I'm a hard core classical violinist but have reciently got interested in Jazz. I've taken a couple of classes but am no where near the level of playing in the jazz genre as I am in classical. I was invited to go to a jam session next week and I'm not sure if I should go or not. The other musicians are way more experienced than I am and I don't want to look stupid and lame. I'm also very shy. I don't want to miss out on this opportunity but at the same time i'm scared. I'm open to any advice any one has about my situation. I too was a classical pianist for most of my life. This past spring semester I joined a jazz combo class at a community college and took jazz piano lessons from the jazz combo instructor.........it turned out to be one of the biggest investments of my life. I picked up on jazz quickly because I played with other musicians while getting good one on one instruction. You could even take jazz improvisation in a classroom setting if you want to.
You are basically stuck in the classical mindset but once you loosen up and adopt a more loose/jazz mindset combined with good instruction, you will get more comfortable. I think that all classical musicians should be required to study jazz improvisation as part of the curriculum. go to www.google.com and google it Simple answer: Go!
Jazz is all about musical interaction. You need to play it with other thinking, breathing human beings every chance you get. If these other musicians that invited you know you are a classical player, they're probably not expecting you to rip bebop lines at fast tempos on your violin. Just go, be open, and most importantly... listen. Use your ears to tell you what to play. Also remember, the space in between the notes can be as important or even more important then the notes themselves. Good luck, and have fun!! the worse case scenario..........
You haven't get right a single note.(so,what?)
the best of whole picture......
You gonna meet the musicians in Your area.(don't miss it)
the bad critics.........
there is no one person in this world, whom was born being a outstanding musician.( no one !!)
none of those musician, miss their first day to a jazz reunion.
if You were not shy,You wouldn't be good.
when playing Jazz ,do not think just play ,tuning Your ear .
check this guy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2X3WSvfrR...
yes, that is a classical : Fur Elise of Ludwig Van Beethoven
AND FINALLY.....
Is not what happen to You..........is What You do with what happen to You. I was faced with the same situation a couple of years ago. What helped me was to go to the venue and check it out before I decided to go on stage. The next week I went on stage and played. I suggest the same thing for you.
Some open mikes only want serious players. Other open mikes don't care if you are serious or not. You need to find out what level of talent they expect at the mike. If they have no expectations then get up there and play. The musicians will help you along as you improvise and they are very friendly and giving with tips on how to get better.
When I played on stage the audience was very encouraging as well. It really gave me a boost of energy and confidence so I could put my best foot forward.
If you've got the classical chops you will do great as a jazz musician. Just let yourself play through your instrument. But don't let the opportunity pass because you think you not worthy. GO FOR IT!!!!
Good Luck By all means, grab the opportunity! You're lucky you'll get to jam with experienced jazz musicians. Don't be shy, jam out with them. Remember, the only way to get better is through experience. Go! Goodluck! If you are a hard core classical violinist, you have certainly done some cadenzas, right? Consider a jam an extended cadenza.
First of all, it knocks people out when a violinist shows up, so you will not feel out of place - you will be welcomed. Secondly, it is a JAM and nobody expects you to play perfectly - it is not a recital and it is a lot more fun! Thirdly, nobody will think you are stupid or lame. On the contrary, they will think you are bold and daring to do such a thing.
By all means, GO! A few tips: Keep your ears open and listen; try to get a peek at a Real Book if someone has one handy for the notes played in the 'head'; play loud enough to be heard and do not be intimidated. If these people are any kind of musicians at all, you will be welcomed and befriended. Best of luck to you! Your probably more concerned about your ability to play jazz than your shyness. Go, explain your background and then your interest in pursuing jazz. I'm sure most educated musicians are less critical than the wanna bee's.. I've been on both sides off the fence.. You might want to check out some fake books and learn some standards. Jamey Aebersole has some as does Chuck Sher. Good luck and start playing! Keiko Matsui(spelling?) has a strong background in classical music and is a fine jazz artist. Her classical playing is evident to me in her phrasing. Hey, I can totally relate to being a little nervous or iffy about playing jazz or any kind of music for that matter with people that you think are better or more advanced, or even just more outgoing about it all.
I have to tell you though, that music is one of the most accepting things ive ever been involved in. Dont worry about them being better than you or anything, the pressure will help you get better, and unless they are complete jerks they arent gonna care either way. Music is fun, music is life and what you put into it. I think you should definitly go and do what you love, and if you arent having fun, dont stress it, it just might not be your kind of 'jaming session'
remember one thing though, someone will always be worse than you and someone will always be better than you. just have fun, and go play your heart out! OK. So you are a hardcore classical violinist. That means three things: 1) you are not stupid; 2) you are not lame; 3) your mind is already filled up, flooded with music. So, just go and jam with them. If they are way more experienced than you are, that's only to your advantage. You can learn from them. Besides, they are not "way more experienced" than you are really. Consider the long hours you have put into your instrument. Those hours do count. In all probability, your technique is way superior to theirs.
Regarding popular music, you will find out that a jam session works sort of like a regular a rehearsal. There is one small difference though. When you rehearse with your orchestra, or chamber ensemble, whatever, the music you play enters your brain through your eyes, from the paper, and then, it comes out of your violin. However, when you jam, the music enters your brain through your ears, from the other musicians, and it also comes out of your violin. It's just a matter of input, not output. Don't worry about it. Just go and jam, and learn, and, above all, enjoy. You will be surprised of what comes out of your hardcore classical violin. i figure,logically, ALL music is either played from the sheet or improvised but when it was written on the sheet, the composer was improvizing so...just go & blow? practice makes perfect....good luck.check out grappelli,luc-ponty... |
