[Dixielandjazz] Teaching Music In Schools

[Steve barbone]

Mike C and Tom W bemoan the lack of teaching music in schools. I don't know
anything about these days, but in my school daze, they sure as hell did NOT
TEACH JAZZ. Music? sure. Band? sure. Jazz?  No, that music was reprehensible
and played only by the scum of the earth.

IN NYC, if one wanted to "learn" jazz, one either had to take private
lessons from a jazz player, or go out and teach yourself via listening,
playing along and then going to sit in at loft sessions.

Being embarrassed at cutting sessions was an integral part of the course.
Like, "look man, if you want to play this music, master your axe and your
mind." Then they would offer to help you, IF YOU WERE SERIOUS ABOUT
BECOMMING A REAL JAZZ MUSICIAN. Man, you had to do a lot more than read the
dots. Preparing the mind was more important. Listening was not enough, you
had to HEAR. (Yes, there is a difference)

Yet somehow, the jazz guys survived it all. How many of us today look down
on cutting contests as if they were undignified behavior? Shoot, back then
it was a part of paying your dues. Maybe since nobody does that anymore it
contributes to the sissification of OKOM? :-) VBG.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone