LearnJazzPiano.com archives: What do smooth jazz players know that I don't?

grsbmd -- 10/22/2006, 21:21:29 -- #30621

I know we don't always consider smooth jazz to be on par with mainstream, but they do seem to know how to do one thing very well.  That's getting a "jazz sound" in their improvisation. Getting the sound without just playing something I've heard before is something I've been trying to work on, but it seems that in smooth jazz, they're able to get that sound pretty easily.  (By easily I mean without playing a lot of notes) I already work on transcribing and learning solos as well as experimenting on my own in practice. So, any tips on getting the "jazz sound"?

Jazz+ -- 10/22/2006, 22:10:16 -- #30621

Joe Sample might be a good example. He plays a lot out of the blues scales and the major scale and is expert at stepping outside. He very carefully selects his voicngs. His rhythmic phrasing and touch is what sets him apart from others in the field.

thejaffer -- 10/23/2006, 07:37:03 -- #30621

what is the "jazz sound"?

SolArt -- 10/23/2006, 10:56:29 -- #30621

Often a Rhodes sound sounds "smooth" or on the "polite" side, at the least they sound less aggressive than a piano sound IMHO, which helps in getting that smooth MOR sound.

yong 41 -- 11/04/2006, 08:24:30 -- #30621

Can you help where I can take free Joe Sample,s transcription ? Thank you !

jmkarns -- 11/08/2006, 11:05:20 -- #30621

"Smooth Jazz" radio stations don't impress me and I rarely listent to them.  First of all I usually hear them play soft rock tunes like the Eagles "I Can't Tell You Why"  or else something from Motown that I personally don't associate with mainstream jazz.  While I don't believe all jazz should be limited to Wynton Marsalis and his ilk, I agree with thejaffer; "What is the jazz sound?"

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