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Here's a lesson from a while back. I didn't dig it so I never posted. I didn't think I really did a good job Illustrating it. Maybe it's not so bad, but I think the idea is important.

It's about role playing, thinking like you're a different instrument. I think putting your brain in a different point of reference can really help your playing.

Let me know what you think.

Sometimes I feel like the scare crow in the Wizard of Oz. Not because I feel I'm missing a brain but because i wish I was a sponge. I want the capability to immediately soak up all the information available for playing vibes. And I want it now. At my age sometimes you feel its risky to buy slightly brown bananas.

I was lucky enough to get along to Ronnie Scott's on Saturday night, to see an absolutely fantastic gig. I rushed over to catch the late show, (all the early tickets were sold out, unsurprisingly) and a packed out club was treated to some amazing music.

This is a top 30 list derived from the tune list PDF Tony posted.
I was so overwhelmed by 200 tunes I needed to add some focus.
One step at a time :)

-Todd

Here's a tune list that was compiled by a fellow teacher at Univ of the Arts. Might be of use to some of you. Also see the 'Check this out link' for the Short Tunes List.

It's interesting all the feedback I'm getting about my thoughts on trio playing.

toddc, jondaly, keene and friedman are all making great points. I've been thinking really hard about all this lately. I've been thinking about musically what you need to give someone for them to be satisfied musically. The listener that is. What will hold someone's attention and for how long.

This is making me think I should read 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance Again'. Some answers should be in there, as I remember.

This is a very very simple etude based on the changes to 'My Romance'. Here's why I think it's cool. It simply states the changes to the tune. What you should do is:

• Play the melody and chords first
• Once you really here the tune and the key in your head, play the etude

Now this is an easy etude. You should be able to memorize it quickly. You should memorize it and then play it in different keys. This will be a really good harmony lesson for you if you play it through all the keys.

Hey guys,

Here's a recent article on an improvisational topic called Four Note Groupings. Feel free to email me if you have any questions.

Ed