Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Tim Price Bloggin' For D'Addario Woodwinds- Keep the channel open. Everyday...is Thanksgiving

My friends there is a very thin line, sometimes with a pale shadow attached, between what happens on the bandstand,in the shed,writing your thoughts in your blogs, and in the classroom. All involve the now, listening being in the moment. Instruments, reeds,paper,laptop, pencil, the mind as messenger for the mind and heart are our tools for being in this life. Whether it's playing with a cool band,or some friends playing Monk tunes, writing a really good line of poetics,learning some new ideas or tunes, or connecting with and enjoying your students.All are gifts that I continue to be thankful for, and always will be.We now have to believe in our true selves and realize that what we do is a gift! Every day is Thanksgiving ! Let me also add, to me , communication is most important . So, it there is no direct communication with the audience for which you are playing, there goes your job. Play music for people- and watch the result! John Coltrane used to talk about imagining his music reaching out and embracing his audiences.Remember before Trane was Trane he was a player who could rock the house on the blues, and play any standard song. I practice everyday, and I practice for at least 2 hours before I do anything. I don't do it because I think that Mike Stern or Sting is going to call. < I wish they would > I do it because it's the one thing in life that has been a constant for me. So few things in life ever remain the same, if any. But the saxophone < and my woodwinds > is the same every day.To me, it's the best ever deal you can make in life. If you work hard and practice at your saxophone , you get better. It's that simple! Think about it. Still grateful to be playing and learning. Looking forward to each gig and rehearsal and student, trying to stay in that vibe. And learn what I can from it. All human beings are linked together through the timeless, universal chain of history and events.The musician links to the practice room and the bandstand. Various life developments have been born in both environs. ~ The first stage of the artistic process involves absorption of principles and techniques that have already been accepted as standard in the field , the artist personalizes past and contemporary styles, meaning active participation in real world. This is why, I've always felt the need to play with all kinds of musicians, any age and of course working heavily with students to develop their "real world" skills. So- till next week - practice hard and eat more vegetables and fruit. Don't forget to do something nice for somebody too, remember compassion is essential with each other. I hope these words help motivate you to explore your music even more. Keep the channel open. Everyday...is Thanksgiving. Enjoy the holiday and the moment. Thank you- Tim Price - - - - This BLOG is dedicated to the beyond category friendship-to all musicians in this world- Keep on.

Sunday, November 23, 2014

Tim Price Bloggin' For D'Addario Woodwinds- - New York City saxophone study -with Tim Price - special rate.

10% Off New York City sax study with Tim Price via Roberto's Winds. Saxophone Coaching, with instructor-coach Tim Price ; reach your goals. Expand your vision about what is possible in your life via- your playing. Mention the AD...that is here and message me at timpricejazz@aol.com . . I'll get you started. Would you like to improve musically? Now's the time, for the saxophonist who who is interested in learning the skills. Let my experience as a player-educator work for you. -E-mail me and we will get started right away. o How to play what you hear in your head o Chord/Scale relationships & their use o Scales INSIDE scales o Important books, records . o Jazz NOMENCLATURE & notation o Ear Training exercises--the importance of them, how to do them o Thorough discussion/demonstration of the Blues & Blues Scales o Articulation-styles, how to practice them o Discussion of SWING, BOSSA NOVA, BOP, pop and rock o How to BUILD a solo o Use of Play-A-Long recordings--group/individual assignments o II-V7-I PROGRESSION o HOW to practice/WHAT to practice o Dealing with ballads and making them you own. o How to practice a song so you really know it o Piano voicing for non-pianists o What to listen for in a jazz solo o Jazz theory and proper application The sessions are informal and relaxed, yet highly structured. If you are a novice improvisor or even a pro who has always felt there was more to learn, you'll truly enjoy these lessons. IN NYC...There is a special 10% off deal- ask me about it. GET TO ME AT - TIMPRICEJAZZ@AOL.COM....Thank you- Tim Price

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Tim Price Bloggin' For D'Addario Woodwinds- Have you heard Jennifer Hall? LA Studio legend & jazz baritone artist.

