Klarinet Archive - Posting 000208.txt from 1997/06

From: Fred Jacobowitz <fredj@-----.edu>
Subj:
Date: Mon, 16 Jun 1997 00:36:43 -0400

As one who both improvises in many styles and *teaches* it to students, my
best advice is first to get a significant technique. Any improvisation is
strictly a musical occupation and if your technique isn't up to the
demands of being able to immediately produce the effect your mind thinks
up, you'll have great problems.
If you think you are technically advanced
enough, SEEK OUT A JAZZ MUSICIAN and hopefully they will be able to teach
you to improvise. Many cannot because they are either not very good at
teaching or not particularly analytical about what they do. Jazz (or any
improv) is not a mysterious art form. It is quite logical in many ways and
it can definitely be taught. However, Jazz is not only about playing the
right notes. You must have the right SOUND and RHYTHM. For example, if you
want to speak Spanish, learning the vocabulary will be useless unless your
accent and cadence is correct and can be understood by Spanish speakers.
For this reason, you cannot learn it out of a manual, book or play-along
racording. You need a "jazz-speaker" to tell you if your "accent" is
right.
If you know how to produce a jazz vibrato and jazz tone qualities,
and you have technique, you MAY be able to get some benefit from a couple
of play-along recordings. The most comprehensive that I know of is by
Jamie Aebersold. There are at least 55 volumes to this series and they are
absolutely excellent. I use them for my students. However, they are quite
incomprehensible to the non-jazzer and you will most probably need a
teacher to help you with them. There are others. I think that Mel Bay has
released a few. Also, I think that Kendor did some. A good music store
ought to be able to help you.

Fred Jacobowitz
Clarinet/Sax Instructor, Peabody Preparatory