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Do you ever find yourself avoiding being positive(optimistic) about something until you are positive(confident and fully assured) about it?
The other problem with this sort of approach is that it cuts us off from the vital “spice of life” called variety. Life very rarely unfolds in straight lines. I’m willing to bet that if you look back on your life, some of your best experiences happened by “accident”, or maybe you now look back and see them as “coincidences”.
There are many people who always need to be fully assured about the success of the outcome before they make a move. To them, it would be irresponsible or even foolish to make decisions and take actions based on a sense of raw optimism. After all, what sort of plan is that for success? Take these steps- and watch what happens!
Challenge Yourself...
Stand On Your Own Feet....
Live The Moment...
Have Respect...
Do Some Good....
BUT IN MUSIC...Fear and many times that fear holds a person back. It's to your advantage to get past this. Now!
Sometimes this fear manifests itself in unproductive ways, such as procrastination. You find that you’re not following your map or making any progress towards your goals. If you "can’t get motivated," fear is probably at the root of your procrastination.
In most cases where you find fear is causing inaction, the “cure” is taking action.
You see, usually you feel so overwhelmed that you don’t even know where to start. But if you can just get started somewhere – anywhere – you’ll find that your fears start to melt away. Soon you’ll be able to take more focused, productive action.
It sounds circular, doesn’t it? Fear is causing inaction, but the solution is to take action. How can that be?
That means that in order to use action to cure fear, you need to let go of one major fear: specifically, the fear of taking the wrong action.
Once you do that – once you give yourself permission to move forward even if things don't seem quite right – you’ll be able to progress faster on your goals and make those positive changes.
Another way to stay motivated is to surround yourself with supportive people and accountability partners.
Sometimes fear manifests itself as imagined productivity. For example, you may be taking a lot of actions but going absolutely nowhere.
However, keep in mind what we discussed earlier with regards to choosing toxic friends and partners. Ensure that they truly are supportive.
Note: Once in a while some of your own friends and family won’t believe in your dreams. If you talk about your goals, they’ll laugh and make it clear they think you’re foolish.
If this happens to you – and if it’s someone that you need to see on a regular basis – then don’t talk about your dreams any more with this person. If they try to “bait” you or ask you to talk about your goals, answer politely but don’t give them any “ammunition” to fire back at you. Think on your own feet as I said before!
This is just the beginning for you. Chances are, you feel energized and ready to take on anything.
Your next step is to move now. If you wait, I promise you won't do "it."
Imagine yourself accomplishing it. How will you feel? Why is this goal so important to you?
Imagine people congratulating you. Think of the future, not the past.
Once you’ve done that, create your road map. How will you reach your goal? What tangible steps will you take to get there?
Next it’s time to observe and listen. How do you feel as you start working on your road map?
Finally, find supportive people and reward yourself.
And remember this: once you begin and continue, you deserve it!
YOUR ASSIGNMENT IS...Surround yourself with like minds. People who have goals and visions. Get started and remember to have fun!
Till next week- stay on your path and stay positive!
~ Tim Price
- - TODAY...Is Fred Lipsius birthday. He is 70. Happy Birthday Freddy. As you might know...Fred was the original saxophonist in Blood Sweat & Tears.
He arranged,composed and played piano too. Fred truly is one of the great innovators in modern music. His saxophone playing is off the hook fantastic. As a tribute to Freddy...I posting an interview I did back in 1988, when I wrote for Saxophone Journal...on Fred. ( I did some studying with Fred in the 70's to in NYC...when he lived in Hastings On The Hudson. Every conversation with Freddy is a lesson- he's a long time friend. Plus hysterical...good times.)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY...Fred. Many many more brother Scorpio....thank you for your inspiration. ARTICLE IS HERE.....http://www.fredlipsius.com/Price-Interview.html
ENJOY...Tim Price
~ Remembering Charlie Mariano on his birthday. Happy birthday brother Scorpio! One of the real inspirations in my life & music. To me, Charlie is as important as Miles and Coltrane in jazz. He defined a way of playing & had a forward motion in his music that was his own. Totally inspiring.
