[Dixielandjazz] Diary and Larry's response

[Kent Murdick]

I liked Larry's response, but I would like to add a few things.  There 
are a lot of people out there who try for years to improvise and can't 
get anywhere, or are starting this activity late in life.  By late in 
life I mean older than 18.

I liked Larry's thoughts  on improvising around the melody, but I don't 
see that there is a big difference between this and improvising  around 
four or five chord tones. I find that because I can solo bit around the 
chord tones, that I can do so around the melody as well (in fact I'm 
doing  more of that lately).  The fact is there is only one initial 
goal, and that is to be able to play what you hear on the fly. It 
doesn't really matter how you get there.

A guy approached our street duo on Saturday.  He had been playing 
trumpet for years and still couldn't figure out how one played the 
changes.  He had been trying to do it by ear.  I suggested that he do it 
"by the numbers" and the ear would follow.  Just playing and failing 
won't do anythng for you ear.