first steps for jazz

[jakov]

Im a musician 10 years ago and I think is time to take a giant step inside jazz as a musician but I try to enter and I can,t it always sound too mellow and silly, if you could recomend me some lessons or something else I would be happy. Im a keyboard player. thank you

[Dennis Gonzalez]

Si has grabado, mandame tu obra, y yo te puedo ayudar entender lo que puedes hacer. En caso que no hayas grabado todavia, mandame un e-mail si quieres contactarte conmigo...

DG

[Sergio Zamora]

Jakov,

No soy musico, pero mi compa Dennis es una chingonada de musico de jazz. Te recomiendo que le eches un mail, y te aseguro que te echa la mano. Ademas, es bien buena onda.

Que tipo de musica tocas?

[Deke]

Hi Jakov,

I seem to be at odds with most of the jazz establishment on this one, but I'm not a great believer is taking lessons in jazz. When you consider that 'jazz' covers everything from completely orchestrated, improvisation free, to completely freeform, no music, tempo, or key, it seems to me that what any individual chooses to play in between is really up to them.

The first time I was accused of playing jazz I was standing in with a kinda mediocre function band, and we were playing a ghastly Lionel richie song (I think it was called 'Hello'). Afterwards a guy comes up and tells me to play more of 'that jazz stuff'. I wasn't aware I was playing jazz. To me playing rhythm or soloing has always meant the same thing. Make the next note the one that goes after the last one. Sure, if someone does something that really inspires you, try and play something like it, but don't sit down in front of the record deck and sweat until you get it spot on, play it like you play it and see if you can make it even better.

I know this may not sound helpful, but really, just playing what sounds right to you is all it takes. There's always going to be someone who tells you you're not playing jazz and someone else who tells you you are. If you're enjoying it, what does it matter?

[Tom Storer]

On the other hand, if he wants to "play jazz" because he's heard some jazz he likes but doesn't know how to get there from here, some advice, pointers and demonstrations from a good teacher could help a lot. Seeking instruction doesn't mean abdicating all personal initiative, after all.

[eric feng]

I think the most helpful way of learning is that to
listen and enjoy,listen to the records of the
masters,then listen to ur own playing.If you
can enjoy those things,you find the way of
learning it.
Music is all about these enjoyments,isn't it?

[Deke]

Originally posted by Tom Storer
On the other hand, if he wants to "play jazz" because he's heard some jazz he likes but doesn't know how to get there from here, some advice, pointers and demonstrations from a good teacher could help a lot. Seeking instruction doesn't mean abdicating all personal initiative, after all.

It means abdicating quite enough of it for me!