This is a continuation of one part of a set of blogs about practicing jazz. The first part has three hundred comments and was getting a little out of control so this continuation was started.
Below I present some ideas about what I’ve been practicing and in a companion blog What Are You Practicing? I invite you to share your thoughts. Hopefully we can all learn from each other and grow in more interesting and beneficial ways.
When I was doing doctoral study at Indiana University in 1988 I took a class with David Baker. It was a history of Bebop class and half the time in class we played the elements of bebop; tunes, scale fragments, cadences, etc. There’s a specific set of language that identifies bebop as a specific improvisational dialect and David was trying to teach it to us.
One of his most frequently stressed maxims was that if you really wanted to play bebop, the best way to get the language was to play the bebop tunes. His point was that the language of bebop was codified and condensed into the compositions by the master musicians of the period, especially Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Bud Powell. So, to learn the language you should practice those compositions as etudes in all keys. I knew he was right, but among the other things going on in my life and study I couldn’t commit the time.
However, in the fall of 2008 I decided to devote myself to this endeavor. I wanted to try walking that disciplined path to not only engrain bebop language into my ears, mind, and body, but to develop a larger ability – to most accurately play what I was imagining. I started by memorizing some bebop heads I didn’t have yet. Pretty soon I discovered that I could memorize them quite rapidly and so I started to extend by initially memorizing them in all keys. Later, I started going back through the list and playing in all keys some tunes I previously had in just one key.
Initially the tunes were all bebop heads because I was concentrating on that aspect of language acquisition. But I have expanded the list to include some standards, and some tunes that extend from the bebop tradition but are more contemporary. This gives me some flexibility in how I practice and what I concentrate on when I practice. For example, when I play Cherokee in all keys, I’m don’t have to concern myself with the pitches very much so I focus on air stream and keeping my embouchure focused in all registers. When I play standards like There Will Never Be Another You or contrafacts like Prince Albert (written on the changes to All The Things You Are) I sometimes follow a chorus of the melody with a chorus of improvisation on the changes.
So, here is the list. It grows, some days by adding keys, some by adding tunes and I’ll update it as that happens. I’ll also make comment on practicing, observing what effects it might have, challenges it might present (for instance I really have to work on playing Dexterity at all – the tune just doesn’t “ring” with me!). Tunes that are followed by “(12)” are ones I play in all keys. I invite you to make suggestions, especially of bebop heads, in the comments.
The List
26-2
A Night In Tunisia
Afternoon In Paris
All Of Me (12)
All The Things You Are
Altoitis (12)
Anthropology (12)
Airegin
Au Privave (12)
Autumn Serenade (12)
Barbados (12)
Beatrice (12)
Beautiful Love
Bebop (12)
Bernie’s Tune (12)
Billie’s Bounce (12)
Bloomdido (12)
Blue Seven (12)
Blues for Alice (12)
Bluesette (12)
Body and Soul (12)
Bouncin’ With Bud (12)
Boplicity (12)
Broad Way Blues
Brownie Speaks (12)
Bud Powell (12)
But Not for Me
Butch and Butch (12)
Bye Bye Blackbird (12)
Celia (12)
C.T.A. (12)
Cantaloupe Island
Ceora
Cherokee (12)
Cheryl (12)
Chi-Chi (12)
Confirmation (12)
Corcovado
Cottontail
Countdown
Crazeology (12)
Daahoud (12)
Dance of the Infidels (12)
Desafinado
Dewey Square (12)
Dexterity
Dig
Donna Lee (12)
Embraceable You (12)
E.S.P.
Eternal Triangle (12)
Farmer’s Market (12)
Fifth House
Fingers (12)
Four (12)
Freedom Jazz Dance (12)
Freight Train (12)
Fried Bananas (12)
Giant Steps
Girl From Ipanema (12)
Good Bait (12)
Got A Match? (12)
Green Dolphin Street
Groovin’ High (12)
Half Nelson (12)
Hallucinations (12)
Have You Met Miss Jones
Hocus-Pocus (12)
Honeysuckle Rose (12)
Hot House (12)
I Got Rhythm (12)
I Hear A Rhapsody
I Love You
I Should Care (12)
I’ll Remember April (12)
In A Sentimental Mood (12)
In Your Own Sweet Way
Invitation
It Could Happen To You (12)
It’s You Or No One (12)
Jeru (12)
Jordu (12)
Joy Spring (12)
Just Friends
Like Someone In Love (12)
Little Willie Leaps (12)
Lush Life (12)
Mahjong
Maiden Voyage
Marmaduke (12)
Mayreh (12)
Milestones (old) (12)
Minority
Mohawk (12)
Moments Notice (12)
Moose The Mooche
My Funny Valentine (12)
My One And Only Love (12)
My Romance (12)
Nica’s Dream
Oleo
Omicron (12)
Opus De Funk
Ornithology
Parisian Thoroughfare
Perhaps (12)
Prelude To A Kiss
Prince Albert (12)
Quicksilver
Ray’s Idea (12)
Recordame
Relaxin’ at Camarillo (12)
Room 608 (12)
Sandu (12)
Satellite
Scrapple from the Apple (12)
Segment
Serenade To A Bus Seat (12)
Serpent’s Tooth (12)
Shaw ‘Nuff
Speak No Evil
Split Kick (12)
Solar
Some Other Blues
Someday My Prince Will Come (12)
Sub-Conscious Lee
Stablemates
Steeplechase (12)
Stella By Starlight
Swedish Schnaps (12)
Tempus Fugue-It (12)
The Days of Wine and Roses
The Night Has A Thousand Eyes (12)
There Is No Greater Love (12)
There Will Never Be Another You (12)
Things To Come
Visa (12)
Walkin’
Wave
Webb City (12)
Wee (12)
Wee-Dot (12)
Witch Hunt
Without A Song
What Is This Thing Called Love?
Woody’n You
Yardbird Suite (12)
Yesterdays (12)
You Are Too Beautiful (12)
You Stepped Out Of A Dream (12)
October 20th, 2011 - 8:39 pm
Thursday Report –
Yesterday and today I resumed playing tunes from the List in all keys, keys ascending in half-steps. Today’s tunes were; Sandu, Scrapple from the Apple, Serpent’s Tooth, Split Kick, Steeplechase, and Swedish Schnaps. Later in the day I improvised on Body and Soul in all keys – I was bored of just playing the tunes.
Tomorrow I’ll get back to the List. ‘Til then,
Onward…
October 21st, 2011 - 10:22 pm
Friday Report –
So I was just about to the part of the List that has a bunch of jazz standards, and the thought of playing each of them in all keys bored me. So I decided to change my practice for today and played all the tunes I have in all keys, playing each one of them in concert G Flat. None of them live in G Flat as their original key, so this was quite interesting! I made it from Altoitis through Swedish Schnaps. It was a good workout and I’m a little better player now than my students, who had to sit through a stupid convocation during the time I was doing this! (But that’s a different issue.)
Tomorrow, I have no idea what I’ll practice – but it will be jazz and it won’t be boring! ‘Til then,
Onward…
October 22nd, 2011 - 5:11 pm
Saturday Report –
Today I took Bill Plake’s advice and practiced improvising slowly. I concentrated on My One And Only Love, playing it in all keys very slowly. The purpose was to try to discover compelling melodies within the changes instead of just “running” the chords. It was illuminating and a fun way to work through a familiar tune.
Tomorrow another tune, another key, a new tune, all the tunes, who knows? ‘Til then,
Onward…
October 24th, 2011 - 9:23 pm
Monday Report –
The past two days have been kind of hectic and I didn’t have a concentrated practice time either day so I worked on a mixed bag of stuff. In no particular order; Blowing on Eric Gunnison’s modal changes on the A Section of Tempus Fugue-It, The Night Has a Thousand Eyes, There Is No Greater Love, There Will Never Be Another You, Webb City and Wee in all keys (ascending by half-steps), blowing on Airegin.
I’ll probably be able to finish the tunes I have on the List in all keys tomorrow, then probably focus on Tempus Fugue-It and Visa since those are the most recent adds. ‘Til then,
Onward…
October 25th, 2011 - 8:21 pm
Tuesday Report –
Today I just had a short time to practice in the morning so I played Tempus Fugue-It and Visa in all keys, in ascending half-steps. Later in the day I worked on a new tune by Reggie Berg that we’ll premiere on Nov. 8 at Dazzle. I also did some score preparation because I’m mostly serving as the musical director/conductor on this concert (except for Reggie’s tune). This is a cool thing, a collaboration of Denver jazz folks with people from the new music ensemble The Playground.
Tomorrow I’ll review all the tunes from the List in their original/most common keys – I think I’ll play them in reverse alphabetical order so I can play Visa and Tempus Fugue-It early. ‘Til then,
Onward…
October 27th, 2011 - 8:34 pm
Thursday Report –
Wednesday I didn’t have a lot of time but worked on understanding Reggie’s piece – which took about an hour to get. Now I just have to work on soloing on the weird vamp!
Today I played tunes from the List in the original/most common keys in reverse alphabetical order. If I have time tomorrow I’ll learn a new tune. ‘Til then,
Onward…
November 1st, 2011 - 8:14 pm
Tuesday Report –
I had a busy three days in rehearsals and concerts and didn’t get much time to practice. But Monday I had a minute or two to learn “Bernie’s Tune” (the list now reflects the addition) in all keys and practice blowing on Reggie’s tune. Today I started playing all the tunes from the List that I have in all keys. Today’s tunes were; Altoitis, Anthropology, Au Privave, Autumn Serenade, Barbados, Beatrice, Bebop, Bernie’s Tune, Billie’s Bounce, Blomdido, Blue Seven, Blues for Alice, Bluesette, and Body and Soul.
Tomorrow the DU Jazz Faculty will play a concert in tribute to Bud Powell. It will stream at http://www.du.edu/lamontlive at 7:30 pm MT if you can’t make it. ‘Til then,
Onward…
November 27th, 2011 - 12:45 pm
Sunday Report –
It’s been quite a while since I’ve blogged about practicing here, mostly because I’ve been very busy with performances and traveling. There have been big band concerts, school combo concerts, chamber music – jazz gigs, a clinic/concert tour to Oregon, and final exams at school. However, I have continued to practice – but the “bloom is off the rose” in regards to my regimen… finally got bored of it.
So, I’ve been practicing things that were in front of me to perform and that has been fun. Memorizing tunes for the Bud Powell concert, working out improvisational ideas on a wickedly difficult new composition influenced by Vijay Iyer’s music (http://youtu.be/G9KL2XT1kno), and now memorizing a set of music for a holiday concert on Dec. 3 at the Cherokee Ranch and Castle. I’ll work more on the holiday music today and have some fun blowing on the changes. Next, I may return to the List or other new music. ‘Til then,
Onward…
December 6th, 2011 - 5:33 pm
Tuesday Report –
Today I worked on a couple tunes that I needed to review and/or new tunes to add to the List. I played a gig last night and the leader called “Beautiful Love” and I had played that several years ago and completely cacked for some strange reason. So I didn’t want to play it right away and instead looked at a leadsheet during the break and memorized it. But I wanted to really embed it so that was the first tune I practiced today. Later on the gig the leader called “Prelude to a Kiss” and I didn’t have it memorized – so that was the next tune to learn. Also on the gig I was a little iffy on the bridge to Ipanema so I worked on that.
My procedure was to play the melodies through about seven times from memory without any major errors, then blow on the changes. After I had worked all three tunes like this I kind of cycled between the tunes, playing the melodies several times then blowing on the changes. I probably spent about 80 mins. at this today and enjoyed the practice time as well as getting some good work on. I’ll call those tunes on the date this Saturday. ‘Til then,
Onward…
December 12th, 2011 - 12:57 pm
Monday Report –
After a busy week of rehearsals and gigs I had time to practice today. I started a new variation on the routine today by picking a key and playing all the songs on the List that I have in every key in that key. Today the key was concert E, F# on the tenor sax. I made it from Altoitis through Steeplechase in about 90 mins. The only exception was Fingers, which I need to shed more in all keys!
This was an interesting exercise and made clear to me the importance of clearly hearing the tune before playing. Because I didn’t play the tune in the original/common key first, I couldn’t rely on muscle memory to stir my pitch imagination. It was a really good test!
The next time I practice I’ll finish the List in F# and start again in another key. ‘Til then,
Onward…
December 15th, 2011 - 6:18 pm
Wednesday (delayed) and Thursday Reports –
Yesterday I worked on I Should Care in Eb because one of my favorite singers likes it in that key. Then I kind of randomly played Freedom Jazz Dance in all keys, blew on Moment’s Notice, and played on Confirmation in B, F#, and C#.
I got back to basics today and started by playing all modes of the major scales. Then, I followed that by playing all the diatonic triads, first ascending – starting on the root of the triad (both going up the scale and coming down), then descending – starting on the fifth of the triad (both going up the scale and coming down). After that I worked on altered scales and altered dominant chord lines.
Tomorrow I’ll choose one key to play all the tunes that I play in all keys. ‘Til then,
Onward…
December 16th, 2011 - 12:54 pm
Friday Report –
I choose concert G, A on the tenor as the key to play all the tunes from the List that I play in all keys in reverse alphabetical order. There are three tunes the are there originally; Butch and Butch, I’ll Remember April, and The Night Has A Thousand Eyes, but the rest are originally in other keys. I had a problem remembering the melody to Little Willie Leaps so I had to refer to the first phrase of a recording to refresh my memory – kind of weird!
Tomorrow I’ll probably play all the tunes in their original/most common keys. ‘Til then, its off to Soundpainting tonight at the Gypsy House Cafe @ 6:30 pm – you’re invited,
Onward…
December 18th, 2011 - 5:53 pm
Sunday Report –
As planned, today I played through the List in their original/most common keys. I did pretty well except for the bridge to Fingers and all of Sub-Conscious Lee and Visa – couldn’t hear a note of either of those. That will be my review tomorrow! ‘Til then,
Onward…
December 19th, 2011 - 9:16 pm
Monday Report –
Practice today was about reviewing “Visa” (oh yeah, that’s how that one goes), “Sub-Conscious Lee” (E# diminished, you bet!), and “Fingers” (right, ornamenting the V with surrounds). Tomorrow will be something different. ‘Til then,
Onward…
December 20th, 2011 - 9:54 pm
Tuesday Report –
Woo-hoo, two days in a row again!
Anyway, I didn’t get a lot of time in today but have started the next regimen – I’m improvising on all the tunes I have in all keys. This takes longer because I’m careful to make sure I’m remembering and hitting all the changes, not just the melodies. So with the little time I had today I only made it through two tunes; You Stepped Out Of A Dream and You Are Too Beautiful. Good tunes and fun to play, tomorrow I’ll start with Yardbird Suite. ‘Til then,
Onward…
December 21st, 2011 - 9:51 pm
Wednesday Report –
Today was a mixed bag of rehearsing and practicing. First, I worked on some saxophone quartet music that we rehearsed this morning. Then, off to rehearse from 9:30 to 10:45 am. After doing some paperwork I was able to get back and blow on “Yardbird Suite” in all keys. At least I got some good stuff done and then purchased some reeds that I hope will play! – we’ll see. ‘Til then,
Onward…
December 22nd, 2011 - 5:24 pm
Thursday Report –
Back in the pocket again – now if I could only find tenor reeds that played! So I tackled the “W”s today playing and blowing in all keys; Wee-Dot (a blues), Wee (rhythm changes with altered dominants on the bridge), and Webb City (rhythm changes starting with the IV7 in the bridge). That was OK and tomorrow I’ll continue. ‘Til then,
Onward…
December 23rd, 2011 - 8:58 pm
Friday Report –
I continued working on playing and blowing on tunes from the List that I have in all keys. Today’s tunes were; There Will Never Be Another You, There Is No Greater Love, The Night Has A Thousand Eyes. I also blew on rhythm changes in a couple of keys and kind of randomly played on In A Sentimental Mood and I Should Care. I switched from Tenor to Soprano today because the reed issue was freakin’ me out – and I was happy to discover I could still play the saxophone!
I also practiced a gnarly soli I wrote on Mingus’ “Gunslinging Bird” that will be debuted on March 22 at a Colorado Symphony Guild fundraiser – I KNOW, sounds kind of strange, right?
Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, but I’ll still get some playing in during the day. ‘Til then,
Onward…
December 24th, 2011 - 4:00 pm
Saturday Report –
I continued with Ray’s Idea and Prince Albert today – playing the heads and blowing in all keys. Also spent some time working on that crazy-fast soli again, the tempo may have to come down a little!
Anyway, happy many holidays to all of you and have a great time during this season, I’ll be back on the horn soon. ‘Til then,
Onward…
December 26th, 2011 - 7:11 pm
Monday Report –
I took Christmas off, to give my wife a break, really! But when I went back today I concentrated on Omicron, a Donald Byrd contrafact on Woody’n You. By the time I had played it through a couple of times in all keys I got to the point where I realized I needed to play with some humans! So I stopped.
