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I try to mix things up by playing Rap & hip hop. Here's one of my videos...
Beginners/Intermediates post your recordings here Nov.2011 - 2012
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Re: Beginners/Intermediates post your recordings here 2011
I had my first collective improv class last night and it was interesting to say the least. There was myself, another tenor player, two guitarists and a banjo/ukelele/bass player as well as the instructor on alto and a "special" guest guitarist who played mainly prepared guitar. It was a good environment and my nerves weren't an issue so overall it was a good start. The focus was in two directions, first playing without listening to what anyone else was playing (which is harder than it sounds) then playing random noises while focusing only on what the others were playing which is even harder. The guitarists were unamplified so the sax players had to play really softly which was a real workout in itself. I'm still sort of processing the whole thing and I'm looking forward to next week.
I had my first collective improv class last night and it was interesting to say the least. There was myself, another tenor player, two guitarists and a banjo/ukelele/bass player as well as the instructor on alto and a "special" guest guitarist who played mainly prepared guitar. It was a good environment and my nerves weren't an issue so overall it was a good start. The focus was in two directions, first playing without listening to what anyone else was playing (which is harder than it sounds) then playing random noises while focusing only on what the others were playing which is even harder. The guitarists were unamplified so the sax players had to play really softly which was a real workout in itself. I'm still sort of processing the whole thing and I'm looking forward to next week.
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Re: Beginners/Intermediates post your recordings here 2011
I really enjoyed that, your tone is very open and you move like Sonny Rollins !
Ha ! you're too good for this thread ..:bluewink:
I really enjoyed that, your tone is very open and you move like Sonny Rollins !
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Re: Beginners/Intermediates post your recordings here 2011
I don't know what it is but I can't seem to get anything going with the improv on What's New when done at ballad tempo. I had another go today and it only started sounding decent when I went closer to the melody, maybe that's the key for me on this tune.
What's New, What's Old
That also reminds me, if anyone wants an mp3 from my biab backing for this tune let me know. It's nothing outstanding but it does the job.
I don't know what it is but I can't seem to get anything going with the improv on What's New when done at ballad tempo. I had another go today and it only started sounding decent when I went closer to the melody, maybe that's the key for me on this tune.
What's New, What's Old
That also reminds me, if anyone wants an mp3 from my biab backing for this tune let me know. It's nothing outstanding but it does the job.
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Re: Beginners/Intermediates post your recordings here 2011
Hey Claude there is nothing wrong with playing off the melody, a lot of great players made there names doing just that..
That sounded just fine.
This is the 1st take there's no improv just the head in and out withsurpriseise in the middle, I will post an imoprov later, http://www.box.net/shared/mealbszeme8a0bxsupq2
Tom
Hey Claude there is nothing wrong with playing off the melody, a lot of great players made there names doing just that..
That sounded just fine.
This is the 1st take there's no improv just the head in and out withsurpriseise in the middle, I will post an imoprov later, http://www.box.net/shared/mealbszeme8a0bxsupq2
Tom
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Re: Beginners/Intermediates post your recordings here 2011
I need a bit of help ( I have sent a couple private messages but broadening my search) A while back we did Honky Tonk, and someone sent me the url for a great karaoke site that let you change the mix on the tracks before you downloaded, and the prices were very reasonable. I just built a new pc and at the moment cannot find my old bookmarks, or remember the name of the website..
Anyone? I'm looking for a specific hard to find tune, I did find one site, but $35 for the track is a bit steep especially since I can't preview that specific track. This tune has both vocals and sax, and I plan on doing both, most karaoke, will keep the sax in there.
Thanks!!
I need a bit of help ( I have sent a couple private messages but broadening my search) A while back we did Honky Tonk, and someone sent me the url for a great karaoke site that let you change the mix on the tracks before you downloaded, and the prices were very reasonable. I just built a new pc and at the moment cannot find my old bookmarks, or remember the name of the website..
Anyone? I'm looking for a specific hard to find tune, I did find one site, but $35 for the track is a bit steep especially since I can't preview that specific track. This tune has both vocals and sax, and I plan on doing both, most karaoke, will keep the sax in there.
Thanks!!
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Re: Beginners/Intermediates post your recordings here 2011
I didn't even have time yet to print the sheet music on paper [rolleyes]!
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Re: Beginners/Intermediates post your recordings here 2011
Nice take Tom. Good and full sound, especially in the lower register. You could try to hold the notes a bit longer at places and try to relax your embouchure a bit more in the upper register.
