> One problem with [Hal Galper's] methods for me is that they rely on the
> student getting lots of bandstand experience for their development.
>...
> The number of jobs is ever shrinking...
> For this reason I think that now, and even more so in the future,
> people will have to rely more on home practice methods.
>
> I think more than ever, things like transcribing and composing as a method
> of preparation are all you can do. Additionally aids like band in the
> box, play along records are essential.
>
> The gigs you have will help to solidify things but you can't
> rely on it as a primary vehicle for getting experience.
I agree with Reed that transcribing, composing, BIAB and playalong
records are very important methods of learning. I also agree that
paying gigs are hard to find.
But for training purposes, free gigs and jams are very important
motivational and practice tools. It's one thing to noodle along to
Jamey Aebersold and quite another to carry on a musical conversation
with real live people.
A "free gig" is when some bar/cafe owner pays you fifty to a hundred
bucks for your combo to play for an evening. Or maybe you just get
beer. If this kind of gig squeezes pro musicians in your area, you
shouldn't do it---I have enormous respect for people who are
actually able to make a living playing music and I don't want to be
responsible for taking bread from a working musician's mouth. But
some venues a pro won't play. Look for them. The fear of
embarrassing yourself in front of a bunch of strangers can be a
powerful motivation.
Jamming is a crucial jazz, folk and ethnic music tradition. Playing
the same tune over and over and over again and experimenting with
good musicians is a _primo_ way to improve your chops and your ear.
How do you find them? Well, computer and math people have a high
proportion of musicians. Ditto university students. Recruit!
Recruit! What I did was send a "music poll" via email to the 150
people at my company. Of those, 60 played instruments. Out of those
60 I found a jazz drummer, a jazz flute/horn player and an Motown
keyboard player who was willing to comp to jazz, all three with
public performance experience. Those people are the core of my
weekly jazz jam. When we get our rep up, we can do "free" gigs.
If I didn't play with other people, I wouldn't have nearly the skills
and motivation that I have. It works for me, it may work for you.
Your mileage may vary.
--KevinJ
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Kevin "Rudi" Johnsrude, Software Design Developer
Rogue Wave Software, 850 SW 35th St., Corvallis, OR 97333
Email: kevinj@roguewave.com
Voice: (541) 754-3010 Fax: (541) 754-3185
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