Later, I went back to see if I could find a tenor reed that worked, and THEY ALL SUCKED ASS! This was very frustrating.
Tomorrow, I’ll party and do some work on tenor reeds, Wednesday I’ll hit a session. You might hear from me again on Thursday. ‘Til then,
Onward…
December 29th, 2011 - 4:26 pm
Thursday Report –
Had a great time sitting in at the Tennyson Tap Wednesday night. Today, I spent about 90 mins. concentrating on Moment’s Notice in all keys. Really was a mind-breaking experience, with all the side-slipping harmonies in different directions and sizes. But, I got through all keys and when I made it back to Eb I was playing things I had never heard or thought of before. Tomorrow I’ll work on Milestones (old) and the changes to “All God’s Chillin’ Got Rhythm” in the forms of Mayreh and Little Willie Leaps. ‘Til then,
Onward…
January 1st, 2012 - 3:30 pm
Sunday Report –
I worked a 6 hours NYE duo gig last night and am just a little worn today, so I’ll take the day off of practicing and just play a session tonight. However, I did learn a couple of things last night I want to convey. 1) After playing about 4 hours straight, you get tired of hearing your own stuff and need to innovate – really digging, out of necessity, for new sounds, phrases, shapes, and rhythms. That is a good thing! 2) The corollary is that you know you can play your own stuff, any time, any tempo, any key and at any place. And that’s good too!
Tomorrow I’ll get back to the List. ‘Til then,
Onward…
January 1st, 2012 - 3:49 pm
Hi Lynn, how can you remember all these tunes? When you practice, are you just blowing through the changes or playing the heads and changes? Thanks and Happy NY
January 7th, 2012 - 8:22 pm
Saturday Report –
Well, I saw Pete later that same day and we talked about the many manifestations of the practice regimen. School started on Tuesday and I didn’t get much practice time in – the extra playing time I had in the day usually went to rehearsing with the Lamont Saxophone Quartet for a gig this coming Tuesday, or with the DU Jazz Faculty. But I did get a little time in, kind of randomly picking out tunes to blow on.
So, when I had some time today I reflected on Pete’s question decided to review all of the melodies of the tunes. I played them all in reverse-alphabetical order. It went very well, but I COMPLETELY couldn’t remember the melody of Freight Train. Then, after I put my horn away I immediately remembered it – the mind works in strange ways. Tomorrow I hope to get back to the morning practice routine and resume playing in all keys the tunes from the List that I know in all keys. ‘Til then,
Onward…
January 8th, 2012 - 7:43 pm
Sunday Report –
I was busy with a John Fedchock clinic and watching another Broncos miracle victory this afternoon so I didn’t get to practice until early evening. I started on the List in alphabetical order, playing the tunes I have in all keys. Today’s tunes were; Altoitis, Anthropology, Au Privave, Autumn Serenade, Barbados, Beatrice, Bebop, Bernie’s Tune, and Billie’s Bounce.
Just a note: when I do them like this I only play the melodies – I’m trying to internalize great bebop language in all keys and sharpen my pitch imagination-to-sound relationships.
Tomorrow I’ll continue on the list. ‘Til then it’s finishing the rest of my Bronocs Sunday ritual,
Onward…
January 9th, 2012 - 8:57 pm
Monday Report –
Didn’t get much time to practice this morning, and this evening was all about getting reeds that will work for tomorrow’s concert. So I played the following tunes from the List in all keys; Bloomdido, Blue Seven, Blues for Alice, and Bluesette. Tomorrow I hope to get some practicing in after the gig – probably in the evening. ‘Til then,
Onward…
January 11th, 2012 - 7:10 am
Tuesday Report –
Began the day early with an 8 am saxophone quartet rehearsal for a 9 am concert and then the rest of the morning providing saxophone quartet clinics – all at Metro St. Univ.’s King Center Recital Hall c/o Mark Harris. That was fun and all the groups played well.
I got back to the horn in the early evening after some administrative work at school. I wasn’t able to practice very long, but did play the following tunes in all keys; Body and Soul, Bouncin’ With Bud, and Boplicity. I got about three keys into Brownie Speaks before I had to leave, so that’s where I’ll pick it up next time. ‘Til then,
Onward…
January 11th, 2012 - 7:27 pm
Wednesday Report –
I had very little time to practice today but did get 30 mins. of good time in. I finished playing Brownie Speaks in all keys and played Bud Powell in all keys. This made me happy. Why, you ask, did this make you happy? Because I accomplished something today, I improved my playing in a specific way, doing a little thing well (actually corrected a mistake I had made in memorizing Bud Powell). If I can make some improvement every time I practice – imagine how good I can get! And YOU can too!
Tomorrow I’ll resume playing tunes in all keys from the List. ‘Til then,
Onward…
January 12th, 2012 - 8:30 pm
Thursday Report –
I had a couple of chances to practice today so I got more tunes played than I have for a while and practiced a piece too. The tunes from the List in all keys today were; Butch and Butch, Bye Bye Blackbird, Celia, C.T.A., Cherokee, Cheryl, and Chi-Chi. I also practiced Mike Stern’s Chromazone – that’s a fun piece that we’ll be playing on our next DU Jazz Faculty concert.
Tomorrow I’ll pick the List up with Confirmation. ‘Til then,
Onward…
January 13th, 2012 - 8:17 pm
Friday Report –
I didn’t have a lot of time to practice today, it was a busy day at Lamont from 8:30 am getting ready to teach the Jazz History Lab and Jazz Performance class, to restarting Flo’s Underground – our weekly jazz combo performance series that ended at 7 pm, and lots of stuff in between. But I did have some time and played the following tunes from the List in all keys; Confirmation, Crazeology, Daahoud, and Dewey Square.
Tomorrow I’ll continue playing tunes from the List in all keys, beginning with Donna Lee. Of course, there’s the Broncos playoff game and a memorial bar-b-que to attend, but I’ll fit some practicing in before the game. ‘Til then,
Onward…
January 15th, 2012 - 12:12 pm
Sunday Report –
I got some time in on Saturday but only played Donna Lee and Eternal Triangle in all keys.
Today the practice opportunity came early in the day and I played the following tunes from the List in all keys; Farmer’s Market, Fingers, Four, Freedom Jazz Dance, Freight Train, Fried Bananas, Good Bait, Got A Match?, Groovin’ High, Half Nelson, Hallucinations, and Hocus-Pocus. Fingers in all keys is still kicking my tail so I’m going to have to spend another session devoted to that little ditty!
After playing those I practiced some of the more challenging music I have coming up; Chromazone and my soli on Gunslingin’ Bird. Those went well and with continued attention will be very comfortable by the time of the performances.
Tomorrow, after the MLK Marade, I’ll get on Fingers. ‘Til then it’s playoff football,
Onward…
January 16th, 2012 - 6:44 pm
Monday Report –
After attending and participating in Denver’s MLK Marade, I went home and took care of some important non-playing professional work. When I finally got time to practice I worked on the First A section and the last phrase of the Bridge to Fingers. Then played the first several sections of Chromazone from memory. I knew I had it right because I woke up at 4:30 am fingering it and running it in my head!
Tomorrow, I’ll get back to the List with Hot House – oh boy! ‘Til then,
Onward…
January 18th, 2012 - 8:22 pm
Wednesday Report –
I hardly remember Tuesday! Oh yeah, I played a little bit of the bridge of Fingers, but had some reed problems and administrative work to do, so I didn’t get much playing in.
Wednesday however, was different. I got to my studio early and able to spend an uninterrupted 90 minutes concentrating on the bridge to Fingers. First, I slowly and carefully played the first phrase in all keys – about 15 times each. Then, the second phrase in the same way. It felt great to really concentrate on the shape and the feel of each phrase.
Then, I played the first several sections of Chromazone from memory and started working on memorizing the bridge. I resolve to get back to the List tomorrow with Hot House. ‘Til then,
Onward…
January 20th, 2012 - 11:31 am
Friday Report –
On Thursday I spent the time I had in the morning playing Hot House in all keys. I also worked on finishing memorizing the bridge to Chromazone. In the evening I had time to get back to practice and played Chromazone with Alan Joseph, who I will be playing it with on the upcoming DU Faculty Jazz Concert.
Friday is pretty-well scheduled from 5:30 am to 8:00 pm, but I might be able to fit in a little practice time after the Jazz Faculty rehearsal and before our faculty meeting. If I do the time will be spent on playing tunes from the List in all keys. ‘Til then,
Onward…
January 21st, 2012 - 4:29 pm
Saturday Report –
I didn’t get any time in on Friday, the hour of open time I had was consumed with some last-minute administrative work and I didn’t have the mental focus to practice anyway. “Mindless finger wiggling” is not a good way to end up practicing – so I didn’t!
Today, I had a good session playing the following tunes from the List in all keys; I Should Care, I’ll Remember April, In a Sentimental Mood, It Could Happen To You, It’s You or No One, Joy Spring, Jordu, and Little Willie Leaps. Tomorrow, I’ll continue with Lush Life. ‘Til then,
Onward…
January 22nd, 2012 - 5:52 pm
Sunday Report –
I had a limited amount of time to practice at home today, I wanted to leave some sonic space for my wife to create her artwork. I played the following tunes from the List in all keys; Lush Life, Mayreh, Milestones (old). I’m still not consistent with the intervals in the first two phrases of Lush Life – what happens directly after the first inversion triad is not as secure and consistent as I want it. On the upside, Milestones was nails in keys today – go figure. Tomorrow I’ll get back to tunes from the List in all keys with Mohawk. ‘Til then,
Onward…
January 23rd, 2012 - 10:25 pm
Monday Report –
I played the following tunes from the List in all keys; Mohawk, Moment’s Notice (playing the intro, head, and root movements of the changes), My One And Only Love, then playing Chromazone from memory – though under-tempo. I had a little more time after lunch so I played My Romance, blowing on the changes in each key. Tomorrow I’ll resume the List with Omicron. ‘Til then,
Onward…
January 30th, 2012 - 6:48 am
Sunday Report (delayed) –
I was able to get a little practicing in on Tuesday and played Ray’s Idea. Wednesday through Saturday were consumed by directing the Colorado All State Large School Jazz Band. We rehearsed and performed at the Broadmoor Resort for the Colorado Music Educators Association Clinic/Conference. What a great band! We had a blast working together and the concert was slammin’! However, the only playing I got in was some demonstration during our Improv workshop Thursday night.
I got back to it on Sunday playing the following tunes from the List in all keys; Relaxin’ a Camarillo, Room 608, Sandu, Scrapple from the Apple, and Serpent’s Tooth. It was a good hour on the Soprano and I look forward to getting back to the Tenor on Monday. I know I need to review Chromazone and continue to work on tunes from the List.
Onward…
February 1st, 2012 - 7:15 am
Tuesday Report (delayed) –
During the past two days I’ve spent time each day working on Chromazone – that’s quite secure at 120 bpm now, but I need to continue to keep playing it, sometimes slowly, just to make sure it stays secure.
I’ve also finished playing the List (except for Visa) by playing the following tunes in all keys; Split Kick, Steeplechase, Tempus-Fugit, The Night Has A Thousand Eyes, There Is No Greater Love, There Will Never Be Another You, Webb City, Wee, Wee-Dot, Yardbird Suite, You Are Too Beautiful, and You Stepped Out of a Dream. I’ll work on Visa and revisit Tempus-Fugit again today. Tomorrow, I’ll review all the tunes in their original / most common keys. ‘Til then, tune in to the Lamont Jazz Night concert tonight at http://www.du.edu/lamontlive at 7:30 MT,
Onward…
February 1st, 2012 - 5:21 pm
Wednesday Report –
As promised, I worked on Visa and Tempus-Fugit today, spending a lot of time reacquainting myself with them. Both are interesting tunes with little quirks that make them fun. Then I played Chromazone from memory several times at 104, 108, and 120 bpm. That went well.
Tonight is the first Jazz Night of the calendar year and I’ll play tunes from this List in their original / most common keys tomorrow. ‘Til then,
Onward…
February 2nd, 2012 - 3:59 pm
Thursday Report –
So yeah, I played all the tunes in the original / most common key and then practice Chromazone a little. Funky reed day and a lost filling is causing some pain when I breathe, pulling cold air past it – I have to take care of that. So tomorrow I probably won’t have a lot of time to practice but I’ll learn a new tune or two in all keys – probably something like playing My Funny Valentine and another that will add quickly. ‘Til then,
Onward…
February 4th, 2012 - 5:12 pm
Friday (delayed) and Saturday Reports –
Friday was a “snow day” in Denver and I took advantage of the time to relax and chill a little. Practicing-wise I worked on very non-technical stuff, mostly on tone, pitch, and vibrato on the Soprano through the vehicle of learning My Funny Valentine in all keys. Then, I blew on it in all keys.
Saturday was our first audition day at Lamont and so the morning was spent digging out of the snow and doing auditions. We heard good players, all of whom I’d be happy to have in the program! When I returned home it felt like one of those “split-shift” days so I rested for a little while, then exercised, then practiced. Today was spent blowing on the changes of some of the non-blues and non-rhythm changes tunes on the List in their original keys. Those tunes were; Omicron, Donna Lee, Stablemates, Hot House, It ‘s You Or No One, Joy Spring, and finishing up with My Funny Valentine. Sometimes it’s important to just sit and work stuff out! Tomorrow I’ll start reviewing all the tunes on the List that I have in all keys. ‘Til then,
Onward…
February 6th, 2012 - 6:57 am
Sunday Report (delayed) –
Sunday I started playing the tunes I have on the List in all keys and today’s tunes were; Altoitis, Anthropology, Au Privave, Autumn Serenade, Barbados, Bebop, and Bernie’s Tune. These were on Soprano. Today I’ll pick up the List with Billie’s Bounce and also spend some more time with Chromazone on tenor. Reading day with the Lamont Jazz Orchestra playing some of my favorite “flash-back” tunes from the 70’s – should be fun. ‘Til then,
Onward…
February 7th, 2012 - 7:54 pm
Monday (delayed) and Tuesday Reports –
Monday I played the following tunes from the List in all keys; Billie’s Bounce, Bloomdido, Blues for Alice, and Blue Seven. I also played Chromazone from memory at three different tempi; 104, 112, and 120 bpm.
On Tuesday I practiced Chromazone in the same way and later played Bluesette and Body and Soul. Playing the melody in each key followed by a chorus of improvising.
Man, if everything (e.g., printer working, traffic running smoothly, advising not needed, etc.) is working I can get in about 90 mins. of practicing a day. But if ANYTHING goes the slightest bit sideways, I’m down to about 35 mins. before I can whistle “Stormy Weather”!
Anyway, tomorrow I’ll get back to the List (as time allows) with Bouncin’ with Bud. ‘Til then,
Onward…
February 12th, 2012 - 4:48 pm
Sunday Report –
Wednesday through Saturday were busy days and I didn’t have a lot of time to practice and less time to post to the blog. During the week I found time every day to play Chromazone at a variety of tempi so that when we rehearsed on Friday it was solid at performance tempo on the first playing. I also played tunes in all keys from the List. Those tunes were; Bouncin’ With Bud, Boplicity, Brownie Speaks, (and on Sunday) Bud Powell, Butch and Butch, Bye Bye Blackbird, Celia, and C.T.A..
I hope I can get back to more regular work from the List next week with Cherokee. ‘Til then,
Onward…
February 19th, 2012 - 7:42 pm
Sunday Report –
Man, it’s been tough to report the practicing this week – in fact it was tough to splice in any practice time at all. Some weeks are like that – usually for good reasons.
During the past week I’ve memorized “The Windup” for this Wednesday’s DU Jazz Faculty Concert and continued to review Chromazone on a regular basis in preparation for the same concert. I also went back to the List with Cherokee and blew on it in all keys. During the rest of the week I played the following tunes in all keys; Cheryl, Chi-Chi, Confirmation, Crazeology, Daahoud, Dewey Square, Donna Lee, Eternal Triangle, Farmer’s Market, Fingers, Four, Freedom Jazz Dance, Freight Train, Fried Bananas, and Groovin’ High.
Tomorrow I’ll get back to the List with Good Bait. ‘Til then,
Onward…
February 20th, 2012 - 6:46 pm
Monday Report –
I got to work a little early this morning so I had a clear hour to practice. Today I played the following tunes from the List in all keys; Good Bait, Got A Match?, Half Nelson, Hallucinations, Hocus-Pocus, and Honeysuckle Rose. I started working on Hot House, but didn’t have the focus to get much done – I’ll come back to that tomorrow.
