Jazz as Public Speaking By Ed Byrne
I view an extemporaneous art form such as jazz as public speaking: They are exactly the same.
When you listen to different speakers, you will notice that there are different types: Some are eloquent speakers who use big words and slick phrases, but don’t say anything or are not honest; some use big words and slick phrases and are honest; some have less vocabulary, but are deep and honest; some just repeat stock phrases or licks of others; some performers have the intention of making some sort of demonstration or presentation, showing everyone how much technique they have, or how clever and original they are; some improvise their statements from a large reservoir of ideas, while some memorize their solos, and so on.
How you come off in performance has much to do with your intentions and your honesty. In jazz, how you think has a direct and powerful impact on your performance. If you approach your music with an honest attitude, it will show immediately, regardless of your skill level. At its best, improvisation in performance is not look what I did, but look what happened to me, which brings me to the next point:
Confidence--or rather attitude-- is important. You do your homework in the woodshed, think and analyze whatever you must, and then forget all of that in performance, concentrating instead on pacing, climax, the interplay with the band, and above all audience response. If you don’t have confidence that you can make a strong personal statement to the audience, you have no business being in front of them.
With regard to scales, while they can be useful, I place my priorities on improvising on the specific subject matter of the specific composition I’m performing: reduced melody, guide tone line, and root progression. For me this approach gets me to the core meaningful statements on the composition, rather than generic licks, scales and formulas.
The Fastest and Easiest Ways to Learn Improvisation:
ByrneJazz Improvisation Books
ByrneJazz Online Lessons
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ed_Byrne
When you listen to different speakers, you will notice that there are different types: Some are eloquent speakers who use big words and slick phrases, but don’t say anything or are not honest; some use big words and slick phrases and are honest; some have less vocabulary, but are deep and honest; some just repeat stock phrases or licks of others; some performers have the intention of making some sort of demonstration or presentation, showing everyone how much technique they have, or how clever and original they are; some improvise their statements from a large reservoir of ideas, while some memorize their solos, and so on.
How you come off in performance has much to do with your intentions and your honesty. In jazz, how you think has a direct and powerful impact on your performance. If you approach your music with an honest attitude, it will show immediately, regardless of your skill level. At its best, improvisation in performance is not look what I did, but look what happened to me, which brings me to the next point:
Confidence--or rather attitude-- is important. You do your homework in the woodshed, think and analyze whatever you must, and then forget all of that in performance, concentrating instead on pacing, climax, the interplay with the band, and above all audience response. If you don’t have confidence that you can make a strong personal statement to the audience, you have no business being in front of them.
With regard to scales, while they can be useful, I place my priorities on improvising on the specific subject matter of the specific composition I’m performing: reduced melody, guide tone line, and root progression. For me this approach gets me to the core meaningful statements on the composition, rather than generic licks, scales and formulas.
The Fastest and Easiest Ways to Learn Improvisation:
ByrneJazz Improvisation Books
ByrneJazz Online Lessons
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ed_Byrne
Post a Comment