[jazz_guitar] Rhythm Changes: Rethinking Jazz Cultures
akmbirch
"The study of jazz in academic institutions may be a relatively modern trend, but the presence of over a hundred academics from South Africa to Russia and from America to Portugal at the Rhythm Changes: Rethinking Jazz Cultures conference, at Media City UK, Salford, underlined that it's an undeniably global phenomenon. It's also a sign of the continuing evolution and maturation of historical, socio-political, anthropological and musicological perspectives on music that is more than a century long in the tooth."
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Brian Kelly
Alisdair,
Thanks for sending this out. I didn’t read it all but I read most of it and I think I got the general gist of it anyway. It’s not good news that the tradition for jazz music is slowly but surely being lost. Lots of factors but I think particularly the college level programs are teaching jazz as a science more so than an art. It’s too much of what scale do you play over G7 rather than what did John Coltrane create over G7 in a particluar song or sequence. It’s not the colleges faults. Technology is what they teach. It’s hard to expect them to turn ordinary citizens into artists.
As it s today I think about 70% (maybe higher) of the college level students are not going to school to continue on in the tradition of all the past masters. They are looking for help in playing some other type of music rather than mainstream jazz. Over the years I have changed several members in my band and guess what? Some of them are very good jazz players but to my surprise that is not what they want to do as part of their own musical efforts. Jazz is a sideline for them. That is something you never use to see. Jazz artist use to be totally committed to jazz.
Thanks again for posting this. it didn’t make me happy but it confirms exactly what I see happening.
Brian
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mispeltyoof
As I am entering my dotage I read your post with interest. For the last 50 years I have played with many bands in many genres. For many years I would dep. at the last minute for a band needing to carry out a commitment with an absent guitarist. I have played country,folk ,rock,blues ,swing etc mainly by the seat of my pants. Once I knew the key and the main chords I could "wing it" We always had a saying that playing the guitar isn't rocket science and we would laugh and play mostly by ear and a prayer. It was free spirited and joyous and any mistakes either weren't noticed or ignored by an audience out for a good time and not taking part in any study or thesis. As I read my beloved JJG mag each quarter and study "baffling" articles I now realise that playing guitar is in fact harder than rocket science and to perform now I would need a doctorate and a headlamp to light my way as I disappear where the sun don't shine. How on earth did I play for all those years without knowing my advanced harmonic etudes composed of triad pair lexicons I'll never know (nor would Wes)
Rod
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J. Vega
Rod,
From: mispeltyoof <rodb...@gmail.com>
To: jazz_guitar <jazz_...@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Mon, May 13, 2013 2:19 pm
Subject: [jazz_guitar] Re: Rhythm Changes: Rethinking Jazz Cultures
Rod
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rguitarjj
I've also read a lot of theoretical essays, usually which end up in long lists of things that a supposed "well rounded" jazz guitarist should know. A multitude of scales, arps, hexatonics all to be played against every possible other chord, while memorizing the sounds.
And, I trust the authors that they have found this material helpful and that it informs their playing.
As an older player, I am aware that life is short -- and that sometimes a single post will contain a suggestion that would involve years of work to get under your fingers and in your ears. I end up thinking that time is precious and that one needs to be proactive with time management.
I also usually think, after reading one of these posts (which I read much more often on another forum than this one) that, even if I did all the work prescribed, at the end, I wouldn't know any tunes and wouldn't know any vocabularly. What I think I'd have is a much better trained ear, presumably aware of many more possibilities than I have currently.
Traditionally, ear training has been on the bandstand and at home with a recording. You'd lift stuff from records and thereby learn the sounds and the vocabulary. It took some talent to do that.
I think, with the advances in jazz education, it takes less natural talent and less obsessive focus than before to become a journeyman player.
But, at the same time, I think an awesomely talented player can benefit from the advanced education and make music with it. I know people like that.
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akmbirch
For me music is still ear music. The best musicians I have known or play with have really been ear musicians.
I think music theory is great, but only as long as it's rooted in hearing. I have met many musicians who from college who can talk a great game, but in the end it's what their ear hears and can react to...I don't get me wrong I've done plenty of studying myself, and some of it has helped, but in the end it really is IMO the ear.
This past weekend, I was in Harlem, on Sunday, and I happened to be walking down a street after a regular church gig I have, when I met a guy who was down on his luck. He asks me who my musical inspiration was... I said in essence Charlie Parker... "you sh*ting, me man"... any way to cut along story short, he's a sax player, sadly cracked out...he asked me if I would play a couple of tunes at a local bar. What the heck, I'd been paid, and I was going nowhere else. He was great. All ears, no college. I guess what I'm saying. There really is no formula, despite all the promises of the b.s. on the internet (and I have to be honest I get tired of the intellectual b.s) ...My advice is listen to the greats and plays along. And if you can't that's what you have to work on...
--
Alisdair MacRae Birch
Guitarist/Bassist/Educator/Arranger
http://www.alisdair.com
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JVeg...@aol.com
For me music is still ear music. The best musicians I have known or played
with have really been ear musicians.
