Good analogy. And it's so true that playing on the bandstand with a band is essential, even early-on. And (maybe) even if you really aren't totally ready for it, skill-wise. I said 'maybe' because it might not apply to everyone, but it sure helped me early on. Mostly it showed me I wasn't ready and had a lot to learn. Years ago, I started out in a blues band at the invitation of a guitar player (good player) friend. He gave me a list of tunes, and I got some records (yeah, vinyl) to play along to and try to learn the tunes. I was able to pick up some of it by ear and could play in 2 or 3 keys but knew almost nothing about chord changes. We did some rehearsals and actually got some gigs. I got by somewhat with the blues scale and trusted my (undeveloped) ear, but there were glaring issues that I became aware of. I really struggled with certain keys and it was a revelation when I discovered the I, IV & V chords.
I finally realized I had to learn those chords and began practicing in all keys. As well as learning the blues vocabulary (lines, riffs, etc.). After learning some of this stuff, I could try it out on the bandstand and began to get it figured out. Long story short, those early days (well, nights) playing with a band was very helpful. Eventually I studied music theory, and with practice, as well as experience on the bandstand, I got better. I've also found that, to this day, I have to play a tune with a band to really nail it down.
As a jazz fan (I don't really separate jazz from blues), I also worked on jazz tunes and some of them were incorporated in the bands I played in.
Playing live music for an audience is what it's all about.
Thanks for sharing that.
We are talking here about one specific path, the one that Alon is taking...pretty common path these days. Learn an instrument, start playing to backing tracks, start sounding OK to backing tracks.
This is really just a new millennium, hi-tech version of Abersold Music Minus One.
(Slight digression here) .Except back then....the Minus One was always intended to lead, next, to 'ok, now go play with other people'. It was a stepping stone tool, not the End Game. Somehow, now, it is the end game for (too) many. They go start looking for gigs, as a solo 'music minus one artist', or basically really, a 'karaoke' player. Just as amazingly, to me...venues will actually PAY someone to do that schtick. (Digression over).
My music nerd buds and I didn't just start jumping into jam sessions after we had been taking private lessons for a few years and were pretty adept at Stage Band Jazz, and some rock/pop.
We actually formed our own groups with our buds and practiced the tunes we wanted to perform , in someone's basement. That's where I was first confronted with chord progressions and theory. Up until then I was just playing notes on the charts in front of me.
So, it was pretty low pressure...we were among friends, nobody wuz gonna strafe you (too badly) if you filled a solo with clunkers or got lost. But everyone did expect that next time it'd be significantly better.
So that is how some also develop. Not backing tracks go 'dive in to a local jam' path. But the middle step of 'find a group at about your same level, maybe a tad above'.
Just saying, there is also that option (in some places....post an ad Craigslist, FB, whatever "beginner-intermediate jazz horn player looking for players at a similar level to do a weekly session and work on real book standards'. Geographically, in others, I understand that option doesn't really exist - 'the next nearest jazz players are two hours away' etc)
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