Creative Inertia? 3 Steps To Getting UN-Stuck
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 ก.ย. 2020
- 6 months into this pandemic I've found myself in a creative funk (not the groovy kind). Words like "lost" and "rudderless" come to mind. I'd like to change that. This is my plan.
►► Grab my FREE 7-T Jazz Practice Framework at bobsvirtualstudio.com
Watch the secret 'BLOCKED' vlog Ep 168 ► bit.ly/2RqBrxj
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8:00 my 3-part plan to get unstuck
10:28 the 2 ingredients that add up to a satisfying practice session
Gear ► bobreynoldsmusic.com/setup
Signed Albums ► bit.ly/signed_cds
60 bpm T-shirt ► bit.ly/Bobs60bpmTshirt
Practice Book ► bit.ly/saxpowerhour
Retreat for Saxophonists ► www.insideoutsideretreat.com
Instagram ► / bob_reynolds
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Bob Reynolds is an American jazz saxophonist and Grammy Award-winning member of Snarky Puppy. He's toured with John Mayer, Larry Carlton, and many others and released 12 solo albums-4 of which reached the Top 10 in Billboard's Jazz Charts. A pioneering educator, Bob has coached thousands of musicians through his innovative Virtual Studio. He is a D'Addario Woodwinds artist, amateur surfer, and popular TH-cam vlogger. He lives with his wife and kids in Los Angeles, CA.
“A self-assured saxophonist and an unassuming yet effective composer…”
NEW YORK TIMES
“…Reynolds flexes an assured hand with melding hip-swiveling jazz and funk as a bandleader.”
LA TIMES
“Some of the freshest, most compelling, and most soulful music I have heard recently. Bob Reynolds is an amazing musician, with something very exciting and original to say.”
Joshua Redman, Grammy-nominated saxophonist
“Bob is one hell of a saxophonist! His sound is rich and his execution is effortless.”
Michael Brecker, Grammy-winning saxophonist
LONGER BIO
Saxophonist Bob Reynolds is an in-demand jazz performer, educator, and sideman, as well as a Grammy Award-winning member band Snarky Puppy. Born in Morristown, New Jersey in 1977, Reynolds grew up in Jacksonville, Florida, where he first started playing saxophone at age 13. Although he listened to a range of music as a kid, by his late teens he was a dedicated jazz student. After high school he honed his skills at Boston's Berklee College of Music, where he mentored with George Garzone, Hal Crook, and others. As a leader, he debuted with 2000's The Bob Reynolds Quartet, followed by 2006's Can't Wait for Perfect. That same year, he joined fellow Berklee alum John Mayer's band and spent the next five years with the pop star, touring and appearing on such albums as 2008's Where the Light Is and 2009's Battle Studies.
In 2013, he returned to his solo work with Somewhere in Between, which reached number one on digital jazz charts. He then made his Snarky Puppy debut appearing on the genre-bending group's 2014 effort, We Like It Here. Two years later he was back with Snarky Puppy for the Grammy Award-winning Culcha Vulcha. In 2017, Reynolds delivered the EP Guitar Band, which featured appearances from Kneebody bassist Kaveh Rastegar as well as fellow Snarky Puppy members Robert "Sput" Searight (drums) and Mark Lettieri (guitar). In 2018 he began touring with 4-time Grammy-winning guitar legend Larry Carlton. He also released the albums Hindsight and Quartet which both landed in the top 10 of Billboard's Jazz charts. A passionate educator, he cofounded an annual summer retreat for adult saxophonists called the Inside:Outside Retreat and he's coached thousands of musicians through his Virtual Studio, a ground-breaking web-based teaching platform he built and has operated since 2010.
@bobreynolds
#saxophone #creativity #creativeprocess
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YES A NEW BOB VLOG!!!!!
Wow you are everywhere
Oh hey there
lol saxologic is a bob reynolds fan too
AAAAAHHHHHH *grimmace-and-suddencut
Oh hello there saxologic
Young, 20 y/o college student here. Bob, I look up to you and aspire to be like you in many ways, and can see a lot of who I want to be and bits of myself when I listen. The thing is, it's extremely insightful to see that even the people I look up to are still facing some of the same challenges that I'm having myself, and is a humbling reminder that "making it" is never going to mean some perfect schedule and zero issues.
The comment section seems to suggest that many are touched by your content, but I'd like to again express how meaningful these videos are for some of us.
