Practice methods/ general improvement

[theworstisover91]

ALright so here's the deal:

My name is kenny and ive been playing the trumpet for 8 years now. I was taught jazz starting in 7th grade (im going into 11th now) and i can easily read and play written jazz. my flaw is in soloing. Recently i attended a jazz summer workshop sponsered by Jamey Aebersold, and it inspired me and made me want to study much further into it. I was taught by clinicians such as Dennis Mackral and Billy Drewes. From my understanding they are well known jazz artists. My old teachers have been teaching me to just play by ear and play what sounds right and basic methods to improvising, but ive leared that there is oh so much more. I have jamey aebersold's "Jazz Handbook" and it might be the most interesting thing i have read in a while. But i need the basics. I need to know what is a good way to start practicing so i can, as Jamey describes it, "Hear the music in my head and transfer it to my fingers".

I can;t get a legit jazz teacher until the school year begins, so for now, does anyone have any advice for practice methods? Ive been improving on standard F and Bb blues, and i guess im alright at it, but i wanna be able to play legit. Whats a good starting point for me?

Also, ive been trying to build up a jazz collection so i can get a wider sense of jazz. My first records were wynton marsalis and miles davis when i was home one day and sick (this was when i was about 7). So any classics that i should add, excluding bitrth of cool, kind of blue, blue trane, round bout midnight?

Thanks to all those who can help. I really appreciate it, you have no idea...

[Slant]

Kenny,

I'm not a trumpet player, so I can't speak to the specifics of that instrument, but there are some things that apply generally to all good jazz musicians. It sounds to me as though you are off to a good start, especially given that you are such a young musician. As you alluded to, it sounds like you need a solid structure to build on.

Any time you can find a GREAT teacher, whatever they charge, it's worth it. Don't settle on just anyone. Find a great player, do a little research on the person, and then approach him/her about lessons. Your ability to find the right person is going to be hampered by a number of factors (like where you live - if you are in a large metro area your chances will be better than otherwise), but just keep looking.

Some of the things that are, for the most part (there are always exceptions!), universal to great jazz players are:

-Solid knowledge of melody
-Solid knowledge of harmony
-Solid knowledge of rhythm
-The understanding that all 3 of these are in reality one and the same thing, but are only spoken of separately for abstract study
-Some semblance of knowledge regarding composing, arranging, and leading a group

So, you can see, that JUST being a trumpet player is not going to cut it in the long run. You have to be a well-rounded musician!

I know you will do great. All you have to do is set your mind to it (which you already have) and then follow through!

[Jakeweiser]

Kenny.

Slant has excellent points. I have a few pieces of advice as well as some technical things to give you something to practice.

First off, finding a teacher seems like it ought to be a priority. Once you are able to find one, take the lessons seriously and with passion. Jazz teachers are often extremely willing to offer help to their students beyond the normal "teacher" role and take up mentorship when they can. Treat your lessons as a vital part of your life, practice what you are taught with verve while still remembering you're young. Don't get to frustrated with a slow progress, after all this music is a life long presuit and only a select few of us get to be prodigies.

If you have not, I would also recommend the study of some piano. It's something I think all non chordal instruments (ie guitar players don't need to so much) to have an understanding of the keyboard and how to play through the chords of standards/compositions you are working on. It's not difficult to get "arranger" piano skills.

In terms of things to practice, if you have not done so yet work on these fundamental vocabulary things.

All Major Scales and Modes in all 12 keys from your lowest to highest pitches.

All Melodic Minor Scales and Modes in the same way.

All Harmonic Minor Scales/Modes in the same way.

Practice your Dominant Bebop scales, your Diminished Scales, Wholetone, Major/Minor Pentatonic and Blues scales all in 12 keys in your entire range.

Learn the 7th chord arppegios for all the main chord types...

Major 7, Minor 7, Dominant 7, Half Diminished, Fully Diminished, Augmented.

Altered Dominant Arpeggio combinations.

