can i be a good jazz player if i do music as a hobby?
alonso v asked:
I play flute as a hobby, can i become good at improvising without taking music as a career? I just want to enjoy jazz, i dont plan to become a herbie mann. Also, do you have any recomendations in learning to play jazz?
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I play flute as a hobby, can i become good at improvising without taking music as a career? I just want to enjoy jazz, i dont plan to become a herbie mann. Also, do you have any recomendations in learning to play jazz?
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Tags: Flute, Herbie Mann, Jazz Music, Jazz Player, Music Career, Recomendations
September 23rd, 2008 at 3:54 am
You would have to practice a lot to be really good at jazz. But, if you are really determined to be a jazz musician, then you should keep practicing. Though it would be helpful to be in music as a career, it is possible to be a musician without doing it for a living. Good luck!!
September 23rd, 2008 at 1:03 pm
practic makes perfect mate. just practice then you will become better. lessons could help too
September 24th, 2008 at 2:05 am
Sure you can, especially if you’re just interested in playing for fun and not as a profession.
Study music theory — scales, modes, chord construction and how chords and scales interrelate to one another.
Listen, listen, listen to as much jazz as possible, in whatever style especially interests you. Listen not only to other flute players but other instrumentalists as well. The more you listen the more your ear will begin to pick up the phrasing and rhythms of jazz, and the more your playing will begin to sound like the recordings you’re listening to.
There are some self-study aids that you could use. Check out Jamey Aebersold’s Music Minus One series for jazz — a series of recordings of well-known jazz standards featuring a full back up band but without a lead soloist — the idea is that YOU play along with the recording and be the soloist. Another possiblity is computer software called Band In A Box — you either input your own chord progressions or use the songs that come with the software, choose the exact rhythm groove and style you want, and the key, and it will play a full band backup (drums, bass, guitar etc) in that style and key for you to practice soloing against.
But try to play with other people as often as you can - jamming with real live human beings will improve your improvisational skills like nothing else will.