Nord User Forum

[Gustavo]

Hi everybody,

As I think I wrote before in a previous post, I recently joined a jazz/blues club band from my university. The thing is that I actually do not hear a lot of jazz and blues . Here's the story on the why: I wanted to join a band/club to force me to practice since I was starting to feel my skills were being lost due to the lack of practice. At first I was going to enter Rock club, but it was too late for me and my city right now is highly dangerous. So I saw that jazz club was sort of early, ending at 1600 and I decided to enter. I also entered because a friend of mine who is a guitarist insisted I joined because they had no keyboard player, so I would have no "competition"

In the club we have a teacher that guides us but basically what we play and do is up to us. in this semester we are going to adapt several mexican golden era movie themes to jazz, starting with this one.

and also we are selecting a few blues songs and we are going to interpret them. With that repertoire we are going to assist a jazz festival on november and play at several events of the university.

So first, what jazz/blues artists/albums/pieces do you recommend that are fine examples of how a keyboardist should play?

Also any advice in particular about developing in such an environment, things (not) to do or any tips?

I saw the other topic about bebop scales and I am going to check out some of the things recommended in there, just FIY.

[Gustavo]

There are tons of people to listen to. However two pianists in particular stand out in my mind: Dr. John and Gene Harris. They will get your ear geared up and give you ideas playingwise.

Really not sure on any method books but I'm sure if you google their names you may be able to find transcriptions and other books either by them or focusing on their style.

Hope this helps.

[Gustavo]

Thanks!

I will try and get some music from them. I bought a latin jazz compilation with a Return to Forever DVD, so I guess I am getting started.

Playing wise I feel like I am quickly catching up, as I had never even played blues or latin style music. But I am feeling that it is most about just improvising and what you think sounds good. That plus learning to play in a band scenario, where most people do not notice you until your blazing solos. Good thing is that the band I am in fits in very well, it is a very cool ambient and we all understand each other decently.

[rb4u1]

The first three volumes of the Jamie Abersold series have a wealth of information. That is great starting point. hope that helps or buy a "Real Book".

[Cee]

+1 for Jamie Aebersold. It'll get you going with improvising over simple blues form and then you can take it from there!

[trumelpuut]

+1 for Jamie Aebersold indeed.

[Gustavo]

Thanks for the advice, I can´t believe its been a little over a year since I actually started my musical journey. I feel like I have advanced quite a lot, specially rhythmically.

A thing I found a while ago is a book of John Coltrane licks. Those are superb to start doing solos since you can get a lot of ideas from his various licks, and they also make good exercises.

I know what you say about not listening to piano players, specially because it can be too intimidating!! listening to guys like Bill Evans or Dave Brubeck to Chick Corea and Hiromi is totally intimidating, it makes me believe I can't even play the piano. Then there are times where with my fellow bandmates we play very simple songs, like All Blues and people praise us for our playing. Sometimes playing simple stuff (like a trumpet or a sax would do) can be quite rewarding.

Saludos,
Gustavo

PS: I've already learned All Blues, So What, Blue in Green and also made *some* attempts at recreating some of the solos.

[Gustavo]

+1 for Jamie Aebersold. It'll get you going with improvising over simple blues form and then you can take it from there!

I didn't remember this one piece of advice but coincidentally I just got the first two "volumes" a week ago!!

[Frantz]

+1 with Paul, great advices IMHO
Paul is just right about how rewarding a drumming experience can be.
In september I began to play the drumset in a band with my local music school.
Starting from scratch, for me it's about two times 10 minutes 4 days a week on technical rudiments, 15 minutes 3 days a week practicing/learning the tunes, and ~1 hour per week with the band.
I listen to tunes from the drummer's perspective, found that "air" drumming with only my hands/knees and feet/floor helped me a lot for coordination.
The learning curve goes fast at the beginning and it's very rewarding and addictive (always want to spend more time, more often).
Have a good teacher (or drummer friend), a good teaching method ... you might want to play both instruments in two different bands !

[JoeCool]

one of the good things to practice in swing style, regardless of what instrument you play, is the following:
Use a metronome, set it to the half speed (so if the tune is 160, set it to 80) Now let it start, but see the clicks as the 2 and 4 of the bar. (1 - click - 3 - click...)
play your entire song incl. soloing on this. You will perhaps not get this in the beginning, but it is a real good exercise for your timing to keep this going and not shift into the click coming on 1 and 3.
I learned this from my first trombone jazz teacher many years agon and still use it.
And stay with simple songs! Don't bother with overcomplicated song and chord structures, get simple things working first.