Re: [Harp-L] Muscle memory versus conceptual awareness

[The Iceman <icemanle@xxxxxxx>]

Two suggestions....


1. Learn the solo from the back to the front...i.e., learn the final phrases first and then proceed backwards. By the time you get to the first phrases, you will have a much better handle on playing the complete solo note for note.


2. In memorizing these solos, you are mechanically imprinting someone else's approach to the chord changes. Try to get inside the ideas and understand why they are so compelling. Move away from mechanics towards understanding.



-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Rubin <michaelrubinharmonica@xxxxxxxxx>
To: harp-l <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Mon, Jun 16, 2014 10:19 am
Subject: [Harp-L] Muscle memory versus conceptual awareness


Dear Harp-l,
I have spent the last year learning jazz saxophone solos note for note on
the chromatic.  I have always felt that I was faking it when I played a
jazz gig.  Recently I spent a couple of years studying theory and even took
about 10 lessons from Wim Dijkgraaf who I recommend and perhaps will study
further with later.  I would have continued but our schedules were not
matching.

In any case,  although I could play notes that made sense with the tune, I
still felt like I didn't sound like jazz.  At SPAH last year I went to Jens
Bunge's (Spelling?  I feel I am way off) class on jazz improvisation and he
talked a lot about transcribing solos note for note.  This was not the
first time I heard this information but for some reason I got inspired.

What is strange to me is I have transcribed hundreds of blues solos and
other music as well.  I spend LOTS of time transcribing with my students.
Why didn't I connect the dots with jazz?  Perhaps I felt daunted.

In any case,  I seem to spend around two weeks per song.  I learn the
entirety of what the sax player does on a song, so some songs are very
complex and I spend longer.   What I notice is I tend to be able to play
the song at 60% speed and then find it very hard to get faster and I also
lose my attention span.

So it would seem to me if I dedicated myself to memorizing every tune at
speed,  I would have much more muscle memory, but each song would take much
longer and I would get bored.

Whereas my current method gives me SOME muscle memory and feeds me new
information with every song improving my conceptual awareness of how people
play jazz.

 I sense my way is better for the way I learn but I am wondering if anyone
has opinions and reasons why I should work harder on memorization and
playing up to speed.
Thanks,
Michael Rubin
michaelrubinharmonica.com