Bach on jazz
Last I checked, Bach was not a jazz trombonist. He was a master of improvisation, trombone back in his time was called a Sackbut and wasn’t a very resonant instrument. But Bach does provide some insight into how to improvise well on the trombone. In the early 1700s, Bach wrote his six cello suites. Hundreds…
Read MoreDo you ever wonder what is the best mic for you?
I just produced a video comparing various microphones that is embedded at the end of this post. Whether you are starting out or you own some sort of studio facility, one of the most important pieces of your equipment is the microphone. If you’re like many audio artists you may wonder what is the best…
Read MoreRight or left brain improviser: which are you?
If you are familiar with my books on improvisation, you know that I teach the means to project your inner musician through your instrument–trombone or any other. For me, improvisation is the spontaneous composition of original musical imagination. My method for improvisation, therefore, is light on scales, patterns and theory and heavy on the ear.…
Read MoreBlasting away on my nearby mountaintop
I’m a big fan of practicing outdoors. It’s harder to tounge and play with a solid tone when you blow into the void as opposed to sound bouncing off nearby walls. But harder strengthens your playing. I recently shot a video on top of a nearby mountain where I enjoy playing. I time-compressed an hour…
Read MoreThis is limiting you from satisfying jazz improvisation
I’m creating a new product. It is an eBook on how to learn tunes in order to improvise really well over them. It will also have a series of packets dedicated to individual songs. Think of it like a razor and blades. The main eBook is the razor, the foundational methodology for learning tunes and…
Read MoreKeeping healthy as a musician
I recently created a video on a subject that I think is crucial for any musician. Playing a musical instrument is a physical activity and therefore requires our bodies to operate at peak efficiency. To keep ourselves at that peak state, nutrition plays an important role. I am an advocate of vegetable juicing as an…
Read MoreHave Yourself a Very Merry Christmas
As I’ve done over the past several years, I created a unique version of a Christmas Carol. This year I chose “Have Yourself a Very Merry Christmas”. I only go through the form of the tune one time but I vary the feel and treatment of each of the four sections. I enjoy experimenting with…
Read MoreThe brain-friendly way to practice
I just wrote an ebook. The full title is: The Brain-Friendly Method for Musical Instrument Excellence. This is a modest-sized ebook on things you’ve probably never been told about practicing. I don’t think that the skill of practicing is taught, or at least not well enough. Learn things like: How to increase focus whenever you practice…
Read MoreQuick tip on improvisation
Here the audio file that I mentioned in my quick tip video. https://youtu.be/5StE2kQS2i4 It comes from my book Trombone Improvisation Savvy.: The point I make in the video is that it is common and typical for musicians learning to improvise to be told to learn the scales associated with the chords. As I say in…
Read MoreYour journey toward musical instrument improvement
I’m going to Los Angeles next month for the Taxi Road Rally conference. Taxi is an independent A&R company that helps composers submit their music for film, TV and games. I am excited about networking with producers and musicians, and learning more about that part of the music business. There will be lots of opportunities…
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