I practice and hone my skills with the goal of becoming a better (dare I say "good") jazz improviser. In this section, you can read about the methods I use to improve and you can listen to recordings of my playing. The recordings will help you determine if any of the stuff I'm doing actually works ;-). Be sure to check out the following entries: Learning to improvise - introduction // Learning to improvise - listening // Learning to improvise - ear training // Learning to improvise - rhythm // Learning to improvise - motifs // Learning to improvise - vocal improv // Learning to improvise - transcription // Learning to improvise - jazz theory // Daily recordings - 2007 // Exercise - note limiting // Exercise - freeform improvisation
Archived "Jazz Improvisation" blog entries are listed in the left-hand column.
A while back you let me hear a video with you playing 'A Train' - I hear a definite improvement in your tone on this new recording. You sound good man (nice song selection too... Shorter is the MAN). Keep doing what you're doing. If I can ever get to the point that you are now I will be pleasantly pleased.
Do you ever get a chance to play with other musicians? My goal in 2004 is play somewhere... anywhere... live. I'm actually working on the tune "Freddie Freeloader" in hopes of being able to call it at a jam session one day. We'll see how that goes.
Again - well done!
Thanks for the compliments.
I'm not sure that my tone has improved in that short of a time, but my upper range has definitely strengthened. The video clips that you saw used the camera's built-in mic as the source, so perhaps that is the cause of the tone variance.
Playing with others: I haven't played in any type of group since I stopped playing the trumpet 8 years ago (I'll explain my playing history in an upcoming journal entry). I look forward to the day, though, when my chops are strong and I can once again play out. Until then, it's all preparation...
Another note: since you're learning tunes for jam session settings, and since you're a big Wayne Shorter fan, ya gotta learn 'Footprints'. It's a great "getting to know you" jam session tune --an ideal warm-up before 'Cherokee' in C#!
Man, that sounds superb! After reading your blurb, especially the "kazoo" comment, I was wondering what to expect. If I could play like that, I would be extremely happy. An inspiriation, thanks!
Thanks for the kind words.
I guess the kazoo remark was a bit of an exaggeration… I just wanted to make clear that my tone isn't as nasally as it sounds in the recordings ;-)
Anyway, I hope you'll continue to visit, and I look forward to checking out your site when it is ready.
Rick, thats some nice playing! Especially since it was ur first audion recording. I liked how you built on you original phrase and the runs fitted the chords very nicely and had a great tone. I have been listening to some of your other clips and some of them are definatley comparable to miles, and the little bit of distortion actually makes it sound like your playing with a very light wood mute. I like some of your stuff and your ideas sound very natural which is always good. I also just wanted to compliment you on your site and tell you that your doing many people a great service...
As james morrison says;
"Keep swinging"
Chris
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