PlayJazz

In response to: "Quick Tips - Jazz Blues" 9 days old
by Minim ^Pro

You're welcome Tim - glad you found the post useful... more…

In response to: "Quick Tips - Jazz Blues" 9 days old
by Tim [Visitor]

Thabks very much for this tip - it taght me something new about reharmonizing tunes - can't wait to try it all out when I get to a keyboard. more…

In response to: "Quick Tips - Jazz Blues" 9 days old
by Minim ^Pro

Yes, the Parker changes are usually played at quick tempos. One of the main goals should be to be able to play ideas that travel through the key changes rather than having to stop the idea when there's a change - easier said than done I know!

Playing in this kind of style, I often find a 'chord-tone with chromatic passing notes' appro more…

In response to: "Quick Tips - Jazz Blues" 10 days old
by Rafel [Visitor]

I've been playing for a while through Parker changes, and found them challenging! Those changes are complex, so they sound best to me when played at a fast tempo.
Usually I like putting effort in rhythm and melody rather than reharmonising a lot. Perhaps this will change over time...

PS: you tagged the post as "reharmonsation".< more…

In response to: "Getting Better Faster (Part Two) - Power Tips" 13 days old
by Minim ^Pro

Thanks Rafael, I hope you find the tips useful.

Btw, I published the first tip straight after this post but some of my email subscribers don't seem to have been notified.

If this applies to you, please be aware there is a new post with the first tip now available so log onto the main blog page (http://playjazzblog.co.uk) more…

In response to: "Getting Better Faster (Part Two) - Power Tips" 14 days old
by Rafel [Visitor]

It's nice to see the new section coming out! Surely, jazz musicians are in a hurry --it's the most difficult kind of music, and it isn't easy to wait and work through all those years. Of course, fast and noticeable improvements help us to get the strength of will we need... I'll be looking forward to learning new tips! more…

In response to: "The Power of Perception" 23 days old
by Minim ^Pro

Very true Rafa - It is funny how things seem much fresher if you haven't been able to play for a day or two.

I'm wondering if that's because the time away from your instrument stops you obsessing over the little details and allows you to be more aware of the 'big picture' of your playing... more…

In response to: "The Power of Perception" 24 days old
by Rafel [Visitor]

That totally applies to me, I manage to be "in the zone" every once in a while. It happens to me often when I've been a whole day or more without playing at all. Then, when I come back to the ivories, I miss it so much that every musical idea I have looks great to me. It's like when one drinks fresh water after being very thirsty. Music is a vital more…

In response to: "Find Your Voice" 25 days old
by Minim ^Pro

Django is definitely an inspiration and proof that if the music is in you, it will come out - regardless of supposed limitations.

Thinking about your last point, could we then say that technique is defined by personal taste? In other words, your technique will only develop to the level of your musical preferences?

I hadn' more…

In response to: "On not finding a teacher (Part 1)" 25 days old
by Minim ^Pro

Thanks for commenting Kurt. That's a good point, I'm a pianist myself so wouldn't necessarily think about that.

I try not to make my posts piano specific, but sometimes I will inevitably talk about voicings and pianistic things without even realising it! Nevertheless, I do hope my articles are mostly useful to players of any instru more…

In response to: "On not finding a teacher (Part 1)" 26 days old
by Kurt Kaufman [Visitor]

Thank you for your insightful review of useful jazz tuition books. I looked at both of the Levine volumes, and felt that an additional advantage of the Theory Book is in its simplification of typical passages by various influential pianists. For those of us with a less-than-stellar piano technique (or sight-reading ability, for that matter), thes more…

In response to: "Find Your Voice" 26 days old
by Rafel [Visitor]

True, there's no point on imitation and assimilation without innovation. Innovation and creativity aren't only the fun part of jazz, but the only part with which we can do a real contribution to this music (as you said, we already have MP3!). That's why I don't like classical music.

This subject reminds me of Django Reinhardt, who play more…

In response to: "A Call To Arms" 31 days old
by Minim ^Pro

Hi Rafael

Thanks very much for your comment. I don't know whether the situation here is different from in the US but I would imagine there's plenty of fine players not getting the satisfaction that they should be from their music on both sides of the Atlantic.

I've been as guilty as anyone of this but I'm determined to ma more…

In response to: "A Call To Arms" 31 days old
by Rafel [Visitor]

I totally agree. I wonder why there aren't more reflections like this one. It's about the very nature of the music we love, something we all should think about. If only everybody listened to this call to arms...

Here in Europe jazz might enjoy a better condition than in the USA, at least in some aspects. Not sure, I'm still young and g more…

In response to: "How to Practice" 373 days old
by Znethru ^Pro

"NOBODY practices like this every day" - my pupils certainly don't, anyway! more…