I also played Chromazone and The Windup. The DU Jazz Faculty will play those on our concert on Wednesday. If you’re in Denver and want to come drop me a line – I may be able to get tickets for you.
‘Til then,
Onward…
February 21st, 2012 - 7:45 pm
Tuesday Report –
I had a couple of good sessions of practicing today and covered the following tunes from the List in all keys; Hot House, I Got Rhythm, I Should Care, I Remember April, In A Sentimental Mood, It Could Happen To You, It’s You Or No One, Joy Spring, Jordu, and Little Willie Leaps. I also improvised on It Could Happen To You in Eb.
In preparation for tomorrow’s concert I also played Chromazone, The Windup, and Omicron I blew on Omicron, but didn’t feel like blowing on the other two because I had worked on F#min7 and Amin7 ideas earlier (seriously), and have some ideas for the open playing in The Windup that I’ll work on a little tomorrow. ‘Til then,
Onward…
February 25th, 2012 - 1:11 pm
Saturday Report –
Well, it’s been a few days, hasn’t it! We had a fun DU Faculty Jazz concert on Wednesday, but I didn’t get much of a chance to practice Wednesday except to prepare for that. Between Thursday and today I’ve played the following from the List; It’s You Or No One, Joy Spring, Jordu, Little Willie Leaps, Mayreh, Milestones (old), Mohawk, My One And Only Love, Omicron, Perhaps, and Prince Albert in all keys. I also blew on Moment’s Notice, Lush Life, and My Romance in their most common keys and Prince Albert in all keys.
Tomorrow I have a couple of services to play at Jefferson Unitarian Church on a mixed-ensemble piece that has a soprano part composed for me. We played this at the installation of the new minister and we’re reprising it tomorrow. The funny thing is that the conductor is an intern from Lamont that has an incomplete in one of my classes that he needs to make up very soon. Hope he doesn’t hold it against me with bad cues!
I’ll get back to the List tomorrow afternoon. ‘Til then it’s off to the Mercury Cafe for the Big Band Boogie Bash and,
Onward…
February 26th, 2012 - 3:03 pm
Sunday Report –
The BBBB was a lot of fun and the bands played well. I hope it made some $ for the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts which is the current “steward” of the tradition and a much-deserving organization.
This morning I played a couple of services at Jefferson Unitarian Church. Keith Arnold wrote a nice piece for chorus, handbells, piano, bass, and soprano saxophone. It was fun to get to play it again and Lamont music intern Matthew Frisk do a good job of conducting it.
This afternoon I got back to the List on soprano playing the following tunes in all keys; Ray’s Idea, Relaxin’ at Camarillo, Room 608, Sandu, Scrapple From The Apple, and Serpent’s Tooth. Tomorrow I have a very full day including a presentation for the Black employees of Ball Aerospace about the history of jazz, then running back to Lamont to present Jazz Night at 7:30 pm so I doubt I’ll get to practice much until Tuesday! ‘Til then,
Onward…
February 28th, 2012 - 7:31 pm
Tuesday Report –
Monday’s Jazz Night concert was pretty slammin! LJO played four tunes from the 70’s (well, maybe including the early 60’s) from four great big bands; Channel One Suite (Buddy Rich), Aja (Woody Herman), Indra (Stan Kenton), Country Roads (M.F. Horn 2, ’72).
Today I played the following tunes in all keys; Split Kick, Steeplechase, Swedish Schnaps, Tempus Fugue-It, The Night Has A Thousand Eyes, There Is No Greater Love, and There Will Never Be Another You (also improvising in each key).
I’ll continue with the List tomorrow with Visa. ‘Til then,
Onward…
March 2nd, 2012 - 12:13 pm
Thursday Report (delayed) –
I learned the Bud Powel tunes Dance of the Infidels in all keys and this List will now reflect this addition. I also had some time later in the day and played the tunes from “A” through “H” from the List in the original/most common keys.
Friday Report –
I finished the rest of the List from “I” through “Z” in their original/most commons keys. I’ll give Dance of the Infidels another close look on Saturday, then start playing the tunes that I have in all keys. ‘Til then,
Onward…
March 3rd, 2012 - 5:53 pm
Saturday Report –
I actually had time to review Dance of the Infidels on Friday after I posted so today I just started playing tunes I have in all keys from the List. I went in reverse-alphabetical order and played; You Stepped Out Of A Dream, You Are Too Beautiful, Yardbird Suite, Wee-Dot (which I had to review a little because I have been skipping it), Wee, Webb City, Visa (which I had to review quite a bit because it is relatively new and I had not included it on one of my lists and therefore had forgotten to play it recently), There Will Never Be Another You, There Is No Greater Love, The Night Has A Thousand Eyes, and Tempus Fugue-It.
Tomorrow I’ll resume with the “S”‘s. ‘Til then,
Onward…
March 4th, 2012 - 5:40 pm
Sunday Report –
Today I played the “S”‘s from the List in all keys; Swedish Schnaps, Steeplechase, Split Kick, Serpent’s Tooth, Scrapple From the Apple, and Sandu. Tonight I’ll drive to Boulder to sit in with the guys up there – I really need to play with some people!
Tomorrow it’s back to work at Lamont and back to the List with the “Arrs”! ‘Til then,
Onward…
March 5th, 2012 - 9:19 pm
Monday Report –
I just had one, early, practice session today but got through the following tunes from the List in all keys; Room 608, Relaxin’ at Camarillo, Ray’s Idea, and Prince Albert.
Tomorrow I’ll continue with Perhaps – no, I really will, I promise. ‘Til then,
Onward…
March 6th, 2012 - 10:14 pm
Tuesday Report –
I was able to spend about 30 minutes this morning and a few minutes a couple of other times during the day. During those times I played the following tunes from the List in all keys; Perhaps, Omicron, My Romance (blowing on the changes after playing the head), My One And Only Love, and about five keys of My Funny Valentine (blowing on the changes after playing the head).
Tomorrow I’ll finish My Funny Valentine and continue. ‘Til then,
Onward…
March 7th, 2012 - 10:10 pm
Wednesday Report –
I didn’t get a lot of time to practice today but I finished playing My Funny Valentine and improvising on the changes in all keys. Then, I started doing the same on Moment’s Noticed and made it through about three keys – my head hurt! I’ll continue with that tomorrow. ‘Till then,
Onward…
March 8th, 2012 - 9:11 pm
Thursday Report –
Well, I finished blowing on Moment’s Notice in all keys today – it was much easier with a fresh start, but still…
After that I played Mohawk in all keys and later in the day blew on Airegin. Not a lot of practice time today, but I got a lot of other stuff accomplished like reviewing some jazz history chapters for Oxford Univ. Press, and taking care of some funding stuff, besides hearing some students play standards and coaching a great trio.
Tomorrow will be a fun, full day including an interview on Colorado Public Radio about my new setting of Copeland’s “Billy The Kid” Suite, and a jam session at Flo’s at 5 pm. The last one will stream @ http://www.du.edu/lamontlive. Saturday I’ll get back to the List. ‘Til then,
Onward…
March 11th, 2012 - 5:33 pm
Sunday Report –
I fell ill Friday afternoon and didn’t get any practicing done on Saturday – just slept and drank water. Today I felt better and played Milestones (old) in all keys, and practiced some bi-directional (encirclement) exercises, and patterns on symmetrical diminished scales. Then blew on some random tunes. It was a good way to get back to playing and I felt better after doing that and taking a walk.
Tomorrow I’ll get back to the List with Mayreh. ‘Til then,
Onward…
March 14th, 2012 - 5:15 pm
Wednesday Report –
I felt terrible on Monday and slept most all of the day. Better on Tuesday but didn’t get much chance to rest and no chance to practice because I had Lamont Jazz juries all day. Today I felt a lot better, with no body aches, but was plagued with severe sinus headaches for about three hours. Nevertheless, I resumed my regular exercise routine and got back to practicing.
Today I worked on soprano, playing the following tunes from the List in all keys; Mayreh, Lush Life, Little Willie Leaps, Jordu, and Joy Spring. I hope I’ll feel a bunch better tomorrow and be able to play even more, getting back on the List with It’s You Or No One. ‘Til then,
Onward…
March 15th, 2012 - 7:53 pm
Thursday Report –
I felt pretty good again today, just some sinus headache on the right side. Today I concentrated on playing three tunes in all keys and improvising on them, making sure I got the changes – especially the changes at harmonic transitions in the tunes. The tunes were; It’s You Or No One, It Could Happen To You, and In A Sentimental Mood. It turned out to take almost an hour each to feel like I had explored the tunes, and all that time spent on Soprano! So, now I’m letting my chops heal. That was a good session and I’ll return to the List using the same procedures tomorrow. ‘Til then,
Onward…
March 17th, 2012 - 6:33 pm
Saturday Report –
Over the past two days I’ve concentrated on blowing on the changes to three songs; I Should Care, I’ll Remember April, and All Of Me. What!, you say, “All of Me?” But that’s out of alphabetical order! Yes, and in fact it wasn’t on the list and I had never really worked on it – AMAZING. So not it’s on the List and I’ve practiced blowing on it in all keys.
Tomorrow I have a rehearsal for my new arrangements for chamber jazz ensemble of Mingus’ “Gunslingin’ Bird” and Copeland’s “Billy the Kid Suite” which we’ll perform next Thursday. I’ll get back to playing bebop heads in all keys with Hot House. ‘Til then,
Onward…
March 19th, 2012 - 4:38 pm
Monday Report –
I didn’t get a chance to practice after yesterday’s rehearsal as I had hoped I would. However, the rehearsal went very well and I’m looking forward to the premieres on Thursday.
I got back to the List today playing the following tunes in all keys; Hot House, Honeysuckle roser, Hocus-Pocus, Hallucinations, Half Nelson, Groovin High, Got A Batch?, and Good Bait. I also played and blew on I Got Rhythm in all keys and blew on Have You Met Miss Jones.
Tomorrow I’ll get back to the List with the “F”s between a 9 am KUVO interview and a 1 pm meeting about a new collaboration. ‘Til then,
Onward…
March 20th, 2012 - 8:00 pm
Tuesday Report –
Today was a good day for concentrated practice and I played the following tunes from the List in all keys; Fried Bananas, Freight Train, Freedom Jazz Dance, Four, Fingers, Farmer’s Market, and Eternal Triangle. Then I played Donna Lee in each key and blew on the changes in those keys.
Tomorrow I’ll resume playing from the List with Dewey Square and spend some time on the Soprano part I wrote for Gunsinlin’ Bird. ‘Til then,
Onward…
March 22nd, 2012 - 12:42 am
Wednesday Report –
Didn’t play the Gunslinin’ Bird part, but did play the following tunes in all keys; Dewey Square, Dance of the Infidels (had to review this one a little – hadn’t played it since I learned it), Daahoud, Crazeology, Confirmation and Chi-Chi. I also blew on “On Green Dolphin Street” for a bit.
Tomorrow is the premiere of two new works for chamber jazz ensemble; Billy the Kid and Gunslingin’ Bird. However, I’ll probably still have time to practice a little. ‘Til then,
Onward…
March 22nd, 2012 - 9:55 pm
Thursday Report –
Mostly I practiced the soli from my arrangement of “Gunslingin’ Bird” that we played tonight. But I also played the following tunes from the List in all keys; Cheryl and Cherokee (blowing a chorus on the changes after playing the melody).
The Playground Jazz Ensemble did a great (though not flawless) job premiering my new arrangements of Copeland’s “Billy the Kid” Ballet Suite and “Gunslingin’ Bird” by Mingus. I think the Copeland piece is going to get multiple performances, including the participation of a major Choreographer, in the up-coming months – stay tuned for details.
I have a saxophone quartet rehearsal in the morning and practicing some ragas with Aakash in the afternoon, so I might not get much practicing from the List tomorrow, but then again, I might. ‘Til then,
Onward…
March 23rd, 2012 - 6:46 pm
Friday Report –
Aakash and I didn’t have a chance to get together so after the saxophone quartet rehearsal I just practiced and listened to some Robert Glasper recordings. Today I played the following tunes in all keys; C.T.A., Celia, Bye Bye Blackbird, and Butch and Butch. On “Bye Bye…” I played the melody , then blew a chorus in each key.
Tomorrow I’m sitting in with a friends “little jazz band” for a Peoples’ Fair audition. We’re playing “Well You Needn’t” and “It Might As Well Be Spring.” I hope I don’t play too much bebop for the judges!
Anyway, I’ll spend some more time on the List tomorrow, pursuing more of the B’s. ‘Til then,
Onward…
March 24th, 2012 - 5:08 pm
Saturday Report –
Today started with a brief appearance at the UMX (Ultimate Music Experience) – a live audition for performance at People’s Fair. This is a two-day thing with each band getting to play two songs or a max of 10 minutes. I played with a friend’s band whose saxophonist couldn’t make the audition. Several of my friends and students also played in other bands. It was something.
This afternoon I practiced by playing the following tunes from the List in all keys; Beatrice (out of alpha order), Bud Powell, Brownie Speaks, Boplicity, Bouncin’ With Bud, Body and Soul, and Bluesette.
Tomorrow I’ll get back on the List with Blues for Alice and hope to finish the List. ‘Til then,
Onward…
March 25th, 2012 - 11:57 am
Sunday Report –
I went to the church of bebop this morning instead of the UU church so I’ve accomplished my goal already. I played the following tunes in all keys, finishing the List; Blues For Alice, Blue Seven, Bloomdido, Billie’s Bounce, Bernie’s Tune, Bebop, Barbados, Autumn Serenade, Au Privave, Anthropology, Altoitis, and All of Me. I’ll probably play some more later today, likely picking one or two tunes and blowing on the changes in all keys.
Now the issue is to select the new tune to add to the List, I’ll be thinking about that as I complete next quarter’s syllabi. ‘Til then,
Onward…
March 26th, 2012 - 10:02 pm
Monday Report –
It was the first day of Spring quarter at Lamont so there was a lot of stuff to do and I didn’t get much practice time in. However, I did play on the changes to “Have You Met Miss Jones” in all keys. I didn’t play the melody in all keys so I’m not going to add it to the List, YET… but that’s coming.
I’m off tomorrow to provide jazz clinics to the Univ. of North Dakota students and collaborate friend, composer, department chair, and former student Michel Wittgraff on a piece for saxophone and
KYMA. Look for true weirdness in the near future!
I’ll practice jazz and blog at my best convenience. ‘Til then,
Onward…
March 31st, 2012 - 11:15 am
Saturday Report –
I traveled to Grand Forks, ND on Tuesday to do clinics at UND and collaborate on some KYMA compositions with my friend Mike Wittgraf and didn’t get a chance to practice. However, I was able to put in a couple hours each of the next three days between KYMA explorations and doing clinics for UND jazz students – here’s what I played:
Wednesday – I played all of the tunes from the List in their original/most common keys.
Thursday – I improvised on the changes to Girl from Ipanema (especially the bridge) and All of Me in all keys.
Friday – I played the following tunes from the List in all keys; Altoitis, Anthropology, Au Privave, Autumn Serenade, Barbados, Bebop, Bernie’s Tune, Billie’s Bounce, Bloomdido, Blues for Alice, Blue Seven, and Bluesette. Then I played the first A of the melody and improvised on the rest of the chorus on Body and Soul in all keys.
I’m traveling again today so I probably won’t get a chance to practice again, but on Sunday I’ll probably be able to continue playing tunes from the List that I have in all keys. ‘Til then,
Onward…
April 1st, 2012 - 6:17 pm
Sunday Report –
For a Sunday, this was an over-scheduled day. So I got to work early on the practice and was able to put a good hour in playing tunes I have from the List in all key. Today’s tunes were; Bouncin’ With Bud, Boplicity, Brownie Speaks, and Bud Powell.
Tomorrow I’ll continue working on the List in all keys. ‘Til then,
Onward…
April 3rd, 2012 - 8:29 pm
Tuesday Report –
On Monday I got back to the List but only had time to play Butch and Butch in all keys and play the melody and improvise on Bye Bye Blackbird in all keys.
On Tuesday I spent a couple of short practice sessions playing Celia, C.T.A, Cheryl, and Chi-Chi in all keys. I also played the melody and blew on the changes to Cherokee in all keys. I started to play Confirmation and improvise on the changes in all keys but only got through two keys, so I’ll resume that tomorrow. ‘Til then,
Onward…
April 5th, 2012 - 8:10 pm
Thursday Report –
On Wednesday I finished playing Confirmation in all keys, then blowing on the changes. I also covered Crazeology in all keys.
Today I played the following tunes in all keys; Daahoud, Dewey Square, Donna Lee, Eternal Triangle, and Farmer’s Market. I didn’t play Dance of the Infidels because the list I was working from did not have this newly-added tune on it. I’ll pick that one up sometime tomorrow (Friday is always jam-packed, from 8 am to 7 pm). ‘Til then,
Onward…
April 8th, 2012 - 7:00 pm
Sunday Report –
On Friday I got to spend an hour practicing that I thought I’d be in saxophone quartet rehearsal so I played Dance of the Infidels and Fingers in all keys.
