[Dixielandjazz] Re: Music Theory

[Robert S. Ringwald]

Tom Wiggins writes:

I can't help but ask here folks:
Anybody know who Taught LOUIS  Armstrong and Buddy Bolden, Kid Ory, and
Jelly Roll grammar and theory?
Or did they just learn it the same way they and their forefathers who
gave us this music who by hearing it in bits and pieces and then just
doing it ?   Enquiring minds want to know.
(snip)

A Louis Armstrong comes along once in a century.  he is certainly unique.
Because he had very little formal training, does not mean that other
musicians do not need to study.

This reminds me of my grandson who has/had great potential musically.  I
offered to pay for him to have both piano & guitar lessons.  His adolescent
opinion was, "Jimmy Hendricks and Bob Dillon did not take lessons, so why
should he?"  What a waste!

As for Morton, I believe that he had quite a lot of formal training, at
least in Classical music.  If you have any talent for improvising at all,
it can be a very small leap from Classical to playing Jazz.  Classical 
music training is invaluable to a Jazz player.

 Of course, we have never heard Bolden.  And Ory plays like he never studied
music theory.

Tom goes on to say:

(snip)
I know jazz musicians that can't even spell theory or grammar
and yet they can play their asses off.
(snip)

And I know guys who have never learned to be an electrician but still can do
some wiring.  Would you want them wiring your house?

There is always exceptions to every rule.  But there is no substitution for
learning all aspects of your craft.  And that applies to music.

--Bob Ringwald K6YBV
The Fulton Street Jazz Band
The Boondockers (Jazz and Comedy)
530/642-9551