Andre Hayward- Jazz Musician Space Administrator

Jazz Improvisation Tip:

I've noticed some ridiculous things being stated in jazz books regarding "How To Swing". There's no formulated way to swing. [Ex: Accents on every upbeat of an eighth note.] Phrasing & articulation is a personal endeavor. Swing is knowing how to listen & being sure your technique is together so you may project your ideas in a clean, RELAXE

Jazz Improvisation Tip:

As an artist, it's imperative that you discover the melodic ideas, tunes, or harmonic/rhythmic devices that appeal to you most. Never base your musical conception on someone else's imposed opinions on how things should be done. This music requires deep soul searching. You're not living if you're living to please others

Jazz Improvisation Tip:

There's no better test of a jazz musician's skill than a down home slow blues. The blues will teach you the art of vocalizing, storytelling & pacing. Trim the chord structure down to the bare bone. Just plain I IV V changes without the substitutions. Check out all the great blues singers. Don't

Jazz Improvisation Tip:

To keep forward motion in your lines, think in 2-8 bar segments. Anticipating or overlapping the next phrase area by 1-2 bars will lead to a lot of interesting harmonic territory. Start phrases on any part of the beat. Rhythm & accents are what makes it come alive. Sonny Rollins, & Clifford Brow

Jazz Improvisation Tip:

Just as it's important to develop technical proficiency on your instrument with intervals scales, chords, etc, spend time working on vocalizing. The great Steve Lacy, in his book Findings, refers to it as "waking the instrument up". I'm speaking about vibrato, bending pitches, turns/grace notes, &