On Saturday I played the following tunes from the List in all keys; Four, Freedom Jazz Dance, Freight Train, Fried Bananas, and Girl from Ipanema. I also blew on the changes to Ipanema in all keys.
On Sunday I resumed playing from the List Good Bait, Got A Match?, Groovin’ High, Half Nelson, Hallucinations, Hocus-Pocus, and Honeysuckle Rose. On Monday I’ll continue with Hot House in all keys – oh Joy! ‘Til then,
Onward…
April 12th, 2012 - 8:38 pm
Thursday Report –
This week has been very hectic, causing scattered practice time, but I got some in each day.
On Monday I played Hot House in all keys; Tuesday played and blew on I Should Care in all keys; Wednesday, I played the melody and blew on the changes to I’ll Remember April in several keys; Thursday I was able to put more time in and finished playing the melody and blowing on the changes to …April, then later played the melodies and blew on the changes on In A Sentimental Mood and It Could Happen to You.
Hopefully, I’ll have some time tomorrow and be able to work on It’s You Or No One, then off to Sound Painting with Walter Thompson! ‘Til then,
Onward…
April 15th, 2012 - 11:21 am
Saturday Report (delayed) –
Friday was a very busy day but I did get to practice a little playing and blowing on the changes to It’s You Or No One and Joy Spring in all keys and playing the melody of Jordu in all keys. Soundpainting was a blast – a real masterclass with Walter Thompson, the creator of the language!
Saturday I was able to get back to the List, playing Little Willie Leaps, Lush Life, Mayreh, Milestones (old), and Mohawk in all keys. Two of the benefits of this discipline that I hadn’t considered until yesterday is the increased ability to remember longer musical statements in more detail and to hold greater amounts of detailed information in “sound memory.” Very cool, especially for drawing from large amounts of material when free improvising.
Sunday will resume work playing the head and blowing on the changes of Moment’s Notice in all keys. ‘Til then (which is actually now),
Onward…
April 15th, 2012 - 7:42 pm
Sunday Report –
Today I dug into improvising on two tunes in all keys; Moment’s Notice and My Funny Valentine. I tried the Tristano-attritubed practice of slow practice, as well as several other tactics. It was an interesting experiment to try to improvise mindfully on those changes from memory in all keys – a real mental workout!
Tomorrow I’ll get back to the List with My One And Only Love, and I think I’ll start a new version of the discipline in the near future. I’ll let you know about it when I start. ‘Til then,
Onward…
April 17th, 2012 - 8:37 pm
Tuesday Report –
On Monday I played the melody and blew on the changes to My One And Only Love in all keys. On Tuesday it was My Romance. Man – just an hour a day doesn’t get fast progress… but it gets some every day!
Day by day,
Onward…
April 18th, 2012 - 9:36 pm
Wednesday Report –
Had just a few minutes this morning to practice so I played the following tunes from the List in all keys; Omicron, Perhaps, and Prince Albert. I’ll have some time Thursday and then be swamped on Friday and Saturday providing clinics and performances at the UNC/Greeley Jazz Festival. I’ll be able to get back to some regular practicing on Sunday. ‘Til then,
Onward…
April 19th, 2012 - 9:42 pm
Thursday Report –
I had several practice sessions today and they went quite well so I was able to play the following tunes from the List in all keys; Ray’s Idea, Relaxin’ at Camarillo, Room 608, Sandu, Scrapple from the Apple, and Serpent’s Tooth. Then I played Split Kick in all keys once, then went back and played it again followed by improvising on the changes.
The next couple of days will be very busy with and I’m going to be without computer so I’ll post again Sunday if I get some practicing in that day! ‘Til then,
Onward…
April 29th, 2012 - 4:56 pm
Sunday Report (a week later) –
Well, it WAS busy; adjudicating at the UNC/Greeley Jazz Festival, conducting the Lamont Jazz Orchestra performance at the festival, producing and conducting the LJO at the Jazz Night Concert, producing a Flo’s Underground where my Hard Bop combo performed, and playing a Lynn Baker Quartet concert. However, I was able to finish playing the tunes from the List that have in all keys; Steeplechase, Swedish Schnaps, Tempus Fugue-It, Visa, Webb City, Wee, Wee-Dot, Yardbird Suite, Your Are Too Beautiful, and You Stepped Out Of A Dream.
Then, I started a new regimen from the songs on the list – taking each phrase of a song and playing it in all keys, then going on to the next key. This will only be applied to bebop heads and is designed to deconstruct the melody and make each melody fragment instantly transposable. I began with the easiest song (easy because every phrase is related to one key and the phrases are already neatly divided, not because the phrases are easy to play) – Freedom Jazz Dance.
After taking a couple of days to really memorize, study, and work on tunes for a concert of my original jazz compositions I returned to the regimen today with Altoitis, Anthropology, and Au Privave. This session went well and I’ll proceed through the bebop tunes I have in all keys tomorrow. ‘Til then,
Onward…
May 6th, 2012 - 7:10 pm
Sunday Report (another week later) –
This seems to be a trend; I’ll try to post more regularly.
So, I played phrases from the following tunes in all keys; Barbados, Bebop, Bernie’s Tune, Billie’s Bounce, Bloomdido, Blues for Alice, Bouncin’ With Bud, Boplicity, Brownie Speaks, Bud Powell, Butchand Butch, and the first half of the A section of Celia.
I also worked on tunes the will be played on the next Lynn Baker Quartet concert this Wednesday.
I’ll continue next week deconstructing the bebop tunes with Celia and practicing for me gig. ‘Til then,
Onward…
May 7th, 2012 - 7:11 pm
Monday Report –
I finished working on phrases from Celia in all keys. The end of the A section is quite easy and didn’t take very long. However, the bridge is loaded with very chromatic, colorful, bebop and I spent the remainder of my available time on the bridge today. A good day with a goal accomplished.
Tomorrow I’ll try to tackle C.T.A. and parts of Cheryl before my 4 pm rehearsal for the next Lynn Baker Quartet gig on Wednesday. We’ll be previewing some of the music for the up-coming OA2 release with a concert at 7 pm at Dazzle – hope to see you there. ‘Til then,
Onward…
May 8th, 2012 - 7:06 pm
Tuesday Report –
Oops, I skipped C.T.A.!
Anyway, I played the various phrases of the following tunes in all keys; Cheryl, Chi-Chi, and Confirmation. I was happy to get through this much because some of these phrases are complex and very chromatic.
The rehearsal for tomorrow’s Lynn Baker Quartet gig went very well and I’m really looking forward to playing the gig – 7 pm at Dazzle in Denver. Then, I’ll get back to the List. ‘Til then,
Onward…
May 25th, 2012 - 3:25 pm
Friday Report (two + weeks late!) –
Practicing discipline – good / blogging discipline – terrible.
The gig was slammin’ – Eric Gunnison, Bijoux Barbosa, and Todd Reid really did a great job on the tunes. I’m also convinced these, plus one more, will be the tunes for the next CD, set to record in December and release Spring of 2013.
I’ve been continuing to practice, applying the discipline of taking each phrase from the bebop tunes through all the keys and made it to about Hot House. This discipline is a lot less muscle memory and a lot more really hearing the phrases – it is quite challenging!
Today, I thought I should review all the tunes in their original/most common keys and that went well except for about three tunes that I had to remember from notation; 26-2, Moose the Mooch, amd Swedish Schnaps. All the other ones were solid, but aurally and technically. That was a relief!
Tomorrow I’ll return to playing the bebop phrases separately, but for now it’s off to the last Lamont combo performances of the year at Flo’s Underground. We’ll be livestreaming starting at 5 pm from http://www.du.edu/lamontlive if you’re interested. ‘Til then,
Onward…
May 26th, 2012 - 7:13 pm
Saturday Report –
Today I played the various phrases of Mohawk and Little Willie Leaps in all keys. There are some great phrases in Little Willie, especially involving sudden direction change in the lines. I will return to those lines in detail later.
I also blew on the changes to “On Green Dolphin Street” in all keys before venturing downtown to the “Denver Day of Rock.” I was shocked, but unfortunately not surprised, that of the 5 stages, 4 of them sounded like they were being mixed by monkeys that couldn’t hear below 70 Hz so they had to boost those frequencies as loud as they could. Ridiculous.
Tomorrow I’ll take apart the phrases of Joy Spring and Jordu. ‘Til then,
Onward…
May 27th, 2012 - 12:52 pm
Sunday Report –
Finally, back on the beam – practicing and blogging!
I practiced the phrases of Joy Spring, and Jordu in all keys. Joy Spring has materials similar to Little Willie Leaps and I’ll return to both for more prolonged practicing and transpositions in a variety of root movements.
Tomorrow I’ll work on the phrases from Omicron and Perhaps. ‘Til then,
Onward…
May 28th, 2012 - 11:55 am
Monday Report –
Today I played the phrases from Omicron and Perhaps in all keys. Omicron was particularly interesting because of the use of altered scale-related materials on many of the dominant chords. It was a good mental practice to bounce between thinking of the materials as related to the dominant chord and thinking of them as little patterns in the related minor key (a half-step above the dominant chord).
Perhaps also provided some interesting phrases, especially into the second bar of the IV7 where a V7#11 sound happens, and the 9th bar turnaround into the ii7 chord.
I may practice more later and if I do it will be on the phrases of Prince Albert. ‘Til then,
Onward…
May 29th, 2012 - 4:45 pm
Tuesday Report –
I came back to practice more on Monday and played the phrases of Prince Albert and Ray’s Idea.
Today the phrases were from Relaxin’ at Camarillo and Room 608. There are a lot of colorful phrases in both of these tunes, but the ones in 608 are much more common and therefore easier to get under the fingers quickly. Relaxin’ has some great, angular Parker language that is more challenging and great to work on in this way.
Tomorrow the tunes will be Serpent’s Tooth and Scrapple from the Apple but tonight I’m going to a jam session/benefit for James Van Buren that will probably turn into a bit of a wake to celebrate the life of Jerry Krantz, the owner of El Chapultepec who passed away this morning. To all,
Onward…
May 30th, 2012 - 6:49 pm
Wednesday Report –
Today I had several chances to practice and played the phrases from the following tunes in all keys; Scrapple from the Apple, Serpent’s Tooth, Split Kick, and Steeplechase. The first phrase of the bridge of Steeplechase is a real study in chromatic triads and direction change devices! Getting those sorts of ideas in my head and ear is one of the large goals of this study and I think it is showing benefits. Tomorrow will be Swedish Schnaps and Tempus Fugue-It. ‘Til then,
Onward…
May 31st, 2012 - 6:46 pm
Thursday Report –
I continued playing the various phrases from bebop tunes in all keys. Today’s tunes were; Swedish Schnaps, Tempus Fugue-It, Visa and Webb City. Visa is a very interesting blues with lots of chromaticism and emphasis on the use of the flat 6/sharp 5, depending on its use and resolution. Tomorrow is a very busy day of celebration of the end of the school year and the next beginnings, so I don’t know if I’ll be able to get any practice time. However, Saturday looks good and I’ll finish this regimen starting with Wee. ‘Til then,
Onward…
June 2nd, 2012 - 3:13 pm
Saturday Report –
I had a few minutes to play on Friday, so I just blew on some tunes, Just Friends and a few others. Lots of good school-year-ending parties and send-offs the rest of the day.
Anyway, today I got back and finished the previous regimen by playing the phrases from Yardbird Suite in all keys. Then I played all the tunes from the List in reverse alphabetical order. I had mental vapor-lock on Mohawk, the turnaround into the second A on Ceora, and the first cadence on 26-2. So after finishing all the tunes I went back to those three and spent some time with those phrases. I was getting everything past the 3rd bar of Mohawk confused with Visa, and just needed to review the phrases on the other two a little.
Tomorrow I’ll either be learning a new tune or two or blowing on some of the tunes I’ve added recently but not spent a lot of time with the changes in a while. ‘Til then,
Onward…
June 3rd, 2012 - 1:56 pm
Sunday Report –
I decided to work on some blowing in all keys as opposed to learning a new bop head. Today I worked All of Me and Beautiful Love – a couple of standards that offer interesting new perspectives when played in uncommon keys. Tomorrow I have jazz juries all day and probably won’t get much playing in, but after Tuesday it’s summer break! ‘Til then,
Onward…
June 6th, 2012 - 5:36 pm
Wednesday Report –
As scheduled, Monday and Tuesday were consumed with juries, proficiency exams, and memorial events. The Denver jazz community turned out last night to honor and celebrate James VanBuren and start raising funds for a memorial to him. It was a great vibe and I was honored to be asked to play. Carl Dixon sang a masterful version of Embraceable You that inspired my practice today – so I really studied that tune in all keys and now it appears on the List. Tomorrow should be an all tunes in their original/most common keys day. Then I’ll go back to some of the most interesting phrases from the tunes – Relaxin’ and the bridge to Steeplechase most likely. ‘Til then,
Onward…
June 7th, 2012 - 12:28 pm
Thursday Report –
I played all the tunes from the List in their original/most common keys. The end of the A section of Ceora is still flawed, I’ll probably go back later and drill that section. Tomorrow I’ll work on some of the most interesting phrases from Parker tunes. ‘Til then,
Onward…
June 8th, 2012 - 6:21 pm
Friday Report –
Today I worked on the the first bridge phrase from Steeplechase. I’ve been playing it for a while and today I really worked on analyzing all parts of it and understanding the ways it can be used. It is essentially at ii – V7alt line over one measure, so it can be used in any of those numerous occasions. The attractiveness of the line is that it starts so inside and then gets so outside during the weak part of the measure – a really great practice for moving to the next resolution!
I also started practicing transposing down a 5th. This is the transposition needed when playing an Alto Saxo. part on Soprano Saxo. – which I will be doing at a rehearse next Wed. Even with all my transposing experience and reading very frequently from concert pitch on B Flat instruments, this one is kind of difficult. But just like all this other stuff, it just needs to become a new habit – and that takes practice time. I’ll be working more on this tomorrow, plus some other improvising work TBD. ‘Til then,
Onward…
June 9th, 2012 - 7:01 pm
Saturday Report –
I just worked on a couple of things today. I believe it is better to set goals instead of durations for practicing. Practicing a specific number of minutes a day MIGHT generate improvement if you have specific goals to accomplish, and the practice leads to the accomplishment of those goals. However, if you have specific goals that are accomplished in your daily practice it doesn’t matter how long it takes. The big idea is to gain new skills and capacities each day, regardless of how long it takes to achieve them OR how minimal the goals are.
That being said, my goals today were to improve on sight transposing down a fifth and really nail blowing on the changes to Embraceable You in concert G (where it is most commonly played). I played mostly diatonic melodies from the Arban Method book as my source and it was 100% better than yesterday! Yesterday everything sounded like a giant brain-fart! Today, seeing “A” and understanding the fingering was normally for “D” was a lot easier. I’m looking forward to working on this more tomorrow.
Blowing on Embraceable You was the final thing I practiced and it was about half-way to being logical and consistent by the end of the session. There is a certain feeling I acquire after some amount of practice blowing on the changes – that feeling where everything becomes kinesthetically logical – I have to only think about the melodic shapes an they come out within the chord changes. I got about half-way there today with Embraceable You. I’ll work on getting closer tomorrow as well as improving my P5 down transposing. ‘Til then,
Onward…
June 10th, 2012 - 4:23 pm
Sunday Report –
I spent some time practicing down a P5 transposing but got frustrated playing things in such low registers. I know much of the music will be down there, but not all of it and it doesn’t do me any good to develop habits of up a P4. So I spent the my practice time blowing on Embraceable You and All God’s Chillin’ Got Rhythm. Tomorrow I’ll practice transposing some more and then start playing the tunes from the List that I have in all keys. ‘Til then,
Onward…
June 11th, 2012 - 2:17 pm
Monday Report –
I returned to playing tunes from the List that I have in all keys. Today’s tunes were; All of Me, Altoitis, Anthropology, Au Privave, Autumn Serenade, Barbados, Bebop, Bernie’s Tunes, Billie’s Bounce, and Bloomdido. They were a shade rusty in some keys because I hadn’t practiced them in all keys in a while. However, when the sound of the melody was solid again in my ear, they went fine. I’ll continue with this regimen tomorrow starting with Blue Seven. ‘Til then,
Onward…
June 12th, 2012 - 8:35 pm
Tuesday Report –
I resumed playing tunes from the List that I have in all keys. Today I finished the “B”‘s, playing; Blue Seven, Blues for Alice, Bluesette, Body and Soul, Bouncin’ With Bud, Boplicity, Brownie Speaks, Bud Powell, Butch and Butch, and Bye Bye Blackbird (also blowing a chorus in each key on Blackbird).