When I turned 18 while going to Berklee School Of Music ( it was called school then, and shortly after changed to college.) I paid extra to study privately with Charlie Mariano. It was a known fact he didn't teach private lessons but...he and I had a interesting rapport, so I asked & he said sure.So right near my18th birthday, Charlie had a spare nadaswaram...and asked if I wanted to buy it. So I bought it and started to study it with him.To really to be honest , it did a number on my chops at first. If you look at the picture, I'm holding the same nadaswaram, and over my shoulder is a great picture of Charlie, from when I did a feature article on him in Saxophone Journal. That was fun too, because I was way out of Berklee & Joe Viola calls me and said- you have to do this!!He knew our friendship. Charlie Mariano taught me this instrument in a very special way. Lessons would be hours. Sometimes Joe Viola would pop in to listen and check it out. At this point in time like I said, I was 18 and Charlie was 50. he had already played with Kenton, Mingus and a tribute to Coltrane record with Elvin Jones called " Dear John C". He is a timeless person. The nadaswaram really helped me understand the music of India and how it related to jazz. I was very lucky- and that helped me crystallize something that was in my mind. A life long inspiration too.
At the time I used to hear Charlie play nadaswaram in Boston with OSMOSSIS, A raga-rock band he had that recorded for RCA. OK-this band kicked holy-azz in the way it sounded.They had two drummers, and a full rhythm section and vocalist. Plus Charlie!! They played " The Boston Tea Party" a Filmore style rock club, and opened for Zappa and Cream. Mariano's lines across the raga-rock grooves were transcendental. NOBODY -was playing like this.
- God bless Charlie Mariano...a stellar human being and one of the _real ones_in this music. Happy birthday brother Scorpio.
What knocks me out about Berlin, is that he knows how
to make the_past_the future in the sax styles.
To extend the idiom, past < which I love as much/more than anyone> .the backbeatin' cry of the honker lies a workin' mans sax player.
STEVE BERLIN. Of the band Los Lobos.
This guy stood/played aside of LEE ALLEN in the orignal LA starts of this band ( the Blasters ) and also plays great keyboards. ( eg-piano-organ) and does some world clas production.
You need to go to a Los Lobos gig and hear this guy within the band. Check out where he puts the sax IN the ensembles and how he USES the Bari Sax within the bands unique sound.
Steve has the roots. The soul. Of a REAL honkin' in your face sax demon.
A no-holes barred, take no prisioners kickin' tenor player.
BUT, that is within what he is doing in the tapestry of LOS LOBOS.
Remember - " The Blasters" - Steve (with Lee Allen) is on "The Blasters" complete Stash recording set and he plays bari (along with Doug James) on a cut or two of Roomful of Blues "Live at Lupo's" recording. On "The Blasters" hit "So Long Baby Goodbye" Berlin plays classic rock bari sax counterpoint to Lee Allen's tenor.
What knocks me out about Berlin, is that he knows how
to make the_past_the future in the sax styles.One of the great sounds and styles in rock saxophone.
Listen to him.
Steve Berlin (born September 14, 1955, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American saxophonist, keyboardist and record producer, best known as a member of the rock group Los Lobos and, before that, Top Jimmy & The Rhythm Pigs, The Blasters, and The Flesh Eaters. Berlin is married and lives with his wife and children in Portland, Oregon.
Berlin joined Tuatara as a side project in 1998 on their second album, Trading With The Enemy.
As either a session musician or producer, Berlin has worked with the Crash Test Dummies, Backyard Tire Fire, Beat Farmers, John Lee Hooker, The Paladins, Faith No More, Dave Alvin, R.E.M., The Go-Go's, The Smithereens, The Replacements, Leo Kottke, Sheryl Crow, The Act, Los Super Seven, Rickie Lee Jones, String Cheese Incident, Alec Ounsworth (Clap Your Hands Say Yeah), Raul Malo, Rick Trevino, Jackie Greene, The Tragically Hip, Great Big Sea, The Bridge, Nathan Wiley, The Dandy Warhols, Making Movies and Deer Tick.[1]
- Berlin is a 1st class person and very important voice in the saxophone. I'm shocked, at when folks talk about " rock sax" his name is not mentioned more. His bari playing with the " Blasters" is some great work. One of my students who loves " The Blasters" made me a lot of MP3s, and Berlin and Lee are killin'.
Steve Berlin, also plays a lot of piano/organ from time to time w/LosLobos.
Non the less, he's..OUT THERE...playing and a force to be heard.
I'd say imho, he might be one of todays most important house rockers
on tenor. He comes out of the mecca of greats like Lee Allen & Big Jay and Willis Jackson. his baritone sax playing is very original, and inspiring. Check out my friend and someone who is always on the case musically Steve Berlin. - Tim Price
Memory, reality....Mario Maccaferri, The Bronx factory with Michael Brecker and reed making. History and learning.
