I sought out a teacher for the exact reason that I’m classically trained but had no idea how to speak “the language”, despite reading probably a dozen jazz books and “understanding” them from a theoretical/academic standpoint
Shan, you really hit it dead on here. I get so analytical about this stuff when I'm better off just picking a tune and trying to make the changes. If I can't even do that, then what am I going to get out of a book? Also, your cooking analogy also connected with me personally. Another hobby I've always enjoyed but always told myself cooking is so much more than the recipe itself. It's about managing a kitchen, the activities, the salt, heat, acid and fat concept. The recipe doesn't tell you, for instance, how to properly brown meat - you have to learn that skill beforehand. It's just implied. Great stuff as always. A bit about me personally is that I fell for the same stuff for years. Bass guitar was my life from 15-23 but all I did was waste time practicing scales. Ended up putting it down for over ten years. Now as an adult, aim playing guitar with more maturity and quickly realized what I did when I was younger wasn't the path forward. Appreciate your content and always look forward to seeing a new vid from you under my subscription list.
In fact, I was a member of JazzSkills during a few months, and although there is good information on the course, I think Shan really shines on the psychological aspects needed to improve in jazz.
@JazzSkills Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes to all of your points, counterpoints, criticisms, suggestions, … and evidence for what/how/when/why adults learn … or not. Thank you again for all the work that you do. hugs 🫂 from the road, Dr D
If I had a dime for every time a student asked me to write "the book" I'd be able to retire! I learn a lot from your channel - wish I'd been able to sit in a room with Barry Harris, but your videos are always helpful. I'm forwarding this to my students.
@@mwflanagan1 that's interesting because I get asked all the time. Most people - especially classical pianists I know, want to learn how to improvise. I work with a lot of classical teachers.
Learning to play jazz is often compared to learning a language (you supposedly listen and then try to speak). I learned English from books before I came to an English speaking country and started to communicate verbally in this language. I passed proficiency exams with high marks. I have lived in another English speaking country for many years now. I am fully bilingual and I definitely speak better English than the native speakers. I definitely know English grammar better than many teachers. I learn from books!
@ Practically not existent. I had a lot of interest in learning jazz but I couldn’t really gave up classical music. As I commented in another video, my biggest problem is that there are as many methods of teaching jazz as jazz teachers. My brain does deal well with too much freedom - I need rules and consistency. 😊
Wow Shan - the video production value of this new lesson is certainly super slick and a bit mind-blowing! It’s impressive, but for me (a jazz skills member and long term fan of yours) it’s bit like the curates egg - good in parts :) The lesson is, as usual, great, but I found the non-stop visual slices making it difficult to absorb the information. Just thought you’d appreciate the feedback. (There is a Danish jazz guitar teacher, Jens Larsen, whose online teaching on TH-cam has been overwhelmed with glitzy tech which you might want to check out).
@ I echo your sentiments about Jazz Skills and Shan’s wonderful teaching methods. We’re both very lucky to have him! Can I suggest you read my comments again? Shan’s new YT lesson is utilising completely new production techniques as compared to his previous YT lessons and I simply wanted to give him some feedback both as a YT viewer and JS student. Shan is the best online music educator in the jazz world and through his teaching we get to learn not only the language of music, but benefit enormously from the amazing teachings of the late, great, Barry Harris.
Some people are bookish though. Quite unmodestly, my english language is better than most natives, and I learnt it all by reading books. Not by listening to people, living in France with french people before the internet. It is also a skill that is usually learnt by ear. But some people are bookish.
I have never learned much of anything from the so-called Jazz Method Books. So much money wasted. I'm 70 now so I've had years of opportunity to waste time and money.
I sought out a teacher for the exact reason that I’m classically trained but had no idea how to speak “the language”, despite reading probably a dozen jazz books and “understanding” them from a theoretical/academic standpoint
The greats that we still admire and love.....Oscar,Bill Evans, Charlie, Art ....etc....didn't have all these books available.
U are so on point ☝🏽
Shan, love your approach of teaching.