Jennifer Hall, born and raised in Northridge, CA attended Cal State Northridge and USC as a music major. As a saxophone and woodwind player, she played on the hit TV show, Dancing with the Stars on ABC and records for the cartoon series of Family Guy and American Dad on FOX. She has also performed with the American Tenors special for PBS, the 54th Annual Emmy Awards, the American Film Institute TV specials and the Academy Awards. Jennifer has recorded with Michel Legrand, Arturo Sandoval, Jack Sheldon, Ray Conniff and many other artists. Most recently, she has performed in concert with Barry Manilow, The Temptations, Aretha Franklin, The Four Tops, and the Pacific Symphony Orchestra.Through her decades in LosAngeles front lines,Jennifer has developed a keen understanding of the symbiotic balance between the many roles a musician has to deal with and the supporting players, between the wisdom of experience and the enthusiasm of her virtuosity. I've had the pleasure of knowing Jennifer over a dozen years, and can really say aside from her great studio skills, being an amazing bassoonist, flute player & multi-woodwind artist she is also a unsung jazz baritone artist. She would never tell you anything like that- but the truth is in the music. Music don't lie. She was a member of trumpeter Jack Sheldon's big band for a decade, subbing on the Phil Norman Tentet, Bob Florence's Limited Edition, the legendary Ann Patterson's bands (which are more world class jazz that needs to be heard )....and also quite a fantastic curved jazz soprano player. These names I mentioned are jazz royalty. Players who you can Google and get decades of information on.Jennifer was a vital part of their music, and as quiet as it's kept, a outstanding soloist as well. YOU NEED...To check out her CD - Jennifer Hall Meets.....A West Coast Tribute to Gerry Mulligan. Or enjoy her prior CD release " Portrait...by Jennifer Hall Jennifer's CD's are absolutely incredible!Her playing really burns it up andf is essential music for anyone who truly loves great jazz music. Real jazz, for the people who feel jazz, by a one of a kind multi-dimensional artist.Her outstanding musicianship is a breath of fresh air these days and her improvising is first class all the way. She is without question one of the real serious jazz stylists playing these days. Have you heard Jennifer Hall? Sure you have. If you listened to " Dancing with the stars" or " Family Guy" you sure have. She's a seasoned professional and a super cool fantastic woman.Who just happens to play extremely lyrical and beautiful jazz.I can't say enough about her. But her music speaks louder than anything I could say. She is an asset to this world of music. - - - Thank you- Tim Price / D'Addario Artist & Woodwinds Blogger.

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Tim Price Bloggin' For D'Addario Woodwinds- Music is a language

Today's musicians – whether students, educators, or professionals – need to strive for quality of practice. Developing a sustainable routine is really a life-long process. Young people can function off desire and youthful animal energy. In the long run, though, the creative person needs to find a way to maintain a level of interest and vitality in the art. This takes work and intelligence. The concept of daily practice is an important one, as it is the best way to make any kind of musical progress. Daily effort keeps players finely attuned to continuous movement and the incremental accumulation of progress.. Practicing sporadically causes you to lose the thread of your practice and is thus much less effective. Through diligent, consistent daily work, a tangible musical substance is developed. First of all, it is helpful to develop physical stamina through the repeated effort. Also, from day to day, students will accumulate ideas and expand on the themes of their practice. On a topic like working Major chords; the first day might be devoted to arpeggios, and the next day might be finding some connections to other musical sources or songs. By continuing to work with focus on the same things from day to day, students will find their level of proficiency rising and expanding to include all these other sources. Practicing every day results in the acquisition of technique, musical intelligence, improved tone, and stamina. Just the quest to continuously find something to practice will increase a musician’s creativity. There are so many variations of scales, melodies, and melodic patterns. The only real limitations are determined by focus and creativity. For example: let's say that you have adequately practiced your horn and now want something else to work on. You could sit down at the piano and transcribe a song, learn a song by ear that you may have previously learned by wrote. This, is one of the most beneficial practices you can do. Ear training, learning songs, listening to other players, hearing bass lines or melodies. Ok. Now you've spent a few hours and learned a tune the way its supposed to be played. You know the tune inside and out, in essence a great organizational mind skills study too. However your mind works. Don't overload – otherwise nothing sticks. Your capacity will increase after you have spent more and more time. It's amazing how connections are made, they seem to occur in a fashion which is beyond the conscious ability to plan and organize. Daily practice also allows me to imprint the material in my mind until it becomes instinct. One long practice session will not do this. For most players, useful techniques can only be acquired through repetition. I always try to work new materials into songs, lines and grooves that I like. For me it's sort of like upgrading my musical mind so that my playing becomes reoriented in the directions I choose. Increasing familiarity with the materials is a good thing. It's like learning a language – music is a language.