Tomorrow I’ll continue with Celia and spend some time on Down a P5 transposing because I have a rehearsal tomorrow night that needs that skill. ‘Til then,
Onward…
June 14th, 2012 - 7:31 pm
Thursday Report –
Didn’t get any practicing in on Wednesday, though I played the rehearsal that I was practicing Down P5 transposing to prepare for. After I saw the parts at the rehearsal I determined that the Down P5 transposition on Soprano wouldn’t serve the music, so I played it up a P4 on Tenor. So, plasticity of thought, and determining what works best, regardless of what you’ve prepared, was the lesson of the day!
Today, I got back to playing tunes from the List that I have in all keys. I played the “C”‘s today; Celia, C.T.A., Cherokee (blowing in each key), Cheryl, Chi-Chi, Confirmation, and Crazeology. Tomorrow, I’ll work on the “D”‘s with Daahoud. ‘Til then,
Onward…
June 15th, 2012 - 4:53 pm
Friday Report –
Today’s tunes from the List in all keys were; Daahoud, Dance of the Infidels, Dewey Square, Donna Lee, and Embraceable You. I blew on Embraceable You after playing the head. I didn’t have a lot of insights today except that the blowing on Embraceable You was more integrated – except for the turnaround into the IV in the B section. I’ll keep working on that and get back to the List tomorrow with Eternal Triangle in all keys. ‘Til then,
Onward…
June 16th, 2012 - 11:43 am
Saturday Report –
Today I played the following tunes from the List in all keys; Eternal Triangle, Farmer’s Market, Fingers, Four, Freedom Jazz Dance, Freight Train, and Fried Bananas. They were all solid except Fingers which kicked my backside pretty hard! Thad’s rhythm changes tune has some very specific and angular language that doesn’t recur in a lot of other tunes. I’ll need to devote part of a session on getting that more solid in all keys, though it is good in Bb now. I’ll keep working through the List, playing tunes I have in all keys for now – tomorrow I’ll start with Girl From Ipanema. ‘Til then,
Onward…
June 17th, 2012 - 11:35 am
Sunday Report –
A day that starts with Girl From Ipanema in all keys has got to be pretty good! Yes, I played it and blew on it in all keys – mostly to practice the M3rd descending harmonic motions in the bridge. Then I played the following tunes from the List in all keys; Good Bait, Gotta Match?, Groovin’ High, Half Nelson, Hallucinations, and Hocus-Pocus. I’ll play Honeysuckle Rose to warm up tomorrow, then dig in to Half Nelson, but the rest of today I’ll be hanigng with my family and listening to music. ‘Til then,
Onward…
June 18th, 2012 - 3:33 pm
Monday Report –
Today I got in a couple of sessions, one in the morning to avoid the heat (101 today in Denver!) and the next in the afternoon. I played the following tunes from the List in all keys; Honeysuckle Rose, Hot House, I Got Rhythm, I Should Care,
I’ll Remember April, and In A Sentimental Mood. When I play standards in all keys I improvise on the changes after playing in that key – when the tunes are ballads, it sometimes takes quite a while to get through them! I’ll continue that practice when I get back to this routine with It Could Happen To You. However, I probably won’t be practicing this stuff for the next three days because a composer friend of mine is coming to town to collaborate on some ambient, electro-acoustic compositions for saxophone and KYMA. I’ll write about that as things develop. ‘Til then,
Onward…
June 21st, 2012 - 2:19 pm
Thursday Report –
I had a couple of very productive days collaborating with Michael Wittgraf on some KYMA-X improvisation pieces for upcoming concerts and conferences. I’ll keep you posted on others, but our first concert of this music will be March 28, 2013. I even had a chance to practice while he was programming on Wednesday and spent about 90 minutes blowing on It Could Happen To You and It’s You Or No One. I played the melody in each key, then took several choruses until it felt comfortable in that key.
Today I got back to the List and played the following tunes in all keys; Joy Spring, Jordu, Little Willie Leaps, Lush Life, and Mayreh. I’ll continue tomorrow with Milestones (old). ‘Til then,
Onward…
June 22nd, 2012 - 3:33 pm
Friday Report –
It is really hot today in Denver (99, expected to get to 104) and so all of the outside work was done this morning and we’ve just been trying to stay cool – perfect condition for hangin’ in the basement to practice bebop! I continued playing tunes from the List that I have in all keys with; Milestones (old), Mohawk, Moments Notice, My Funny Valentine, My One And Only Love, and My Romance. Of course, for all of the standards I blew at least one chorus in each key. In addition, I played all the root motion on Moments Notice – I’ll probably blow on the changes in all keys on that one the next time I go through with this regimen. ‘Til then,
Onward…
June 23rd, 2012 - 7:13 pm
Saturday Report –
One of my summer projects is editing my recently-written jazz improv text, “The Shape Method,” and send it to several publishers. I finished the first pass at it today and was checking out one of the Appendices that contains “public domain” jazz lines with Shape Method analysis. Being a “little” bored with the bebop routine today I decided to play some of those lines in all keys. I covered the lines on two-bar ii-V’s and some of the lines on two-bar iii-VI-ii-V. Good stuff!
After I finished and took a break to transcribe some Basie for an up-coming big band concert, I went back and played the following tunes from the List in all keys; Perhaps, Prince Albert, and Ray’s Idea. Tomorrow I’ll continue with working on some of the lines from the text and play tunes from the List. ‘Til then,
Onward…
June 24th, 2012 - 12:26 pm
Sunday Report –
I started the day transcribing Basie – that’s a pretty good beginning!
Today I was playing the following tunes from the List in all keys; Omicron (which I had skipped yesterday for some reason), Relaxin’ at Camarillo, Room 608, Sandu, Scrapple from the Apple, and Serpent’s Tooth. I had to shut it down early today because of social commitments this afternoon. Tomorrow, I’ll probably work on more lines from my book and continue playing tunes from the List in all keys. ‘Til then,
Onward…
June 26th, 2012 - 4:00 pm
Tuesday Report –
So Monday was the first day in a long time that I did not have the discipline to work on getting something specific accomplished. Maybe it was the heat, maybe starting at a later time of day (my minimum concentration is about 2 pm, around the time I started practicing), maybe something else. I couldn’t bring myself to work on much, but I still wanted to play! Kind of a weird dichotomy. So I played Split Kick and tried working on Steeplechase, then played on rhythm changes and I’ll Remember April for a while.
Today was a lot better and I played Swedish Schnaps and Tempus Fugue-It in all keys. Then played the melody of There Will Never Be Another You and There Is No Greater Love in all keys and blew on the changes. I’ll do the same thing on The Night Has A Thousand Eyes later today and return to playing tunes from the List with Visa tomorrow. ‘Til then,
Onward…
June 27th, 2012 - 10:02 pm
Wednesday Report –
I had several meetings today that cut into my practice time, plus I edited the score and parts of my transcription of “Fantail” by Neil Hefti, exercised, and did some yard work. However, I did get a couple of practice sessions in between all that other stuff. Today I played Visa, Webb City, Wee, Wee-Dot, and Yardbird Suite in all keys after blowing on The Night Has A Thousand Eyes in all keys. I also got in a round of blowing on the changes to All The Things You Are before my final chore at 4 pm. All-in-all, a productive day!
Tomorrow I’ll finish the playing tunes from the List in all keys and work on some more lines from my book. ‘Til then,
Onward…
June 29th, 2012 - 2:36 pm
Friday Report –
Thursday was another difficult concentration day. I finished playing the tunes from the List that I have in all keys and I worked on some lines from my book – but the concentration was not sharp and the discipline was very forced. However, I perservered.
Today the discipline and concentration were a lot better and I spent about 2 hours playing all the songs from the List in the original / most common keys. That was fun and felt productive. Tomorrorw I’ll add a new tune to the List – don’t know which on yet. ‘Til then,
Onward…
June 30th, 2012 - 4:56 pm
Saturday Report –
I decided this morning that the tune I would add in all keys today would be Parker’s Marmaduke – the List now reflects this addition and Beatrice (which I somehow forgot to add to the online List). Marmaduke has the A section of “Scrapple from the Apple,” the first half of the bridge of “What Is This Thing Called Love,” and the last half of the bridge of “I Got Rhythm.” The A sections are interesting in how much time they are on the 4th the key, but that makes since because the first four measure is all about ii-V7 and the 4th is either the 3rd or 7th of those chords. The bridge sounds improvised and contains lots of typical bebop language.
Tomorrow I’ll review Marmaduke and start playing the tunes from the List that I have in all keys. ‘Til then,
Onward…
July 1st, 2012 - 1:57 pm
Sunday Report –
Reviewed Marmaduke a little today, I’ll need to concentrate on the bridge tomorrow. I also started playing tunes on the List that I have in all keys. Today’s tunes were; All of Me, Altoitis, Anthropology, Au Privave, Autumn Serenade, Barbados, Beatrice, and Bebop. I need to play with people! I’ll probably do several sessions this week. But I won’t forego practicing, I’ll resume tomorrow with Bernie’s Tune. ‘Til then,
Onward…
July 2nd, 2012 - 12:26 pm
Monday Report –
I started the day with a blitz of editing on my improv/theory text. I only have three more chapters and three appendices to go! I’m adding some materials and clarifying some concepts, but mostly just making sure all the musical examples are correct and legible. The updated text will be used in this year’s Jazz Improvisation and Composition class that I teach at Lamont and will also be sent to several publishers this summer.
In regards to practicing, I played the following tunes from the List in all keys; Bernie’s Tunes, Billie’s Bounce, Bloomdido, Blue Seven, Blues for Alice, Bluesette, Body and Soul, and Bouncin’ with Bud. On Body and Soul I played the first A section in the key, then blew on the next 24 bars of the tune, then moved to the new key.
I plan to hit sessions tonight and tomorrow night – practicing is good, but it is necessary to perform with other people. My good friend and colleague, Ricardo Iznaola, has a brilliant book about practicing called “On Practicing,” published by Mel Bay, that I highly recommend. One of his unique and important points is that there are three types of practicing; technique, repertoire, and performance. We frequently forget to practice performance, and that results in many performance-related problems. We are lucky as jazz musicians that we can practice performance at jam session – that is why they are such an important part of a jazz musician’s education. Imma go educate myself the next two nights!
I’ll get back to the List tomorrow with Boplicity. ‘Til then,
Onward…
July 3rd, 2012 - 3:28 pm
Tuesday Report –
Today I played the following tunes from the List in all keys; Boplicity, Brownie Speaks, Bud Powell, Butch and Butch, Bye Bye Blackbird (also blowing on the changes in each key), and Celia.
I may hit another session tonight – depends on how earlier social events go. In any event, I’ll resume the regimen tomorrow with C.T.A. ‘Til then,
Onward…
July 4th, 2012 - 2:34 pm
Wednesday Report –
Today I played the following tunes from the List in all keys; C.T.A., Cherokee (also blowing a chorus in all keys), Cheryl, Chi-Chi, Confirmation, and Crazeology. I was also able to finish edits on the Introduction and Chapters 1 and 2 of my text. It feels good to get a start on the final editing process!
Off to another day of social activities. Tomorrow will be more editing and I’ll resume the regimen with Daahoud. ‘Til then,
Onward…
July 5th, 2012 - 7:27 pm
Thursday Report –
Today I played the following tunes in all keys; Daahoud, Dance of the Infidels, Dewey Square and Donna Lee. I also started working on Embraceable You in all keys. I’ll continue that tomorrow as I resume playing tunes from the List that I have in all keys. ‘Til then,
Onward…
July 7th, 2012 - 7:10 pm
Saturday Report –
Another good day of editing the improv text – I’m through chapter 17 of 23! Although the editing process does have a deleterious effect on practicing directly after. I’m going to try an experiment tomorrow to see if giving some more space will make the practicing more effective – its just a concentration thing. Anyway, today I played the following tunes in all keys; Fingers (slowly, to make sure), Four, Freedom Jazz Dance, Freight Trane, and Fried Bananas. Then I spent a few minutes blowing on the changes to Embracable You in all keys. All-in-all, a profitable day. Tomorrow I’ll continue with the Gs. ‘Til then,
Onward…
July 8th, 2012 - 5:29 pm
Sunday Report –
Well my experiement worked and I had much better concentration during my practice session today. I put about 4 hours between editing and practicing and my focus was much better than it had been when I practiced directly after editing. I’ve always held that we should practice during the part of the day that we have are highest mental capacity – whenever that it. This was just a reminder to me of that maxim.
So, today I played the following tunes in all keys; Girl from Ipanema, Good Bait, Got A Match?, and Groovin’ High. I blew a chorus in all keys on Ipanema – mostly to make sure the bridge was totally together. Tomorrow I’ll attack the List again with Hot House. ‘Til then,
Onward…
July 9th, 2012 - 6:21 pm
Monday Report –
Today I played the following tunes from the List in all keys; Half Nelson, Hallucinations, Hocus-Pocus, Honeysuckle rose, Hot House, I Got Rhythm, and I Should Care (blowing a chorus in each key). Nothing spectacular to report – just maintenance. Tomorrow I’ll continue with I’ll Remember April and should finish editing my improv text! ‘Til then,
Onward…
July 12th, 2012 - 4:50 pm
Thursday Report –
On Tuesday I finished editing my improv text! I also declared summer vacation had started, hit two jam sessions, didn’t practice and stayed up very late. Wednesday was a day of vacationing and I didn’t really do much music work except to print the edited improv text so I could do a final proof. However, today I got a couple of good sessions in and here’s what I played; I’ll Remember April, In A Sentimental Mood, It Could Happen To You and It’s You Or No One – all in twelve keys, blowing in each key after playing the melody. I also played Joy Spring and Jordu in all keys.
Tomorrow I’ll continue with Little Willie Leaps. ‘Til then,
Onward…
July 13th, 2012 - 4:51 pm
Friday Report –
Today I played Little Willie Leaps and Lush Life in all keys. Then I started on the next tune – Marmaduke, and couldn’t remember a single phrase from the tune! I decided on June 30 to learn this tune and I really hadn’t listened to it very much before then. It was no wonder to me that I didn’t remember it. I had to refer to the printed music and the recording to refresh my memory and it came back right away. But the bridge is a little weird so after I remembered the A sections and spent a while working on the phrases of the Bridge. It was fun to concentrate on one thing for a while. Tomorrow I’ll continue on the List with Mayreh. ‘Til then,
Onward…
July 14th, 2012 - 4:46 pm
Saturday Report –
Today I played the following tunes from the List in all keys; Mayreh, Milestones (Old), Mohawk, and Moment’s Notice. Moment’s Notice took quite a while because I played the intro, then the tune, then blew in each key until I felt secure in the key. Sometimes, I had to work on the chord movement, isolating them and sometimes playing them out of tempo, before I felt comfortable with them. That’s an important thing to be willing to do with practice, regardless of what you’re working on. Evaluate what you’re playing, determine what needs work, isolate the spot and even play it out of context, then put it back in place and repeat the process! Never settle, but don’t beat yourself up without giving yourself a chance to improve.
Tomorrow I’ll pick up the List with My Funny Valentine and other standards and ballads. ‘Til then,
Onward…
July 16th, 2012 - 4:56 pm
Monday Report –
Here’s the report for Sunday – didn’t even get the reed wet! Not really bragging, just kind of surprised.
Today (Monday) I finished the M’s & O’s playing the following tunes in all keys from memory, then blowing on the changes; My Funny Valentine, My One And Only Love, My Romance. Then I played Omicron in all keys. I also did a lot of work correcting my jazz improv text after the proofing. Tomorrow I’ll get the PDF’s made and sent to publishers and work on more Bebop heads starting with Perhaps (a Parker blues, not an equivocation!). ‘Til then,
Onward…
July 18th, 2012 - 2:09 pm
Wednesday Report –
Tuesday had some scheduling issues and the time I had set aside to practice was consumed by other stuff – including shipping me jazz improv book proposals to three authors and delivering the book for DU coursepack printing! In addition to that, I’ve been practicing Soprano a lot and my right thumb was getting a little sore in what felt like the tendon, so it was a probably a good thing that I didn’t play.
Today was a very good practice day, probably because I didn’t have the improv text to think about. I made sure I was not putting prolonged pressure on the right thumb to hold the instrument and the entire mechanism, from the reed through my entire body, seemed to be vibrating together. My mind was also quite acute, considering that I usually have a bit of an intellectual lull in the afternoon during the time of day that I practiced today.
I recommend scheduling practice time during the time of day that your mind works the best – for me that is in the morning. Practicing early in the day also has a couple added benefits; 1) It gets it in right away, before the unexpected cares of the day rob your time, and 2) It makes you feel like you’ve accomplished something important and you can go through the rest of the day with confidence and a sense that you’ve got something done. At least it feels that way to me!
