Jazz is a topic so deep that even a lifetime of study, practice, and dedication won’t lead you to all the answers. (I suppose that’s also a large part of its appeal.) Regardless of where you are in your journey as an improviser you’ve probably wondered about a these things:
- How do I find my musical voice?
- How do I get more rhythmic ideas in my playing?
- How do I incorporate what I practice into my improvisations?
- How much should I practice?
- How do I build a solo?
It’s always helpful to hear players we respect speak about how they face (and conquer) musical challenges. Here are some candid responses from living legend Sonny Rollins on jazz and his process.
1. How do I find my musical voice (and get it to come through in my playing)? @1:00
Bonus: @3:00 Sonny talks about why, after years of saxophone trio work, he returned to bands with piano or guitar accompaniment. Hear what he likes about both formats and what he doesn’t (always) like about even the best piano players.
2. How do I get more rhythmic ideas in my playing? @2:55
“Even if you’re playing solo saxophone, you’ve got to have an element of rhythm in your mind…Think rhythmically. Give it life.”
3. How do I incorporate what I practice into my improvisations?
“When you go out on stage…forget your books…forget practicing…Let the music play you.”
4. How much should I practice? @3:25
“There’s no such thing as mastery.”
5. How do you shape and build your solos? @4:42
He talks about how it can be easier to play strong when you have another horn player in the front line (someone to challenge and inspire you), but what do you do when it’s all on you?
Above photo by John Abbott.
Let The Music Play You 🙂 Another excellent post, thanks!