Stolen Moments

[Profusia]

Tonight's effort...

More practice for Improv Workshop this weekend.

Bluescale improvisation over a backing track for Stolen Moments by Oliver Nelson.

Masses of takes and editing to get this barely postable I'm afraid. Not many ideas but I liked the effort on the intro. I think I need a new reed too!

Constructive advice welcome.

https://soundcloud.com/profusia%2Fstolen-moments-blues-improv

View: https://soundcloud.com/profusia/stolen-moments-blues-improv

 

[Wade Cornell]

While it's possible to hear that you're not always confident there is also an underlying ease in your playing in which you naturally understand how to use dynamics and inflection. In other words, you have good musical sense. You're a natural and just need to play and practice a lot more so that you can count on your note choices and tone to be as your mind would hear them. There are lots of people who will spend years learning how to produce a good tone and follow the best instruction available, but it won't give them a musical sense or talent. The best they will be be able to do is a musical equivalent of a paint by the numbers picture. I know that sounds a little disparaging, but it's a reality. This doesn't mean that they won't be able to enjoy what they do or gain a sense of accomplishment, they just don't have real musical talent.

From what I hear you've got it. Don't waste it getting sucked into strictly technical musical pursuits as that's the paint by the numbers route. Most teaching systems are geared around the lowest common denominator so that it fits a prescriptive "one size fits all" approach. The reality is that anyone can be trained to manipulate a physical instrument in a mechanical way so that it gives a result. Nobody can teach talent or creativity. Be careful to choose a path that will challenge your creative and musical talent and avoid a path that teaches a strictly mechanical or "copy somebody famous" dictate. A good teacher can help, but many are themselves a product of a very mechanical approach.

 

[Wade Cornell]

Just saw your reply to the other thread or yours. Guess I'm sounding like a broken record as the message is mostly the same. Probably time for me to sit back and let others comment. Wishing you and everyone else all the best and to make great music.

 

[Profusia]

While it's possible to hear that you're not always confident there is also an underlying ease in your playing in which you naturally understand how to use dynamics and inflection. In other words, you have good musical sense. You're a natural and just need to play and practice a lot more so that you can count on your note choices and tone to be as your mind would hear them. There are lots of people who will spend years learning how to produce a good tone and follow the best instruction available, but it won't give them a musical sense or talent. The best they will be be able to do is a musical equivalent of a paint by the numbers picture. I know that sounds a little disparaging, but it's a reality. This doesn't mean that they won't be able to enjoy what they do or gain a sense of accomplishment, they just don't have real musical talent.

From what I hear you've got it. Don't waste it getting sucked into strictly technical musical pursuits as that's the paint by the numbers route. Most teaching systems are geared around the lowest common denominator so that it fits a prescriptive "one size fits all" approach. The reality is that anyone can be trained to manipulate a physical instrument in a mechanical way so that it gives a result. Nobody can teach talent or creativity. Be careful to choose a path that will challenge your creative and musical talent and avoid a path that teaches a strictly mechanical or "copy somebody famous" dictate. A good teacher can help, but many are themselves a product of a very mechanical approach.

Gosh that's high praise indeed and I'm beaming. I'm trying to stay true to my desire to always be melodic, but just want to have the knowledge and technique to fast track me to also being harmonious at the same time. At school I was an unusal mix of the logical and the creative which made scheduling lessons for my A Level choices challenging. My logical side craves knowledge and wants to understand everything before it will let go. My creative side just wants to blow free. I'm trying to do it all too late in life and with too little free time but I'm enjoying the ride anyway.

I definitely don't seek to copy anyone famous. I have no sax idol. No-one whose tone or style I can quote as my goal. I'm happy to have my own tone and know when I hear it come out the way I like it. Okay enough boring twaddle about myself or I might be in danger of developing a diva ego! lol Its very encouraging to have someone so experienced comment positively so thank you sincerely.

 

[Profusia]

Just saw your reply to the other thread or yours. Guess I'm sounding like a broken record as the message is mostly the same. Probably time for me to sit back and let others comment. Wishing you and everyone else all the best and to make great music.

I disagree. Your comments are valued. Certainly by me and I've heard others say similar. And if the message on the broken record is worth repeating its not such a bad thing to do so!