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I figured it was time for me to start a thread and spill my guts in one place about everything I have learned the hard way in jazz. I don't pretend to be a "jazz great" -- but I do feel I have important information, especially for those who are looking for some insights.
Improvising:
- You can't intellectualize your way through a tune and connect to an audience at the same time. All the greatest substitutions and flawlessly executed pre-learned patterns in the world are not going to move people. Energy, sincerity, and passion are the way to speak to people listening to you. Have something to say, not a memorized speech.
- Leave the patterns in the practice room. See the point above. And, know that what you practice should be to help you be a better musician. No more, no less.
- When learning a tune, learn the lyrics and be able to sing it if possible.
- Swinging is about note placement. Great articulation with poorly-chosen notes don't swing. Great leading tones in the wrong places don't swing. You don't swing with your fingers, you swing with your conception.
- Leave your ego at the door, especially where jazz jam sessions are concerned. There will always be some old dude or 12 year old that will absolutely devastate you.
- Know all of your major and minor scales, as well as all the chromatic tones surounding the third, seventh and tonic. If you have this, you are well on your way to being able to construct an interesting solo.
- TONE!!! it matters!!
- Know your "swing limit" (search SOTW for this). Don't play double time unless you can do it very cleanly and with note/articulation emphasis in the right place (also known as swinging)
- Don't use altissimo or other affects unless it's an enhancement of the solo... i.e. don't give it more emphasis than anything else in the solo. Doing so is gimmicky and wears out in a hurry.
- Do at least 50% of things during your solo you have never done before. This should be natural if you are practicing the right way.
- LISTEN TO THE RHYTHM SECTION! Seriously, listen. If you are just playing away and expecting them to do as you command, you are doing it wrong. Jazz is an equal partnership. You are not a star, you are not above the bass player or drummer. You are part of the overall experience. No more, no less.
The bandstand:
- Don't play under other soloists unless you are specifically playing a complimentary background figure... ESPECIALLY at a jam session. This is incredibly rude and disrespectful.
- Face the audience when you play. If a jazz player plays in a forest and there is no one there to hear it, did he actually play?
- If there are more senior or strong players on the bandstand, shut up, listen and be respectful.
- Your attitude will generally get you further than your chops. Cats dig playing with great players, but dig hanging out with great people.
- Professionalism is key, even on the most basic of gigs. Be polite, sincere, and above all let the leader lead, even if you disagree.
- Get your equipment figured out waaaaaay ahead of the gig. Nothing is more unprofessional than dealing with issues that could have been avoided with planning (bad reed, no neckstrap, mouthpiece issues, horn leaks, etc.) Plus, blaming the horn for a bad performance is a 1-way ticket to never being asked to play again.
- Bring extra EVERYTHING including things for rhythm section players! Bring an extra 1/4" patch cable, an extra music stand, 9 volt battery and such. Not only can this save the gig, but cats dig other cats who come through in a pinch. It shows you care about more than yourself.
- Don't assume you know more than anyone else on the stage. You always have things to learn even from people with less experience or chops. If you have this attitude, it makes for a much greater performance, and a tighter group.
Life:
- Take care of your health, especially your hands and teeth.
- No matter what the day was like before the gig, leave your troubles at the door. If you think positive, you play positive.
- Music is not an escape. Music is an oasis that allows you a place to connect with your feelings and become a more whole person.
- If you're married, don't flirt at the gig. Not only is this completely deceitful, but your bandmates notice too, and typically think less of you. Being a person of integrity is how you gain the respect of others.
- Be honest with yourself about what you know and don't know. Use that as a starting place for learning. Did I mention leaving ego at the door?
Misconceptions:
- You don't have to know a million tunes, but you do need to know the ones you "know"
- In most cases, well-constructed original tunes (with clear manuscript) are welcome on the bandstand
- It doesn't have to be fast... just tasty and well-executed.
I will try and add more as I think of them. I sincerely hope this helps others out.
Improvising:
- You can't intellectualize your way through a tune and connect to an audience at the same time. All the greatest substitutions and flawlessly executed pre-learned patterns in the world are not going to move people. Energy, sincerity, and passion are the way to speak to people listening to you. Have something to say, not a memorized speech.
- Leave the patterns in the practice room. See the point above. And, know that what you practice should be to help you be a better musician. No more, no less.
- When learning a tune, learn the lyrics and be able to sing it if possible.
- Swinging is about note placement. Great articulation with poorly-chosen notes don't swing. Great leading tones in the wrong places don't swing. You don't swing with your fingers, you swing with your conception.
- Leave your ego at the door, especially where jazz jam sessions are concerned. There will always be some old dude or 12 year old that will absolutely devastate you.
- Know all of your major and minor scales, as well as all the chromatic tones surounding the third, seventh and tonic. If you have this, you are well on your way to being able to construct an interesting solo.
- TONE!!! it matters!!
- Know your "swing limit" (search SOTW for this). Don't play double time unless you can do it very cleanly and with note/articulation emphasis in the right place (also known as swinging)
- Don't use altissimo or other affects unless it's an enhancement of the solo... i.e. don't give it more emphasis than anything else in the solo. Doing so is gimmicky and wears out in a hurry.
- Do at least 50% of things during your solo you have never done before. This should be natural if you are practicing the right way.
- LISTEN TO THE RHYTHM SECTION! Seriously, listen. If you are just playing away and expecting them to do as you command, you are doing it wrong. Jazz is an equal partnership. You are not a star, you are not above the bass player or drummer. You are part of the overall experience. No more, no less.
The bandstand:
- Don't play under other soloists unless you are specifically playing a complimentary background figure... ESPECIALLY at a jam session. This is incredibly rude and disrespectful.
- Face the audience when you play. If a jazz player plays in a forest and there is no one there to hear it, did he actually play?
- If there are more senior or strong players on the bandstand, shut up, listen and be respectful.
- Your attitude will generally get you further than your chops. Cats dig playing with great players, but dig hanging out with great people.
- Professionalism is key, even on the most basic of gigs. Be polite, sincere, and above all let the leader lead, even if you disagree.
- Get your equipment figured out waaaaaay ahead of the gig. Nothing is more unprofessional than dealing with issues that could have been avoided with planning (bad reed, no neckstrap, mouthpiece issues, horn leaks, etc.) Plus, blaming the horn for a bad performance is a 1-way ticket to never being asked to play again.
- Bring extra EVERYTHING including things for rhythm section players! Bring an extra 1/4" patch cable, an extra music stand, 9 volt battery and such. Not only can this save the gig, but cats dig other cats who come through in a pinch. It shows you care about more than yourself.
- Don't assume you know more than anyone else on the stage. You always have things to learn even from people with less experience or chops. If you have this attitude, it makes for a much greater performance, and a tighter group.
Life:
- Take care of your health, especially your hands and teeth.
- No matter what the day was like before the gig, leave your troubles at the door. If you think positive, you play positive.
- Music is not an escape. Music is an oasis that allows you a place to connect with your feelings and become a more whole person.
- If you're married, don't flirt at the gig. Not only is this completely deceitful, but your bandmates notice too, and typically think less of you. Being a person of integrity is how you gain the respect of others.
- Be honest with yourself about what you know and don't know. Use that as a starting place for learning. Did I mention leaving ego at the door?
Misconceptions:
- You don't have to know a million tunes, but you do need to know the ones you "know"
- In most cases, well-constructed original tunes (with clear manuscript) are welcome on the bandstand
- It doesn't have to be fast... just tasty and well-executed.
I will try and add more as I think of them. I sincerely hope this helps others out.