So, I played the following tunes from the List in all keys; Perhaps, Prince Albert, Ray’s Idea, Relaxin’ at Camarillo, Room 608, Sandu, Scrapple from the Apple, and Serpent’s Tooth. Tomorrow I’ll continue with Split Kick. ‘Til then,
Onward…
July 19th, 2012 - 6:10 pm
Thursday Report –
Today I played the following tunes from the List in all keys; Split Kick, Steeplechase, Swedish Schnaps, and Tempus Fugue-It. I also played a scale exercise that pivots from one common tone. In this case I choose a scale pattern (it can be any scale, or for that matter, an arpeggio pattern) and selected one note – in this case “D.” Then I played the pattern starting on D in every scale in which D exists. By that I mean I played scales in which D was the Root, Seventh, Sixth, Fifth, Fourth, Third, and Second. This little exercise is helpful because it gives you practice in tonal flexibility both intellectually and aurally (being able to hear the role that the chosen note plays in a variety of harmonic contexts). Try it and let me know what you think.
Tomorrow I’ll play and blow on all those “T” tunes, starting with The Night Has A Thousand Eyes. ‘Til then,
Onward…
July 20th, 2012 - 2:05 pm
Friday Report –
I had an opportunity to practice in the morning and that went really well. I felt so good that after lunch I went back a worked some more. Besides, it’s so hot in Denver right now that spending time in the basement is a reasonable thing to do! Anyway, today I played the following tunes from the List in all keys; The Night Has A Thousand Eyes, There Is No Greater Love, There Will Never Be Another You, Visa, Webb City, Wee, Wee-Dot, Yardbird Suite, You Are Too Beautiful and You Stepped Out of a Dream. I also blew a chorus in each key on Night…, Love, You…, and …Dream.
Tomorrow I’ll play all the tunes in their original/most common keys. ‘Til then,
Onward…
July 21st, 2012 - 12:33 pm
Saturday Report –
Today I played all 144 tunes from the List in their original/most common keys. This was the next thing to do in the regimen and also a fortunate rehearsal for my gig later today. I’m playing as a “strolling saxophonist,” escorting a wedding party across a bridge to the reception – someone’s clever idea. Anyway, it was good to have played a bunch of tunes from memory today so I can slide from one to another on the gig tonight.
Tomorrow I should learn a new tune in all keys – any suggestions? ‘Til then,
Onward…
July 22nd, 2012 - 3:14 pm
Sunday Report –
OK, I decided I’d learn a tune by the great Clark Terry and chose one of the best titles in all of jazz “Serenade to a Bus Seat.” This tune is commonly thought of as a tribute to Rosa Parks, but Clark said that wasn’t the original intent and explains how the album got the name in this interview: http://www.jazzwax.com/2010/10/interview-clark-terry-part-2.html
The tune is an AABA form that starts on the IV and walks back to I in two four bar phrases for the A sections. The bridge starts on I7 and moves to IVM before going to II7 and V7. There are some great lines in this tune and some fantastic blowing on the record – you should check it out if you don’t know it. Tomorrow I’ll begin to play all the tunes I have in all keys. ‘Til then,
Onward…
July 23rd, 2012 - 3:46 pm
Monday Report –
Today I had a couple of good practice sessions playing the following tunes from the List that I have in all keys; All of Me, Altoitis, Anthropology, Au Privave, Autumn Serenade, Barbados, Beatrice, Bebop, Bernie’s Tune and Billie’s Bounce. When playing them I also improvised in each key on All of Me and Beatrice. Tomorrow I’ll continue the List with Bloomdido. ‘Til then,
Onward…
July 27th, 2012 - 9:42 pm
Friday Report –
I traveled to NYC earlier in the week and haven’t have an opportunity to practice since Monday. I got back to it today, playing the following tunes from the List in all keys; Bloomdido, Blue Seven,
Blues for Alice, Bluesette, Body and Soul, Bouncin’ with Bud, Boplicity, Brownie Speaks and Bud Powell. I’ll finish the B’s tomorrow and move on. ‘Til then,
Onward…
July 28th, 2012 - 3:51 pm
Saturday Report –
I had a couple of times today to practice and used the time to play the following tunes from the List in all keys; Butch and Butch, Bye Bye Blackbird, Celia, C.T.A., Cherokee, Cheryl, and Chi-Chi. I also blew a chorus on Blackbird and Cherokee. Tomorrow (or perhaps later today) I’ll play Confirmation and Crazeology to wrap up the Cs and move on to the Ds. ‘Til then,
Onward…
July 29th, 2012 - 3:56 pm
Sunday Report –
I didn’t get back to practicing yesterday so I played Confirmation and Crazeology in all keys today. In addition, I played the “D” tunes today; Daahoud, Dance of the Infidels, Dewey Square, and Donna Lee. On to the “E”s tomorrow, blowing on Embraceable, but tonight I’m going to hear a great fusion band “Wake Up Call” at City Park Jazz in Denver. ‘Til then,
Onward…
July 30th, 2012 - 5:02 pm
Monday Report –
Today began with blowing on Embraceable You. For some reason, getting these changes solidly stuck in my head and ear is more difficult than most. I think I just haven’t spent enough reps on them in close proximity – that is, after I do the reps it takes me about two weeks before I get back to blowing on the changes again. I should figure out a way to deal with this as part of the regimen…
Anyway, after I spent about an hour re-learning the changes (that went very well after about the third key), I played the following tunes from the List in all keys; Eternal Triangle, Farmer’s Market, Fingers, Four, Freedom Jazz Dance, Freight Train and Fried Bananas. Overall, a some good practicing today. Tomorrow I’ll start with the G’s. ‘Til then,
Onward…
July 31st, 2012 - 10:29 pm
Tuesday Report –
Practice was delayed again until later in the day with the similar result as last time: not as much accomplished as I’d like. However, some things cannot be changed. I played through the G’s today in all keys; Good Bait, Got A Match?, and Groovin’ High. I got some more good playing in later in the after as I sat in with Ellyn Rucker for an hour. Not exactly practice, but getting to play music with people (even just one person if they’re as good as Ellyn) is extremely valuable. I felt I was flyin’ today!
I also got to listen to Jared Atol’s CD release concert tonight. Mostly Lamont jazz studies alum and current student who sounded great playing challenging, original music by Jared. Congratulations!
Tomorrow I’ll continue playing tunes on the List I have in all keys with “Half Nelson.” ‘Til then,
Onward…
August 1st, 2012 - 1:34 pm
Wednesday Report –
Today we’re having three outside doors installed on our 50 y-o house. Can’t leave the place + constant noise happening = GREAT DAY TO PRACTICE! I played the following tunes from the List in all keys; Half Nelson, Hallucinations, Hocus-Pocus, Honeysuckle Rose, Hot House, I Got Rhythm, I Should Care, I’ll Remember April, In A Sentimental Mood, It Could Happen To You, and It’s You Or No One. I blew choruses on all the standards except I Got Rhythm; I Should Care, I’ll Remember April, In A Sentimental Mood, It Could Happen To You, and It’s You Or No One. All of that on Soprano (about three hours, all told), so my lip’s a little “groovy” right now. But it was several good sessions and now all my doors work!
Tomrrow I’ll continue playing tunes in all keys with “Joy Spring.” ‘Til then,
Onward…
August 2nd, 2012 - 9:08 pm
Thursday Report –
My wife told me today that, not that anyone was counting, I practiced for 5 hours and 15 minutes on Wednesday. Maybe that was a bit much, because today I ran out of concentration and will, and when I got to the bridge of Marmaduke – I just didn’t want to do it. So I didn’t. However, before I got to that point I played the following tunes from the List in all keys; Joy Spring (in key centers of ascending half-steps), Jordu, Little Willie Leaps, and Lush Life. Hopefully I’ll be able to get serious about Marmaduke (a funny statement on its face!) tomorrow. ‘Til then,
Onward…
August 6th, 2012 - 2:02 pm
Monday Report –
Friday was the worst practice day I’ve had in a while. I was delayed getting started and by the time I got to it I was hungry, tired, low concentration, and easily frustrated. So, I didn’t play much at all.
Saturday the day was devoted to preparing for and performing a really fun concert with the Rocky Mountain Jazz Repertoire Orchestra that I direct. I choose to play most of the tunes from the Basie album “The Atomic Mr. Basie.” This CD has many iconic tunes such as; The Kid From Red Bank, Splanky, Li’l Darlin’, and Whirly Bird – and every tune swings like crazy. I put together a great band for the gig and everyone had a great time with the performance at the Cherokee Ranch and Castle.
Sunday was another day that just didn’t happen with the practicing – other social events took precedence, especially since I wasn’t very inspired.
However, today was a good day and I played the following tunes from the List in all keys; Marmaduke, Mayreh, Milestones (old), Mohawk, Moments Notice (playing the root movements and blowing in each key), and My Funny Valentine. Tomorrow I’ll probably play Funny Valentine again and proceed through the List. ‘Til then,
Onward…
August 7th, 2012 - 4:34 pm
Tuesday Report –
I had a couple of sessions today and was able to really concentrate on blowing on the following tunes in all keys; My Funny Valentine, My One And Only Love, and My Romance. I concluded my practice by playing Omicron in all keys – a good day of work. Tomorrow I’ll continue playing tunes from the List that I have in all keys with Perhaps. ‘Til then,
Onward…
August 8th, 2012 - 3:25 pm
Wednesday Report –
I got started late today, but it was after a brief nap so my concentration was strong. I played the following tunes in all keys; Perhaps, Prince Albert, Ray’s Idea, Relaxin’ at Camarillo, Room 608, Sandu, Scrapple from the Apple, and the new one – Serenade To A Bus Seat. Serenade… is not completely up to tempo in all keys, but it’s close. The place I had some difficulty on that one was linking phrases together – the transitions from one idea to the next were not secure so I had to pause sometimes to remember the next phrase. I’ve noticed this is very common when I learn a new tune and is overcome by placing the tune in the regimen and practicing it in a regular way.
Tomorrow I’ll finish the S’s, starting with Serpent’s Tooth. ‘Til then,
Onward…
August 9th, 2012 - 12:39 pm
Thursday Report –
I got a fairly early start today and played the following tunes from the List in all keys; Serpent’s Tooth, Split Kick, Steeplechase, Swedish Schnaps, Tempus Fugue-It, The Night Has A Thousand Eyes, and There Is No Greater Love. I’ll get a chance to play a more later in the day and will play There Will Never Be Another You. I also blew on the changes to …Greater Love and will blow on …Another You.
Tomorrow I’ll finish the playing the tunes from the List that I have in all keys and it will be time to add a new tune. ‘Til then,
Onward…
August 10th, 2012 - 11:50 am
Friday Report –
I got another fairly early start and finished playing the tunes I have in all keys from the List, playing; Visa, Webb City, Wee, Wee-Dot, Yardbird Suite, You Are Too Beautiful, and You Stepped Out Of A Dream. I blew on the changes to You Stepped… but it was at the end and my concentration was flagging. I think it was mostly because I was hungry! Another lesson, it takes fuel to run the machinery. Tomorrow I’ll learn a new tune but I haven’t decided which one yet – oh well, I have a day. ‘Til then,
Onward…
August 11th, 2012 - 5:25 pm
Saturday Report –
I decided I’d learn “Dexterity” in all keys today. I’ve never been a big fan of the tune and find it very hard to keep in my head. I’ve found that when I have problems like this with tunes, the almost certain remedy is to learn them in all keys. I think, in addition to playing the phrases multiple times with out getting bored, it also reinforces the phrases because you’re constantly evaluating if you are playing the phrase you are hearing. I made great progress on the A sections and feel those are solid and available for further drilling – this was confirmed when I revisited the tune later in the day and had good success on the A sections in all keys. The Bridge is still messing with me, at least the second half. I spent a good deal of time with the first phrase of the bridge – first understanding the sound, then analyzing it in the local key area, then placing it in the harmonic context of the tune. After that procedure, I felt pretty good and that was again confirmed during my revisitation. However, the second half of the Bridge didn’t get much work and I’m going to have to concentrate on that tomorrow. When I finish practicing the Bridge tomorrow I’ll go through the List, playing all the tunes in their original/most common keys. ‘Til then,
Onward…
August 12th, 2012 - 2:07 pm
Sunday Report –
Yes, I spent more time on the 2nd half of the bridge to Dexterity and it feels fine in the original key. However, I think I’m just not hearing the pitch relationships associated with the harmonic structure – all that hanging aroun G and F and C just don’t have the harmonic “pull” I’m used to. OK, more work to do.
After I played those two phrases for a while and played through all the tunes on the List in reverse-alphabetical order. That was long and successful. Tomorrow I’ll start playing the tunes I have in all keys. ‘Til then,
Onward…
August 13th, 2012 - 5:29 pm
Monday Report –
Today I began (again!) the process of playing all the tunes on the List that I have in all keys – this usually takes about 10 days or so. I began with the A’s and played the follwing tunes; All of Me (also blowing in each key), Altoitis, Anthropology, Au Privave, Autumn Serenade, and Barbados. I’ll continue tomorrow with Beatrice. ‘Til then,
Onward…
August 14th, 2012 - 4:57 pm
Tuesday Report –
I had two good sessions today and played the following tunes from the List in all keys; Beatrice (also blowing in each key) Bebop, Bernie’s tune, Billie’s Bounce, Bloomdido, Blue Seven, Blues for Alice, Bluesette, Body and Soul (blowing in each key after playing the first A section), Bouncin’ With Bud, Boplicity, Brownie Speaks, Bud Powell, Butch and Butch, Bye Bye Blackbird (also blowing in each key). Tomorrow I’ll continue the List with Celia. ‘Til then,
Onward…
August 15th, 2012 - 1:32 pm
Wednesday Report –
I had a good session today, playing the “C” tunes from the List that I have in all keys. Today’s tunes were; Celia, C.T.A., Cherokee (also blowing a chorus in each key), Cheryl, Chi-Chi, Confirmation, and Crazeology. Tomorrow I’ll continue with Daahoud. ‘Til then,
Onward…
August 16th, 2012 - 4:08 pm
Thursday Report –
Today was a good session, playing the following tunes from the List in all keys; Daahoud, Dance of the Infidels, Dewey Square, and Donna Lee. I also spent some time (AGAIN!) on Embraceable You. I almost had the changes off the start, but didn’t quite. So, I played the tune and blew in all keys – by the time I got through three keys, the sounds and intellectual parts were integrated and the rest were easy with very few mistakes. I’ll just need to keep working on that tune. Tomorrow, I’ll continue playing tunes in all keys with Eternal Triangle. ‘Til then,
Onward…
August 17th, 2012 - 2:11 pm
Friday Report –
I got a good session in today playing the following tunes from the List in all keys; Eternal Triangle, Farmer’s Market, Fingers, Four, Freedom Jazz Dance, Freight Train, Fried Bananas, and Girl From Ipanema (blowing in all keys on Girl…). Today’s practice session was on tenor and the focus used on Soprano was evident in the openness of the tenor tone – that was a good thing. Unfortunately, the tenor reeds stopped responding and that flowing feeling was frequently lost. At least I know what caused it and don’t have to beat myself up just because I couldn’t maintain the ideal sound.
Tomorrow I’ll continue with Good Bait. ‘Til then,
Onward…
August 18th, 2012 - 12:13 pm
Saturday Report –
Today I played the following tunes from the List in all keys; Good Bait, Got A Match?, Groovin’ High, Half Nelson, Hallucinations, Hocus-Pocus, Honeysuckle Rose, Hot House, I Got Rhythm, and I Should Care. All of the tunes were very easy to play today – just a good day for mental work and connection to the fingers I guess. I blew on the changes to I Should Care and got the move to the IV chord and motions to the II7 chord in the B and C sections together. Tomorrow I’ll continue with blowing on I’ll Remember April in all keys. ‘Til then,
Onward…
August 20th, 2012 - 3:13 pm
Monday Report –
I had a truncated practice session Sunday so I waited to report until today. During the past two days I’ve been in a section of the List that is mostly ballads and standards. On these tunes I don’t just play the melodies, like I do with most Bebop heads, I also take at least one chorus in each key. This makes the progress through the List a little slower, but it is a good change-of-pace and beneficial part of the regimen. That’s what I did the past couple of days with the following tunes; I’ll Remember April, In A Sentimental Mood, It Could Happen To You, It’s You Or No One, and Joy Spring. Of course, Joy Spring was the exception because it is a Bebop head. I also played Jordu in all keys.