Great Bob. I am 66 and a half years old. I have been playing professionally for 48 years. Like you, I always thrived on getting ready for performances but now feel like it is over for me. By the time
Things get back to quasi normal , I feel like I will be totally too old. In six months I haven’t felt like playing let alone practicing, and like going to gym , I am now so out of shape I get angry that I am angry that I am so out of shape. No gigs to play. It is like an athlete training for the Olympics that isn’t happening. I am sorry that so many musicians must feel like me. It is nice to know I am not alone, even though we are all alone lol. Thanks for sharing. You picked me up quite a lot. Cheers. Keep up the great work on inspiring others. Cheers Robin
Thanks Bob. Very generous (and helpful) of you to share with everyone the things that hold you back. Could it be that the prolonged limited social interaction is diminishing our creative energy? I'm feeling the resistance in a big way these days. Digging the surfer look.
I'm sure that's part of it. ("Could it be that the prolonged limited social interaction is diminishing our creative energy?") Thanks, Jay.
Jay Metcalf from Better Sax?! What are YOU doing here!!
Your kids are really growing up. Fast! Don't let this time go by without cherishing every moment. I see you are.👏😎
Exactly. You can never get the time back. There is a quote from a book "Who on his deathbed says I wish I spent more time at the office". So true!
Anyone else think that Bob would both do extraordinarily well but also enjoy twitch streaming? I would love to tune into him just either practicing, or running standards, playing what ever he wants and talking to people.
Yes, what the sax community has been patient for!!!!
It’s so interesting to see and hear you playing like how I STARTED . The saxophone was what saw me out of a deep sense of confusion. I meditated with it for over 30 years. I didn’t share, or listen to others …but to hear you PLAY , when you do ….its stupendous!!!
I love love love that you left your kids in the video! You'll hear it a thousand times, but they grow up so fast. It just seems like I blinked and my kids are in high school now. Life is all about moments. Continue to cherish yours. 😊
Really helpful Bob, thank you.
Your son reminds me very much of my kiddo and because of that I give you a "knowing dad nod."
Bob, I know how you feel with regard to missing playing with others and for others. The orchestral work I have been doing has disappeared of course. My wife is an awesome percussionist and Tympanist, and she has not performed since last March. Those interactions become a vital part of our lives and we miss them terribly. However, I joined your studio last summer and that has unleashed a joy and excitement that I have not felt in a very long time. I started on Tenor (a long time ago), and continue to play jazz but not publicly. I needed to get with a mentor to help me focus and move forward. I now have that with you and it has been fantastic! Thank you so much for sharing this with us. BTW, those children are wonderful, enjoy them while you can, mine are grown and gone, and that period of life went by way to fast. Best of luck, I am in the studio pretty much every day since I'm working from home and loving it!
Howard this is just wonderful of you to share and to hear. 🙏🏻 So glad you're loving the Virtual Studio. I'm getting that same connective boost from it, too. Loving all that's going on among the Stablemates community these days.
Wow your kids grew up fast. You’re such a present dad, really nice to see that!
Definitely felt every word of this. I hate to think how many musicians are going through similiar, depressive and tough times. Playing, gigging, rehearsing, really made up my life as a musician and now its all gone and its hard to grasp what once was to stay motivated for what can be. Big love to you, love your music and records.
9:04 is a great point and truth
w00t! WB Bob! On my soap box for a moment, carry on if not interested: A few vlogs ago, Bob, I mentioned I was worried about finances while training for my dream job which has taken much longer than I had anticipated. I've essentially started working for Lyft and am transitioning to UberEats full time (being a taxi/bus driver blows my mind too easily when I zoom out where as delivering pizza doesn't have as much as an effect) and have been doing that for the past 2 & 1/2 months, it's literally putting food on the table and paying for gas right now and my monthly subscriptions and I loveee that... working towards monthly rent...I'm down for charging for my time as a musician, I just don't want it to be my single stream.. but that's just how my brain works. See, I think what all of you in the Snarky Puppy fam have is what music should be about. Speaking as a classical musician, I'm just realizing I'm just not there yet on the improvisational side. Bob, you should take a myers briggs test. I think you're an INTJ or INTP (you need to think externally as you said)..the letters don't mean much, but they just give a little insight to how different types of people think. [/End Soap]
“I LOVE YOU, BUT I’M AT WORK.” 😭Bless your heart, Bob Reynolds!!!! Great vlog as always!!!! Hope you’re able to find a way out of your “creative funk” while enjoying your time at home with your family!!!!! ♥️
Thank you for sharing that "Blocked" video. It is awesome. All of it. It has "that" inner vibe in it, that is about love to music, good old times and respect to musicians that inspired you. Thank you!
