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urbandruid
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I went fot my first lesson of the year on Saturday.
I'd already made my mind up that I want to be a 'proper' musician - know all the scales and be able to use them constructively and such. To this end I'd been looking at Aebersold's Vol 1. The first exercise introduces improvising in Fm, Ebm and Dm dorian scales (Dm, Cm and Bm for alto sax). Whilst we were discussing if I might have bitten off a bit too much at this early stage, we got talking about my inability to 'get' jazz, or at least its modern bebop form. Suggesting that it might be better if we attacked the exercise using blues scales first, Ron played along first in a jazz style, then in a blues style as a contrast.
As soon as he'd switched to the blues scale and form, my ears pricked up and something of a revelation happened. It dawned on me that whilst modern jazz has a more 'scientific' feel about it, it lacks (to a greater extent) the conversational question and answer phrasing and resolution I find so pleasing in blues music.
That was it! The reason I've always struggled with jazz is that my brain probably isn't wired to accept the free-form patterns, and prefers the dialogue instead. Hah! Well, that was liberating, and I can stop beating myself up about it now!
Next, I played him 'I Wish I Knew...'. Why is it that you can sound great for hours on your own, but as soon as someone listens to you it all goes pear-shaped? Missed notes, leaving the octave key pressed and the bottom dropping out of notes! Hey, it was only my first lesson and he's paid to listen to that racket! :laugh:
So now I'm playing about with the blues scale in three keys and trying to find a down-and-dirty blues style for BIAB to accompany me (any suggestions?). Still blowing long notes and learning more of the major scales too.
Oh, we also talked about me joining a local community band for the experience. Have any other learners done this, and what have your experiences been like?
Also, I've pretty much made my mind up to go for the music exams too, it can only be beneficial to my sax playing.
More later,
Steve.
I'd already made my mind up that I want to be a 'proper' musician - know all the scales and be able to use them constructively and such. To this end I'd been looking at Aebersold's Vol 1. The first exercise introduces improvising in Fm, Ebm and Dm dorian scales (Dm, Cm and Bm for alto sax). Whilst we were discussing if I might have bitten off a bit too much at this early stage, we got talking about my inability to 'get' jazz, or at least its modern bebop form. Suggesting that it might be better if we attacked the exercise using blues scales first, Ron played along first in a jazz style, then in a blues style as a contrast.
As soon as he'd switched to the blues scale and form, my ears pricked up and something of a revelation happened. It dawned on me that whilst modern jazz has a more 'scientific' feel about it, it lacks (to a greater extent) the conversational question and answer phrasing and resolution I find so pleasing in blues music.
That was it! The reason I've always struggled with jazz is that my brain probably isn't wired to accept the free-form patterns, and prefers the dialogue instead. Hah! Well, that was liberating, and I can stop beating myself up about it now!
Next, I played him 'I Wish I Knew...'. Why is it that you can sound great for hours on your own, but as soon as someone listens to you it all goes pear-shaped? Missed notes, leaving the octave key pressed and the bottom dropping out of notes! Hey, it was only my first lesson and he's paid to listen to that racket! :laugh:
So now I'm playing about with the blues scale in three keys and trying to find a down-and-dirty blues style for BIAB to accompany me (any suggestions?). Still blowing long notes and learning more of the major scales too.
Oh, we also talked about me joining a local community band for the experience. Have any other learners done this, and what have your experiences been like?
Also, I've pretty much made my mind up to go for the music exams too, it can only be beneficial to my sax playing.
More later,
Steve.
