Practice and Performance Goals

8/12/2019 Practice and Performance Goals

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PRACTICE AND PERFORMANCE GOALSCopyright 2002 by Hal Galper

Lear! it the! "orget it Charlie Par#er

The $lti%ate goal "or a!y arti&t' i! a!y %e(i$%' i& to gai! )o!trol o" their i!ter!al

a!( e*ter!al )reati+e e!+iro!%e!t, The reality o" a! arti&t& i!ter!al li"e ta#e&

pre)e(e!)e o+er the e*ter!al,

To thi& (ay I re%e%ber' -hile a &t$(e!t at .er#lee S)hool i! the late /0&' -al#i!g

(o-! .o&to!& Ne-berry St, ai!g %y&el" -hat i& &$ppo&e( to be goi!g o! i!&i(e

%e -he! I% playi!g1 A $!i+er&al $e&tio! "or 3a44 player&, A $e&tio! that ha&

bee! the g$i(i!g light "or %y re&ear)h o+er the la&t 5/ year&, Li#e all goo(

$e&tio!&' the $e&tio! lea(& to t-o &$))ee(i!g a!( $!i+er&al $e&tio!&6 Ho- to I

pra)ti)e a!( ho- (o I $&e -hat I+e pra)ti)e( to be a! e""e)ti+e 3a44 i%pro+i&or1

I loo#e( "or the a!&-er& to thi& %y&tery "ro% the poi!t o" +ie- that %o&t o" the

tool& -e !ee( to (e+elop to be a 3a44 i%pro+i&or are i!ter!al pro)e&&e&7 A (i""i)$lt

)o!)ept to gra&p a& it i& !at$ral to "o)$& o$r atte!tio! o! the e*ter!al&6 ha!(&' lip&'

the i!&tr$%e!t' -ritte! %$&i)' et),

S$pporte( by the late&t !e$rologi)al re&ear)h o! ho- the brai! "$!)tio!&' Robert

8o$r(ai!' i! hi& boo# M$&i)' the .rai!' a!( E)&ta&y' %a#e& a )o!+i!)i!g )a&e

"or the i(ea that h$%a!& are har(9-ire( "or %$&i) "ro% birth, That the &o$r)e

o" all %$&i) &te%& "ro% the -ay -e all are phy&iologi)ally )o!&tr$)te(,

Lear!i!g ho- to i%pro+i&e a!( per"or% 3a44 %$&i) i!+ol+e&' o! a! i!t$iti+e le+el'

$!(er&ta!(i!g a )o%ple* o" the te)h!i)al a!( %e)ha!i)al ele%e!t& o" 3a44 a!( the

relatio!&hip bet-ee! three i!terlo)#i!g a!( i!ter(epe!(e!t phy&iologi)al

ele%e!t&6 the %i!(' the bo(y a!( e%otio!&' a& -ell a& ho- thi& )o%ple* o"

ele%e!t& -or# together to pro($)e the i%pro+i&e( e*perie!)e, It:& ge!erally

a&&$%e( that the&e phy&iologi)al ele%e!t& are "i*e(' a& gi+e!& that are i%%$table,

To the )o!trary' the %i!(' the bo(y a!( e%otio!& are %alleable a!( )a! be trai!e(

a& tool& yo$ )a! )o!trol a!( $&e to -or# "or yo$, They are the ba&i) tool& o" a!y

arti&ti) e!(ea+or7


2/21

Mi!(6Dr, Gott"rie( S)hla$g' i! hi& pre&e!tatio! be"ore a! O)tober 200;&y%po&i$% i! %$&i) a!( !e$rology al&o re+eale(

that the brai! pro)e&&e& )o!&o!a!t a!( (i&&o!a!t &o$!(& i! +ery (i""ere!t -ay&,

Di&&o!a!t &o$!(& a""e)te( area& o" the brai! i!+ol+i!g %e%ory a!( a!*iety' -hile

)o!&o!a!t &o$!(& &ti%$late( i! plea&a!t e%otio!al re&po!&e&, The re&$lt& o" Dr,

.loo(& &t$(y %ay be +ali(ati!g -hat )o%po&er& a!( per"or%er& o" %$&i) ha+e#!o- "or )e!t$rie&,?