Thanks for the great video. I've spent the last six months listening to your music, switched to Tenor after 50 years on Alto. You have a lot to answer for...
In this turbulent time I’m hoping that one of my favorite tenor players may come up with something inspired by Coltrane’s ‘Alabama’. It’s still so damn relevant!
Thanks Bob. Times have been so difficult for many of us in different ways. One thing for me is being horrified of not getting enough work back. Music really is just about everything to me. At my age I can't see doing anything else.
Amazing reminder, Bob. Thanks so much, man. Practice, create, share! I gotta keep myself in check with that. Also gotta check that book out! I'm definitely also an "Obliger."
Thanks for the post Bob! As a dad of two young kids I relate to your struggle... listening to your opening for this video was literally like a mirror into my life.
always a good day when Bob posts a vlog
you are a beautiful human being, thanks so much for finding that time to share this with us. God bless you and your family, .....atte: a trumpet player family man.......(totally relate brother)
I was in a similar place for years. You got me out like 2 years ago with these vlogs. I do t think I’ve ever thanked you.
Bob in quarantine looking like the Matthew McConaughey of jazz
I love the way you "ninja'd" that book out of the stack!!
I watched this while struggling because I’m not practicing enough Haha great to see another episode!
Let them come in Bob. Those years go by fast and you can never have them back -). Don't be scared to cut your own hair - it's not that hard. Stay safe!
I shouldn’t have gotten this happy seeing this upload😭
I’m loving the long hair and the return of the videos. I’m a guitar player but so much of what you talk about on your horn is applicable. Keep it coming!
Thanks, Sam
I can identify with these struggles a lot. Having depression and other mental nonsense as well as other life things makes it realy hard for me to practice as much as I feel I need to or at all. I'm gonna try some of these things.
When it comes to fighting the resistance , I have two words for you Janek Guizdala!
Just one word: Wow. What a great vlog, Bob. Seems your process of ‘mourning’ turned into a process of healing. Great to see & hear you like this.
Great to see you back Bob. I completely understand the problem with interrupted workflow. My 5 year old son does exactly what your son did there with the "you have to come outside and see this" routine. Music isn't my main profession, but is a big part of what I do. So finding time that's productive is tough. That said, I took on board your 'three point plan' and, as always, I find your vlogs stimulating towards my creative process. Best wishes. Adam
*DUDE BOB UPLOADED*
great video bob, it’s a very relatable topic.
#3 is like “nothing prepares the mind as much as teaching others”
It's good to hear from you again. I missed your vlogs. Keep 'em coming.
Ah, did you notice how Hudson leaves the room stepping exactly in sync with the snare😀 at 13:10
About taking down some videos by google/youtube... is nothing new. My husband's covers were taken all down years ago for the copyrights infringements while there have been tons of other youtubers' same songs all over the place. It seems to have something to do with the degree of 'certain' authentic resonance making listeners transformed by peculiarity of inducement metamorphosis :). Thanks Bob for your music which is so inspiring. That sterile state of mind without morphogenetic fields of other musicians around is beyond unhuman comprehension.
I missed the vlogs so much!
Super inspiring this is something all creatives go through.
Bob, definitely feel that accountability thing! I’ve hired a gym trainer just to keep me going and motivated.... even though I know how to workout. The same can be said for practicing. We all kick around with fundamentals. I dug into some the other day while practicing a song that I wanted to make tighter. I felt sooo accomplished like I just left the gym and had a great workout 🏋🏾♀️! 🙂
“I’m surfing.....iiiiiiiii’m not surfing” lol
Outstanding! I am on day 105 of my own 30 day personal challenge (30 days of no miss practice). My family is supportive of my daily isolation for practice, they get it!
Great job! That's something to be proud of. I'm coming for ya! (day 3 here), haha
Great vid, Bob. Just wanted to mention that I’m a pre-med student, and I find it interesting to see the parallels in some of the obstacles/methods towards overcoming them between practicing music and handling my schoolwork. I know those two things are pretty different, but every once in a while I’ll come across an overlap in your vlogs that gives me extra inspiration/motivation to handle my work more efficiently. So thanks, much love and respect👊🏾
Really glad to see you’re back!
A lot of people have these traits, but as a jazz musician your struggles hit home to me
Thanks Bob, lots of helpful and illuminating info here. I really appreciate what you share and the care you put into these blogs.
WOOOOOO VLOG!
