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Improvising means creating music that is spontaneous, of the moment, and
uniquely your own. So think of it as the instrument becomes a process
of self-discovery, finding out what your music really sounds like. You
develop a period of looking within, stripping away the excess and
listening for the simple voice that really is our own. It’s there,
listen for it.
Being able to improvise on I GOT RHYTHM
changes appears much more as a puzzle or study that must be negotiated
than as an opportunity look within and reach for new sounds you hear.
Improvising means creating music that is spontaneous, of the now, and
your own. It will not get played if you yourself don’t play it, and try.
You
have to focus your practicing for maximum progress towards creating a
powerful forward motion as a player. Add personal guidance of a master
teacher and artist, and you’re poised to grow as a musician and as a
performer. This is the way I learned with master players-educators like
Charlie Mariano, Charlie Banacos ( I was lucky to study with Banacos since 1994 till 2010
) Sal Nistico, Joe Viola, Andy McGhee and John LaPorta.These men were a
beautiful category of a jazz pro who both knows what he is doing, and
is willing to share. Thank god for them!
Todays student needs
substance ! Plus how to focus practicing of improvising on the essential
elements,the actual substance of what to play and how to develop it in
your personal style, and dealing with practicing of specific vocabulary.
It's what I call, what to shed! Then you got to understand jazz is part
of culture. Bird, Prez,Basie,Pee Wee Russell, Roland Kirk, Duke, Hawk
and all those giants who gave something to culture. What did they have?
They had the the building blocks of jazz improvisation. MELODY ! Then
guide-tone lines, and melodic Rhythm. Real world building blocks of jazz
improvisation. In a word- BASICS that last for your career.
Just some thinking on subjects we all love and are close to our agenda.
Here's some lunch for your ears, and I'll see you next week!COUNT BASIE & LESTER YOUNG - 'Taxi War Dance' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUZUIDhNnjY&playnext=1&list=PL3240B02C6ABAA1FBCharlie Parker Early Recordings 1943 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_w6kJ9jyl7Y
Below...is some things to practice and study- have fun.
Till then......BIRD LIVES! Tim Price
This
is the _VERSE_To " Body & Soul" given to me by jazz legend Big Nick
Nicholas. If your familiar with the Coltrane tune " Big Nick"....Well
that's who this is.
I usually play this verse rubato then segue
into the tune. I'm posting this as a respect to my friend BIG
NICK..because he's not known as well as he should be, and by getting
this out into everyone's hands...we all can keep the VERSE to this tune alive...and also one of the real tenor players in jazz BIG NICK.
Big Nick was also the man Bird went to, to get songs and ideas for them for his " Bird With Strings" recording.I consider myself very lucky to have known Nick in this life...and this
is a great way to keep his name alive...and legacy. If you play
this...and pass it on...remember where it came from please.
Tim Price Bloggin' For D'Addario Woodwinds-
Bringing the you...into the music.
The point here is to emphasize what Rilling calls the "architecture" of
the music. For example, the way Pablo Casals varied the tempo according
to what he was trying to convey. The words , You Got to Be
Original, Man!Come from Lester Young.The quote said it all.
Hopefully, what's going to be remembered, the present living person
whoever it is, whether it's Casals, Bach, Coltrane or Lester Young in the context of the art form, its tradition,
its future, its present, and that whole mixture together. I have great
respect for the "tradition," the rules, and playing it within context
and everything, I think it's great, but…what are YOU creating as an
offering.Try to think the term "syntax" , which means a vernacular, a
way of speaking. This music is speech and dialect. And there is a way of
speaking. A common form and feeling.
The vibe of a sax player who walks
the bar and a guy cross legged in India in a trance blowing –It’s all
the same- they BOTH are after the same thing. It’s…that thang…that place
the music goes. Like that groove that exists in R &B AND Jazz and
Indian ragas.In essence, we really have something called the language,
the syntax, the vernacular, and it's immediately transferable to
personal creation anyway. So in jazz, the art form itself says you're
supposed to individualize it , that's the point . All that's understood,
but your goal is not to repeat or to objectify this thing. It's to take
it and have it be a living thing that you put your personality on. The
goal sould be- to try to bring a spiritual dimension to the music.Be it
some booty shaking funky jazz, a swinging standard or your agenda.
I feel that the music speaks absolutely louder than any dogma,
any words can speak at all. And in the end, the music is connected-
there's a great book by Hazrat Inayat Khan of the Sufis. It's
about how music ties into the "realms" and everything like that. It's
just an understood, it's a given.
