Beginner (playing) So what now?

[MartinL]

It's frustrating me a bit, I've been trying to read and study a bit but it's deep for a novice. OK I can struggle through the basic "play along" and "guest spot" stuff, I can read the score OK, my fingering is sometimes clumsy but getting there, I have little problems with my reed/mouthpiece but now I'm looking for the next step, a stepping stone to improvisation and imagination. Anyone have any tips? I want to do more but what I am reading seems miles in front of me. There must be others who have passed this way before...

 

[Chris98]

Hi Martin,

Do you have a teacher? The most fun I've had improvising was when playing against my teacher at the very beginning, we did a sort of question and answer thing in one key, the theory kind of went out the window but it was great fun and a nice introduction to improvising.

After that my next steps were with a book called 'Jammin' The Blues' - Alto Version Tenor version

It was a good introduction and quite basic, taking me though the blues chord progression and the blues scale. The backing tracks are a bit uninteresting but I guess that's intentional. I don't think I ever finished that book as my teacher skipped me onto 'Jazz Sessions - Alto Saxophone' which was good fun. In this book you have the whole tune written out including the solo and then a second version where the solo is missing but you have the chord names as well as a 'Notebank' to help guide you in your improvising.

Also have a look at 'Creative Saxophone Improvising'

I'm sure others will suggest the Aebersold series but I've not found them immediately accessible, but I'm sure that's a failing on my part.

I'm inspired by listening to music especially when I find someone new and am discovering their back catalog.

All the best,

Chris

 

[ManEast]

It's frustrating me a bit, I've been trying to read and study a bit but it's deep for a novice. OK I can struggle through the basic "play along" and "guest spot" stuff, I can read the score OK, my fingering is sometimes clumsy but getting there, I have little problems with my reed/mouthpiece but now I'm looking for the next step, a stepping stone to improvisation and imagination. Anyone have any tips? I want to do more but what I am reading seems miles in front of me. There must be others who have passed this way before...

Hi M
What basic play along stuff ? and what have you already done with Vol 24 of J.A. Major & Minor. ??
Just one very big Important stone, is to gain a feel for Interval's ...how much have you looked at them?
And how much listening do you do?

 

[ManEast]

I'm sure others will suggest the Aebersold series but I've not found them immediately accessible, but I'm sure that's a failing on my part.

Chris

Hi Chris
Please do take a look at J.A Vol 24 Major & Minor. I.M.O this is prob the most inportant book/C.D set you will ever buy.
At an hour a day...there is about 2+ years work in this set. This in turn with Vol 21 will prep you for vol 54 & vol 3.

 

[Chris98]

Hi Chris
Please do take a look at J.A Vol 24 Major & Minor. I.M.O this is prob the most inportant book/C.D set you will ever buy.
At an hour a day...there is about 2+ years work in this set. This in turn with Vol 21 will prep you for vol 54 & vol 3.

Hi ManEast,

Luckily I already have Vol 24 and have just put it up on my music stand ready for tonight's practice. Hopefully as I've done a little bit more since I last looked at it, it will be a little more accessible.

Thanks for the nudge,

Chris

 

[visionari1]

Hi Martin,

I'm sure others will suggest the Aebersold series but I've not found them immediately accessible, but I'm sure that's a failing on my part.


Chris

G'day Chris
I found the same with Aebersold Stuff and even went to one of his week workshops in the states.

I have Vol 1, 21, 24. & 54 although just haven't been able to get into them. I'll look at the other suggestions (maybe my brain works in different ways?)

Good posts Thanks heaps!:welldone

 

[ManEast]

G'day Chris
I found the same with Aebersold Stuff and even went to one of his week workshops in the states.

I have Vol 1, 21, 24. & 54 although just haven't been able to get into them. I'll look at the other suggestions (maybe my brain works in different ways?)

Good posts Thanks heaps!:welldone

Hi Visionari
That is too many all at once. Hide the others, and just use Vol 24.

With the C.D. there is a demo track with Mr Abersold playing his alto over the top of one of the tracks. Have a good listen to it... will give you some info on what to do with it.

If it feels like you are looking at a mountain...you are! just relax n start to enjoy the climb.

 

[MartinL]

If it feels like you are looking at a mountain...you are! just relax n start to enjoy the climb.

It sure does... 🙂))

Some great ideas chaps, thanks... Now to ebay and see what's available, LOL..

 

[Taz]

Martin, have you thought about going along to a jam session as a player?
If you don't feel too confident then don't go near a mic yet, have a word with whoever runs it and tell them that you are just there to gain a little experience. If you find yourself enjoying it (watch out, cos that's a real possibility) try using a mic next time and share your input with others. You will be surprised how much fun you'll have. (Almost as much fun as playing in the mud!)

 

[MartinL]

Martin, have you thought about going along to a jam session as a player?
If you don't feel too confident then don't go near a mic yet, have a word with whoever runs it and tell them that you are just there to gain a little experience. If you find yourself enjoying it (watch out, cos that's a real possibility) try using a mic next time and share your input with others. You will be surprised how much fun you'll have. (Almost as much fun as playing in the mud!)