Love it Bob! Right on the button. Thank you for sharing your travels through wisdomville!
Practicing and consistency are really an art. Try vipassana meditation for organizing and purifying your mind, it's really helping me.
We usually demand time for practicing and when we have it, don't know what to use it for or how to manage it. You are always inspiring. Nice ninja look style. Happy to see you well. Thanks for sharing the video.
i am so happy that you came back! thanks
Thank you for this!!! Keep being awesome.
literally just been transcribing Joe Henderson solo on Isotope too, a bomb! Thanks for another refreshing vlog that resonates with us all. Always so much appreciation for your hard work and transparency!
Missed you man! Good to see you back
Terrific video; love the idea of finding that balance between mechanics + mystery, definitely something that I need to take forward into my practice routine. And that philosophical approach to practising as something that informs how you are with others and improves upon how your day can be, that's such a great point. Thanks, as always, Bob, for a great video and fascinating idea.
Good to have you back!
Good to see you, love me a good Bob vlog
Bob! The top knot is rad!! As usual, thanks for your art :)
the vlog is powerful man! - very motivational stuff, I will literatly grab my sax right now and play a couple tunes. thanks!
Bob... Dude... some of the things you talk about really resonate within me. I recognize some of my ways of approaching this art-craft... so... just... hang in there brother!! At least one person (but likely more than that, fortunately) in this cruel world understands you ;)
Many more. Keep 'em coming Bob.
I can feel the privilege in my face by seeing your process and hear you talking, bob. thankyou, REALLY!!
I'm also an obliger! I've been waiting for a new vlog vid!!
Finally a new video...I hang out for these..
This was an amazing video, seemed to hit the nail on the head with where I feel like I'm at, and now I want to practice! Thanks Bob
thank you for all the work you put into this video! I'm a multi instrumentalist learning cornet/trumpet and I've been going thru some of the same things you have. And- thanks also for the suggestion of the books. I have the war of art,am getting the 4 tendencies used off eBay. Subscribed to your channel as you're very inspiring and helpful to those of us who make music.
mechanics and mystery!!! so cool i love your video bob🤗
Wow!! Thanks Bob I needed to hear this. I can 100% resonate with what you’re saying.
It's definitely a different world right now. I work from home now, I'm a father to 11 and 13 year old daughters and a weekend warrior musician. The pandemic has been difficult, more difficult that I was willing to admit for quite a while. I can't tell yo how great it was to get together with my band mates in early June to rehearse in the backyard after some of the restrictions had been lifted. I didn't realize just how much I missed it and how "borderline" depressed I was. My desire to practice came in waves and was anything but consistent. Playing bass is one of my "carrots" in life, yes like the proverbial donkey with the carrot dangling just ahead. It's not how I make my living, but it gets me through the day when work and life in general are running me down. We're planning to record in the next month and few things motivate me as much as creating music with like-minded individuals. Yep, the pandemic is tough!
I can't believe how much your kids have grown since I started watching a few years back.
Cheers and take care!
i think we all feel the same way about practicing, not having things figured out seems to be the common denominator among musicians. I think spending too much time trying to perfect our approach to practicing or your schedule can be counter-productive in the end - the only thing that has worked for me is to learn from the musicians that surround me or from recordings that i love, as well as honest consistency
Bob I love the hair! And thanks for the new vlog, I definitely needed this message!
Very inspiring man!
Much love.
Extremely helpful video, thank you
It’s beautiful to hear and see you, brother. I’m also an obliger, and totally need to set specific goals and have external accountability in order to consistently do anything. I’ve got a new record with John Ellis coming out at some point, you’ll dig it...let’s reconnect sometime and chat!
Peter! Was thinking of you not long ago; came across "Cycles" on CD! I look forward to hearing your new work with Ellis. Hope you and yours are well. Love to catch up soon.
One of the most necessary videos right now. Great work Bob! I'm just sitting here in my apt in Chicago trying to find something to compose or arrange. I've (fortunately) got a good practice habit I've gotten into lately but I feel totally blank in terms of writing. I'm taking steps though!
Hello,Bob.Thanks for your videos!I play the saxophone as well and now I sit at home and try to play the clarinet and flute.And I think this time is a great opportunity for me to learn all these important things,because before I didn’t have enough time.Also,I learn English and your videos help me to do it interesting!!!)The hard part of it-don’t quarrel with my wife(and especially with my neighbors),when I try to practice daily.)))