You are old school, hands on, relaying info and knowledge via the oral tradition.
Shan, you really hit it dead on here. I get so analytical about this stuff when I'm better off just picking a tune and trying to make the changes. If I can't even do that, then what am I going to get out of a book?
Also, your cooking analogy also connected with me personally. Another hobby I've always enjoyed but always told myself cooking is so much more than the recipe itself. It's about managing a kitchen, the activities, the salt, heat, acid and fat concept. The recipe doesn't tell you, for instance, how to properly brown meat - you have to learn that skill beforehand. It's just implied.
Great stuff as always. A bit about me personally is that I fell for the same stuff for years. Bass guitar was my life from 15-23 but all I did was waste time practicing scales. Ended up putting it down for over ten years. Now as an adult, aim playing guitar with more maturity and quickly realized what I did when I was younger wasn't the path forward.
Appreciate your content and always look forward to seeing a new vid from you under my subscription list.
In fact, I was a member of JazzSkills during a few months, and although there is good information on the course, I think Shan really shines on the psychological aspects needed to improve in jazz.
@JazzSkills
Yes. Yes. Yes.
Yes to all of your points, counterpoints, criticisms, suggestions, … and evidence for what/how/when/why adults learn … or not.
Thank you again for all the work that you do.
hugs 🫂 from the road,
Dr D
If I had a dime for every time a student asked me to write "the book" I'd be able to retire! I learn a lot from your channel - wish I'd been able to sit in a room with Barry Harris, but your videos are always helpful. I'm forwarding this to my students.
If I had a nickel for every time someone asked me how to play jazz on piano, I’d have a nickel.
@@mwflanagan1 that's interesting because I get asked all the time. Most people - especially classical pianists I know, want to learn how to improvise. I work with a lot of classical teachers.
Learning to play jazz is often compared to learning a language (you supposedly listen and then try to speak).
I learned English from books before I came to an English speaking country and started to communicate verbally in this language. I passed proficiency exams with high marks. I have lived in another English speaking country for many years now. I am fully bilingual and I definitely speak better English than the native speakers. I definitely know English grammar better than many teachers.
I learn from books!
How's your jazz playing?
@ Practically not existent. I had a lot of interest in learning jazz but I couldn’t really gave up classical music. As I commented in another video, my biggest problem is that there are as many methods of teaching jazz as jazz teachers. My brain does deal well with too much freedom - I need rules and consistency. 😊
Wow Shan - the video production value of this new lesson is certainly super slick and a bit mind-blowing! It’s impressive, but for me (a jazz skills member and long term fan of yours) it’s bit like the curates egg - good in parts :)
The lesson is, as usual, great, but I found the non-stop visual slices making it difficult to absorb the information.
Just thought you’d appreciate the feedback. (There is a Danish jazz guitar teacher, Jens Larsen, whose online teaching on TH-cam has been overwhelmed with glitzy tech which you might want to check out).
@ I echo your sentiments about Jazz Skills and Shan’s wonderful teaching methods. We’re both very lucky to have him!
Can I suggest you read my comments again? Shan’s new YT lesson is utilising completely new production techniques as compared to his previous YT lessons and I simply wanted to give him some feedback both as a YT viewer and JS student. Shan is the best online music educator in the jazz world and through his teaching we get to learn not only the language of music, but benefit enormously from the amazing teachings of the late, great, Barry Harris.
@ please - no need for an apology, I completely understand how easy it is to mis-read a post. I’ve done it a few times myself. And, thank you.
Some people are bookish though. Quite unmodestly, my english language is better than most natives, and I learnt it all by reading books. Not by listening to people, living in France with french people before the internet.
It is also a skill that is usually learnt by ear. But some people are bookish.
I am about to write the same. I also learned English from the books before I came to English speaking country!
Bill Dobbins is on the Webs.
👍
I have never learned much of anything from the so-called Jazz Method Books. So much money wasted. I'm 70 now so I've had years of opportunity to waste time and money.