In my thinking it is an artist's duty is to try to get in touch with
that vibe through his work.Not to get some in the shadow of another
player that it's just silly- or worse.Inspiration is one thing- being a
copy cat is just that.Do you want to cop Jagger or Sonny Rollins so much
that when folks hear or see you they say " Oh yea, he stands like
Jagger, or oh...he sounds sorta like Rollins. Be the best YOU you can
be- live with it.It's the work and it's the art that will do. SO.. it's
freedom, individual creativity ! Nobody can be a better YOU than YOU. It
is obviously possible, as many do, to improvise within certain
stylistic or other constraints.<> While this is perfectly valid,
and while it transcends such constraints, such as simplicity vs
complexity, tonal vs atonal, intellectual vs intuitive, and so on. A
step towards music-making where all possibilities can be genuinely
embraced.There is a strong sense in which this really is playing music.
Approached like this, it unlocks the natural, spontaneous creativity
within each participant who lets the process flow deep and operates
simultaneously on many levels. This is a very liberating experience and
is often found to be therapeutic as well. It feels good to start from
zero, or just be you.
So this is what's going on now, what I'm thinking about. Lester Young is
right.
I hope you enjoy it-
Peace and goodwill to you all, Tim Price
Tim Price Bloggin' For D'Addario Woodwinds- Working on standard tunes;styles and analysis for study. Part 3 harmony.
Here is Part 3 of....The styles and analysis blogs to help students of
every level get a focus on developing repertoire. This is Part 3 basic harmony.
The nuts and bolts of basic skills- you need to know. To play and perform.
This is NOT a end all list, it is something to get you started thinking of how easy this stuff is- Just make a point to do it. We'll start with a basic list of recording you NEED to hear and know of. You’ve heard the expression that there is an “art of listening”. What you are hearing in any small group jazz setting is in essence a
conversation and a shared language. The subject matter changes with
each composition and each performance begins the process anew. Every
piece inherently contains a musical puzzle to be worked out by the
players spontaneously. In the final analysis it is the process which you, the listener,
observes. Just as in
everyday life, when a group of individuals meet to solve common
problems, it is the joy of mutual
discovery that can be so uplifting and inspiring . Many are on you tube. Get started now! Not a definitive list - But one that IS accessible to YOU TUBE and quick downloads- A starting point if you will.
NEXT....Is a set of 11 -V in all the keys- This is a life study.
Write them out and memorize them and play the inversions. Listen. I got 2 words for you Sonny Stitt. The master of these changes and a genius saxophonist.
And finally....a few questions to answer. If you have problems it's time to get into the shed and work on them. You want to be proficient and fluent.
This should open some ideas for you and define a lot of basic skill- listening study. Coming up we will get into phrasing. Phrasing is the most important element in all music. It means the way
somebody speaks, beyond the content .In jazz everything is individual, having one’s
own sound and approach. Remember the most important element is nuance, how do you take a note and make it yours. The second is rhythm.The way you play your eight notes and your rhythmic ideas will
immediately have an effect on the rhythm section. Think about this...and I'll see you next week! ~ Tim Price
DOES ANYBODY LOOK FAMILIAR IN THIS PICTURE?
Tim Price Bloggin' For D'Addario Woodwinds- Working on standard tunes;styles and analysis for study.Part 2.
Here is Part 2 of....The styles and analysis blogs to help students of
every level get a focus on developing repertoire.As I said- These tunes are
necessary tunes and everybody’s repertoire… You should not be playing
these tunes on a gig with an iPad or real book they should be memorized.
These are common language tunes-tunes to have fun with. Plus they are the core of real jazz playing and fun.
Here is Part 2.
Tunes for Memorization
| Anthropology |
Charlie Parker |
Summit Meeting at Birdland |
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| Au Privave |
Charlie Parker |
Swedish Schnapps - The Genius of Charlie Parker |
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| Blue Train |
John Coltrane |
Blue Train |
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| Dig |
Sonny Rollins |
Dig |
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| Donna Lee |
Charlie Parker |
Bird/ The Savoy Recordings |
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| Just Friends |
Charlie Parker |
Charlie Parker with Strings |
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| I'm Old Fashioned/ballad |
John Coltrane |
Blue Train |
|
| Nica's Dream |
Hank Mobley |
Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers |
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| On Green Dolphin Street |
Cannonball Adderley |
Jazz Track |
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| Oleo |
John Coltrane |
Relaxin' with the Miles Davis Quintet |
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| Stompin' at the Savoy |
Phil Woods |
Legrand Jazz |
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Additional Tunes for Memorization...research these as I did the above. All of these and the tunes from last week's blog- YOU HAVE TO KNOW.
