| LearnJazzPiano.com archives: I don't like jazz! | |
| bardolph -- 01/13/2005, 02:47:24 -- #10327 | |
| Heheh sorry for the truculent subject line. The truth is that I love some jazz, like Louis Armstrong, Art Tatum, and especially Django Reinhardt, even up to Wes Montgomery; but after that, the development of jazz leaves me cold. My ear is not educated enough to appreciate developments after and including bebop. Would anyone like to suggest a gentle and chronological sequence of things to listen to, so I can learn to appreciate? Just to get started, let's stick to the 1940s and EARLY 1950s only. I seem to recall that this is the beginning of the music that I can't really understand. | |
| sid -- 01/13/2005, 03:51:32 -- #10329 | |
| If you don't like hard-core bebop and post-bop from the 40s and 50s, you could try the West Coast sound. Birth of the Cool (Miles Davis) is very approachable, and there's a lot of similar stuff from Shorty Rogers that's enjoyable and fun. Gerry Mulligan is always worth listening to (maybe recommending a pianoless group on a jazz piano site isn't such a good idea!) Although they seem to be unfashionable these days, I enjoy the MJQ - John Lewis is a great model for students of jazz piano, everything he does is crystal clear, logical and sounds attainable even by someone with modest technique. Hope there's something of interest here sid | |
| Scot -- 01/13/2005, 11:50:08 -- #10348 | |
| You can't really categorize modern jazz. You just have to find music you like. For example, from the 50's on, Monty Alexander played his stuff that didn't follow any chronological order with regards to what the "rest" of the jazz world was doing. He just played what he loved to play. So the idea is to find musicians you like, buy all their recordings, and as time goes on, your ear gets more sophisticated. When I first heard the DIzzy Gillepsie and Oscar Peterson piano/trumpet recording I was in high school playing trumpet. I was awed by Dizzy's technical ability and his range, but I really didn't like the music much. These days, 19 years since highschool, I absolutely love that recording in all respects- the piano stuff, the trumpet stuff, the ideas, the technique, everything. So yeah, as time goes on your ear will progress as long as you keep stretching it and listening to new stuff. If you buy something you doin't like, save it, and listen to it next year. You might like it then. | |
| Dr. Whack -- 01/13/2005, 15:10:05 -- #10358 | |
| I'll second that...When I first heard Art Tatum, I didn't like what he was doing at all. It sounded like a bunch of fast lines and arpeggios. After a few more years, I finally was able to grasp what he was doing (and when he was doing it). Now I'm simply blown away! | |
| Dr. Whack -- 01/13/2005, 15:14:59 -- #10359 | |
| hey... | |
| mooondancer -- 01/13/2005, 19:58:00 -- #10361 | |
| Miles Davis always tried to make his music accessible to the general public, so you would probably enjoy recordings like "Kind of Blue," "Seven Steps to Heaven," "ESP," ... most of his stuff, even if you can't relate to bebop. Miles' sound is the epitome of beautiful simplicy and I don't think I've ever heard him play a fast technical bebop run. | |
| ziggysane -- 01/13/2005, 21:05:16 -- #10362 | |
| As a side note, they asked Miles early on why he didn't play fast and high like Diz, and Diz who was there at the time replied for him, "Because he doesn't hear it up there." | |
| ziggysane -- 01/13/2005, 21:07:16 -- #10363 | |
| Some say that Technique is the ability to completely express yourself in a personal fashion, and by that defination, Miles had technique in spades. | |
| Mike -- 01/14/2005, 00:04:41 -- #10365 | |
| Ever stop to think... Maybe Jazz doesn't like you? | |
| 7 -- 01/14/2005, 01:18:41 -- #10369 | |
| I think the reason Miles played with his back to the "general public" was cuz the ladies all thought he had such a fine behind. Not of course because he was an insufferable snob. | |
| bardolph -- 01/14/2005, 01:42:37 -- #10370 | |
| Thanks to all for your responses, except Mike. What are you trying to say? | |
| elwapo -- 01/14/2005, 04:00:22 -- #10373 | |
| I,m sure that if Bardolph met Mike then Bardolph would not like Mike. I know I wouldnt! | |
| kennyG -- 01/14/2005, 04:57:56 -- #10377 | |
| mike sucks | |
| bardolph -- 01/14/2005, 12:26:05 -- #10384 | |
| Well, never mind. This is a wonderful site, and in addition to "learning jazz piano" it's also a fabulous way to learn simply about JAZZ. | |
| paddyallen -- 01/14/2005, 16:23:29 -- #10403 | |
| I simply adore and envy the talent of Art Tatum I was playing a tape whilst I worked this afternoon. But who could copy him, certainly not I, and all we can do is try to get somewhere half near. And the poor chap was virtually blind in his left eye. Try and see a video of him you'll be staggered at his dexterity. Alan | |
| grsbmd -- 01/15/2005, 20:56:46 -- #10428 | |
| I have a theory that the style of jazz that appeals to you is based on the kind of music you were brought up on. I'm just the opposite of bardolph. I can't dig anything bebop. I can dig anything jazz after that. Maybe too much rock 'n' roll as a child? Or maybe bebop just intimidates me with its complexity? | |
| grsbmd -- 01/15/2005, 20:59:24 -- #10429 | |
| Of course, jazz itself is an acquired taste. | |
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