Seems like a lot of stuff but these are building blocks. No doubt you've learned some if not all of them, if not now you know to. :LD

[gennation]

When you do take lessons, record them with a tape player or mp3 player or whatever. Then you can listen to them over and over and really absorb things. Plus, how many lessons have you been to that "sounded great when we played it" and then once you get home there's something missing? A recording will help you with that aspect.

I still reflect on lessons I've taken, and in some cases will listen to the whole course again driving to work each day. It' great reflection either the same day or years later.

[Tarquin1986]

Kenny.


In terms of things to practice, if you have not done so yet work on these fundamental vocabulary things.

All Major Scales and Modes in all 12 keys from your lowest to highest pitches.

All Melodic Minor Scales and Modes in the same way.

All Harmonic Minor Scales/Modes in the same way.

Practice your Dominant Bebop scales, your Diminished Scales, Wholetone, Major/Minor Pentatonic and Blues scales all in 12 keys in your entire range.

Learn the 7th chord arppegios for all the main chord types...

Major 7, Minor 7, Dominant 7, Half Diminished, Fully Diminished, Augmented.

Altered Dominant Arpeggio combinations.

Seems like a lot of stuff but these are building blocks. No doubt you've learned some if not all of them, if not now you know to. :LD

Don't forget what learning this stuff entails. You should be able to sing the arpeggios from memory, play them on your instrument and familiarise yourself with how they look on paper.

[guitarjazz]

When you do take lessons, record them with a tape player or mp3 player or whatever. Then you can listen to them over and over and really absorb things. Plus, how many lessons have you been to that "sounded great when we played it" and then once you get home there's something missing? A recording will help you with that aspect.

I still reflect on lessons I've taken, and in some cases will listen to the whole course again driving to work each day. It' great reflection either the same day or years later.

Recording your lessons is a really great idea.
Have you seen where someone has posted most of his lessons with ( for download) Ted Greene? I’ll see if I can dig up the link. Many of Ted’s lesson notes are also posted on his tribute page.

[artmaus]

Recording your lessons is a really great idea.
Have you seen where someone has posted most of his lessons with ( for download) Ted Greene? I’ll see if I can dig up the link. Many of Ted’s lesson notes are also posted on his tribute page.

I think this is the Ted Greene site you mean. Lot of interesting information.

http://www.tedgreene.com/teaching/default.asp

[Phil Kelly]

If you have not, I would also recommend the study of some piano. It's something I think all non chordal instruments (ie guitar players don't need to so much) to have an understanding of the keyboard and how to play through the chords of standards/compositions you are working on. It's not difficult to get "arranger" piano skills.

:LD


word!!!!

:yeahthat: :yeahthat: :yeahthat: :yeahthat: :yeahthat:

[kennypm]

I'm a bassist, but I can relate. My town doesn't have any great jazz bass teachers.

In my opinion (this is influenced by my situation), once you know theory comfortably, if you can't find a jazz trumpet teacher who can do it for you, get a classical teacher. If you can hook your technique up, and you have your theory hooked up, you really can learn to solo from transcription. In terms of fundamentals, all those things Jakeweiser said are great.

Also, if you have the opportunity to talk to a talented jazz trumpeter, ask them a question. It could be something specific you're working on, it could be "What's the best way to work on my swing," or a question about some other concept that you'll never stop working on. That one nugget could be invaluable to you as a developing musician.

Lastly, don't get discouraged if you get dissed or blown off. There are plenty of musicians who don't care about helping kids out. If someone tells you that you suck, don't get too discouraged, go shed so you can pipe them next time you see them.

Hope that helps,
Kenny

[guitarjazz]

I think this is the Ted Greene site you mean. Lot of interesting information.

http://www.tedgreene.com/teaching/default.asp

That's a great one but there is another one with audio. I'm still digging.

[guitarjazz]

Here ya go...a little overwhelming!
http://idisk.mac.com/deparko-Public?view=web