Anyone want to offer some critique?

latinjazzcat · 10-23-2005, 11:09 PM

Just wondered if anyone wants to help out a high school senior preparing for college auditions by throwing in some comments/criticism of some charts I recently posted. I'm ideally going to major in jazz studies or performance w/ an emphasis on jazz. Feel free to be as harsh as you like, I'm resiliant :)
The songs are at http://www.myspace.com/jessemcbee

wiseone2 · 10-24-2005, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by latinjazzcat

Just wondered if anyone wants to help out a high school senior preparing for college auditions by throwing in some comments/criticism of some charts I recently posted. I'm ideally going to major in jazz studies or performance w/ an emphasis on jazz. Feel free to be as harsh as you like, I'm resiliant :)
The songs are at http://www.myspace.com/jessemcbee

You'll never make it with that GOOD attitude

Wilmer

MrLT · 10-24-2005, 08:29 AM

Dear ljc

more of us should really do this. I enjoyed listening to the songs you posted. Ceora in particular is quite a challenge. You obviously have a good technical command of your instrument which is necessary to translate your ideas into practice. Also a good solid well controlled sound (is it a flugel you are playing?). I liked the solos and they sound like work in progress - with expert instruction and high intensity exposure to other styles and approaches, you will not be the same as when you entered college. You are probably ready to go to the next level - whilst you understand basic chord and harmony theory the solos lack some colour which is imparted by the use of scales allowing you to access upper chord extensions and some good licks which can be used as a base building block. i would suggest the following:

1. REALLY listen to what some of the soloists on the originals of the tunes you recorded are doing - transcribe the solos (good practice in itself) and try to figure out what they are doing. listen to the patterns and riffs they use and adapt.

2. brush up on jazz harmony and scales - i recommend 2 sources i've found very useful: "How to play bebop" by david Baker, and the jazz theory book by mark levine

btw what gear did you use to make the recordings??

Good Luck and success.

Jarrett · 10-24-2005, 11:44 AM

Wow, nice sounding stuff. You have a great tone and sounds like your already starting to put together some cool ideas that actually fit in the changes. I can tell you from experience that many players twice your age aren't there yet.
Try to keep your time constant, I noticed a couple times in Ceora where it sounded like your getting ahead of yourself. That's usually just because your trying to keep your fingers in time with your head and something gets outta wack, just concentrate. Otherwise Ceora sounded really good. I dig that "church organ" comping that your keyboard guy/girl is doing, it sounds good, kinda like some old Ella stuff I like. Some people love it some don't :).
Anyway, just remember, more isn't always more, use silence too sometimes :)
-J

latinjazzcat · 10-24-2005, 09:49 PM

Just wanted to thank everyone for their input- I'm picking up on a lot of things I didn't notice before (and the somewhat pessimistic nature of my initial post, as Mr. Wise pointed out, which was a good point indeed

). It's amazing how much time we can spend woodshedding "major" things only to be completely oblivious to other deficiencies. anyways, just wanted to thank everyone as I'm getting a lot out of your comments...so, Thanks!

MrClean · 10-25-2005, 12:42 AM

Actually, I think Wilmer was complimenting you on "checking your ego at the door" by inviting honest opinions. Nothing pessimistic about that - it shows you are ready to listen and grow, which is a MAJOR step in the right direction.

Good luck.

J

latinjazzcat · 10-25-2005, 01:02 AM

Ahhh ok! My apologies for misconstruing things...once again goes to show how many interpretations of a statement the internet can bring about

Peace,
-Jesse

averagejoe · 11-09-2005, 12:48 PM

You're off to a great start, Jesse -- as has already been mentioned, continue to immerse yourself in listening to the greats and take as many opportunities to play as you can. You are on your way!

Paul Poovey

gregc · 11-09-2005, 04:05 PM

Hey, you've got some good stuff goin on there. Keep at it!!!
greg
ps: you lQQk like a young Jay Leno!

FlugelFlyer · 11-09-2005, 07:59 PM

If you'd like me to be tough...

You hacked a note somewhere.

Beyond that, I can't comment on auditioning for colleges, but your sounds are great.