I think music theory is great, but
only as long as it's rooted in hearing. There really is no formula,
despite all the promises of the b.s. on the internet (and I have to be honest
I get tired of the intellectual b.s) ...My advice is listen to the greats and
play along. And if you can't that's what you have to work
on...
--
Alisdair MacRae
Birch
Guitarist/Bassist/Educator/Arranger
http://www.alisdair.com
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robbyroiter
--- In jazz_...@yahoogroups.com, JVegaTrio@... wrote:
>
>
> Alisdair,
>
> Yep. If you can't/don't hear it, it doesn't mean much (or sound good)...
>
Amen!
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robbyroiter
Maybe I'm just very blessed living in Western Massachusetts where we have a great local jam session, & working for the Vermont Jazz Center, but I'm happy to report I've seen many high school & college youth & young pros from NY etc. play at a very high & expressive level, very well-rounded, very respectful of tradition. Mentorship is alive & well & youtube & such have allowed access to the recorded legacy & film etc. at an unprecedented level.
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Scott R Dercks
Alisdair, I just want to say that I really respect the fact that you took
time out of your day to interact and ultimately aid in the healing of a
fellow human being and musician.
Beyond the point you were making (which I agree with), you made what I
feel is even a bigger point in the grand scheme of things. Great
musicians are sensitive to their surroundings and are "listening" to
others on a level even deeper than perceivable by the human ear.
As artists we need to listen with both our "inner ear" and the ones on
the sides of our heads. A musician who can do so can touch people more
than someone with all the knowledge and technique in the world.
Once again, Alisdair, well done.
Peace,
Scott Dercks
On Tue, 14 May 2013 04:41:38 -0000 "akmbirch" <akmb...@yahoo.com>
writes:
> For me music is still ear music. The best musicians I have known or
> play with have really been ear musicians.
>
> I think music theory is great, but only as long as it's rooted in
> hearing. I have met many musicians who from college who can talk a
> great game, but in the end it's what their ear hears and can react
> to...I don't get me wrong I've done plenty of studying myself, and
> some of it has helped, but in the end it really is IMO the ear.
>
> This past weekend, I was in Harlem, on Sunday, and I happened to be
> walking down a street after a regular church gig I have, when I met
> a guy who was down on his luck. He asks me who my musical
> inspiration was... I said in essence Charlie Parker... "you sh*ting,
> me man"... any way to cut along story short, he's a sax player,
> sadly cracked out...he asked me if I would play a couple of tunes at
> a local bar. What the heck, I'd been paid, and I was going nowhere
> else. He was great. All ears, no college. I guess what I'm saying.
> There really is no formula, despite all the promises of the b.s. on
> the internet (and I have to be honest I get tired of the
> intellectual b.s) ...My advice is listen to the greats and plays
> along. And if you can't that's what you have to work on...
>
> --
> Alisdair MacRae Birch
> Guitarist/Bassist/Educator/Arranger
> http://www.alisdair.com
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akmbirch
--- In jazz_...@yahoogroups.com, Scott R Dercks <nearvana@...> wrote:
>
> Alisdair, I just want to say that I really respect the fact that you
> took time out of your day to interact and ultimately aid in the
> healing of a fellow human being and musician.
Thanks for the nice comment Scott. Like most things in life, the healing was reflective. We both got some healing! The connection, though brief it was, was good for both of us. It's not everyday that you meet people who truly know some of the jazz greats. With his level of skill, he must have had some background, but was down on his luck, it could happen to any of us, that's why I think it's important to respect privacy and don't inquire or ask, just allow him to volunteer what he wanted.
Many year back I met and ended up playing with John Ellington Blair in very similar circumstances before he sadly died in 2006.
--
Alisdair MacRae Birch
Guitarist/Bassist/Educator/Arranger
http://www.alisdair.com
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Bob Hansmann
hi Alisdair,
> Thanks for the nice comment Scott. Like most things in life, the
> healing was reflective. We both got some healing! The connection,
> though brief it was, was good for both of us. It's not everyday that
> you meet people who truly know some of the jazz greats. With his level
> of skill, he must have had some background, but was down on his luck,
> it could happen to any of us, that's why I think it's important to
> respect privacy and don't inquire or ask, just allow him to volunteer
> what he wanted.
>
> Many year back I met and ended up playing with John Ellington Blair in
> very similar circumstances before he sadly died in 2006.
Nice post, Alisdair - both of them.
regards,
Bobby
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Brian Kelly
Mike,
Do you remember what time we left the plant the other day?
The other thing is is there going to be a problem with Trost about me working with you. I don’t know if you were kidding or not or what that means. If I need to to reduce my actual hours or something like that that let me know. Otherwise I appreciate the opportunity to work with you.
When are you generally thinking of going back?
No more cupcakes for me. I’ve been trying to loose weight. I got in the car and couldn’t believe I had ordered two cupcakes. I threw one of them away.
Brian
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