Blue Monk; Confirmation; Dewey Square; Have You Met Miss Jones; I Got Rhythm; Just Friends; Lazy Bird; Ojos de Rojo; Star Eyes
Think on your feet. These are fun as I said a million times and a gateway to real playing.
From a harmony side- ‘Autumn Leaves’
by Joseph Kosma . I chose this tune because the harmony is
great being mainly in one key which makes it easy
to improvise over. I dig the way in which the chords circle using 4th movements in a logical manner (i.e. Cm-F7-Bbma-Ebma etc).
Next " Stella".
In addition, the tune has many great harmonic movements and modulations,
using common jazz changes by resolving or
sequencing through uncommon chords resulting harmonic underpinning
is fantastic, with waves of tension heightened by the +7 chord at the
bridge and the series of descending minor 2-5’s in the 4th section.
‘All of Me’ which uses a simple but
effective melody set against a long series of secondary dominant chords
that move around and against the pitch axis (of C Major). Listening to
Louis Armstrong’s version and anything he plays and sings gives me
goose-bumps!
Last but not least- For now on, when you learn a new piece of music you need to analyze your tunes first.
Figure out what the important patterns are. How the melody relates to this too! Listen to the masters versions as I'm mentioning here- Play along with the CD.
A big part of learning how to play jazz is learning how to play standards.
And playing jazz means choosing repertoire from and studying the Great American Songbook.
As a teacher, I’m often asked which tunes a student should learn when starting their exploration of jazz.
In this set of blogs, you’ll learn standards that every musician should study.
These jazz standards cover a wide range of chord progressions and prepare you for your first, or next, jam session or gig.
These tunes should become 2ed nature to you. Learn the melody and be able to swing it without a band or play along.
- Rhythm Changes
- Cherokee
- All the Things You Are
- Stella by Starlight
- There is No Greater Love
- Tune up
OK- More coming your way- stay tuned! Thanks- Tim Price
I’m going to do a few styles and analysis blogs to help students of
every level get a focus on developing repertoire. These tunes are
necessary tunes and everybody’s repertoire… You should not be playing
these tunes on a gig with an iPad or real book they should be memorized.
These are common language tunes-tunes to have fun with. As well as the
threshold any serious saxophone player should be crossing.
The
first set of tunes I’ll include the recording that it came from and also
the artist that you should investigate and study. The additional tunes
that I list is your homework you have to do the same thing go to YouTube
find your favorite version play along with the tune. You won’t find a
better version of "autumn leaves" then Gene Ammons version. But you have
to be the judge of what works best for you. Take your time and get
started and focus.
You’re going to be having some fun- hope this helps.
Tunes for Memorization & Study
Tune; Artist, Album, Source
| Corcovado |
Cannonball Adderley |
Cannonball Adderley and the Bossa Rio Sextet |
|
|
|
|
|
| Dexter Digs In |
Dexter Gordon |
Long Tall Dexter/The Savoy Sessions |
|
| Ecaroh |
Hank Mobley |
Art Blakely and the Jazz Messengers |
|
| For Regulars Only |
Dexter Gordon |
Manhattan Syndrome |
|
| Maiden Voyage |
George Coleman |
Maiden Voyage |
|
| Now's the Time |
Charlie Parker |
Confirmation: The Best of the Verve Years |
|
| Over the Rainbow |
Sonny Stitt |
Soul Electricity |
|
| Song for my Father |
Joe Henderson |
Song for My Father |
|
| Speak No Evil |
Wayne Shorter |
Speak No Evil |
|
Additional Tunes for Memorization
A flyer from back in the day at a Jazz Fest with great legends '
Autumn Leaves; Billie's Bounce; Doxy; Groovin High; Just Friends;
Killer Joe; Misty; Softly, As In a Morning Sunrise; Stella by Starlight Things Ain't What They Used To Be, Soft Winds, Lullaby Of The Leaves, Making Whoopee.
Su Terry & I playing in NYC. . . 
Also- I've included some suggested recordings that will help you focus in on where tempos and feel should be coming from. See you next week! Thanks- Tim Price
Tim Price Bloggin' For D'Addario Woodwinds- Holiday thoughts- stuff to shed.
A couple of people, were asking about use of altissimo- and ways to
do it. This uses chords and a nice chord sound to get your high end chops stronger and..practical. Enjoy.
There is not just one way. BUT- To really put it to use, you got
to use it as_part of the horn_in a harmonic way. Some of my favorite
players like Joe Farrell, John Handy, Michael Brecker or Charlie Mariano
did just that! Here is a chord study using the full range of the horn.