Your messages are always relevant....musically and in life. You’re an incredibly balanced individual. Don’t beat yourself up for the things that have passed you by, those things can’t be changed. At the end of every day, strive to have achieved something new that was unattainable the day before. And get a haircut bro...lol
Great advice, Jason. Thank you. (Re: the hair...I want to cut it so bad, but I also know I'd never let it get this long again so I'm oddly curious to see what happens next).
Bob Reynolds hahaha
Thanks a lot Bob for such a generous share. Just found out your channel and it’s awesome!
🙏🏻
Damn man I needed to hear this right now. Thanks a bunch Bob. What were the solos you were working on?
I totally feel you Bob. I haven’t played a single rehearsal or gig in 2020 and it’s killing me... Joined your lesson studio this year and it’s been really helping to keep me motivated! Life is hard at the moment. Thank you for being open and honest. 🙂 x
You bet, Chris. I appreciate that. The people in the studio, and the things we work on together, are the biggest part of what's kept me connected to music this year. So grateful for that community.
Welcome back!
I think age alters one's perspective in this situation, but I can really relate to all the things you mentioned about practicing. From my perspective, being away from the high school jazz environment allowed me to get away from the idea that music is about being better than others, and I'm less anxious about my playing when I do get the chance to jam with people that are better than me. Regardless of how my playing compares to other people, music has helped me get through depression and social anxiety over the past 6 months. Thank you for sharing this video! Greetings from the Bay Area, I hope the smoke isn't too bad in socal.
Fantastic observation, Lucas! That makes a lot of sense. And even away from school, we all (well, many of us) can feel that same burden of comparison just by scrolling Instagram, so it's good to remember what really matters. Glad to hear music has brought you what you needed during this time. Reminder of why music is so important. It's bad air quality down here but nothing like up there I'm sure. Stay safe.
Man, so good to hear from you!!! Greetings from NorCal. As a music hobbyist I am totally with you on the creative rut. But yeah, I like to say creativity and life is best shared with others. Taking the time to soak up ideas by authors has been good during this time. I got to read a few books like Indistractable by Nir Eyal and Atomic Habits by James Clear (I think you recommended that book in an old vlog post). Anyway hope you and family are well and I’m rooting for you as you get things in order.
Yup, I'd mentioned Atomic Habits in an older vlog (that book has exploded in popularity across a wide array of fields), but hadn't heard of Indistractable. Thank you, I just ordered it!
best regards from Coyhaique, Chile!
Boston Sax Shop Reeds? Working on an episode of Hoarders, Buried Alive? Looks like a wonderful life. You might want to get down on your knees and give thanks for a wonderful family. This is just a detour in your life. You have lots of roads ahead. Hang in there My Friend.
lol...and yes, Re: "You might want to get down on your knees and give thanks for a wonderful family."
Amen. I do. I am 🙏
Your kids are delightful. Way to go, man.
They sure are. Thank you!
You've got a beautiful tone....
Dewey told me stories... playing long tones.
Do Not Miss Bobby Bradford...go find him.
4:58 - true ninja skills!
Thank you for making this video just for me! How did you you know I was struggling with all of this??
-JoJo
Bob, you’re an awesome cat.
Yeah! Good to see another vlog. Can really relate with this topic. Creating a consistent practice routine and being really motivated to practice is hard. Having school (virtual school that is) in session again is not helping either. But things like this vlog inspire me to do better, so thank you for that Bob!
Like I mentioned in that recent TC video, I can hear the improvement in your sound just in these last months, Jaden. Keep up the effort. You'll never quite have the time/circumstances to shed that you currently do at your age (let alone the global circumstances).
Thanks Bob! And you are definitely right about that. Gotta make the best use of my time in my teens while I still have it. 👍
Is that a man bun 😁! A whole ponytail 🤩 ! Sweet!
I’ve never related to the Vlog more so than this right here! Consumption vs Creation #nailonthehead
Great videos as always... I would like to know which camera are you using? Thanks..
YES!
Hello friends. (You can watch Ep 168 -- blocked by YT -- here: bit.ly/2RqBrxj)
Does anyone (including Bob) know what Bob's playing to when he's using a drum loop instead of a metronome? Does anyone (including Bob) have any thoughts about the benefit of playing to drums rather than a click?
Loved this one Bob. what's the song you're playing at 13:21?
I relate with everything, expecially the book pile.
Mine isn't as high, but it is unread ...
Oh, that's the syndrome of the book collector. My advice: pick up the first and talk with it. Reading could be an interesting dialogue with yourself. :)