beginners mind in music and jazz improvisation

Beginner’s Mind

By

Forrest

Inspiration, Perspectives

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 an advanced level, just as a beginner in that subject would. When we begin studying this music, we’re excited and …

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Think like a pro jazz musician like Michael Brecker

How to Think Like a Pro Jazz Musician: Michael Brecker and The Power of Simplicity (Premium)

By

Forrest

Jazz Advice and Tips, Jazz Musicians, Playing Techniques, Premium Only, Transcribing, Visualization

It sounds so complex. So difficult. So advanced. Great jazz musicians sound as though they’re implementing highly complex and difficult concepts that mere mortals could never hope to access, but in reality, professionals think simpler than you’d ever imagine. It’s the beginners and intermediates who study the pros and abstract what they think is going …

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ii V progression made easy

Two Five Progressions Made Easy

By

Forrest

Chords, Jazz Language, Transcribing

The ii V progression makes up the vast majority of chord changes within the jazz standard repertoire. Much of our success or failure as improvisors comes from being able to navigate this deceptively simple progression. Learning how to play over ii Vs is actually much easier than you think. The mistake most people make is …

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looking for nuance

The Lost Art of Looking for Nuance

By

Eric

Perspectives, Transcribing

Let’s face it. As improvising musicians, we’ve become obsessed with notes. Obsessed with harmony, chords, and scales. Which scales to use over which chord progressions, which diminished scales to play over dominant chords, how to play “outside,” how to play “inside,” which chords can be substituted for others…We even reduce entire sounds, full of infinite …

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