| I think Kenny Werner needs to associate with a better class of string player. He makes some ridiculous statements based on his limited experience. The person who refined my rhythmic sense was a "white American" named William Vacchiano.
Statements like that begin the slippery slope of typecasting cultures. If you can say that one culture is better at rhythmic endeavors than another, then one could easily turn that around to use against that same culture when it comes to melody. Perhaps Brazilians, by his logic, should only be allowed to percussion instruments but not trumpets or violins. How's that sound? I don't know what you'd do with Puerto Ricans, they just like to dance.
I'm merely saying that he could have made his point without that kind of politically pandering statement and that's all it was, pure and simple. I've been hearing it for years. Maybe that's why people assume I can play jazz before they've heard me play a note when the fact is, I am not a good jazz player. Lead playing and jazz improv are different, in my mind.
All that said, I'll check out the "epiphany", Derek, and thank you for going to the trouble to post your experiences regarding rhythm. You are one of those people on the site that goes into subjects in depth and I always learn something form them.
ML |