Re: [Harp-L] Jazz chromatic books

["Bill" <bill.eborn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I've decided that studying jazz is a bit like taking holy orders - poverty 
(definitely), chastity (possibly but imposed rather than chosen - lol!) and 
obediance (again definitely).

I've also decided that studying is like climbing a mythical holy mountain.

I started to climb the jazz mountain, I thought i could see the top but when 
I got there it was a rocky outcrop obscured by clouds.  I started climbing 
again, it was hard, I stumbled again and again.  At one point I realised I 
had taken a wrong turning, I ended up hanging by my fingernails on a sheer 
cliff face, I was terrified I thought this was the end.  I backtracked, i 
started retracing my steps and then began to climb again, away in the 
distance i could see the outline of a master (insert jazz master of your 
choice), I shouted out 'master have you seen the top of the jazz mountain?', 
the master replied 'dude, I've been looking but I ain't found it yet, don't 
reckon no one ever has, maybe there is no top to the jazz mountain'.  Then i 
noticed that as I had been climbing, the mountain had changed shape, it 
looked different to the way it had.  The wind carried a voice to my ears - 
'this is a world of infinite possibilities, there are no answers there are 
only questions, study to find humility and practice, practice, practice'.

Anyway to carry this metaphor to a painful conclusion, I'm still in the 
foothills....

Bill