10-23-2005, 11:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
latinjazzcat Pianissimo User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: West Virginia Posts: 79	Anyone want to offer some critique? Just wondered if anyone wants to help out a high school senior preparing for college auditions by throwing in some comments/criticism of some charts I recently posted. I'm ideally going to major in jazz studies or performance w/ an emphasis on jazz. Feel free to be as harsh as you like, I'm resiliant :) The songs are at http://www.myspace.com/jessemcbee __________________ Jesse

10-24-2005, 08:29 AM	#3 (permalink)
MrLT Pianissimo User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Manchester UK Posts: 78	Dear ljc more of us should really do this. I enjoyed listening to the songs you posted. Ceora in particular is quite a challenge. You obviously have a good technical command of your instrument which is necessary to translate your ideas into practice. Also a good solid well controlled sound (is it a flugel you are playing?). I liked the solos and they sound like work in progress - with expert instruction and high intensity exposure to other styles and approaches, you will not be the same as when you entered college. You are probably ready to go to the next level - whilst you understand basic chord and harmony theory the solos lack some colour which is imparted by the use of scales allowing you to access upper chord extensions and some good licks which can be used as a base building block. i would suggest the following: 1. REALLY listen to what some of the soloists on the originals of the tunes you recorded are doing - transcribe the solos (good practice in itself) and try to figure out what they are doing. listen to the patterns and riffs they use and adapt. 2. brush up on jazz harmony and scales - i recommend 2 sources i've found very useful: "How to play bebop" by david Baker, and the jazz theory book by mark levine btw what gear did you use to make the recordings?? Good Luck and success. __________________ "I was minding my own business when something says to me, "you ought to blow trumpet." I have just been trying ever since." - Miles Davis Eclipse LR/Warburton 3MD Olds Custom/Warburton 3M Eclipse Red Flugel/Bach 1 1/2C B&H "78" cornet/ DW2B

10-24-2005, 11:44 AM	#4 (permalink)
Jarrett Piano User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Ft. Leonard Wood MO Posts: 269	Wow, nice sounding stuff. You have a great tone and sounds like your already starting to put together some cool ideas that actually fit in the changes. I can tell you from experience that many players twice your age aren't there yet. Try to keep your time constant, I noticed a couple times in Ceora where it sounded like your getting ahead of yourself. That's usually just because your trying to keep your fingers in time with your head and something gets outta wack, just concentrate. Otherwise Ceora sounded really good. I dig that "church organ" comping that your keyboard guy/girl is doing, it sounds good, kinda like some old Ella stuff I like. Some people love it some don't :). Anyway, just remember, more isn't always more, use silence too sometimes :) -J __________________ Bach 37 3C

10-24-2005, 09:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
latinjazzcat Pianissimo User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: West Virginia Posts: 79	Just wanted to thank everyone for their input- I'm picking up on a lot of things I didn't notice before (and the somewhat pessimistic nature of my initial post, as Mr. Wise pointed out, which was a good point indeed ). It's amazing how much time we can spend woodshedding "major" things only to be completely oblivious to other deficiencies. anyways, just wanted to thank everyone as I'm getting a lot out of your comments...so, Thanks! __________________ Jesse

10-25-2005, 01:02 AM	#7 (permalink)
latinjazzcat Pianissimo User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: West Virginia Posts: 79	Ahhh ok! My apologies for misconstruing things...once again goes to show how many interpretations of a statement the internet can bring about Peace, -Jesse __________________ Jesse

10-25-2005, 12:42 AM	#6 (permalink)
MrClean Pianissimo User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: SoCal Posts: 242	Actually, I think Wilmer was complimenting you on "checking your ego at the door" by inviting honest opinions. Nothing pessimistic about that - it shows you are ready to listen and grow, which is a MAJOR step in the right direction. Good luck. J

11-09-2005, 12:48 PM	#8 (permalink)
averagejoe Pianissimo User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 76	You're off to a great start, Jesse -- as has already been mentioned, continue to immerse yourself in listening to the greats and take as many opportunities to play as you can. You are on your way! Paul Poovey __________________ trumpet is so hard because it is so easy

11-09-2005, 04:05 PM	#9 (permalink)
gregc Mezzo Piano User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: New York, U.S. of A. Posts: 548	Hey, you've got some good stuff goin on there. Keep at it!!! greg ps: you lQQk like a young Jay Leno!

11-09-2005, 07:59 PM	#10 (permalink)
FlugelFlyer Piano User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Palos Park, IL Posts: 320	If you'd like me to be tough... You hacked a note somewhere. Beyond that, I can't comment on auditioning for colleges, but your sounds are great. __________________ Bach 180LR, 72 bell Bach 1-1/2C Bach 3D

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Unleash Your Anger
Copyright 2006 TrumpetMaster.com	All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:55 AM. Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v2.2.0/Links 1.01 Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.2 Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.0.0 RC8