I! >The Creati+e Mi!( Myth& Me)ha!i&%&>


3/21

Ta#i!g thi& i(ea to it& logi)al e*tre%e' playi!g a %$&i)al i!&tr$%e!t i&'

"$!(a%e!tally' a pro)e&& o" %i!( o+er %atter,

The i%agi!atio! )a! %a!ip$late i+ory' "elt' &teel a!( &pr$)e to &$bli%e e!(&,

E+a!& )alle( it p$tti!g e%otio! i!to the pia!o a!( he pro+e( that it )a! be (o!e,,,

"ro% .ILL EANS .y re&tri)ti!g o$r i!&tr$)tio! to the tea)hi!g

the %e)ha!i)al

The %$&i)al realitie& yo$ ha+e to (eal -ith are i!ter!al pro)e&&e&, The )o!)l$&io!

that "ollo-& %ay be (i""i)$lt "or the &t$(e!t to gra&p at "ir&t6 O ARE THE

INSTRMENT7 A %$&i)al i!&tr$%e!t i& %erely a %a)hi!e, It i& a! i!p$t a!(

o$tp$t (e+i)e, It i& -orth &tati!g t-i)e6 the %i!(' the bo(y a!( e%otio!& are the

ba&i) tool& o" a!y arti&ti) e!(ea+or7 They )a! be trai!e( to (o the i%pro+i&or:&

bi((i!g,

The goal& o" pra)ti)i!g are to (e+elop o!e& i!ter!al pro)e&&e&, The goal o" playi!g

i& to $&e the&e pro)e&&e& a& per"or%a!)e tool&, A i!&tr$%e!t i& a! i!p$t (e+i)e $&e(

to trai! i!ter!al pro)e&&e&' li#e the #eyboar( o" a )o%p$ter, Bhe! per"or%i!g' a!

i!&tr$%e!t a)t& li#e a )o%p$ter& pri!ter, It i& the o$tp$t (e+i)e, The i!ter!al

pro)e&&e& )a! be )o%pare( to &o"t-are )o(e that yo$re )o!&ta!tly -riti!g a!(

re-riti!g,

The i!ter!al li"e o" a! arti&t ta#e& pre)e(e!)e o+er the e*ter!al li"e, It i& -ithi! thi&

i!ter!al li"e that the ri)h!e&& o" )reati+e a!( )o!trolle( %$&i)al e*perie!)e )a! be

(i&)o+ere(' (e+elope( a!( e!ha!)e(, .ei!g &o%e-hat ephe%eral i! !at$re a!(

i!itially (i""i)$lt to gra&p' thi& i!!er li"e i& o"te! ig!ore( i! "a+or o" the e*ter!al

li"e, All pra)ti)i!g i& (e(i)ate( to the (e+elop%e!t a!( )o!trol o" i!!er pro)e&&e&,

The Pra)ti)i!g Attit$(e

K$ite o"te! &t$(e!t& (o!t ha+e a )lear $!(er&ta!(i!g o" the (i""ere!)e bet-ee!

pra)ti)i!g a!( per"or%a!)e a!( ho- the t-o i!tera)t, There i& a pra)ti)i!gattit$(e a!( a playi!g attit$(e, Ea)h attit$(e i& (i""ere!t,


4/21

The %ai! )o!trib$tor to a )o!"$&io! bet-ee! the&e t-o attit$(e& i& that &t$(e!t&

&pe!( %ore ti%e pra)ti)i!g a& )o%pare( to the a%o$!t o" ti%e &pe!t playi!g,

Bitho$t reali4i!g it' they are (e+elopi!g a pra)ti)i!g attit$(e, They the!'

%i&ta#e!ly' try to apply thi& pra)ti)i!g attit$(e to a playi!g &it$atio!' be)o%i!g

"r$&trate( -he! it (oe&!t -or#, The %ai! )halle!ge %o&t &t$(e!t& "a)e i!

(e+elopi!g a playi!g attit$(e i& ha+i!g the opport$!ity to gai! e!o$gh playi!ge*perie!)e -ith %$&i)ia!& o" a high e!o$gh )alibre to get to hear ho- to (o it

right,

The Playi!g Attit$(e

Si%ply p$t' the playi!g attit$(e e%ploy& a pro)e&& yet to be )o(i"ie( i! -e&ter!