- In 1939 Mario Maccaferri started to make reeds.French American Reeds Manufacturing Company it was called. Actually the machines were shipped to NY and he started at that point-in 1940 he invented a plastic reed- see picture. I am glad that I met him. In his last days he was making plastic violins that were almost as good as wood.When I went to his factory, on a weekly basis, as a reed-product tester consultant for Dave Guardala with Dave and crew and Michael Brecker, Mario in his 90s, came to work everyday in a shirt and tie. He sold 9 million plastic ukalalees in the 50s when Arthur Godfrey endorsed them on the air. The ukes came equipped with strings made by a then very small company, D'Addario! In the 30s he was director general of Selmer. Mario Maccaferri was in guitar manufacture in partnership with Selmer. They ran a workshop where the "Selmer - Maccaferri, " guitars were made that were immortalized by Django Reinhardt. During his time at Selmer, he had discovered and learned the technique of making reeds for saxophones and clarinets. Maccaferri oriented himself from then on with the making of reeds, creating his "French-American Reed Manufacturing Company." During WWII, Maccaferri developed a viable plastic reed, the Maccaferri Futurity reed. Endorsed by Benny Goodman and others, his reed making enterprise survived the hazards of wartime shortages and propelled him into a thriving business in plastics.With his plastics business on firm ground, offering clothespins, bathroom tile and a host of other injection-molded products. The guitar he made which I mentioned was also called a SELMER GUITAR.When he left the project ended. Very sad to say, the machines that the reeds are made on, some as massive as a locomotive, which were unreal and amazing,still from the 30's required his maintenance. When he passed, and left the planet- so did the reeds-and the amazing machines.
To me- STEREO REED was something as close to a hand select reed as ever. It is HARD...but a unfilled reed. A pre- Rico jazz select if you will.
- But think about it...this guy didn't just jump a bandwagon business wise. He paid some " life dues". Born in Cento, Italy, Maccaferri was trained as a classical guitarist and in 1926 became a professor at the Conservatory of Music in Sienna. His concert career continued until he sustained a hand injury in 1932. Within that tragic accident, he had developed a second career designing and manufacturing musical instruments. He was very generous to Michael Brecker and myself...Giving us all kinds of great reeds from decades before both of us were born...I was very lucky. Why? I'll tell you, you know how good Michael sounds on the stage. Well up close right aside of you it is mind blowing. I knew this from 1972 when I first met him. But in the"reed days" with Mario it became even greater. He'd play my SBA Selmer alto I had then...and blow our minds. Between Brecker and Mario, I truly learned a lot. Mario used to make these lunches for us, with homemade soup...and cheese. Mike and I would be trying reeds and getting silly. Artie Shaw and Goodman " in the day" used Mario's reeds. Shaw told me before he used the plastic Brillhardt reed-he used Mario's. I tried to center in on what Shaw used strength wise and he sais- ANYTHING HARD. Typical Artie Shaw.
- One day Michael Brecker & I were getting silly, and soaking reeds in water and I spilled the glass of water on Mario. He said- " It looks like I pissed myself ( he was laughing too- having a good time)... THEN...His lawyer called....and Mario told the lawyer.."I'll kill you"....and the horse carrying you to your gave will smile. HA!!!!! Brecker & I went hysterical...to funny!!! That was the subject of many, many laughs between us. The same day- we couldn't stop laughing...Mike backed his Honda into a parking meter, as he was giving me a ride into the bus station in midtown from the Bronx. I picked up the tail light that broke and said to him..." I'LL KILL YOU"...totally lost in hysteria. Mike was real- loved to hang. HERE IS A FACT...Michael played a RUBBER OTTO LINK MOUTHPIECE... on Mockingbird- The Carley Simon hit. I thought it was the metal 4 star he had that Dave Liebman used with Elvin. When he told me that I was more than surprised. Sounds like metal to me. But . . . There is a lesson. CHOPS...101.PAGE 1- he will sound vibrant on anything. Same piece as on the "DREAMS" records. No baffle, no funny stuff- boom. LaVoz reed.
- Mario laid all kinds of bassoon cane and oboe cane on me..as gifts which was stellar vintage cane.A warm hearted man. Plus, those crazy nylon clarinet mouthpieces he made. I miss guys like Mario & Michael- that_REAL_ in the business of music. Know how backed up by decades of trial and error.
- Like I told one of my Skype students David Luscher when he asked me about Sonny Stitt and so on, I'm glad these things I learned came from the SOURCE, not a book. Mario passed in April 16, 1993- and yes I did attend his services. It shows things can be done and made in the USA too...it takes work and skill.
