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Eight Steps to Excellent Musicianship.Chris Cortez.
Advice for young musicians -
1. Memorize every melody you can. Play them in every key, mess with the meter, harmonize them, re-harmonize them, play them in chord melody, play a chord for every note, etc… There is no melody that isn’t worthy of your attention, up to the Rite of Spring and down to the lowliest jingle from a TV commercial. Your ring tone. Store them away for future use in a solo. Quoting other melodies is fertile ground for developing improvisation. (from my one lesson with the great Joe Pass)
2. Figure out a way to document and categorize your own set of patterns. The stuff you always play when it’s time to solo. Figure out what that is, the scope of it, and document it in an organized way. Only then will you be able to see how limited it is. Then work on growing the list. Document the new material, and keep your archive going as you grow. Consult it frequently. Your version of “patterns for jazz.” BTW - if you don’t own a copy of that book, buy one. It’s a good beginning. (from my brilliant friend Larry Williams)
3. Learn the local tunes. There are local singers wherever you go, and you are going to be accompanying them. Learn their tunes, in their keys. They hire the cats who know their tunes first. (also from Joe)
4. Learn standard tunes because they will inform your writing and give depth to your solos. Keep composing, but never stop investigating the work of the masters. (me)
5. Effects are great but don’t put the cart before the horse. The magic is in your fingers and brain… not some box you bought that makes you sound like everyone else. Find your sound. Be you. Be different. Allow yourself to come through. Emulate, but never EVER imitate. All your heroes are originals. Don’t be a cheap copy. (me)
6. LISTEN and care about making it great every time. Do it with love and respect. It is a privilege. (me)
7. In my experience there are 2 basic types of people. One says “What’s in it for me?” and the other says “How can I help?” By all means protect yourself from exploitation, but if you come into my studio or venue with “What’s in it for me?” … you won’t be back. Enthusiasm gets rewarded. Show that for the other musicians. It’s contagious. So is being aloof. (me)
8. The best musicians are the nicest people. They are secure in who they are and it shows in how they treat others. (me)
What are some of yours?www.montyguy.com