r/Jazz

My goal as a guitarist is to improve at jazz and musicianship in general, but in my 2nd semester as a Music Major at a Community College, I am having doubts about continuing next semester. The 1st semester was golden as the Fundamentals of Music Theory class truly was helpful in so many ways to solidify foundations! Playing in the jazz band was also very helpful getting me to comp and solo in an actual band, really helped me a lot! Applied Music, the lessons with the teacher was basic, but very important basic stuff I needed to nail down.

Now in the 2nd semester, I hate singing solfege, we do these ridiculous Curwen hand signs, and the majority of the semester is writing 4-part harmonies in the style of the Common Practice Period. Piano class is a requirement too. I don't know how much of this will help me as a jazz guitarist, and although it is helpful in the lessons and the jazz combo, I feel starting this summer, I may be better off studying jazz theory on my own for here on out and forming my own band. So much, but not all, of cool stuff I do on guitar during soloing, I learned outside of school anyway. I seem to be the only person that knew the 7-3, 7-3 voice movements in 2-5-1s. A lot of the students are unenthusiastic and rarely analyze or discuss the songs. I want to break down ideas of soloing over the changes and barely anyone really cares. I complain to the teacher/director and he pretty much shrugs it off as something like, "Eh, it's just community college, can't do much about it."

I originally wanted to transfer to a 4 year university Music Major with a jazz emphasis, but then I was wondering if I'll have professors telling me stuff like this is the ONLY and CORREC T way to play jazz and dampen my creativity.

Anyway, any advice would be helpful!

Thanks!

looking for some good early fusion records even into 90s/2000 -current

As fast as jazz i love : Freddie Hubbard, Grant Green Miles, JohnColtrane, Thelonis

Michael Howell

Any suggestions for the for fusion or jazz records you can't live without

greatly appreciated

I have been pretty stressed lately. Today is my only day to myself. I popped a gummy and threw on Bill Evans Interplay on the record player. It started storming outside as I was sitting down, I kicked back my recliner and let me tell you this album slaps. First time hearing it but what a journey. That's all I wanted to say. Sorry if this is low effort I'm just really enjoying myself.

Hey everyone,

I've been learning jazz piano for about 5 years now, however every now and then I feel stuck in my progress.

Coming from a classical background, I find myself often getting stuck playing standards the same way every time (adopting the same techniques either because they feel comfortable, or I can't come up with a different way to voice/play a chord).

I want to be able to eventually sit down, pick a tune, and play it. Then if I were to play the tune again, I could play it in a different way with different techniques. I'm just not really sure how to get to that stage given that there's not really a set plan on learning jazz piano unlike classical.

Any feedback on how to break out of this rut? I've been told to listen to more Jazz for inspiration, however my ear-training has never been that great, so it's hard for me to transcribe what I'm hearing back into my hands.

If you’ve ever wanted to transport yourself to a 1959 dive bar where a bunch of liquored up dudes are just getting wasted at the bar and playing the jukebox, this is the album for you. No long solos, no avant garde shit, just straight to the point songs, played by expert musicians, and short enough to fit on a 45 meant for jukeboxes at nightclubs. Highly recommended.

Hey everyone! I’m Suhas, a pianist and composer.

I just released my new single "Fractals" today and I'm genuinely floored by how it came together. I reached out to Ric Fierabracci (bassist known for his work with Chick Corea, among many others) and Marco Minnemann (drummer for The Aristocrats, Steve Wilson, Joe Satriani) and they both agreed to play on the track. The result is something I couldn't have imagined making alone. If you're into polyrhythmic, improvisational jazz fusion -- I think you'll find something in this.

Streaming now: www.suhasmusic.com/fractals

Music Video: https://youtu.be/QAzLqs3s8ic?si=nnoOYyNGYaC3egz3

Would love to hear your thoughts.

Ahmed’s work is incredible. I am wondering if anyone has recommendations for other female artists with an Arabic infused sound.

Drinking coffee on a sunny Sunday morning while cooking eggs while the kittens play. Pure bliss

This compilation is slowly making its way to the top of my lastfm charts this year. So much great stuff on there. Must be a sampling gold mine

Truly a great concert, I'd love to see this trio live! Enjoy

I'm listening to r/jazz!

Just two greats from different times I find my self listening to a lot, imagine…

I’ll be damned if it isn’t the only appropriate thing to be spinning at certain times, when the vibe is just right. I feel similarly about Bitches Brew. Man, I love this music!

I wonder if there isn’t a Miles Davis record that follows a similar model. There are certainly ones I haven’t given much of a chance to find out.

put it on expecting to follow it the way i could follow kind of blue. couldn't find a way in — it felt dense, almost confrontational. closed my laptop and actually sat with it on the second listen and something cracked open. it's not music you understand, it's music you eventually surrender to. took me four listens before i stopped trying to analyze it and just let it happen. after that i couldn't stop.