Check it- Carly Simon - Mockingbird (Remastered)( RUBBER OTTO LINK MOUTHPIECE/LaVoz reeds )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAtWJ8J1DeA
- I’m grateful I’ve had the opportunity to know these great people, in the grand scheme of life they all have helped me become a better musician and a better person. - TIM PRICE
The path of a true "artist" is a rocky road.
We have all remarked when an innocent child speaks their mind and reveals something candid, with no worries about consequences, failure, or judgment that makes us think. We also know there is something envious about that special quality; raw freedom to express with no fears or hang-ups. When a young student drums on a desk, draws on a paper, or sings, sincerity is at its best. And it’s all valid because it’s sincere.
Our attraction to music is a personal one. Sure, there are peer pressures, and multi musical purposes, but somewhere in our hearts we have our own musical tastes. To step forward and play what you feel might be your best move.I feel it’s tragic to not explore music and life through creativity and self development. I respect the ideal of traditional development of needed musical skills but not at the cost of creativity. No one should have to wait some undetermined amount of time to compose something or even think about composing something.Ditto with improvisation. Same with any writing or art. It’s sincere. It’s in the moment.
The path of a true "artist" is a rocky road.
It's like walking up wet glass at times but after a while it's fun.It is your business to keep the channel open.You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you.You'll note a slow emergence almost imperceptible. it will be something you never forget.
Now's the time tell a genuine story, speak the truth, and someone will appreciate it.It is part and parcel of being an artist.
Keep the channel open, and try your best.You'll learn something special.
Been talking to my students about the many aspects of the creative mind set.
Trying to just expand more ideas and thoughts.
Here's some things that I'm coming up with ;
Creativity is the bringing into being something which did not exist before, either as a product, a process or a thought. Right? So let’s apply this to ALL levels of saxophone playing, thought and improvisation.
You would be demonstrating creativity if you:
· Played something which has never existed before.
· Reapply an existing lick or concept into a new area musically.
· Develop a new way of looking at something (bringing a new idea into existence).
· Change the way someone else looks at something.
We are all creative every day because we are constantly changing the ideas which we hold about the world about us and our relationship with it. Creativity does not have to be about developing something new to the world, it is more to do with developing something new to ourselves !!
When we change ourselves, the world changes with us, both in the way that the world is affected by our changed actions and in the changed way that we experience the world. It’s a thought process. It’s past a mouthpiece change..it’s a MIND SET !!
Creative thinking is the process which we use when we come up with a new idea. It is the merging of ideas which have not been merged before. New ideas are formed by developing the current ones within our minds. This evolution HAS to be brought on by practice.
Ongoing creative thinking is the continuous investigation, questioning and analysis that develops through education, training and self-awareness.
Ongoing creativity maximizes both accidental and deliberate creative thinking. It is a quest for improvement which never ends. It is an acceptance of and a looking for continuous change that differentiates between ongoing creativity and mental inflexibility. Ongoing creativity takes time and practice to become skillful. Ongoing creative thinking soon becomes an attitude not a technique.
The first step to take is to learn the creative thinking techniques so that you can use them deliberately to come up with new ideas. You will then be at an immediate advantage to those who do not know how to use them. You should then practice them to increase your skill at ongoing creative thinking. With practice you may even find it unnecessary to use specific techniques because you may soon have too many ideas without using them at all.
By the way...The friend.
COLTRANE.....Velocity and hard work. < Coltrane Substitutions >
My Coltrane inspiration is HOW he did what he did, the pursuit of being inspired from the WHAT AND HOW of the knowledge, as well as the velocity of his genius. The man was one of the hardest workers.Check his six-box Prestige collection, in only a year and a half--the first session being in May 1957, the last in December 1958, he recorded ALL those recordings while touring and playing gigs.
Coltrane chord substitutions of a basic ii-V-I with movement in major thirds creating an augmented triad. This is also know as "Coltrane Changes," etc. I'll post one of my favorites at the end here as well.
Coltrane first introduced this on Blue Train on tunes such as Moment's Notice and Lazy Bird, and later on took things further on Giant Steps.The B section from _Have You Met Miss Jones_ served as inspiration for Coltrane because of the major 3rd modulation from D to Gb to Bb.
Coltrane Substitution:
1) Here is a normal ii-V-I in C major:
| ii | V | I ||
| dmin7 | G7 | Cmaj7 ||
2) Now with the Major 3rds Cycle:
| ii V** | I* V** | I* V** | I* |
| dmin7 Eb7 | Abmaj7 B7 | Emaj7 G7 | Cmaj7 |
This cycle has been used in many re-harmonization, far to many to even list! Here are some of the most accessible- and also the sky is the limit. With some creative ears and imagination they work in rock and pop too.