%$&i) e($)atio!' Fa#i!g It, Altho$gh the !a%e ha& a &lightly (i&rep$table

)o!!otatio!' a& i" Fa#i!g It -ere &o%eho- )heati!g' it i& a highly &ophi&ti)ate(

pro)e&& that )a! o!ly be &el"9ta$ght',

Bhe! &t$(yi!g %$&i) a& a )hil(' %o&t o" $& &hare the )o%%o! e*perie!)e'


5/21

(i(!t #!o- e!o$gh o" the% to play the% all by %e%ory I( bri!g %y "a#e boo#&

-ith %e to the gig&, !"ort$!ately' the t$!e& &eg$e( "ro% o!e to the !e*t a!( the

ba!( lea(er& !e+er ga+e %e e!o$gh ti%e to loo# the t$!e& $p, They( $&$ally &ay

Fa#e it #i(' "a#e it, o$ll lear! it i! a )o$ple o" )hor$&e&, .y li&te!i!g har( to

the ba&& player' or i" yo$ -ere l$)#y' a g$itar player' yo$( e+e!t$ally lear! the

t$!e& by ear,

Pra)ti)i!g i& -or# (ire)te( to-ar( (e+elopi!g i!ter!al pro)e&&e&, Playi!g i&

lear!e( thro$gh (ire)t e*perie!)e' applyi!g the&e i!ter!al pro)e&&e& $!til they

-or# "or yo$ o! the ba!(&ta!(,

INTERNAL PROCESSES

Hi&tori)ally' the pra)ti)i!g attit$(e i& li!ear' i!telle)t$al' goal orie!te( a!(

%e)ha!i)al, The playi!g attit$(e i& 3$&t the oppo&ite, It i& holi&ti)' pro)e&& orie!te('

a!( i!t$iti+ee%otio!al i! !at$re,

Se+e! o" the %a3or i!ter!al pro)e&&e& that o!e %$&t (e+elop are6

A +i+i( a$ral i%agi!atio!'

the ability to )o!)e!trate i! a highly "o)$&e( a!( $!i!terr$pte( &trea%'

A &e!&e o" %$&i)ality A %$&i)al +o)ab$lary Rhyth%i) &y)!)opatio!

Phy&i)al Co!trol

E%otio!al Co!trol

A$ral I%agi!atio!

Fir&t' lear! ho- to hear e+erythi!g a!( play e+erythi!g yo$ hear' the! hear

e+erythi!g a!( play a& little o" it a& po&&ible


6/21

a (ire)t o!e9to9o!e ba&i&7 There& !o hi(i!g, E+erybo(y play& e*a)tly the

-ay they hear, I" yo$ -a!t to )ha!ge the -ay yo$ play yo$ ha+e to )ha!ge

the -ay yo$r hear, o$ )a!t ha+e a! a)tio! -itho$t a tho$ght that

pro)ee(& it, Co!&e$e!tly' all a)tio!& (e&)ribe a per&o!& tho$ght pro)e&&e&,

To )ha!ge o!e& a)tio!&' o!e %$&t "ir&t )ha!ge o!e& tho$ght pro)e&&e&,

o)he+ity& poi!t abo$t heari!g -a& "$rther )o!"ir%e( by a later

e*perie!)e,

Bhile to$ri!g -ith the Phil Boo(& ba!(' I -a& i! %y %otel roo% +ery early

o!e %or!i!g' pa)#i!g a!( getti!g rea(y to get i!to the +a! "or a (ri+e to

o$r !e*t gig, The T -a& o! to the %or!i!g #i(& &ho- Mr, Roger&, The

great )la&&i)al pia!i&t A!(re Batt& -a& hi& g$e&t, A& I -a& o! %y -ay o$t

the %otel roo% (oor -ith &$it)a&e i! ha!(' I hear( Mr, Roger& a A!(re

Bell A!(re' ho- (o yo$ play %$&i)1 I tho$ght thi& a +ery i!tere&ti!g

$e&tio! a!( pa$&e( at the (oor to here i& re&po!&e, He &ai( it all (epe!(&

o! the +i+i(!e&& o" yo$r i%agi!atio! a!( ho- i!te!&ely yo$ )a!)o!)e!trate, I -a& &t$!!e( a& hi& a!&-er -a& e*a)tly the &a%e a&

