Tip Of The Day

THEORY TIP: There are indeed rules now for applied theory (improvised music) and there IS a right and wrong use of nomenclature and terminology. Though you should know both, professors Bill Dobbins, Ray Wright, and Rich Madison have made the distinction. For example, there is no such thing as a C 11 chord. Here's why; the suspension and resolution cannot co-exist over the same root. Correctly describing chord qualities (and jazz theory in general) requires a bit of study. Take time to learn it (the CORRECT way). For more information, contact me via this website!

Tip Of The Day

Staying with Root/5 bass lines (or any bass line): It is critical to the groove that you decide the duration of each note and how it will sound. If sounding on beats one and three, either sustain each note in  to the next beat or be certain that the space between notes is exactly the same duration as the notes being sounded! Otherwise, even though your articulations are dead on, inaccurate spacing will sound as though you are rushing and dragging thus the groove will be destroyed! Also, for straight ahead jazz swing, sustain like crazy! For western swing, experiment with shorter and shorter quarter notes. If the drummer is playing '4 on the floor' (quarter notes on the bass drum), creating shorter quarter notes on the bass will totally change the groove and can be interesting even in a jazz setting. On the other hand, if the drummer continues to play all 4 beats on the bass drum during a jazz gig, throw his bass drum pedal out the window on your first break! Remember, in jazz the bass marries the ride cymbal. For all other grooves think bass drum and hi hat.

Tip Of The Day

TIP OF THE MONTH: Constructing a root/5th bass line is not nearly as simple as it may seem! Certain cultures utilize the 5th to Root as standard.

Actually, 5 to 1 is much more interesting. For example, the 1 chord in the key of E: [b e b e]. That would certainly be preferable if the next chord was B7 (the 5th), otherwise the 'b' would be repeated if the approach was reversed: [e b e b].

If the changes are: E [2 bars] to B7 [2 bars]:

Good: [E B][E B][B F#][B F#]

Better: [B E][B E][F# B][F# B]

Best: [B E][B E][B F#][B F#]

Tip Of The Day

In reference to yesterday’s tip, and it was a good one, think about this little story --  Many years ago in the town from which I am based and have worked throughout my life, an old jazz semi-icon from the bop era settled down and worked for decades. As an ageing alto player he enjoyed working with young musicians because he more-so enjoyed giving them continuous advice. He had tons to teach us, but remained somewhat bitter in that his career hadn’t worked out the way he had hoped. As a result, his advice as to career decisions was often skewed by his bitterness. I remember a brilliant young jazz piano player mentioning one night on the band stand that he was making the move to New York (where he remains to this day as among the best). The old jazzer  advised against it stating- “ If you can’t make it here, you can’t make it anywhere”……My point is he could not have been more wrong! If you can actually MAKE IT in a town that really doesn’t care that much about music, you can kill it in a town that actually does!!!! After all, the young piano player WAS ‘making it’ locally.  So…..what does ‘make it’ mean?

Tip Of The Day

TIP of the MONTH --  Past tips make mention in detail as to plans to move from your current location. Perhaps mention should be made as to the possibility of staying put, or you have already found a place to settle down. Building a local empire can certainly be a prudent strategy as long as the demographic of your area and surrounding areas (250 mile radius) can support you for an extended period of time. By this I mean as you get OLDER (and you will), younger generations will be on you coattails and after your gigs (this will always be the case). You must continually engage in new contacts as previous ones disappear. Also, become proactive in the booking industry in your area NOW. Stay relevant! Be the band leader/ build your own group. Play with lots of groups but remain with the big money- don’t slip backwards. Most important is relentless practice. I am the oldest I’ve ever been and I’ve never played better. The plan is to say that tomorrow!     The above is the path I ultimately choose; to be a husband, a father, and a musician.

Tip Of The Day

Every truly GREAT musician I know had one goal, to be a great musician. Fame has nothing to do with being a great musician. Ask any great musician. They would ten fold rather be a great player than be famous. If fame is your goal, stop practicing and just go get famous…..my guess is if you are reading this, you are on the right track!!!