Right Brain - Left Brain
Jazz musicians have always mentally heard music then worked and practiced until they could play those ideas on their instrument.
Knowing the fingerings, scales and chords (arpeggios) to each of the chords/scales in the harmony is fundamental.
But, don't make the mistake of taking a lifetime to learn the fundamentals and never take time to enjoy MAKING MUSIC.
Sometimes we forget to balance the learning of scales, chords, fingerings, technique, etc. with the joy of playing a simple melody that we hear in our head.
THE MOST SUCCESSFUL MUSICIANS are those who can balance the left-brain knowledge with the creative right-brain.
If you can only play by ear (right-brain), you'll find yourself limited to only what-you-know.
Conversely, if you over emphasize the left-brain you may end up sounding like a well-oiled jazz machine, but not too inspiring or original.
I strongly suggest using an approach that allows both sides of the brain to be used.
Cooperation is a key word here and I'm suggesting you cooperate with yourself.
Practice with the scales, chords, patterns, licks and get so you can weave through the harmony without really thinking about it.
But also be spontaneous, creative surprising, imaginative and take chances over the various chord progressions and keys that are on recordings.
At ALL times, be listening intently to what you are hearing. Then try to analyze it. The object is to have both sides of the brain working together, in harmony with each other.
Since the human voice is second only to the mind when it comes to visualizing melodies, we should all sing more.
When we sing a phrase, even though it is rough-sounding, our ears get a chance to actually hear what our mind is thinking. This is very important when it comes to learning to improvise.
Knowing the fingerings, scales and chords (arpeggios) to each of the chords/scales in the harmony is fundamental.
But, don't make the mistake of taking a lifetime to learn the fundamentals and never take time to enjoy MAKING MUSIC.
Sometimes we forget to balance the learning of scales, chords, fingerings, technique, etc. with the joy of playing a simple melody that we hear in our head.
THE MOST SUCCESSFUL MUSICIANS are those who can balance the left-brain knowledge with the creative right-brain.
If you can only play by ear (right-brain), you'll find yourself limited to only what-you-know.
Conversely, if you over emphasize the left-brain you may end up sounding like a well-oiled jazz machine, but not too inspiring or original.
I strongly suggest using an approach that allows both sides of the brain to be used.
Cooperation is a key word here and I'm suggesting you cooperate with yourself.
Practice with the scales, chords, patterns, licks and get so you can weave through the harmony without really thinking about it.
But also be spontaneous, creative surprising, imaginative and take chances over the various chord progressions and keys that are on recordings.
At ALL times, be listening intently to what you are hearing. Then try to analyze it. The object is to have both sides of the brain working together, in harmony with each other.
Since the human voice is second only to the mind when it comes to visualizing melodies, we should all sing more.
When we sing a phrase, even though it is rough-sounding, our ears get a chance to actually hear what our mind is thinking. This is very important when it comes to learning to improvise.
posted by Ron Worthy at
12:58 PM
