looking for feed back on first time improv recording on LearnJazzPiano.com

Jazz Piano Book Reviews • Piano Teacher Search • Jazz Piano Links • Jazz Piano Lessons

looking for feed back on first time improv recording

these are just recordings of my practice, so prepare to be disgusted. i've started experimenting a little with improv lines as far as my fingers can take it. i'm working on basic concepts, like steady 8ths, keeping the flow going, mixing in triplets, trying to weave in some repetitions, remembering to take breaths. this is far from what i want to be, but heck, i have to be frank about where i am. the song's someday my prince will come with changes i got off my textbook. (joy of improv book)

with band in a box
https://www.ututu.com/~magronbass/otogokoro/071020_01.mp3
just solo, going with my own beat
https://www.ututu.com/~magronbass/otogokoro/071020_03.mp3
with metronome
https://www.ututu.com/~magronbass/otogokoro/071020_05.mp3

personally, it felt like once i could play just by myself and still keep track of what i was playing ("hearing" the original) that seemed to be the most challenging, but most rewarding practice. i'd appreciate any feedback!

by kensuguro on 10/21/2007, 10:17

There are 5 comments, leave a comment.

i listened to the first clip and you are on the right track. my advice is that perhaps you are over extending yourself a bit, you are trying to play a lot of notes. at this point i think you should play fewer notes and play, play in a more economical style, say less but with more melodic meaning. play fewer notes and try to aim the resolution of each phrase towards a good note (do, 9th, 5th, 6th). i think maybe you should also practice more at playing swing eights. also i don't hear any of the "+" accent that is fundamental in the dialect of swing, i really miss that in your phrasing.

i think you are consistently dragging your timing in relation to the pulse. you need to tighten up your timing.

LJP Like

by Jazz+ on 10/21/2007, 13:06

i agree with jazz+

i think your choice of note is actually really good. the only thing is i'd play more rests. i think it's ok to rest for a measure or even 2.

also it lacked accents. all is played with more or less the same intonation. you might want to try to "say as you play". do bah doo bah kinda thing. i'd be curious to hear you re-record with that, i bet it would turn out a lot better.

disclaimer: i'm just a beginner so don't waste your time on what i say if it doesn't instantly help :-)

i'll listen to the other 2 tracks tomorrow. have fun.

LJP Like

by knotty on 10/21/2007, 14:15

thanx for the feedback! ya, there are alot of notes. i was constantly pushing myself to 'keep playing' so i could internalize a steady flow of 8ths. i should probably practice as a separate thing, to tighten up my timing. i think the key to better rests are more proper phrases that actually start, head somewhere, and stops when that is achieved. i right now it's kind like, "i need to kick or else i'll sink".

the accents i definitely need to work on. it's great to get feed back else i'm pretty much in the dark aside from my lessons. i've got no connection to jazz people. and i'm in ny! maybe i need to try harder.

LJP Like

by kensuguro on 10/21/2007, 14:41

not bad... someday is a really hard tune to get flowing on (for me anyway) - maybe try doing a piece in 4/4

LJP Like

by dreammonk on 10/21/2007, 16:55

i vote for the metronome version. i thought your lines were more fluid than the other versions. now all you need to do is subtract the click track.

LJP Like

by jmkarns on 10/21/2007, 18:50

Reply to Thread

Please sign in to post.

Jazz Piano Notebook Series

Scot Ranney's Jazz Piano Notebook, Volume 1 - jazz piano tricks of the trade

Volume 1 of this educational jazz piano book contains 15 jazz piano exercises, tricks, and other interesting jazz piano techniques, voicings, grooves, and ideas Scot Ranney enjoys playing.

buy pdf version - buy coil binding version - videos

Scot Ranney's Jazz Piano Notebook, Volume 2 - jazz piano tricks of the trade you can use today

"Latinesque"

Volume 2 has 14 jazz piano exercises and tricks of the trade, and quite a bit of it is Calypso jazz piano related material, including some Monty Alexander and Michel Camilo style grooves. Jazz piano education is through the ears, but books like this can help.

buy pdf version - buy coil binding version

Tim Richards' Jazz Piano Notebook - jazz piano tricks of the trade

Volume 3 contains 12 jazz piano exercises and explorations by the acclaimed jazz piano educator, pianist, author, and recording artist Tim Richards.

Tim wrote the well known "Exploring Jazz Piano" and "Improvising Blues Piano" books and has several others to his name.

buy pdf version - buy coil binding version

Jeff Brent's Jazz Piano Notebook - jazz piano tricks of the trade

Volume 4 is by Jeff Brent, a jazz pianist, composer, teacher, and author of "Modalogy" and other acclaimed jazz theory and education books. In this book Jeff shares detailed analysis of transcriptions of live performances. He covers everything from the shape of the songs to the tricks and licks he uses in improvised lines to the ideas behind his lush chord voicings.

buy pdf version - buy coil binding version

Jazz piano education is cool.

be the main character in your own story

looking for feed back on first time improv recording

There are 5 comments, leave a comment.

by Jazz+ on 10/21/2007, 13:06

by knotty on 10/21/2007, 14:15

by kensuguro on 10/21/2007, 14:41

by dreammonk on 10/21/2007, 16:55

by jmkarns on 10/21/2007, 18:50

Reply to Thread

Jazz Piano Notebook Series

"Latinesque"

LJP Jazz Piano Blogs

Most Recent Discussions

Articles

Top Sheetmusic Picks

Jazz piano education is cool.

Rock on. Follow your passion.

Sign In

Sign In to LearnJazzPiano.com

looking for feed back on first time improv recording

There are 5 comments, leave a comment.

by Jazz+ on 10/21/2007, 13:06

by knotty on 10/21/2007, 14:15

by kensuguro on 10/21/2007, 14:41

by dreammonk on 10/21/2007, 16:55

by jmkarns on 10/21/2007, 18:50

Reply to Thread

Jazz Piano Notebook Series

"Latinesque"

LJP Jazz Piano Blogs

Most Recent Discussions

Articles

Top Sheetmusic Picks

Jazz piano education is cool.

Rock on. Follow your passion.

Sign In