Monday, March 30, 2015

Tim Price Bloggin' For D'Addario Woodwinds- "Criss Cross Live At The Red Sea "....Marty Krystall.

.....Man, I don't know where to start. "Criss Cross Live At The Red Sea " is a masterpiece. Marty has done it again, one of those CD's I will treasure forever and listen to over and over again. Why? There are few times in the history of mankind that we can sit back and allow ourselves to be manipulated in notes and tones by a pure mad man, brilliant tenor saxophonist, woodwind player and jazz legend Marty Krystall. Marty's playing allows the mind to travel to the brink of truth and reality and come back unharmed and ... enlightened.If Monk was still on this Earth, Marty Krystall would be his tenor player- This is the most creative jazz saxophone playing you'll hear today.The greatest sound, ideas and real jazz feel. It's inspiring to hear Marty just do what is supposed to be done, Thank God for this band ... they make the jazz world a better place. You can hear the reality in how they play and also the way they approach this music head on. The music is clear and concrete,the tunes are amazing. Listen to this CD by MARTY KRYSTALL,BUELL NEIDLINGER,HUGH SCHICK,BILL CUNLIFFE AND BILLY OSBORNE... it is a joy. There's no reason not to own this CD...this is what jazz is and should be. .........Tim Price / Blogging for D'Addario Woodwinds.

Friday, March 13, 2015

Tim Price Bloggin' For D'Addario Woodwinds- REACH OUT !

My philosophy on any students musical growth is that they should learn how to think, listen and talk about music. If you think about music, then it follows that you can easily talk about it. Listening is the most important part ! Without ears, music would not exist. If I had to pick the most valuable musical tool for musical growth, it would be personal taste. That seperates a Stan Getz from Sonny Rollins. If you think about it, we all possess it. Years ago, I asked Charlie Mariano if a particular note "worked" on a modal tune we were working on; his response was, "only if you like it". Personal taste for sure.Personal musical taste expands infinitely. This allows for musical evolution. ~ I believe in positive thinking and growing in music is a life long process that shouldn't stop and each stage has its own validity. Teaching is a necessary undertaking on my part to preserve creative music as an art form as well as my own development as a musician. I consider myself privileged to be a musician and my strong desire to teach a gift. My strongest hope is for musical evolution for the students,and music. That means new teaching concepts involving interactive playing, getting students to rely on intuition while creating.Be it a Rubank book with a young student or opening the creative doors with a bassoon student or working on jazz ideas or rock styles. Growing in music is a life long process that shouldn't stop and each stage has its own validity.You need to listen and learn. Then experiment, listen, and learn some more. With personal taste paving the way. Of course, music is the real teacher... if you listen! This works with a 5th grader through an adult. Remember,music is a life long process that shouldn't stop and each stage has its own validity ! IT'S EASY, Strength in numbers for music and band.Not only is there concert band, wind quintets, jazz band, marching band, music appreciation but also the rebound of these subjects. Listen here- if we don't say something people assume it's cool to keep cutting the creative arts in education out. LET THEM KNOW, NOW, IT'S NOT! Studying music enhances children's ability to perform better at other subjects, improves coordination and boosts self-esteem. They learn to harmonize with others not just on a musical level. Music was part of mainstream education throughout most of history. Through junior high upwards music is just as or even more important in the people's continuing education. Music is_THE_ universal language. By doing this students can pursue passions and learn how to share their thoughts with others directly in a healthy and peaceful way. Through my private teaching, I see many students fall in love with the many forms of music. It starts with just learning the basics. Certain students started on flute or clarinet and went on to become orchestral bassoonists or jazz saxophonists,recording engineers and also music publishers. It's a great feeling. Music, it’s a magical art form that’s universally and timelessly loved. And because of this overwhelming love of music, it has become an integral part of everyday life. Cutting that from education is WRONG! THINK ABOUT IT- one cannot visit a grocery store, an elevator, watch a TV show, movie, or a wide variety of others venues without hearing a familiar song. And, I’m certain that if asked right now, most people can name off the top of their heads, a significant list of favorite tunes.Without early exposure to music in the schools, we will also lose aspects like this for future generations. I've seen a quality education for students actively engaged in learning, strong relationships between teachers and students,hundreds of high-quality teachers with high expectations for all students, effective and strategic use of technology in the classroom, instruction for both remediation and for gifted students.It's inspiring and an asset to the young minds and ears that are in the classrooms. Not to forget a ripple effect that will affect school instrument programs, rentals,music publishers, instrument sales, music shops, music studios and more! Stopping music programs will basically stomp on things like this and destroy years of hard work. Ripple effect indeed! You got to speak up-and speak up loud and strong now. MUSIC COUNTS! At this point in time in jazz, everything seems to be published and everything seems to almost be written down. We are in a great educational state. But where are the people who are really reaching within and trusting themselves to their own creative muse? This is the element that I am addressing here. As a student of music, take some time to think about using your intuition. As Bird said, "First you master the music, then you master your horn, then you forget all that shit and just play!" We need to keep that in the front part of our minds and make that a slogan similar to the many people who look to their "third eye." As you see, I'm trying to point out a parallel in creative paths. It's not easy. But it is easy when you bring it into your own consciousness and try to practice these aspects. Sure, licks, lines, inversions, and all that good stuff is of paramount importance. But let us not forget to keep the magic in the music. Give all that you have and you shall receive more than you can imagine experiencing when playing jazz! Thanks and lets hope that music will survive in these school programs. Till next week, work hard and practice harder- Tim Price