crowmadic

I'm feeling like I'll never play the thousands of fast notes played during a jazz improv. a la Arturo, Dizzy, and so many others. Never the less, I'm interested in hearing from TM ers that can shed light on the ability to perform the above................crow

Bear

From what I've seen, even though I'm still a "young one" that main reason people can't perform the "fast" licks is because 1. They think they cannot and 2. they tend to concentrate too much on the notes. Two might be a little vague, let me try to explain. What I mean is I see a lot of people always trying to maneuver their lips for the perfect note each time in a lick so it looks as if they are chewing cud like a cow or something. This is not needed, just relax, keep your embouchure set and blow THROUGH the lick. After that is down, it's just a matter of how quickly you can push down those three little buttons we call valves, lol. Just my two cents. Take care.

trpt2345

There are a lot of good soloists who can't play as fast as Dizzy. Miles couldn't, and he did all right. Concentrate on what you can do. You can only play as fast as you can hear, so try to develop your ears.

My $.02.

Michael McLaughlin

johnmarkpainter

On every instrument, the key to speed is to relax and let it flow.
I just had to record a Vocal part ala Gilbert and Sullivan that sounds impossible.

In the end I had to completely relax and let it happen.
(Still can't do it on Trumpet though!!!)

jmp

beartrumpet74

JMP -
It has been my experience that practicing things VERY VERY slowly yields speed and accuracy the best. I've also heard this same thing from countless heavies in the world of trumpet
hope that helps
Matt

wiseone2

Back in the 40s, everyone was trying to imitate Diz. Miles could do a passible job. There are a couple recordings with the Metronome All-Stars that Diz, Miles AND Fats trade solos and you can't tell who's playing Don't sell "The P.O.D.( Prince of Darkness) cheap, he was quite a player when he wanted to be.
Wilmer

dales

That record Miles did with Tadd Dameron in about 1949, "At the Paris Festival International," is some of his hottest and fastest playing on record.

TrentAustin

Vizzutti technical studies, playing through the Omnibook, Clifford Brown solos, Clarke's, and just WORKING REALLY hard have helped my fast playing. Get your trumpet "flow" really solid by doing your fundamentals! I also think shape and hope "muscle/ear memory" will help me through any set of changes that might pose issues. You just can't get to playing fast easily without a bunch of tech. work.

Okay, off to bed before Praise band in the morning!
-T

crowmadic

Wilmer,
You've played and been around the N.Y. jazz scene for years (I know, you probably don't want to be reminded). What were you told, and what do you tell others about improvising on "up-tempos". I'm talking about going from one chord to another playing runs up and down. What's the wisdom?..........crow

crowmadic

Trent, Can you elaborate on "shape, hope, muscle, ear memory?.........crow