Learning licks from someone on an instrument different from yours is a great idea, because is exposes limitations of your instrument, but also exposes patterns on your instrument that can be changed or broken, in a good way. Say, learn Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday melodies on your instrument, or check out these short licks…
How to Use the Piano to Explore Harmony
Ted Nash of the JLCO gives some superb advice on using the piano to explore harmony.
“Part of practicing is putting yourself in a position where you’re going to discover something new.” – Ted Nash
Check it out.
Top 7 Practice Tips for Absolute Beginners (and everyone else, too)
We all want to get better, which means we’re all on the same path. When you see someone whose music blows you away, the tips below are part of what they did to get there. No matter how impossible it seems, you can do it, too. Follow these 7 guidelines:
How to Practice Trumpet: Trumpet How-To 4th Edition Is #1 New Release on Amazon (+free video lessons)
I’m super excited to announce a new edition of Sound the Trumpet: How to Blow Your Own Horn. The book is frequently a #1 best-seller in its category, and 2 days after publication it’s the #1 New Release in Trumpets and Cornets on Amazon. Check the link to free video lessons.
Get Hip to Jazz Slang, Dig?
The great Christian McBride riffs on jazz slang. Dig it.
Lady Gaga Channels Bach by way of Fibonacci
Lady Gaga is a consummate performer and a smart composer. She’s a Julliard-trained pianist, after all. Gaga has pulled a neat compositional trick out of the bag for the video below, the title song from her new album, Perfect Illusion. It’s likely she learned about it at Julliard when she studied the work of JS Bach, Beethoven, and other…
What Each Musician Needs
Pretty funny Musicians’ Hierarchy of Needs, goofing on Maslow’s idea. Click to see ’em all.
9/11 Memorial Dedication: Fanfare for the Common Man (NY Phil Brass)
Originally posted on Essential Trumpet Lessons:
http://foxnewsinsider.com/2014/05/15/must-see-ny-philharmonic-performs-fanfare-common-man-911-museum-dedication — ? with Markus Rhoten, Kenneth DeCarlo, Howard Wall, Leelanee Sterrett, Ethan Bensdorf, Al Spanjer, Joseph Alessi, George Curran,Alan Baer and David Finlayson.
Evidence of Play In Practice: Allen Vizzutti Mugs for the GoPro
Most mammals use play and playfulness in practice, including the musician in this amazing video, the great trumpeter, educator, and composer, Allen Vizzutti (discography/bibliography):
Superb Practice Advice from JLCO’s Ted Nash
Trumpeter George Recker used to say, “If you can’t sing it, you can’t play it.” It’s great advice. Here’s some similar great advice about singing and playing a horn, as well as several other great practice suggestions from Ted Nash, one of the great players (they’re all great) in the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.
Why the Best Always Critique Themselves
Here’s George Carlin’s critique of his 1992 performance on David Letterman (video of his appearance below the notes).
Evidence of Practice: Music for Brain and Booty
Snarky Puppy doing their amazing thing, on Jazz Night in America, hosted by Christian McBride. Great show. Check out all their episodes. Sarky Puppy’s discography.