Tomorrow I’ll get back to the Bebop tunes with Little Willie Leaps. ‘Til then,
Onward…
August 22nd, 2012 - 2:27 pm
Wednesday Report (& Tuesday, delayed) –
On Tuesday my session was somewhat truncated again but I got to play the following tunes from the List in all keys; Little Willie Leaps, Lush Life, Marmaduke, Mayreh, Milestones (old), Mohawk, and Moments Notice. I guess in retrospect it wasn’t shortened – either that or I played really fast yesterday!
Today I played a chorus of melody and blew on the changes of the following tunes; My Funny Valentine, My One and Only Love, and My Romance. Now, that seems truncated, but it was a couple of good sessions where the memory, musical imagination, and fingers were all working well. Tomorrow I’ll start with Omicron. ‘Til then,
Onward…
August 23rd, 2012 - 1:08 pm
Thursday Report –
I picked up playing tunes in all keys from the List today, starting with Omicron and continuing with; Perhaps, Prince Albert (which I also blew on in all keys), Ray’s Idea, Relaxin’ at Camarillo, Room 608, Sandu, Scrapple from the Apple, and Serenade to A Bus Seat. I may get to come back and finish the “S’s” today, if not I’ll start with Serpent’s Tooth tomorrow. ‘Til then,
Onward…
August 24th, 2012 - 2:05 pm
Friday Report –
I played the following tunes from the List in all keys today; Serpent’s Tooth, Split Kick, Steeplechase, Swedish Schnaps, Tempus Fugue-It. I also blew on the changes to There Is No Greater Love and There Will Never Be Another You in all keys. I’ll come back and work on The Night Has A Thousand Eyes tomorrow, but that tune is just weird for me to blow on without a rhythm section because of the rhythmic interaction in the A sections. After I finish that I’ll forge through the rest of the List tomorrow and look for a new tune to add to the List in all keys on Sunday. I think it will be Someday My Prince Will Come because I’d like some more 3/4 tunes on the List. ‘Til then,
Onward…
August 25th, 2012 - 8:53 pm
Saturday Report –
I finished the List today, playing the following tunes in all keys, starting with blowing on The Night Has A Thousand Eyes, then playing the melodies of; Visa, Webb City, Wee, Wee-Dot, Yardbird Suite, You Are Too Beautiful and You Stepped Out of A Dream (blowing in all keys). Tomorrow I’ll work on Someday My Prince Will Come and Yesterdays in all keys – two because they’re quite simple tunes. ‘Til then,
Onward…
August 26th, 2012 - 1:18 pm
Sunday Report –
Today was kind of a recreational practice day – which was kind of cool. It was not like I was just playing around without a goal, there was a very specific goal. The goal was to learn a couple of standards in all keys. They were easy tunes, Someday My Prince Will Come and Yesterdays. Of course to learn the tunes means to blow on them, so much of the day was spent just playing on the very easy changes of these two tunes. This made me concentrate on lyricism and sequence, to challenge myself to achieve a specific result in a new, but very familiar framework. Anyway, it was fun and I feel that I accomplished something, to quote Bill Murray, “which is good.” Tomorrow I’ll go back through the List, which now contains the two new tunes, playing them all in their original/most common keys. ‘Til then,
Onward…
August 27th, 2012 - 6:42 pm
Monday Report –
Today I played all the tunes on the List in their original/most common keys. There are 148, so even though I was playing them in as rapid succession as possible and most at very rapid tempos, it still took 97 minutes to get through them. I discovered today that I need to really spend some time with Moose the Mooch and the bridge to Dexterity, so I’ll shed those tomorrow before I begin playing tunes from the List that I have in all keys. ‘Til then,
Onward…
August 29th, 2012 - 9:07 pm
Wednesday Report –
I didn’t even get my reed wet (literally) on Tuesday. However, I was able to clean and reconfigure my music/gym “man-cave” now that my son is moving out to go to college. He helped me and it was great to get the room back to the way I want to use it. Today was another full day of stuff and my practicing was limited. I was able to spend a good amount of time reworking Moose the Mooch and the A sections of Dexterity – hopefully they will both stay a little better this time! I’ll review the bridge to Dexterity tomorrow and start playing tunes in all keys. ‘Til then,
Onward…
August 30th, 2012 - 1:13 pm
Thursday Report –
I finally had the time this morning to dig into the bridge of Dexterity.
Just an aside here – my experience this week has strengthened my belief that it is crucial to find the time of day that your mind works the best and dedicate that time to practice. For me that time is in the morning and several times this week I’ve had situations that did not allow me to practice in the morning – resulting in less-than-desired results of the practicing on those days. Today, I got back to the morning and was able to really focus on the task at hand – resulting in the expected good results.
So, I deconstructed the bridge of Dexterity, focusing on the third phrase in all keys, then the fourth phrase, then playing those two phrases together, then playing the first two phrases, and then putting the bridge together. This was a very rigorous procedure, but it also had very specific goals and was easy for me to measure the success of reaching those goals. Then I put the bridge back into the tune and played it in the home key of B Flat. By that time, about 100 minutes of work, my concentration for that type of work was exhausted so I moved to a different type of disciple.
I finished up the practice session by beginning to play tunes from the List in all keys – I only did All of Me today and blew in each key. Practicing a different type of mental disciple can be very helpful when I find myself tired or bored. Tomorrow I’ll continue playing tunes from the List in all keys. ‘Til then,
Onward…
August 31st, 2012 - 11:55 am
Friday Report –
I played tunes from the List the I have in all keys; Altoitis, Anthropology, Au Privave, Autumn Serenade, Barbdos, Beatrice (also blowing in each key), Bebop, Bernie’s Tune and Billie’s Bounce. Tomorrow I’ll continue with Bloomdido. ‘Til then,
Onward…
September 1st, 2012 - 2:33 pm
Saturday Report –
Today I played the following tunes in all keys; Bloomdido, Blues Seven, Blues for Alice, Bluesette, Body and Soul (playing the melody of the A section and then blowing on the rest of the tune), Bouncin’ with Bud, Boplicity, Brownie Speaks, Bud Powell, Bud Powell, and Bye Bye Blackbird (blowing on a chorus after playing the melody). No great insights or difficulties to report. I finished up the B’s and tomorrow will begin the C’s with Celia. ‘Til then,
Onward…
September 3rd, 2012 - 12:25 pm
Monday Report –
I practiced for a while on Sunday but wasn’t able to focus very well and was having reed issues, so I’m reporting today on the last two days of work. I’ve played the following tunes from the List in all keys; Celia, C.T.A., Cherokee (blowing a chorus after playing the melody), Cheryl, Chi-Chi, Confirmation, Crazeology, Daahoud, Dance of the Infidels, Dewey Square, Donna Lee, Embraceable You (blowing a chorus after playing the melody), and Eternal Triangle. That completes C-E on the List and tomorrow I’ll start again with Farmer’s Market. Have a great Labor Day everyone and ’til then,
Onward…
September 4th, 2012 - 11:37 am
Tuesday Report –
I continue through the List today, playing tunes I have in all keys. Today’s tunes were; Farmer’s Market, Fingers, four, Freedom Jazz Dance, Freight Train, Fried Bananas, Girl From Ipanema (also blowing a chorus in each key), Good Bait, Got A Match?, and Groovin’ High. I played most with key relationships in fourths, but decided to play Groovin’ High in ascending half steps. Tommorrow I’ll continue the regiment with Half Nelson. ‘Til then,
Onward…
September 5th, 2012 - 10:01 pm
Wednesday Report –
I got a couple of good sessions in this morning and played the following tunes from the List in all keys: Half Nelson, Hallucinations, Hocus-Pocus, Honeysuckle Rose, Hot House, I Got Rhythm, I Should Care, and I’ll Remember April. I played a chorus in each key after playing the melody on I Should Care and I’ll Remember April. Also of note, I’ve been doing most of my practicing this summer on Soprano and today I played Tenor. All the Soprano playing has had a couple of effects; a more focused musculature at the corners of my mouth when forming the embouchre, and a narrowing of the air stream. When practicing today I focused on keeping the corner focus and slightly expanding the air column – it was successful!
Tomorrow I’ll continue playing from the List with In A Sentimental Mood. ‘Til then,
Onward…
September 6th, 2012 - 12:53 pm
Thursday Report –
Today I played the following tunes from the List in all keys and blew on the changes after playing the melody; In A Sentimental Mood, It Could Happen To You, It’s You Or No One. Then I played Joy Spring and Jordu in all keys. I’ll pick up the List tomorrow with Little Willie Leaps. ‘Til then,
Onward…
September 7th, 2012 - 12:30 pm
Friday Report –
Had some time this morning to practice so I played the following tunes from the List in all keys; Little Willie Leaps, Lush Life (tried blowing a chorus in all keys too, but only made it through three keys before my head started to hurt – more work on that later!), Marmaduke, Mayreh, Milestones (old), and Mohawk. I also blew some on Moment’s Notice but will pick that one up in all keys tomorrow. ‘Til then,
Onward…
September 8th, 2012 - 8:39 pm
Saturday Report –
Today I played three tunes in all keys and blew on each one after playing the head. Because two were ballads, it took quite a while, so though I only played three tunes, I practiced for about 100 minutes. The tunes were My Funny Valentine, My One And Only Love, and My Romance. It was a profitable session and I enjoyed it. I probably won’t get to play tomorrow because of other commitments, but if I do I’ll play Omicron and maybe some others. ‘Til the next time,
Onward…
September 10th, 2012 - 8:54 pm
Monday Report –
As anticipated, I didn’t get to practice at all on Sunday – though it was a good day with the family!
Today I played the following tunes in all keys; Omicron, Perhaps, Prince Albert, Ray’s Idea, Relaxin’ at Camarillo , Room 608, Sandu, and Scrapple from the Apple. I also blew on the changes to Prince Albert (aka All The Things You Are) in all keys. I did it differently today – I played all the heads in every key, then came back to blow on the changes in each key. A bit more of a challenge on the blowing because I didn’t have the melody in my ears in the new key to lock in the sound of the changes. I also played Split Kick and blew on the changes for a while and blew on the changes to Moment’s Notice, both in their original keys (Eb). Those were on a lark, but it was fun!
I also spent some time on Serenade To A Bus Seat, but I’ll start fresh on that one tomorrow. ‘Til then,
Onward…
September 11th, 2012 - 10:50 pm
Tuesday Report –
I didn’t have a lot of time to practice today but I played Serenade to A Bus Seat and Split Kick in all keys. Tomorrow I’ll go back and pick up Serpent’s Tooth. I also blew on some Wayne Shorter tunes with an Aebersold play-along. I don’t usually do this, but had an opportunity today and wanted to do something a little unusual anyway. Like I said, tomorrow I’ll play Serpent’s Tooth and other tunes in all keys. ‘Til then,
Onward…
September 12th, 2012 - 6:31 pm
Wednesday Report –
I went back and played Serpent’s Tooth in all keys, then continued playing tunes from the List with; Someday My Prince Will Come (blowing a chorus after playing the melody), Steeplechase, Swedish Schnaps, and Tempus Fugue-It. I started blowing on There Is No Greater Love, but will have to come back and finish that one tomorrow. Later in the day I played with the Vol. 2 Aebersold, “Nothin’ But Blues” without any of the charts. I didn’t know any of the tunes, but had fun anyway. Tomorrow I’ll play more tunes from the List. ‘Til then,
Onward…
September 16th, 2012 - 1:48 pm
Sunday Report –
The end of the week was NOT good for practicing! But after a couple of busy days of teaching and some gigging I got back to it today. It was kind of funny, because I had forgotten where I stopped and didn’t consult the blog – just picked up at Omicron in all keys, then Perhaps, then suddenly – oops I played these early last week! I then remembered I was blowing on some “T” tunes and finished playing There Is No Greater Love in the keys I didn’t cover on Wednesday.
My practice continued with blowing on There Will Never Be Another You (actually didn’t play the melody, just blew on the changes). Then I played the following tunes in all keys; Visa, Webb City, Wee, Wee-Dot, Yardbird dSuite, Yesterdays (blew on the changes too), You Are Too Beautiful, and You Stepped Out Of A Dream. Time to add a new song to the List and I think it will be Like Someone In Love. ‘Til then,
Onward…
September 17th, 2012 - 11:11 pm
Monday Report –
I worked on learning Like Someone In Love in all keys today and the List will not reflect that addition. Tomorrow will be playing all the tunes from the List in their original/most common keys. ‘Til then,
Onward…
September 18th, 2012 - 5:17 pm
Tuesday Report –
Today I had two practice sessions; the first in the morning on Tenor and the second in the afternoon on Soprano. The tenor reeds are all dead – boo! hoo! I got about half-way through the List playing each piece in it’s original/most common keys – going in reverse-alphabetical order from You Stepped Out Of A Dream to Joy Spring. Then I had classes and rehearsals to teach and direct so I finished playing the tunes later in the afternoon.
Tomorrow I’ll start playing tunes from the List that I have in all keys. ‘Til then,
Onward…
September 19th, 2012 - 11:22 am
Wednesday Report –
Today I started playing all the tunes from the List that I have in all keys. All my tenor reeds are for crap so I just put about 9 in a class of water and used each one until they stopped vibrating. Didn’t get disappointed when that happened, just took that reed off and slapped on another one! The tunes today were; All Of Me (also blowing a chorus in each key), Altoitis, Anthropology, Au Privave, Autumn Serenade, Barbados, Beatrice (also blow a chorus in each key), and Bebop. I finished off playing on Bernie’s Tune a little, but I’ll start with that one tomorrow. ‘Til then,
Onward…
September 27th, 2012 - 8:42 pm
Thursday Report (the next week) –
Yeah, I’ve been practicing since last week. But I’ve also had a lot of other things going on and not a lot of time free to blog about it. So, I’ve played the following tunes in all keys during the past week; Bernie’s Tune, Billie’s Bounce, Bloomdido, Blue Seven, Blues for Alice, Bluesette, Body and Soul (blowing on the second and last As and Bridge), Bouncin’ With Bud, Boplicity, Brownie Speaks, Bud Powell, Butch and Butch, Bye Bye Blackbird (blowing in each key), Celia, C.T.A., Chi-Chi, Confirmation, Crazeology, Daahoud, Dance of the Infidels, Dewey Square, Embraceable You (blowing in each key), Eternal Triangle, and Farmer’s Market… whew! I also learned and memorized Everything I Love and blew on that several times during the week. For some reason, I skipped over Donna Lee today, but I’ll play that first tomorrow as I continue the List. ‘Til then,
Onward…
September 29th, 2012 - 1:11 pm
Saturday Report –
When I can back on Friday I played Donna Lee in all keys and then the following tunes from the List in all keys; Fingers, Four, and a couple keys of Freedom Jazz Dance. Today I resumed with finishing Freedom Jazz Dance, Freight Train, Fried Bananas, Girl From Ipanema (also blowing in each key), Good Bait, Got A Match?, and Groovin High. Tomorrow I’ll continue with the H’s. ‘Til then,
Onward…
October 1st, 2012 - 11:40 am
Monday Report –
I didn’t practice Sunday – and the world didn’t stop turning. But I missed it anyway.
Today I went back to the List and played the following tunes in all keys; Half Nelson, Hallucinations, Hocus-Pocus, Honeysuckle Rose, Hot House, I Got Rhythm, I Should Care, and I’ll Remember April. I blew choruses on the standards after playing the melodies.
When I played Hallucinations I played it in lower registers that allowed me to play the bridge without getting into the palm keys and was able to handle the bridge in all keys with few errors. Now, to concentrate on working that line in the palm keys to increase technique up there!
Tomorrow, I’ll continue playing tunes from the List that I have in all keys starting with In A Sentimental Mood. ‘Til then,
Onward…
October 2nd, 2012 - 9:06 pm
Tuesday Report –
Today I got in a couple of good practice sessions playing the following tunes from the List in all keys; In A Sentimental Mood , It Could Happen To You, It’s You or No One (blowing in each key in each of those), Joy Spring, Jordu, and Like Someone In Love (also blowing in all keys). Nothing spectacular to report, just good work in increasing lyrical playing on the changes – the regimen continues to work and provides enough variation that I get bored very rarely.
