[Dixielandjazz] Identifying a "good" solo

[Marek Boym]

Disputandum or not, there is no "correct way" to solo!  Just listen to
Bix, or the British Sandy Brown.  Both self-taught, both had
"incorrect" ways of fingering.  Both created great music and
interesting solos.  I don't know about Pee Wee Russell's fingering,
but his playing has always been described as 'incorrect."  Still, one
of the greatest and most easily recognizable soloist.
Cheers (I'm going to get that bass ale out of my freezer (not to
worry, it's been there for some 20 minutes - enough to cool it, but
not to make it too cold; it's not a lager, after all).

On 14 June 2010 00:00, Rick Campbell <ricksax at comcast.net> wrote:
> To your question, Ken.
>
> A jazz solo's value depends a deal great on the listener: his musical
> sophistication, his mood, his cultural musical expectations (a desire to
> hear some melody, a desire to have the solo follow the chord structure and
> resolve back to the tonic, for example). An untrained listener will hear a
> solo differently than an advanced musician.
>
> I have found this to be true when discussing my favorite soloists even with
> other musicians. We respond differently to the same performance. We hear
> different things. We are excited by different things. We dislike certain
> mannerisms.
>
> Some listeners might prefer solos by George Lewis, some might prefer Alan
> Vache. Both fine clarinet soloists, but completely different. Apples and
> oranges.
>
> As to the "journeyman" soloist, there are many thousands of ways to create
> jazz solos, all of them acceptable to some degree. In this regard, there is
> no proficiency exam, no certification in the real world. We just play what
> is in our hearts at the time, and if we have some skill, if it is
> appropriate to the song and the audience, we get some applause-- and maybe
> get hired back.
>
> Of course, the better jazz academies, such as Berklee and North Texas, do
> teach their students the "correct way" to solo, and they are very good at
> it.
>
> In OKOM, Louis Armstrong and Sidney Bechet and Kid Ory just made it up as
> they went along. Their only degree was on-the-job training, but they were
> inventive and had great ears.
>
> Degustibus non disputantum....
>
> Rick Campbell
> Leader, Milneburg Jazz Band
> Portland, Oregon USA
> (503) 234-9440
> ricksax at comcast.net
>
> _______________________________________________
> To unsubscribe or change your e-mail preferences for the Dixieland Jazz
> Mailing list, or to find the online archives, please visit:
>
> http://ml.islandnet.com/mailman/listinfo/dixielandjazz
>
>
>
> Dixielandjazz mailing list
> Dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
>