Welcome all “jazzers” young and old- newbies and pros. A good subtitle for this blog is: Towards better jazz improvisation. I very much want you to contribute your favorite stories, tips, advice, study materials, exercises, gimmicks and the like that can help all of our readers (starting with me!) learn how to improve our jazz improvisation skills. As you can tell from the title of my blog I’ve come to view Jamey Aebersold as one who epitomizes jazz (improv) education. I started using Jamey’s play a long cds (records back then) and books many years ago. I want to share with you a story of mine to get the ball rolling:
My Story
I need to preface my story by saying I had an excellent “legit upbringing” as a trumpet player. I started playing in the 4th grade. We used the Rubank Method, still in use today. A “no frills” method book but it gets the job done! Anyway, all through middle school and high school, I had great teachers that taught me the fundamentals of good brass playing and wind playing in general: proper embouchure formation, technique, sight reading ability, etc. I played in the concert band, wind ensemble, and orchestra. I think it was my junior year in high school when someone suggested I try out for the stage (jazz) band. I did, and to my surprise I made it! I guess I was a strong enough player- I had pretty good range. Anyway I remember quite vividly the day we were rehearsing a tune and the director looked at me in the middle of the thing and said those omnious words: “OK Marty take a solo!” I looked down at my music -panic stricken! Where were the notes?! All I saw were funny looking slash marks (////) with cryptic symbols above them like Bbm7/F7/Ebm7 and so on. Needless to say my first improvised jazz solo was a disaster even though it consisted mainly of rests!
At our next rehearsal the director handed me a record (yes, a record-you would put it on a “turntable” that spun at 331/3 rpm- oh never mind-if you don’t know what I’m talking about- Google it!) Anyway, that record changed my musical “life” and focus. I wore that record out. I feel I owe Jamey something for what his record: Volume #2 “Nothin But The Blues” did for me back then. So I thought the least I could do was dedicate my blog to him!
The point of my story is this: you can be a solid player who can play all the right notes with a good sound- but you are missing out on not only a very fun dimension of music, you are cheating yourself out of a very valuable way to improve your musical abilities- no matter your current level of ability or how long you’ve played. I thought I was really a “pretty hip cat” back there in high school. Big shot 1st chair player and everything. I was quickly humbled when I was asked to play without notes and have it make sense!-it’s a great skill to learn and great fun too!
Nice to be here and be sure to check out my next post. Please give me your feedback…Here’s to your great playing!—Marty
For more information visit: Jamey Aebersold Jazz Review
Posted by thelonius136 