One of many JLCO’s Jazz Academy videos that I’ll be posting here over the coming months. Great stuff from modern masters. Here, Ted Nash talks about using the piano as a practice tool. Super advice. What Mr. Nash is talking about is covered in The Practice of Practice, in the chapter titled: Drone Power, all about using your ears…
Tag: jazz
Get Hip to Jazz Slang, Dig?
The great Christian McBride riffs on jazz slang. Dig it.
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.
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.
What Miles Meant By “Do Not Fear Mistakes. There are None.”
How Miles Davis lived the words attributed to him: Do not fear mistakes. There are none.
637 GB of (free) Classic Jazz (1921-1991)
Want to hear what Billie Holiday sounded like when she just started out? Ooo, are you in for a treat. There’s a bit Ms. Holiday’s tough history before the music starts. Have a listen. There’s way more music and history in this archive, but this is a great place to start. You can download or stream any…
Playing With a Full Deck: If You’re a Jazz Learner, You NEED This Tool
Learning to improvise? Jazz Deck packs a ton of information into a simple package with eye-catching design. It’s pure genius.
The Obstacle IS the Path: Guitarist and Inventor Les Paul
The Obstacle IS the Path: Interview with Guitarist and Inventor, Les Paul http://wp.me/ppJKy-1di
In Praise of Never Being Good Enough
Music is endless, and there’s always more to practice, more to learn, more to do. The limitlessness can be intimidating, especially to beginners, or to those stuck in the “conscious incompetence” phase (one of four phases of musicianship/practice described in The Practice of Practice). But once you realize the fact, and make peace with it, having endless horizons to explore is liberating. Exciting, even. Then you just have to get started. Check out these great vids from veteran explorer Dizzy Gillespie.
A Case for Learning by Ear: Young Jazz Wizard Joey Alexander
Joey Alexander is 11 in the video below, and he displays an artistry and control and musicality that few are able to achieve, no matter what their age. In the jazz tradition, he learned by ear, and listening to him talk about who he likes, you know he likes the heavies, and has absorbed them. In…
How to Construct the Perfect Jazz Solo
From Musicomic.com, by Dustin Mol:
The Practice of Practice 