pauldil Posted August 6, 2004 Share Posted August 6, 2004 Ive just signed up for a full-day (9-5) jazz guitar workshop at the Bloom School of Jazz here in Chicago. Its not till mid-September, but Im pretty excited about it. I havent had any time to get together with other players in quite a while, so I look at this as a great opportunity to interact with actual humans instead of my computer! David Bloom was in the May or June issue of Guitar Player in the lessons section where he had a minor blues lesson. His school is really pretty cool. Ive taken classes there from time to time. I actually started taking private lessons from him way back in 1975, before he had opened up the school. His school now offers a variety of classes. Although I havent been there in a few years, I used to attend the Jazz Ensemble classes where each player would have to bring an original composition and create an arrangement for the group. In a given group you might have guitar, piano, drums, alto sax, tenor sax, trumpet, vibes, etc. It was an 8-week class that met twice a week for about 3 hours. At the end of the class, wed perform at a local jazz club. Its amazing the amount I had learned from those classes. In speaking to Bloom the other day when I enrolled for the workshop, he mentioned that hes trying to start a once-a-month day-long ensemble class for folks like me, who have the desire but not the time to attend the longer 8-week classes. I really hope this happens because Im really tired of playing by myself. Anyway, I guess I'm just excited about this Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billster Posted August 6, 2004 Share Posted August 6, 2004 That sounds very cool Paul. I should look into what Berklee is doing here in Boston. They have guitar week every summer, and another one in April. They also have online courses through their website. Good way to kick start meeting some folks and playing with others. I never played well with others, I was the one running with scissors. Buy my CD on CD Baby! Bill Hartzell - the website MySpace?!?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Strat Posted August 6, 2004 Share Posted August 6, 2004 Just signed up for a jazz guitar workshopI'm sorry. BlueStrat a.k.a. "El Guapo" ...Better fuzz through science... http://geocities.com/teleman28056/index.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauldil Posted August 6, 2004 Author Share Posted August 6, 2004 Originally posted by bluestrat: Just signed up for a jazz guitar workshopI'm sorry. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitar Geezer Posted August 6, 2004 Share Posted August 6, 2004 Sorry Guys...I just automatically Cringe when I see the word JAZZ in a Topic MNJGG....RIP (Inside Old guys joke -----youngsters) Lynn G Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Red 67 Posted August 6, 2004 Share Posted August 6, 2004 I was very scared when I went out and had to read chord charts. Pratice using a fake book. The comping skills are something I am currently going back to study. Don't be afraid of the JAZZ it is good. Just unknown!! Big Red's Ride Blog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A String Posted August 7, 2004 Share Posted August 7, 2004 quote:Originally posted by guitar geezer: Sorry Guys...I just automatically Cringe when I see the word JAZZ in a Topic MNJGG....RIP (Inside Old guys joke -----youngsters) Paul: I must admit, when I saw the title of the thread, I thought you were going to be teaching a Jazz class. You're such a great player that it's hard to think you need lessons! The greatest thing about music is that you never really finish learning. I hope you enjoy the class and please feel free to spread any of your new found knowledge around here in the form of tips and music clips! Craig Stringnetwork on Facebook String Network Forum My Music Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauldil Posted August 7, 2004 Author Share Posted August 7, 2004 Originally posted by guitar geezer: Sorry Guys...I just automatically Cringe when I see the word JAZZ in a Topic MNJGG....RIP (Inside Old guys joke -----youngsters) I've always tried to be a nice jazz guitar guy, just not the Nice Jazz Guitar Guy Hey Billster, have you gone to any of the Berklee classes? A string, thanks! I still have tons to learn. I don't think one lifetime is enough!! Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DIAMOND DUST Posted August 7, 2004 Share Posted August 7, 2004 Sounds like a great class paul. I can't think of anything i'd rather spend a day doing. Be sure to let us know how it went. And maybe you could write up a small lesson on what you went over. That would be too sweet. http://b-cordova.dmusic.