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Re: Beginners/Intermediates post your recordings here 2011
The instructor mentioned that we have a spot in the conservatory's Christmas show if we are interested. He joked that we had an hour to fill in the show, but the corrected himself and said that we could play a couple of pieces if people were on board. Right now it could be an interesting group with two saxes and a bunch of strings but I guess one of the guitarists also plays flute and she has said that she'd bring that along next time.Sounds good Claude. Will you do a kind of concert at the end of the course?
Thanks Peter, I always seem to have a hard time starting off my improv on this tune. I'm starting on the third of the opening chord but it's coming out sounding wrong, I need to figure out why that is. It could be that the biab backing has a different chord entered on that bar than what shows in the real book or I'm missing some music theory piece about that chord but whatever it is it especially throws me at a slow tempo.That sounds also good Claude
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Re: Beginners/Intermediates post your recordings here 2011
@Peter, thanks for listening, so are so right, I do have the habit of cutting notes short which in turn causes me to loose my place in the tune, plus yes, on the upper register, I do tend to tense up. I have an idea that it is down to breath control, it seems to happen most if I forget to work out some phrase marks before hand. I end up hanging on for too long and everything ends up tense as I run our of air.
Tom
@Peter, thanks for listening, so are so right, I do have the habit of cutting notes short which in turn causes me to loose my place in the tune, plus yes, on the upper register, I do tend to tense up. I have an idea that it is down to breath control, it seems to happen most if I forget to work out some phrase marks before hand. I end up hanging on for too long and everything ends up tense as I run our of air.
Tom
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Re: Beginners/Intermediates post your recordings here 2011
I had a look at Rhythm-a-ning as an entry in the main thread as Rhythm Changes tune. I actually played it first at too high a tempo just to see if I could get through it and I surprised myself by only screwing up a few times. The normal tempo of the backing felt downright slow after that and actually I felt a little too relaxed in places. The other thing is that it seems like my backing is a bit messed up near the end so that made it interesting too.
Rhythm a Ning - fast
Rhythm a Ning - normal tempo
Now I just need to learn how to solo over rhythm changes (of course with monk's little changes).
I had a look at Rhythm-a-ning as an entry in the main thread as Rhythm Changes tune. I actually played it first at too high a tempo just to see if I could get through it and I surprised myself by only screwing up a few times. The normal tempo of the backing felt downright slow after that and actually I felt a little too relaxed in places. The other thing is that it seems like my backing is a bit messed up near the end so that made it interesting too.
Rhythm a Ning - fast
Rhythm a Ning - normal tempo
Now I just need to learn how to solo over rhythm changes (of course with monk's little changes).
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Re: Beginners/Intermediates post your recordings here 2011
Good sound Claude. I preferred the normal tempo, the faster one is too fast. You still have same issues in the head. About the chords: you have to feel them. Actually you can play a lot on those chords, almost everything, as long as the timing is good! Just practise a lot and try to fload on the bass, the chords have to come into your system by ear and by practise.
Here is a nice version of Lockjaw and Griff:
Good sound Claude. I preferred the normal tempo, the faster one is too fast. You still have same issues in the head. About the chords: you have to feel them. Actually you can play a lot on those chords, almost everything, as long as the timing is good! Just practise a lot and try to fload on the bass, the chords have to come into your system by ear and by practise.
Here is a nice version of Lockjaw and Griff:
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Re: Beginners/Intermediates post your recordings here 2011
Thanks Peter, the fast one I did just to see if I could get through it, I probably shouldn't have posted it. I agree with you with regards to the head, I'm slurring some notes that just aren't sounding right both in the A and B sections (I assume that's what you were referring to by issues on the head). I guess it's back to the shed on this one.
I love Johnny on any Monk tune and Lockjaw fits right in there with him, thanks for posting that.
Thanks Peter, the fast one I did just to see if I could get through it, I probably shouldn't have posted it. I agree with you with regards to the head, I'm slurring some notes that just aren't sounding right both in the A and B sections (I assume that's what you were referring to by issues on the head). I guess it's back to the shed on this one.
I love Johnny on any Monk tune and Lockjaw fits right in there with him, thanks for posting that.
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Re: Beginners/Intermediates post your recordings here 2011
Claude, Good to hear your improv course was enjoyable. I`m sure you`ll get lots out of it.
I listened to your slow-a-rhythm-a-ning first then the faster one. I think I preferred the fast one more because there was less slurring. You didn`t have time to think, you just played and, for me at least, it worked better. My only comment is to be more staccato-y, make those notes pop by attacking harder and then let go of them sooner. This is something I`m working on too and keep being reminded about at the band. Which also reminds me about your desire to join a band. Have you thought of asking the guys and gals on your course about forming a band, if only to play together casually?