Tomorrow I won’t have any time to practice due to a faculty retreat and taking part in the DebateFest activities at DU. I’ll get back to it on Thursday with Little Willie Leaps. ‘Til then,
Onward…
October 10th, 2012 - 4:36 pm
Wednesday Report (a week later) –
Well, the past week has had some time management challenges to say the least. First was the all-day/all-night combo of a faculty retreat/presidential debate. Thursday provided some time, but other than Little Willie Leaps, I can’t really remember how far I got into the List. Friday through Monday were all off the horn as I was traveling to Chicago-land for the wedding of my eldest son. However, I did practice in my mind on the flights, playing the melodies of My One And Only Love, My Romance, and the root motions to Moment’s Notice in all keys. Tuesday and Wednesday I was able to get back to fairly regular practice playing Lush Life, Marmaduke, Mayreh, Milestone (old) and Omicron. I missed Mohawk so I’ll have to start with that one tomorrow before I jump back to the List with Perhaps. ‘Til then,
Onward…
October 14th, 2012 - 4:30 pm
Sunday Report –
So, here’s the catch-up: On between Thursday and Friday I was able to play Mohawk, Perhaps, Prince Albert (also blowing in each key), Ray’s Idea, Relaxin at Camarillo, and Room 608. Saturday the tunes were; Sandu, Scrapple from the Apple, Serpent’s Tooth, Split Kick and Someday My Prince Will Come (also blowing in all keys). Today I played Steeplechase, Swedish Schnaps, Tempus Fugue-It, The Night Has A Thousand Eyes, There Is No Greater Love, There Will Never Be Another You. I also blew a chorus on each of the final two. After that I reviewed a Mike Stern tune, “No Notice,” and memorized the changes to Children Of The Night. Tomorrow I’ll try to finish the List starting with Visa, but if I don’t complete it I know it will be here waiting patiently for me! ‘Til then,
Onward…
October 18th, 2012 - 7:49 pm
Friday Report –
Man, I’m getting bad at this!
I finished the List playing tunes I had in all keys on about Tuesday – I can’t actually remember. You see, there was a lot of other stuff going on at Lamont this week with needing to advise about 24 students and having a radio broadcast Tuesday, and a luncheon gig at Faculty/Staff Convocation on Wednesday. Plus several hours of running around helping to get my son’s trumpet repaired. I played every day, and as much as I could, but it was hard to document all of it.
Today I reviewed all of the tunes in their original/most common key and blew on Embraceable You and Moment’s Notice. I choose those tunes because I had some difficulty committing the changes to E.Y. to memory, and Moment’s Notice just has some gnarly changes.
Then, I had time for a little technical study and decided to play the third mode of the Bebop Major in all keys and to work it in ascending and descending thirds. This is an interesting scale that could be used on a V7 with sus and/or altered 9s.
I need to find a new tune to add in all keys, and that will be tomorrow’s task. ‘Til then,
Onward…
October 20th, 2012 - 5:54 pm
Saturday Report –
I was driving recently, listening to our great community jazz station KUVO, and a familiar song came on that I couldn’t remember the title. I knew the personnel, composer, and multiple albums on which it has appeared, but couldn’t remember the title. Turns out it was Gerry Mulligans “Jeru.” So today I’ve added that tune to the List in all keys. I doubt I’ll forget the title again. I’ll be traveling for the next several days, doing clinics and recruiting so I won’t be posting, but I hope to get in some sessions in PDX and start reviewing all the tunes from the List that I have in all keys when I return. ‘Til then,
Onward…
October 25th, 2012 - 7:24 am
Wednesday Report (delayed) –
In the course of my trip I had a few occasions to practice and so I played Altoitis and Anthropology in all keys. Returning to Denver on Wednesday I had more time and played the following tunes from the List; All Of Me (blowing in all keys), Au Privave, Autumn Serenade, Barbados, Beatrice (blowing in all keys), and Bebop. I’ll continue Thursday with Bernie’s Tune. ‘Til then,
Onward…
October 25th, 2012 - 9:52 pm
Thursday Report –
Today I had several good practice sessions and played the following tunes from the List in all keys; Bernie’s tune, Billie’s Bounce, Bloomdido, Blue Seven, Blues for Alice, Blusette, Body and Soul (blowing in all keys), Bouncin’ With Bud, Boplicity and Brownie Speaks.
I also played in the changes to Everything I Love which the DU Jazz Faculty will play on our Oct. 31 concert. If you’re in Denver and want to attend that 7:30 pm concert let me know, if you’re not hear but would still like to hear the concert you can stream it at http://www.du.edu/lamontlive Tomorrow I’ll continue playing tunes from the List that I have in all keys with Bud Powell. ‘Til then,
Onward…
October 27th, 2012 - 12:48 pm
Friday Report (delayed) –
On Friday I played the following tunes from the List in all keys; Bud Powell, Butch and Butch, and Bye Bye Blackbird. Not very much work done, but a long day of many rehearsals and meetings consumed the time. On the brighter side, the student combo performances at Flo’s Underground were energetic, well-played, and fun! Today (Saturday) I’ve played Celia, C.T.A., Cherokee, Cheryl, and Chi-Chi in all keys. Going to go hear my son play a brass ensemble concert now, but will probably get some more playing in later today. ‘Til then,
Onward…
October 28th, 2012 - 12:30 am
Saturday Report –
I had another, late night, opportunity to practice and played the following tunes from the List that I have in all keys; Confirmation, Crazeology, Daahoud, Dance of the Infidels, and Dewey Square. Then I blew on Quasimodo (Embraceable You in Eb) in preparation for a coaching I’m doing tomorrow. I’m hosting the 3rd Annual Lamont Alumni Jazz Jam tomorrow so I won’t have much time to practice, but if you’re in the Denver area I hope to see you Sunday at 1:30 in the Recital Salon for the session! ‘Til then,
Onward…
November 8th, 2012 - 10:03 pm
Thursday Report –
It’s been a while since I’ve posted, but I’ve been busy and continue to practice the regimen. I’ve had a variety of professional educational, administrative, and performance “events” during the past week or so and during that time I’ve played the following tunes from the List in all keys; Donna Lee, Embraceable You, Eternal Triangle, Farmer’s Market, Fingers, Four, Freedom Jazz Dance, Freight Train, Fried Bananas, Girl From Ipanema, Good Bait, Got A Match?, Groovin’ High, Half Nelson, Hallucinations, Hocus-Pocus, Honeysuckle Rose, Hot House, I Should Care, I’ll Remember April, In A Sentimental Mood, It Could Happen To You, It’s You Or No One, Jeru, Jordu, Joy Spring, and 75% of the keys of Like Someone In Love – I’ll finish the rest of keys tomorrow. The Bebop tunes (especially contrafacts) I only played the melodies, but for the standards I also improvised in each key.
Tomorrow, after I finish blowing on Like Someone In Love, I’ll continue playing tunes from the List wth Little Willie Leaps. ‘Til then,
Onward…
November 11th, 2012 - 8:48 pm
Sunday Report –
I finished the last 4 keys of Like Someone In Love on Friday, then played Little Willie Leaps, and Lush Life. That was kind of a frustrating day because every reed I had would only vibrate for about 10 minutes.
On Saturday I played Soprano and played the following tunes in all keys; Marmaduke, Mayreh, Milestones (old) and Mohawk. I also started on Moments Notice, but my “thinker” wasn’t working well enough to make it through all the keys.
Today I was mostly working on reeds. I hadn’t worked on reeds in a long time – you know, actually scraping with a knife and sandpapering as needed. It can be a time-consuming process like it was today but I think I have four reeds ready to play in the 2.5 hours I worked and played on them today.
Tomorrow I’ll get some practicing in, and have a gig with the Colorado Jazz Repertoire Orchestra in the evening. ‘Til then,
Onward…
November 23rd, 2012 - 4:11 pm
Friday Report (a week later) –
I’ve been distracted again – sometimes distracted from practicing (Thanksgiving Day was not happening), but mostly distracted from blogging. So, during the past several days I’ve played the following tunes in all keys; My Funny Valentine, My One And Only Love, My Romance, Omicron, Perhaps, Prince albert, Ray’s Idea, Relaxin’ at Camarillo, Room 608, Sandu, and Scrapple from the Apple. I blew choruses on all of the standards. I’ve also been working on some of my original tunes for a duo concert coming up in Springfield, OR in early December – also a slightly reharmonized rendition of Where or When that I’ll be playing with Eric Gunnison. I’ve also begun working on some of the tunes for my next CD project which we’ll recording in mid-December.
Continuing to stay busy even though I haven’t been very communicative – I’ll try to be more consistent. ‘Til then,
Onward…
November 24th, 2012 - 6:10 pm
Saturday Report –
Today I played the following tunes in all keys; Serenade to A Bus Seat, Serpent’s tooth, Split Kick, and Someday My Prince Will Come (also blowing in all keys). I also worked on tunes for the upcoming Duo Residency with Eric Gunnison. This morning was spent reducing a big band composition to a quartet setting – I think it will work pretty well and the added excitement of great players interacting will be a great substitute for some of the ensemble parts that had to be removed. Tomorrow I’ll continue to play tunes from the List in all keys with Steeplechase. ‘Til then,
Onward…
November 27th, 2012 - 1:36 pm
Tuesday Report –
Over the past several days I completed playing the tunes from the List that I have in all keys; Steeplechase, Swedish Schnaps, Tempus Fugue-It, The Night Has A Thousand Eyes, There Is No Greater Love, There Will Never Be Another You, Visa, Webb City, Wee, Wee-Dot, Yardbird Suite, Yesterdays, You Are Too Beautiful, You Stepped Out Of A Dream. I improvised a chorus on each of the standards after playing the melody.
For the next several weeks I’ll spend more time preparing for upcoming gigs and recording sessions than playing the List. I’ll be working on memorizing tunes for a Duo Residency in Springfield, OR with Eric Gunnison, shedding tunes for the recording of my next CD (we track Dec. 17 & 18), and memorizing tunes for a Holiday music concert at the Cherokee Ranch and Castle. A busy month!
Onward…
December 26th, 2012 - 10:12 pm
Wednesday Report (several weeks later!) –
I finally recovered from the preparation for gigs, recordings, and touring and got back to practicing by taking a couple of days to play through the List in the original/most common keys. The recording sessions on Dec 17 & 18 went great and I look forward to releasing the tunes on an OA2 release in the Spirng – I’ll keep you informed.
I’m kind of tired and not burnin’ to get back to the grind, but I’ll ease back into it. Today I started playing tunes from the List that I have in all keys, and blowing on the standards in all keys with; You Stepped Out of A dream, You Are Too Beuatiful, Yesterdays, Yardbird Suite, Wee-Dot, and Wee. Tomorrow I’ll continue that practice with Webb City. ‘Til then,
Onward…
December 28th, 2012 - 8:25 pm
Friday Report –
I resumed playing all the tunes from the List that I have from memory yesterday and continued today. Those tunes have been; Webb City, Visa, There Will Never Be Another You, There Is No Greater Love, The Night Has A Thousand Eyes (blowing a chorus in each key on the three previous standards) Tempus Fugue-It, Swedish Schnaps, Steeplechase, Someday My Prince Will Come, Split Kick and Serpent’s Tooth. I’ll continue tomorrow with Serenade To A Bus Seat. ‘Til then,
Onward…
December 30th, 2012 - 1:41 pm
Sunday Report –
This includes Saturday’s activities – I’m back on the practicing routine, but still having some trouble getting back to regular blog posting.
Anyway, I picked up playing tunes from the List that I have in all keys with Serenade To A Bus Seat and continued with; Scrapple from the Apple, Sandu, Relaxin’ at Camarillo, Ray’s Idea, Prince Albert (also blowing a chorus in each key), Perhaps, and Omicron. I’ll continue tomorrow starting with My Romance and getting into a section of standards that I blow on the changes in all keys. ‘Til then,
Onward…
January 2nd, 2013 - 9:07 pm
Wednesday Report –
This report is for Monday through Wednesday – still not getting back to the blogging as regularly as I need to. The tunes during those days were; My Romance, My One And Only Love, My Funny Valentine, Moments Notice, Mohawk, Milestones (old), and Mayreh. Since My One… and My Funny… are ballads I decided to practice playing the melodies and blowing on the changes at very slow tempos. This had two effects; it drove my wife a little crazy and allowed me to have time to make interesting phrase choices in unusual keys. That was cool, having the time to explore the relationships of those tunes in keys they are NEVER played in. Something to put in our pocket if you wish. Anyway, tomorrow I’ll resume with Marmaduke. ‘Til then,
Onward…
January 4th, 2013 - 12:07 am
Thursday Report –
Finally, two days in a row again! Today I played the following tunes from the List in all keys; Marmaduke, Lush Life, Little Willie Leaps, Like Someone In Love, Joy Spring, Jordu, and Jeru. I spent quite a bit of time working on Like Someone In Love because I kept hearing the changes to My Romance instead! Stupid, they’re only similar in the most superficial ways, however, it took me a while before they sunk back in. Well, that’s why they call it practice. Tomorrow I’ll resume playing tunes from the List that I have in all keys with It’s You Or No One. ‘Til then,
Onward…
January 4th, 2013 - 7:06 pm
Friday Report –
Today I played the following tunes from the List in all keys and blew on the changes after playing the melody; It’s you Or No One, It Could Happen To You, In A Sentimental Mood, & I’ll Remember April. I also spent some time shedding some original brazilian jazz by Richard Boukas that we’ll present in a quartet concert on Jan. 19 at the Mercury. If you’re in Denver, put that on your calendar – it will be a great concert! Tomorrow, more Boukas and back to this List with I Should Care and others. ‘Til then,
Onward…
January 7th, 2013 - 9:28 pm
Monday Report –
Over the weekend I played I Should Care in all keys then worked on Boukas tunes. There are some tricky tunes on the concert coming up on Jan. 19 so I’ll mostly be working on this music for the next week. It’s not just playing angular melodies, but getting a handle on blowing on the tunes. The changes are very colorful, influenced by lots of Baroque and late-Romantic harmonic practices. Combine that with the lyrical nature of Brazilian music soloing and you can’t just sit back and play your “stuff”! So, there’s plenty for me to work on to prepare well for the gig. Here is a sample of some of the music that we’ll play: http://www.lynnbakerjazz.com/audio/BoukasSample.mp3
Onward…
January 27th, 2013 - 12:18 pm
Sunday Report,
Yes, as expected it’s been almost three weeks since I posted and it was time well-spent. Lots of preparation time and two very fun concerts. The first was a duo gig of mostly Brazilian tunes by Richard and notable Brazilian composers. Many of these were new tunes to me and to play with only guitar (or guitar/voice) was a challenge for both of us – to retain ensemble and musical freedom in the exposed space of a duo in a formal concert of 75 minutes. I haven’t heard the recording yet but it felt like we pulled it off! The next gig was a quartet gig at the Mercury Cafe with members of my group. That was less formal and was fun to play with a fuller groove. Mixed in to that time was beginning a new quarter at Lamont and doing all the fixes and overdubs for the next CD project.
Today I resumed my practicing but after just over four years of playing the same regimen I felt it was time to change. I will continue some of the practices of the past four years but will also add components. I’m adding some purely technical review – playing scales, arpeggios, scales in alternating diatonic sets, etc. and I’m also trying an intervalic study suggested by Dick Oates. This study ties into the Steve Coleman Spiral Interval studies and is designed (among other things) to provide greater flexibility to improvise, especially in harmonically free environments. It’s really quite simple – each day pick an interval or interval set and work it through as many intervalic relationships as you can. Today, inspired by working with a Free Jazz combo at Lamont, I worked on a set of two minor thirds (or diminished triad, if you insist). It is important to document which intervals are being worked, so that will now be the consistent feature of these blogs. Here goes –
Interval: two minor thirds
Next time, who knows? ‘Til then,
Onward…
January 30th, 2013 - 6:12 pm
Wednesday Report –
Today I spent most of my practice time working on music for Chie Imaizumi’s big band gig that I’m playing on Saturday. There are some technically challenging parts, but mostly it’s about rhythmic accuracy and pitch in the extreme upper register of the soprano. I got some good alternate fingerings worked out and most of the stuff is comfortably in the pocket.
I worked a little on the ubiquitous Perfect Fourth as my interval today. I only worked it up to minor thirds so I’ll review those tomorrow and stretch out to larger intervalic relationships. ‘Til then,
Onward…
February 9th, 2013 - 6:26 pm
Saturday Report –
I’ve been working on 4ths during the past ten days. Playing them in intervalic relationships of minor, and major seconds, and minor and major thirds. Playing both ascending intervals and alternating ascending and descending and descending and ascending combinations. There are many patterns within these sets that are familiar and some that are quite fresh sounding. I’m enjoying working on these sounds! I’ll keep reviewing them and then expand to three-note interval combinations. ‘Til then,
Onward…
February 10th, 2013 - 12:52 pm
Sunday Report –
Today I played a three-note interval set of an ascending Major Third and descending Minor second in a variety of root motions; half-step, whole-step, minor third, major third, perfect fourth and augmented fourth, all in ascending and descending combinations. After that, I worked on Bruebeck’s version of “In Your Own Sweet Way” that the DU Jazz Faculty will play on our Feb. 27 concert. I finished up by randomly gazing at my list of tunes and blowing on each of them. Tomorrow I’ll try to keep up the same regimen, but I have lots of teaching, directing, coaching, and advising scheduled and probably won’t get a lot of practice in – but I’ll find some time, even if it’s just 20 minutes here or there.
Onward…