o)he+ity& )o!)l$&io!& o!ly &tate( i! h$%a!i&ti) rather tha! &)ie!ti"i)

ter%&, Bhat he %ea!& by i%agi!atio! i& A$ral i%agi!atio!, It (epe!(&

o! ho- i!te!&e the a$ral &ig!al i& i! the ear,

I ha( the goo( "ort$!e to ha+e &t$(ie( pia!o te)h!i$e -ith Ma(a%e

Chalo""


7/21

.$)ha!a! at the Bhite Ho$&e, A pa!el o" %$&i)ia!& -ho tho$ght that he

ha( tri)#e( the Pre&i(e!t' te&te( hi& %e%ory the "ollo-i!g (ay' playi!g t-o

e!tirely !e- )o%po&itio!& to hi%' thirtee! a!( t-e!ty page& i! le!gth@ he

repro($)e( the% per"e)tly' a!( -itho$t the lea&t appare!t e""ort,? The

poi!t here i& ho- )o$l( he (o that -itho$t a!y %$&i)al trai!i!g1 It i& too

ea&y to (i&%i&& thi& a& o!ly a!other )a&e o" a! i(iot9&a+a!t, I" -e a))epto)he+ity& pre%i&e that all %$&i) i& playe( by ear' the! the o!ly

)o!)l$&io! o!e )a! )o%e to i& that the )hil(& a$ral i%agi!atio! -a&

e*tre%ely highly (e+elope(, Thi& #i!( o" heari!g i& )o%%o!pla)e a%o!g

the great %$&i)ia!&,

E!trepre!e$r To(( .ar#i! tol( %e a &tory abo$t 3a44 pia!i&t Ah%a( 8a%al

that "$rther ill$&trate& thi& poi!t,

Bhile Ah%a( -a& +i&iti!g To(( i! hi& o""i)e o!e (ay' he playe( a .ill E+a!&

re)or(i!g o" hi& )o%po&itio! My Story, M$)h i%pre&&e(' Ah%a( ha(

To(( replay it three ti%e&, A -ee# or t-o later To(( a!( Ah%a( -ereha!gi!g together at a pia!o a!( Ah%a( playe( the &o!g "ro% %e%ory -ith

.ill& e*a)t )ha!ge& a!( %elo(y, A& To(( relate( to %e' it& o!ly got a

%illio! &et& o" )ha!ge& to it7

8a44 pia!i&t Re( Garla!( -a& p$rporte( to be able to %e%ori4e a &o!g

a"ter three heari!g& o" it,

The ear& Creati!g Mi!(& >


8/21

-hinkin!9 the te!(e!)y to re&po!( to proble%& by &ear)hi!g "or a -i(e

ra!ge o" po&&ible i!terpretatio!&,?

There i& o!ly o!e -ay yo$ )a! play a %$&i)al i(ea,,,,,be)a$&e yo$ ha+e to7

The i(ea li+e& &o i!te!&ely' &o +i+i(ly i! yo$r a$ral


9/21

I! the h$%a! orga!i&%' -or# i& %ea&$re( by the a%o$!t o" )alorie& o!e

b$r!& ($ri!g a ta, A &)ie!ti"i) &t$(y )o%pare( the a%o$!t o" )alorie&

b$r!e( by &o%eo!e (iggi!g a (it)h "or eight ho$r& to that o" a )la&&i)al

)elli&t playi!g a three9ho$r )o!)ert, They both b$r!e( the &a%e a%o$!t o"