Oh I would enjoy it, if I was brave enough... I've never even taken my guitar and I've been playing that for about 35 years, but where? the only place I know local is the Takeroo, but that's really just open mike for guitarists.. any thoughts where?

 

[Chris98]

G'day Chris
I found the same with Aebersold Stuff and even went to one of his week workshops in the states.

I have Vol 1, 21, 24. & 54 although just haven't been able to get into them. I'll look at the other suggestions (maybe my brain works in different ways?)

Good posts Thanks heaps!:welldone

Hi Visionari,

I feel better now, I thought I was the only one that couldn't get my head round them.

Hi Visionari
That is too many all at once. Hide the others, and just use Vol 24.

With the C.D. there is a demo track with Mr Abersold playing his alto over the top of one of the tracks. Have a good listen to it... will give you some info on what to do with it.

If it feels like you are looking at a mountain...you are! just relax n start to enjoy the climb.

Hi ManEast,

Thanks for suggesting listening to the demo track, I'd completely overlooked it.

Taking my lead from the demo I just concentrated on the Major tracks in the keys I'm most comfortable in, and like the demo I started off playing just the straight scale over the top, then the arpeggio and then rhythm variations which lead into a bit of noodling, I can't say it was improvising.

At times it had the distinct flavor of the 'bar bore' moaning a groaning about something utterly uninteresting and not going anywhere. But at other times there were glimmers of something where I'd obviously hit a couple of notes that sat well with the backing track and almost sounded like something. Early days but do you think I'm going along on the right lines?

All the best, and thanks for your help,

Chris

 

[ManEast]

Early days but do you think I'm going along on the right lines?

All the best, and thanks for your help,


Yes you are ...just keep it up, and also tie in your tracks.
i.e. C Major with D minor. F Major with G minor. A Major with B minor.
When you play slow Listen to your sound and see if you can make it sweeter.
whan you play fast try to make sure its clean.
Idea's for Inprov will come. but you have to feel at home with the Shape of the scale. When you feel you can motor over a track with scale's, start to build by playing more random riff's/licks/lines just anything off the top of your head But from the note's within the scale.

Cover the whole range of your sax.

 

[Taz]

Oh I would enjoy it, if I was brave enough... I've never even taken my guitar and I've been playing that for about 35 years, but where? the only place I know local is the Takeroo, but that's really just open mike for guitarists.. any thoughts where?

It depends how far your prepared to travel, unfortunately the Breakfast Room Jam and Gig guide map has failed to grow as fast as I'd hoped. Its up to anyone to add locations to it but sadly only a few have done so (Come on people please add your jam session locations this could be a very useful resource) If your prepared to travel as far as Rugby, then there's an ok jam at the Squirrel or the George (I have to say the Squirrel has been a bit quiet recently) Keep looking though, there must be something near you?

 

[Chris98]

Moved my post to a new thread: Aebersold Vol #24: Major & Minor

 

[MartinL]

Yes please, a thread dedicated to vol 24. I've just been given a copy and that mountain we spoke about earlier suddenly looks like a sheer cliff face.. I didn't get the demo tracks though, he gave me a CD of the tracks but there's no demo on it. Maybe that would help. My first look through the book tonight was daunting, ( I think I should take up klingon, it would be easier).
Would anyone on here mail me an mp3 of the demo track maybe..

 

[visionari1]

Hi Visionari
That is too many all at once. Hide the others, and just use Vol 24.

With the C.D. there is a demo track with Mr Abersold playing his alto over the top of one of the tracks. Have a good listen to it... will give you some info on what to do with it.

If it feels like you are looking at a mountain...you are! just relax n start to enjoy the climb.

Ok Man East

I've had another look at Vol 24.
and listened to the demo tracks, good eh!
I'll be putting them into Transcribe and bashing away on them for months, Yippee!

Hmmmm it's starting to make sense now, guess I'll go back now and bore into it with some understanding and Joy.

The reason I have 4 Aebersold Books, I got some money piched out of my wallet at Aebersolds workshop, he heard about it and gave me the books.

Now with renewed enthusiasm, I can see the way through.....oh yeah it's still mountain climbing, and I quite prefer that, now I can see where to go.

You've helped shift my awareness.....top marks Matey

Cheers & Caio:welldone


Jimu

 

[ManEast]

Post now at Vol 24 Thread

 

[ManEast]

Ok Man East

I've had another look at Vol 24.
and listened to the demo tracks, good eh!
I'll be putting them into Transcribe and bashing away on them for months, Yippee!

Hmmmm it's starting to make sense now, guess I'll go back now and bore into it with some understanding and Joy.

The reason I have 4 Aebersold Books, I got some money piched out of my wallet at Aebersolds workshop, he heard about it and gave me the books.

Now with renewed enthusiasm, I can see the way through.....oh yeah it's still mountain climbing, and I quite prefer that, now I can see where to go.

You've helped shift my awareness.....top marks Matey

Cheers & Caio:welldone


Jimu

Thats very cool . Stay with it.