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauldil Posted August 8, 2004 Author Share Posted August 8, 2004 Originally posted by DIAMOND DUST: Sounds like a great class paul. I can't think of anything i'd rather spend a day doing. Be sure to let us know how it went. And maybe you could write up a small lesson on what you went over. That would be too sweet. Will do, DD! As I said, it won't be till September, but I'll definitely post an update after the class. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdog114 Posted August 8, 2004 Share Posted August 8, 2004 Jazz is not dead, it just smells funny. "Never back-up more than you have to" REAL MEN PLAY TELECASTERS! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billster Posted August 9, 2004 Share Posted August 9, 2004 Originally posted by A String: Paul: I must admit, when I saw the title of the thread, I thought you were going to be teaching a Jazz class. You're such a great player that it's hard to think you need lessons! He's a great player because he continues to search for insight. He probably could teach a class though. Paul, to your question, no I haven't done any Berklee classes since I left there in 1988. I need to check out the "guitar week" programs and cash in a vacation day or two. Buy my CD on CD Baby! Bill Hartzell - the website MySpace?!?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauldil Posted August 9, 2004 Author Share Posted August 9, 2004 Thanks, Billster. You guys are way too kind! Bill, what did you think of Berklee? My son is going into his junior year in high school, plays drums and he's starting to think about going there. How was your experience there? Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauldil Posted September 17, 2004 Author Share Posted September 17, 2004 Oh, well...I was really looking forward to it and the workshop was supposed to be tomorrow but was cancelled due to only 3 people signing up . I guess jazz guitar is not very popular. I'm still going to take a private lesson with David Bloom tomorrow. He can usually kick my ass into gear Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Werewolf by Night Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 WHAT??!!?!!?? That's terrible! Even if only three people enrolled, they should still hold the class. That's bull$h!t! Or, offer an alternative of some sort. What was the tuition? And any other costs/fees/etc.? How much are private lessons of a similar amount of time? Do the costs compare? I'd think that, based on my own past experience, while private lessons are great there's a whole other dynamic involved in group classes, especially a small enrollment like that. Different ideas, insights, and perspectives amongst the students are thrown into the mix, impacting not only the students but the instructor and the course of study, as well! It would be great if some way could be found to carry on with the class anyways; maybe simply throwing a reasonable amount of mo' money in per student would help, Iddunno... And remember, "three... is a magic number"... ! Ask yourself- What Would Ren and Stimpy Do? ~ Caevan James-Michael Miller-O'Shite ~ _ ___ _ Leprechaun, Esquire _ ___ _ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauldil Posted September 17, 2004 Author Share Posted September 17, 2004 It was $100 for the workshop. I'm not sure what the private lesson will run, probably about half that. Yeah, I agree, the dynamic of a group was what I was looking forward to. Meeting folks with a similar interest that I could maybe get together with, etc. But they were looking for a minimum of 10 people in order to hold the workshop. Bloom is an exceptional educator/motivator, though, so I'm looking forward to the private lesson too! Besides showing me new ideas, he's great at showing me how to use what I already know in entirely new ways, so there's always a ton I've gotten out of his classes. Plus I haven't really played with anyone in a few years, so just that interaction of the lesson will do me good. Who knows, it might get me to actually start playing out again Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauldil Posted September 20, 2004 Author Share Posted September 20, 2004 Well, I had my lesson with David Bloom this weekend and got enough stuff to work on for quite a while. We started out with ear training. He would play a triad and I had to identify the type (maj/min/dim/aug). Ok, easy enough. Then he played a C major triad for reference, followed by a series of diatonic triads which I had to identify not only by type, but by name too. That was a little tougher. We also did single note recognition within a major scale, where he would play a note on the piano and Id have to play it back on guitar with my eyes closed. We then did the same with the chromatic scale. He then had me play over a pre-recorded track 3 times, playing each mode for 16 measures. He recorded all 3 takes. The first time, I had to play the way I usually play. Then he had me play over it again, this time using a whisper/shout approach, where Id play as softly as possible for one measure, then as loud as possible the next, alternating