)alorie& yet all the )elli&t -a& (oi!g -a& &itti!g a!( %o+i!g a bo- ba)# a!(

"orth, The (it)h (igger& -or# -a& phy&i)al, The )elli&t& -a& )o!)e!tratio!,Co!)e!tratio! i& the -or# -e (o a& per"or%er&, o$+e ha( the

e*perie!)e o" ha+i!g pra)ti)e( +ery i!te!&ely "or a!( ho$r or t-o a!(

"i!(i!g yo$r&el" e*ha$&te( a"ter-ar(, There& !o (e!yi!g it, It& -or#,

!a-are&' -e are (e+elopi!g )o!)e!tratio! -he! -e pra)ti)e,

Co!)e!tratio! )o%e& i! %ore tha! o!e "or%6 !arro-' -i(e a!( (i&tra)te(,

E*er)i&i!g )o!trol o+er the&e type& o" )o!)e!tratio! a!( $&i!g the% a& tool&

i& a!other o" yo$r goal&, Not o!ly (oe& a pra)ti)e( i(ea &hape o!e& heari!g'

it al&o (e+elop& yo$r ability to )o!)e!trate, Thi& ability' li#e +i+i(

i%agi!i!g' %ay ta#e year& to (e+elop,

Narro- Co!)e!tratio!

Narro- )o!)e!tratio! "o)$&e& o! a !arro- poi!t' a& i! %e(itatio!, Ho-

%a!y ti%e&' -hile playi!g' ha& yo$r %i!( (ri"te( o"" to thi!# abo$t -hat

yo$r ol( la(y &ai( to yo$ earlier that (ay1 Or -hat yo$r (og (i( that

a"ter!oo!1 o$r "lo- o" )o!)e!tratio! i& i!terr$pte(, o$ )a! )o!)e!trate'

b$t o!ly i! &p$rt&, Bhat re%ai!& to be (e+elope( i& the ability to

)o!)e!trate i! a )o!ti!$o& $!i!terr$pte( "lo-,

Bhe! pra)ti)i!g a parti)$lar %$&i)al i(ea' -e are "o)$&e( !arro-ly o! thati(ea' "o)$&i!g i! a %a!!er e*)l$(e& all e*tra!eo$& tho$ght&, O$r ge!eral

a-are!e&& o" thi!g& aro$!( $& re)e(e& $!til the i(ea i& the o!ly thi!g -e are

a-are o"' be)o%i!g al%o&t all )o!&$%i!g, I! that -ay -ere are' -itho$t

reali4i!g it' pra)ti)i!g !arro- )o!)e!tratio!,

Bi(e Co!)e!tratio!

Thi& type o" )o!)e!tratio! i& $&e( -he! playi!g i! a gro$p &o the player )a!

li&te! to the gro$p &o$!( a& a totality' li&te!i!g to o!e&el" la&t, I be)a%e

a-are o" thi& type o" )o!)e!tratio! ($ri!g %y &ti!t -ith tr$%peter Chet

.a#er' %y "ir&t big ti%e 3a44 gig' i! the early ;0&,

Chet -a& a %a&ter o" playi!g &o"t a!( &-i!gi!g har(' a rapi(ly

(i&appeari!g art, It &ee%e( that I )o$l( !e+er play &o"t e!o$gh to &ati&"y

Chet' e&pe)ially -he! he -a& &i!gi!g, I% a rather large per&o!, .ig ar%&

a!( ha!(&, I -o$l( try e+erythi!g I )o$l( to play &o"ter b$t !othi!g &ee%e(

to -or#, Fi!ally' o!e !ight o! the ba!(&ta!( o" the Pl$gge( Ni)#el i!

Chi)ago' Chet got hi& poi!t a)ro&&, It -a& Sat$r(ay !ight a!( the )l$b -a&

pa)#e(, The a$(ie!)e -a& h$&he(' the -ith a bl$e &potlight o! Chet, He -a&

&itti!g o! hi& tr$%pet )a&e' %i)ropho!e i! ha!(' &i!gi!g a balla(, At abo$t

the bri(ge to the t$!e


10/21

%e a!( yelle( yo$+e got it Hal7 E+eryo!e i! the )l$b t$r!e( aro$!(, All

o" a &$((e! I ha( 200 pair& o" eye& loo#i!g at %e7

.a)# i! %y %otel roo% later that !ight' I -e!t o+er the e*perie!)e a!(

reali4e( a ba&i) tr$th, Be &pe!( a large part o" o$r ti%e (oi!g i!(i+i($al

-or# o! o$r i!&tr$%e!t&, Be be)o%e &$b3e)ti+ely &el"9i!+ol+e( -ith o$ro-! i!(i+i($al %$&i)al )o!)er!&, Bitho$t reali4i!g it' -e bri!g that &el"9

