When you're frustrated with your playing it's difficult to excel at all. It's difficult to make a coherent musical statement, let alone even listen to yourself. These bouts happen to everyone. The key is to...Read More
When you're frustrated with your playing it's difficult to excel at all. It's difficult to make a coherent musical statement, let alone even listen to yourself. These bouts happen to...Read More
In talking, practicing, and performing with many musicians over the years, it seems that a number of players are having trouble getting started with improvisation. Even more have a hard time moving forward, but can't...Read More
In talking, practicing, and performing with many musicians over the years, it seems that a number of players are having trouble getting started with improvisation. Even more have a hard...Read More
It's a new year. I guess that means we should be making some resolutions right about now. New beginnings, a fresh start and all that other good stuff. For most people making "resolutions" translates into...Read More
It's a new year. I guess that means we should be making some resolutions right about now. New beginnings, a fresh start and all that other good stuff. For most...Read More
It's as easy as getting from point A to point B, right? Of course it is. But what they fail to mention is that the distance between the two points is not a straight line!...Read More
It's as easy as getting from point A to point B, right? Of course it is. But what they fail to mention is that the distance between the two points...Read More
It's already May and before you know it those lazy months of summer are going to sneak up on you. And just as quickly they'll be gone, leaving you wishing you had more hours in...Read More
It's already May and before you know it those lazy months of summer are going to sneak up on you. And just as quickly they'll be gone, leaving you wishing...Read More
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...Read More
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...Read More
It's been a few weeks since the new year when we posted articles on setting goals and making musical resolutions. Did you make some resolutions this year? If so, how are they holding up? Maybe...Read More
It's been a few weeks since the new year when we posted articles on setting goals and making musical resolutions. Did you make some resolutions this year? If so, how...Read More
John Coltrane is probably best known for Countdown and Giant Steps, or his earth-shattering intensity on A Love Supreme. But often overlooked is the depth and beauty of his phrasing and lyricism... When I first...Read More
John Coltrane is probably best known for Countdown and Giant Steps, or his earth-shattering intensity on A Love Supreme. But often overlooked is the depth and beauty of his phrasing...Read More
In 6 Disastrous Mistakes You're Making In Learning To Improvise, we detailed some pitfalls that cause people to waste tons of time and cause years of frustration. Let's get right into it...here are six more...Read More
In 6 Disastrous Mistakes You're Making In Learning To Improvise, we detailed some pitfalls that cause people to waste tons of time and cause years of frustration. Let's get right...Read More
If you've read through Should I Go To Music School, and after some serious thought have arrived at the notion that you'd like to go to music school, the next step is finding one that's...Read More
If you've read through Should I Go To Music School, and after some serious thought have arrived at the notion that you'd like to go to music school, the next...Read More
Practicing lines in all keys is a must, but it’s not that easy or even clear why it’s so important in the first place. Many years ago, I remember trying to take a ii V...Read More
Practicing lines in all keys is a must, but it’s not that easy or even clear why it’s so important in the first place. Many years ago, I remember trying...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
We talk about jazz language a lot: what it is, what it isn't, how to get it, and what to do with it. We constantly strive to better communicate these aspects of learning language because...Read More
We talk about jazz language a lot: what it is, what it isn't, how to get it, and what to do with it. We constantly strive to better communicate these...Read More
We get questions all the time on how to go about transcribing. Often, the people that write in say that they tried transcribing, but it just didn't work for them, or it was just too...Read More
We get questions all the time on how to go about transcribing. Often, the people that write in say that they tried transcribing, but it just didn't work for them,...Read More
It's just past one in the morning. I'm standing on the sidewalk in lower Manhattan as garbage trucks rumble by and panhandlers hustle for loose change. I've just stepped outside of Smalls, the last note...Read More
It's just past one in the morning. I'm standing on the sidewalk in lower Manhattan as garbage trucks rumble by and panhandlers hustle for loose change. I've just stepped outside...Read More
Learning to improvise is a path with many steps leading to many different levels. Contrary to the belief held by some that improvising is a talent, or even a skill allowed to only a special...Read More
Learning to improvise is a path with many steps leading to many different levels. Contrary to the belief held by some that improvising is a talent, or even a skill...Read More