like that throughout. Finally, the 3rd time through I had to mix up the dynamics in an attempt to create more drama in my solo. Its really amazing the difference just a little tweaking like that made on my playing. The last thing he had me do was take the tune All the things you are and play a descending line over the changes. For example, play the Fm7 with a C in the melody, the Bbm7 with a Bb in the melody, Eb7 with an A in the melody, AbMaj7 with a G, etc. Then start with a different note the 2nd time, maybe a D, and do the same, or try it with an ascending line. This forced me to think outside of the typical chord voicings I use and come up with some challenging but very interesting ones. So now Im going to work on my ear, to be able to more accurately identify chord types and degrees within a chromatic scale. I will also make a conscious effort to play everything with more dynamics, and Im also going to work on the descending/ascending line over familiar tunes to expand my chord vocabulary and knowledge of the fretboard. As a bonus, I also got his Major Blues and Minor Blues books, which have chorus after chorus of really cool melodic blues chord changes. One example from his minor book was in the Guitar Player issue that had Prince on the cover. It was titled Hip Grips. All in all, it was a great lesson and it was made even better by the fact that I saw Larry Carlton later that same day (with Fourplay) , and saw an incredible local jazz act last night . I havent had this much music in a long time. Its really inspired me to improve my playing! So if anyone needs me, Ill be in the woodshed. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funk Jazz Posted September 20, 2004 Share Posted September 20, 2004 sounds like a really good lesson Paul i'm going to steal some of those ideas and hit the woodshed m'self Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Werewolf by Night Posted September 20, 2004 Share Posted September 20, 2004 Originally posted by pauldil of the rillah schwitt old Ibanez GB: "Well, I had my lesson with David Bloom this weekend and got enough stuff to work on for quite a while... ...As a bonus, I also got his Major Blues and Minor Blues books, which have chorus after chorus of really cool melodic blues chord changes. One example from his minor book was in the Guitar Player issue that had Prince on the cover. It was titled Hip Grips." That's where I'd heard- ehr, read- of his name before! All in all, it was a great lesson and it was made even better by the fact that I saw Larry Carlton later that same day (with Fourplay) , and saw an incredible local jazz act last night . I havent had this much music in a long time. Its really inspired me to improve my playing! Sounds like one Helluva day! Ask yourself- What Would Ren and Stimpy Do? ~ Caevan James-Michael Miller-O'Shite ~ _ ___ _ Leprechaun, Esquire _ ___ _ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funk Jazz Posted September 20, 2004 Share Posted September 20, 2004 hey Paul, did you get that Bireli DVD sorted out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauldil Posted September 21, 2004 Author Share Posted September 21, 2004 Originally posted by FunkJazz: hey Paul, did you get that Bireli DVD sorted out?Not yet, FJ. I'm waiting for my friend to get back from vacation. Should be this week I think. Can't wait to see it! Originally posted by Caevan O'Shite: Originally posted by pauldil of the rillah schwitt old Ibanez GB: All in all, it was a great lesson and it was made even better by the fact that I saw Larry Carlton later that same day (with Fourplay) , and saw an incredible local jazz act last night . I havent had this much music in a long time. Its really inspired me to improve my playing! Sounds like one Helluva day! Yeah, Caevan, it was a rillah schwitt day Larry was really "on" that night too! Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steevo Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 quote:Originally posted by pauldil: Well, I had my lesson with David Bloom this weekend and ... it was a great lesson and it was made even better by the fact that I saw Larry Carlton later that same day (with Fourplay) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitarzan Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 wow Paul that is too cool. i envy you. Hey steevo did you get my PM in response to yours? http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=193274 rock it, i will Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steevo Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 Originally posted by Guitarzan: wow Paul that is too cool. i envy you. Hey steevo did you get my PM in response to yours?Hi Guitarzan, no I didn't get your PM. I've got a red hot Tremsetter for you though. Just need an address and it's yours! S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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