This is such a great video. I REALLY struggled with this in college - always starting on the downbeat. It made my solos sound so square. I've really improved on this since then, but it's still an issue I have to revisit on a frequent basis so I don't slip back into bad habits. This is a great reminder. Thanks Dave!
Great idea. (Using "Blue Bossa" & "Autumn Leaves" as examples is cool as these are 2 tunes I am working through in learning to play over chord changes.) Varying the starting position of each phrase makes such a difference.
Great exercise for phrasing. That said, many late intermediate players will often play without ANY concept of the measure--especially peeps that ain't drummers. The downbeat has a specific sound that grounds the measure, just like the 4 (or the and of 4) has a specific sound that propels the line into the next measure. But if you don't know what the downbeat sounds like, and then--what all the other parts of the measure sound like... then phrasing can be elusive. As a fellow educator, I think that we need to put more emphasis on rhythm before we give the kiddos the keys to the Lamborghini. Each part of the measure has a unique sound--especially the downbeat. Teach that, and then everything else will fall into place. Maybe we can solve that problem by rethinking how we tap time? Tapping on 2 and 4 gets quite vague, especially if you mix up the 2 and the 4.
Enlightening lesson for me. Going to start working on varying the start of my lines. You can really hear how it creates a forward motion in your improvisations. Another thing I was thinking about and would be great for you to do a lesson about is is how to vary the beat that our lines end on or good rhythms to end lines on.
Excellent education! That empty space really lets the music breath plus syncopation, of course! Like being "root centric" starting on the downbeat of 1 is baked into our muscle memory. BTW, scanned down the bottom of your newsletter and see you are a jersey boy. I grew up in Mountainside, NJ- Union County. I could see the Statue of Liberty from my backyard! Again, thanks for the tips.
Dave, your playing is great and your teaching is really great. Im all behind your methods. You are catching what others miss in "teaching" how to create melodies. K
You have some great things going on for all standards of players were you live dave i am naffed off because i live in spain and cannot join in only online have a good day tmoz😊
I am thrilled to have stumbled upon your channel! Your videos are an absolute game-changer. As a non-natural musician, I often grapple with complex musical concepts. Your clear explanations have been a lifeline for me. 🎵 By the way, any chance you’ve recorded a “Jam Session 101”? I participate in a weekly jam on the serene Island of Nevis, and your guidance would be invaluable. 🎷 Thank you sincerely for enhancing my musical journey!
Thank you so much for the kind words! I gave a live clinic earlier this year called "Jam Session 101" where I led students through a jam session - it's here on my RUclips channel so go check it out!
Learn to easily improvise through any chord changes with this FREE masterclass:
►www.davepollack.com/freemasterclass
I hope everyone who goes tomorrow has fun! It really sounds like it's going to be a great time. ❤️
Thank you!! Wish you could be there ❤️
This is such a great video. I REALLY struggled with this in college - always starting on the downbeat. It made my solos sound so square. I've really improved on this since then, but it's still an issue I have to revisit on a frequent basis so I don't slip back into bad habits. This is a great reminder. Thanks Dave!
You're so welcome! We can't keep everything at 100% all the time, so it's good to have reminders every once in a while.
Great rules to impose for practising! Space is so important but so often forget it because of all that other stuff
10000000%!
An excellent video. Thanks.
You’re welcome! 🙏
Great idea. (Using "Blue Bossa" & "Autumn Leaves" as examples is cool as these are 2 tunes I am working through in learning to play over chord changes.) Varying the starting position of each phrase makes such a difference.
Great tunes to have in your repertoire! And yes this exercise really changes the sound/feel of your entire solo.
I am working thro blue bossa chord changes also with daves method and have really imprived
Thanks man, never realized how much it matters what beat I start my phrases on
Great exercise for phrasing. That said, many late intermediate players will often play without ANY concept of the measure--especially peeps that ain't drummers. The downbeat has a specific sound that grounds the measure, just like the 4 (or the and of 4) has a specific sound that propels the line into the next measure. But if you don't know what the downbeat sounds like, and then--what all the other parts of the measure sound like... then phrasing can be elusive.
As a fellow educator, I think that we need to put more emphasis on rhythm before we give the kiddos the keys to the Lamborghini. Each part of the measure has a unique sound--especially the downbeat. Teach that, and then everything else will fall into place. Maybe we can solve that problem by rethinking how we tap time? Tapping on 2 and 4 gets quite vague, especially if you mix up the 2 and the 4.
Enlightening lesson for me. Going to start working on varying the start of my lines. You can really hear how it creates a forward motion in your improvisations. Another thing I was thinking about and would be great for you to do a lesson about is is how to vary the beat that our lines end on or good rhythms to end lines on.
These tips to create nice melodic solos are so useful to improve the taste of phrasing lines.
Thanks so much.
You’re very welcome!
Excellent video Dave, really helpful thanks.
🙏
Fantastic class!
Thank You master.
🙏 you’re welcome!
Great video and thanks for the transcribe-worthy phrases.
You're very welcome 🙏
Another great lesson Dave thank you. Some great ideas.
You’re welcome!
Excellent education! That empty space really lets the music breath plus syncopation, of course! Like being "root centric" starting on the downbeat of 1 is baked into our muscle memory. BTW, scanned down the bottom of your newsletter and see you are a jersey boy. I grew up in Mountainside, NJ- Union County. I could see the Statue of Liberty from my backyard! Again, thanks for the tips.
Thanks for the kind words - Jersey represent!!
Excellent in every way
🫡
Awesome method
Thanks! It definitely helps a ton.
Dave, your playing is great and your teaching is really great. Im all behind your methods. You are catching what others miss in "teaching" how to create melodies. K
I really appreciate that Keith!!
Brilliant!
Wishing you much success in 24.
Thanks so much! Same to you 💪
I'm Guilty as charged M'lord food for thought when working on and practicing improvisation
This was great! Thanks so much. 🎷🥳🎉
Very welcome 🙏
Great lesson from a great reacher!!!
I appreciate that 🤘
I need to try this, thank you for the very clear presentation, that makes is to so much easier to try !
You’re very welcome!
Thanks Dave for the excellent and practical tip!
Very welcome!! 🙏
You have some great things going on for all standards of players were you live dave i am naffed off because i live in spain and cannot join in only online have a good day tmoz😊
Well hopefully you can join my Saxophone Success Community - completely online, and we have people from all around the world!
I am thrilled to have stumbled upon your channel! Your videos are an absolute game-changer. As a non-natural musician, I often grapple with complex musical concepts. Your clear explanations have been a lifeline for me. 🎵
By the way, any chance you’ve recorded a “Jam Session 101”? I participate in a weekly jam on the serene Island of Nevis, and your guidance would be invaluable. 🎷
Thank you sincerely for enhancing my musical journey!
Thank you so much for the kind words! I gave a live clinic earlier this year called "Jam Session 101" where I led students through a jam session - it's here on my RUclips channel so go check it out!
Good one Dave!
Thanks!
Woooowww fantastic
🙏
Can you also just post the pbf with some of the solos from both of the songs you did here ,thanks again
Damn, that sounds pretty
🙏
Amazing lessons but more a amazing nice sound 😎👌
🙏🙏
Does the game Keepin' It Saxy help? My stepdaughter gave me that one Christmas. Haven't used it yet. Afraid.
Oh it's awesome!! There's a chance I'll be playing that WITH Kenny G later this Spring 👀