Claude, Good to hear your improv course was enjoyable. I`m sure you`ll get lots out of it.
I listened to your slow-a-rhythm-a-ning first then the faster one. I think I preferred the fast one more because there was less slurring. You didn`t have time to think, you just played and, for me at least, it worked better. My only comment is to be more staccato-y, make those notes pop by attacking harder and then let go of them sooner. This is something I`m working on too and keep being reminded about at the band. Which also reminds me about your desire to join a band. Have you thought of asking the guys and gals on your course about forming a band, if only to play together casually?
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Re: Beginners/Intermediates post your recordings here 2011
Thanks Mike, you make some good points, I think this tune is a bit tougher for me than it looked at first.
With regard to getting something together with the other course participants, that was one of my primary motivations for doing this. I'm hoping that over the 6 weeks of the course something will naturally form out of this.
Thanks Mike, you make some good points, I think this tune is a bit tougher for me than it looked at first.
With regard to getting something together with the other course participants, that was one of my primary motivations for doing this. I'm hoping that over the 6 weeks of the course something will naturally form out of this.
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Re: Beginners/Intermediates post your recordings here 2011
@Claude, I just had another listen to the tracks and I think Peter is spot on with his opinions. Jazz improv is all about being free to create. The only way you can do that is to internalize the changes. Hal Galper, in one of his videos talks about his in detail, he prefers to play tunes he started to play 40+yrs ago why because he doesn't have to think about the changes, I am not going to keep on quoting him as there is to much, but if you have the chance to check out his videos on Youtube. I think you will find them interesting.
Tom
@Claude, I just had another listen to the tracks and I think Peter is spot on with his opinions. Jazz improv is all about being free to create. The only way you can do that is to internalize the changes. Hal Galper, in one of his videos talks about his in detail, he prefers to play tunes he started to play 40+yrs ago why because he doesn't have to think about the changes, I am not going to keep on quoting him as there is to much, but if you have the chance to check out his videos on Youtube. I think you will find them interesting.
Tom
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Re: Beginners/Intermediates post your recordings here 2011
In the interest of further embarrassing myself I am posting the result of today's lunch session. John Coltrane's version of this tune came on my iPod while I was at work and I figured I shoulld see if I could play it any better than I had in the past. It's a tune I've played before but it still took a while to refresh my memory and my chops were pretty well shot by the end of it since I was using a new reed which was throwing my tuning off quite a bit near the end in particular.
Theme for Ernie
Here's Coltrane's version that prompted me to have a go. His tone up high is so full here that it makes me sound like I'm playing a peashooter, then again he's John Coltrane and I'm an accountant so what the hell would I expect?
Sorry guys for all the self-indulgent posting lately. Work is a bit slow and I have some time on my hands which is a bit weird for me.
In the interest of further embarrassing myself I am posting the result of today's lunch session. John Coltrane's version of this tune came on my iPod while I was at work and I figured I shoulld see if I could play it any better than I had in the past. It's a tune I've played before but it still took a while to refresh my memory and my chops were pretty well shot by the end of it since I was using a new reed which was throwing my tuning off quite a bit near the end in particular.
Theme for Ernie
Here's Coltrane's version that prompted me to have a go. His tone up high is so full here that it makes me sound like I'm playing a peashooter, then again he's John Coltrane and I'm an accountant so what the hell would I expect?
Sorry guys for all the self-indulgent posting lately. Work is a bit slow and I have some time on my hands which is a bit weird for me.
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Re: Beginners/Intermediates post your recordings here 2011
I think this was probably one of the most basic little solos I played on this night, a little while ago. Decided to windmill-punch through some soprano playing (without soprano practice apart from playing Walkin' Shoes here a while ago) at a jam - the poor instrument is really out of adjustment and I'm not doing it justice either :-S
- the song I'm briefly in starts at 7:47.
At least I can get away with some of my shady intonation playing the blues ;-)
I think there's some hope in this soprano thing if I get the sax serviced and put in some practice to get a fuller sound?
Cheers,
Dave
I think this was probably one of the most basic little solos I played on this night, a little while ago. Decided to windmill-punch through some soprano playing (without soprano practice apart from playing Walkin' Shoes here a while ago) at a jam - the poor instrument is really out of adjustment and I'm not doing it justice either :-S
At least I can get away with some of my shady intonation playing the blues ;-)
I think there's some hope in this soprano thing if I get the sax serviced and put in some practice to get a fuller sound?
Cheers,
Dave
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