Standard ; Dmin7- G7- CMaj7
Trane sub ; Dmin Eb7 Ab B7 E G7 C
Standard ;Fmin7- Bb7- EbMaj7
Trane Sub ;Fmin F#7 B D7 G Bb7 Eb
Simile rest of page.
Abmin7- Db7- GbMaj7
Abmin A7 D F7 Bb Db7 Gb
Bmin7- E7- AMaj7
Bmin C7 F Ab7 Db E7 A
Gmin7- C7- FMaj7
Gmin Ab7 Db E7 A C7 F
Bbmin7- Eb7- AbMaj7
Bbmin B7 E G7 C Eb7 Ab
C#min7- F#7- BMaj7
C#min D7 G Bb7 Eb F# B
Emin7- A7- DMaj7
Emin F7 Bb Db7 Gb A7 D
Cmin7- F7- BbMaj7
Cmin Db7 Gb A7 D F7 Bb
Emin7- Ab7- DbMaj7
Ebmin E7 A C7 F Ab7 Db
F#min7- B7- EMaj7
F#min G7 C Eb7 Ab B7 E
Amin7- D7- GMaj7
Amin Bb7 Eb F#7 B D7 G
Thanks, and keep on your path.
~ Tim Price
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Do you ever find yourself avoiding being positive(optimistic) about something until you are positive(confident and fully assured) about it?
The other problem with this sort of approach is that it cuts us off from the vital “spice of life” called variety. Life very rarely unfolds in straight lines. I’m willing to bet that if you look back on your life, some of your best experiences happened by “accident”, or maybe you now look back and see them as “coincidences”.
There are many people who always need to be fully assured about the success of the outcome before they make a move. To them, it would be irresponsible or even foolish to make decisions and take actions based on a sense of raw optimism. After all, what sort of plan is that for success? Take these steps- and watch what happens!
Challenge Yourself...
Stand On Your Own Feet....
Live The Moment...
Have Respect...
Do Some Good....
BUT IN MUSIC...Fear and many times that fear holds a person back. It's to your advantage to get past this. Now!
Sometimes this fear manifests itself in unproductive ways, such as procrastination. You find that you’re not following your map or making any progress towards your goals. If you "can’t get motivated," fear is probably at the root of your procrastination.
In most cases where you find fear is causing inaction, the “cure” is taking action.
You see, usually you feel so overwhelmed that you don’t even know where to start. But if you can just get started somewhere – anywhere – you’ll find that your fears start to melt away. Soon you’ll be able to take more focused, productive action.
It sounds circular, doesn’t it? Fear is causing inaction, but the solution is to take action. How can that be?
That means that in order to use action to cure fear, you need to let go of one major fear: specifically, the fear of taking the wrong action.
Once you do that – once you give yourself permission to move forward even if things don't seem quite right – you’ll be able to progress faster on your goals and make those positive changes.
Another way to stay motivated is to surround yourself with supportive people and accountability partners.
Sometimes fear manifests itself as imagined productivity. For example, you may be taking a lot of actions but going absolutely nowhere.
However, keep in mind what we discussed earlier with regards to choosing toxic friends and partners. Ensure that they truly are supportive.
Note: Once in a while some of your own friends and family won’t believe in your dreams. If you talk about your goals, they’ll laugh and make it clear they think you’re foolish.
If this happens to you – and if it’s someone that you need to see on a regular basis – then don’t talk about your dreams any more with this person. If they try to “bait” you or ask you to talk about your goals, answer politely but don’t give them any “ammunition” to fire back at you. Think on your own feet as I said before!
This is just the beginning for you. Chances are, you feel energized and ready to take on anything.
Your next step is to move now. If you wait, I promise you won't do "it."
Imagine yourself accomplishing it. How will you feel? Why is this goal so important to you?
Imagine people congratulating you. Think of the future, not the past.
Once you’ve done that, create your road map. How will you reach your goal? What tangible steps will you take to get there?
Next it’s time to observe and listen. How do you feel as you start working on your road map?
Finally, find supportive people and reward yourself.
And remember this: once you begin and continue, you deserve it!
YOUR ASSIGNMENT IS...Surround yourself with like minds. People who have goals and visions. Get started and remember to have fun!
Till next week- stay on your path and stay positive!
~ Tim Price
