pretty much anything, check your methods....Read More
Ever spend a lot of time learning a tune, only to realize that you've completely forgotten it a few weeks later? When you're not achieving your desired results in pretty...Read More
In my first 3 Gems Harold Mabern Told Me, we learned how much Harold stresses: relying on your ear, being greedy for the music, and the difference between inspiration and motivation. Harold's full of incredible...Read More
In my first 3 Gems Harold Mabern Told Me, we learned how much Harold stresses: relying on your ear, being greedy for the music, and the difference between inspiration and...Read More
Hey, did you just hear that? Look, did you just see that? Wait, can you feel that? What's that smell? Wait...what?! On a daily basis our senses are bombarded with information. Sights, sounds, smells, and...Read More
Hey, did you just hear that? Look, did you just see that? Wait, can you feel that? What's that smell? Wait...what?! On a daily basis our senses are bombarded with...Read More
Admit it. You listen to pop tunes. You probably even like them. But hold on a second, aren’t you’re supposed to be a serious musician? It’s OK, everyone listens to pop tunes. Just because you...Read More
Admit it. You listen to pop tunes. You probably even like them. But hold on a second, aren’t you’re supposed to be a serious musician? It’s OK, everyone listens to...Read More
Your mental approach to the things you do can have everything to do with your success or failure. In fact, the way that you think about things like setting goals, learning new skills, or creating...Read More
Your mental approach to the things you do can have everything to do with your success or failure. In fact, the way that you think about things like setting goals,...Read More
Every serious improviser has to deal with the blues. From the players just starting out in school, to the musicians at local jam sessions, to the biggest names performing on international stages. Because the blues...Read More
Every serious improviser has to deal with the blues. From the players just starting out in school, to the musicians at local jam sessions, to the biggest names performing on...Read More
Herbie Hancock is one of the most renowned and creative musicians in the world - and for good reason! His career has bridged the gap from the roots of this music, performing with masters like...Read More
Herbie Hancock is one of the most renowned and creative musicians in the world - and for good reason! His career has bridged the gap from the roots of this...Read More
Every so often you'll make a musical discovery that will drastically change the way you approach improvisation. One day you're struggling over the same tunes, growing more and more frustrated with your own predictable patterns...Read More
Every so often you'll make a musical discovery that will drastically change the way you approach improvisation. One day you're struggling over the same tunes, growing more and more frustrated...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 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