Gary Burton's Course for a Clarinettist/Sax Newbie

[raddy]

Hi Jimu

My son is starting out on jazz sax - he's proficient in clarinet - desperate to get on, start playing and improvising
So, I wonder how was the Gary Burton course and, if you don't mind, at what level do you think it is pitched?
Thanks
paul

 

[visionari1]

Re: Improvise For Real

Hi Jimu

My son is starting out on jazz sax - he's proficient in clarinet - desperate to get on, start playing and improvising
So, I wonder how was the Gary Burton course and, if you don't mind, at what level do you think it is pitched?
Thanks
paul

Hi Paul,

Interesting question you pose there!

In my opinionThe Gary Burton course was quite difficult and demanded a lot of time, there were many people on this course (39,000 we were told) who were complete beginners who probably pulled out after a couple of weeks. I certainly put in way more time that the stated 6-8 hours per week.
You need to take into account how you would think your son would cope with this sort of course, it is pretty heady with theory and concepts.
This was the first time it was offered and there was some simple errors in the basic material, however this wasn't a major thing,
I hoped to learn how to improvise and even Gary stated at the beginning, don't expect to learn to improvise after only 5 weeks.
I am in the over 60 age range, & have been playing/struggling/enjoying playing saxes for nearly 30 years, I wish I'd had the opportunity to do a course such as this at a much earlier age, not sure if I could have absorbed it, but your son will learn an awefull lot about many things to do with Jazz and playing music.
The course also has it's own forum which runs concurrently with the course and also is a huge learning resource.
He will be exposed to very high levels of education and how to really listen and be able to judge and review others by the pier review system.

So I can heartily recommend it....and yes it's not easy at all, but if your son can stay the distance and not be disenchanted, with it, it's a wonderfull opportunity

You have posted this in a place where not many of the Coursera people will see it...I suggest you make a new post, or attach it to the Coursera Post, to get other replies and opinions.

Best of luck with your sons musical journey and enjoyments

 

[Jamesmac]

Re: Improvise For Real

Hi Paul,

Interesting question you pose there!

In my opinionThe Gary Burton course was quite difficult and demanded a lot of time, there were many people on this course (39,000 we were told) who were complete beginners who probably pulled out after a couple of weeks. I certainly put in way more time that the stated 6-8 hours per week.
You need to take into account how you would think your son would cope with this sort of course, it is pretty heady with theory and concepts.
This was the first time it was offered and there was some simple errors in the basic material, however this wasn't a major thing,
I hoped to learn how to improvise and even Gary stated at the beginning, don't expect to learn to improvise after only 5 weeks.
I am in the over 60 age range, & have been playing/struggling/enjoying playing saxes for nearly 30 years, I wish I'd had the opportunity to do a course such as this at a much earlier age, not sure if I could have absorbed it, but your son will learn an awefull lot about many things to do with Jazz and playing music.
The course also has it's own forum which runs concurrently with the course and also is a huge learning resource.
He will be exposed to very high levels of education and how to really listen and be able to judge and review others by the pier review system.

So I can heartily recommend it....and yes it's not easy at all, but if your son can stay the distance and not be disenchanted, with it, it's a wonderfull opportunity

You have posted this in a place where not many of the Coursera people will see it...I suggest you make a new post, or attach it to the Coursera Post, to get other replies and opinions.

Best of luck with your sons musical journey and enjoyments

Totally agree with what Jimu has said. I think the more advanced the player is, the more he will get out of it.