This is NOT sight reading, You'll get results, and it will also be
useful.Take you time and go at a workable tempo- Remember Newark wasn't
built in a day  - Hope this helps.
Learning to be thankful is an essential part of
being happy. It helps us appreciate the things that we have right now.
You might feel that don’t have a lot to be thankful for. However, you
should realize that there are people out there who would want to trade
places with you.
These Thank you so much, images is one way of reminding yourself that
you have so much to be thankful and grateful for. Be thankful that you
are still breathing, that you have friends and family around you. Be
grateful for the beautiful world
around you. Smile to a random person at least once a day! It will make
you both feel better. AND- BE THANKFUL YOU CAN PLAY MUSIC...for those
dear readers who read this blog who are musicians. It's another kind of
gift.
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!
BELOW. . . Is a recipe for soup for the holidays...your going to have some fun!!!
I make this Christmas Soup for the holidays every year. In other words, it’s a tradition.
- 1 pound kielbasa, sliced 1/4-inch thick, on the bias
- Vegetable oil, as needed
- 8 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound dried red kidney beans, soaked for at least 4 hours or overnight
- 2 quarts chicken broth
- 1 pound red potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 6 ounces fresh kale, washed, rinsed and torn into 1-inch pieces
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- Brown
the kielbasa in a 7-quart Dutch oven and set over medium-low heat until
it has rendered most of its fat, about 15 minutes. Remove the kielbasa
from the pot and set aside. If you do not have a least 2 teaspoons of
fat, add enough vegetable oil to make 2 teaspoons.
- Cook
the garlic in the fat for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly to
prevent the garlic from burning. Add the beans and chicken broth and
cook, covered, for 45 minutes. After 45 minutes, stir in the potatoes,
cover and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Toss the kale into the pot, cover and cook for an additional 10 minutes, or just until it is tender, but not mushy.
- Sprinkle
with the vinegar and pepper and stir to combine. Return the kielbasa to
the pot and cook just until heated through. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Serve hot.
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 ope
Enjoy the holiday and the moment. Thank you-Tim ......
A couple of people, were asking about use of altissimo- and ways to
do it. This uses chords and a nice chord sound to get your high end chops stronger and..practical. Enjoy.
There is not just one way. BUT- To really put it to use, you got
to use it as_part of the horn_in a harmonic way. Some of my favorite
players like Joe Farrell, John Handy, Michael Brecker or Charlie Mariano
did just that! Here is a chord study using the full range of the horn.
This is NOT sight reading, You'll get results, and it will also be
useful.Take you time and go at a workable tempo- Remember Newark wasn't
built in a day - Hope this helps.
Learning to be thankful is an essential part of
being happy. It helps us appreciate the things that we have right now.
You might feel that don’t have a lot to be thankful for. However, you
should realize that there are people out there who would want to trade
places with you.
These Thank you so much, images is one way of reminding yourself that
you have so much to be thankful and grateful for. Be thankful that you
are still breathing, that you have friends and family around you. Be
grateful for the beautiful world
around you. Smile to a random person at least once a day! It will make
you both feel better. AND- BE THANKFUL YOU CAN PLAY MUSIC...for those
dear readers who read this blog who are musicians. It's another kind of
gift.
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!
BELOW. . . Is a recipe for soup for the holidays...your going to have some fun!!!
I make this Christmas Soup for the holidays every year. In other words, it’s a tradition.
- 1 pound kielbasa, sliced 1/4-inch thick, on the bias
- Vegetable oil, as needed
- 8 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound dried red kidney beans, soaked for at least 4 hours or overnight
- 2 quarts chicken broth
- 1 pound red potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 6 ounces fresh kale, washed, rinsed and torn into 1-inch pieces
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- Brown
the kielbasa in a 7-quart Dutch oven and set over medium-low heat until
it has rendered most of its fat, about 15 minutes. Remove the kielbasa
from the pot and set aside. If you do not have a least 2 teaspoons of
fat, add enough vegetable oil to make 2 teaspoons.
- Cook
the garlic in the fat for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly to
prevent the garlic from burning. Add the beans and chicken broth and
cook, covered, for 45 minutes. After 45 minutes, stir in the potatoes,
cover and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Toss the kale into the pot, cover and cook for an additional 10 minutes, or just until it is tender, but not mushy.
- Sprinkle
with the vinegar and pepper and stir to combine. Return the kielbasa to
the pot and cook just until heated through. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Serve hot.
Enjoy the holiday and the moment. Thank you-Tim ......
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