Here’s a great article that a fan of my site emailed to me a few months ago. Although the article is dealing with the martial arts, the principles written about in this essay can just as easily be applied to music and jazz improvisation. When the writer writes about “kata” imagine that he is referring Read More…
Practicing with Neff Video Practice Sessions
February 16, 2019 by Leave a Comment
In 2018, I started an experiment in the Member’s VIP Learning Area of the site, where I started recording myself practicing for an hour at a time so that subscriber’s to my website could learn from my example. As of this blog post, I currently have 21 hours of practice time recorded that member’s of Read More…
Great Chris Potter Performance and Interview
November 13, 2014 by 6 Comments
Here’s a great interview with Chris Potter that I came across just now on Facebook. Chris Potter is one of the top tenor saxophone players in the world. There is an unbelievable solo performance in the beginning of the video and this is a very insightful interview. Chris talks about practicing and different aspect of Read More…
Practicing away from your instrument! Part 1
September 17, 2009 by 3 Comments
I had a lesson the other day with a student and I realized that he was really having a hard time coming up with melodic ideas and phrases. I asked him “Do you ever sing?” “No!” “How about humming?” “No!” “How about in the shower?” “No!” This really got me thinking about things Read More…
Practicing With Focus
June 14, 2007 by Leave a Comment
One of my biggest weaknesses when I was a kid was practicing without a specific focus. I wanted to do it all, play everything, be the best. I wanted results now. I would spend endless hours in the practice room practicing everything. My problem was I wasn’t focused. I didn’t set goals. Instead of getting Read More…
A Fresh Approach to Practicing by Greg Fishman
January 15, 2007 by Leave a Comment
I recently bought two of Greg Fishman’s books and am waiting for them to arrive as I write this. Greg sent me this article and I thought it was a great one so I’m posting it here. I’ll let you know what I think of Greg’s books after I get them and play through them. Read More…
The Most Important Thing!
January 12, 2007 by Leave a Comment
The most important thing needed to becoming a great musician is a passion that fuels an intense work ethic. To me this is more important than natural talent by far. I always tell people that I’m not talented at music. They just look at me in dis-belief. Honestly, I feel like I have many talents Read More…
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