i!+ol+e%e!t to the ba!(&ta!( -ith $&' the re&$lt bei!g -ere o!ly thi!#i!g

abo$t o$r o-! role i! a gro$p playi!g )o!te*t, I reali4e( that that& -hat I

ha( bee! (oi!g, The !e*t !ight o! the gig I (e)i(e( to li&te! to %y&el" la&t

a!( li&te! i!&tea( to the -hole gro$p "ir&t, The light )a%e o!7 .y li&te!i!g

o!ly to %y&el"

&e!&e get yo$r&el" o$t o" the -ay o" yo$r&el", I &t$%ble( o!to thi& type by

a))i(e!t -hile playi!g a &olo pia!o gig o!e !ight i! a re&ta$ra!t, The pia!o

-a& o! the "loor at the &a%e le+el a& the (i!er&, A bl$e9haire( ol( la(y

approa)he( the pia!o a!( &tarte( tal#i!g to %e -hile I -a& playi!g, Bhile

-e )o!+er&e( I happe!e( to !oti)e -hat I -a& playi!g, I -a& playi!g &t$"" I

!e+er ha( pra)ti)e( be"ore7 A& the i(ea& "lo-e( &%oothly "ro% %y ha!(&

%y rea)tio! -a& gee' I (i(!t #!o- I #!e- that' or %a!' I (i(!t #!o- I

)o$l( play that7 Ne- i(ea& -ere 3$&t po$ri!g o$t, Bhat -a& happe!i!g-a& that I -a& letti!g the %$&i) )o%e o$t, Not tryi!g a& har(


11/21


12/21

)o$l( !ot (e&)ribe -hat they -ere (oi!g theoreti)ally, Thi& o"te! bri!g& $p

the $e&tio! o" (i( they #!o- -hat they -ere (oi!g1 The a!&-er to that

$e&tio! i& the (e"i!itio! o" the -or( #!o-, There are t-o #i!(& o"

#!o-i!g' the i!telle)t$al #i!( a!( the i!t$itio!heari!g #i!(, The "or%er i&

&el" li%iti!g' the latter ha& !o bo$!(arie&, The ear& a!( the i!t$itio! al-ay&

#!o-& %ore tha! the i!telle)t,

Thi& i& a %$&i) that ha& hi&tori)ally bee! lear!e( by )opyi!g, .y i%itatio!'

ha!(i!g i!"or%atio! (o-! "ro% ge!eratio! to ge!eratio! by the oral

tra(itio!, Copyi!g get& yo$ (ire)tly i!to the &o$!( a!( "eeli!g o" the %$&i)

-itho$t a!y i!ter+e!i!g i!telle)t$al theorie&, So the!' -hat $&e theory1 The

o!e li%itatio! o" )opyi!g i& that yo$ lear! o!ly -hat yo$ )opie(, It )a! be

o!e9(i%e!&io!al, Theory )a! be a +al$able tool "or e*pa!(i!g -hat yo$

)opie(, I! other -or(&' )opy "ir&t' theori4e a!( a!aly4e &e)o!(, The

li%itatio! o" theory i& that it i& i!telle)t$al, Thi& (oe&!t %ea! that the t-o

pro)e&&e& are %$t$ally e*)l$&i+e, O! the )o!trary' they &$pport ea)h other

$ite e""e)ti+ely, The proble% i& the o+er9i%porta!)e that i& gi+e! to thei!telle)t$al o+er the i!t$itio!al &i(e o" the )oi!,


13/21

pro)e&&' i& "o$!(e( o! the pri!)iple o" a )o%%o! a!( e*te!&i+e #!o-le(ge

o" 3a44 &ta!(ar(& a& -ell a& the Cla&&i) A%eri)a! Sta!(ar(,

Rhyth%i) Sy!)opatio!

The %o&t per+a&i+e (i""i)$lty -e&ter! 3a44 &t$(e!t& "a)e i& a tr$e$!(er&ta!(i!g o" rhyth%i) &y!)opatio!, A))or(i!g to Di44y Gille&pie' i!

Mi#e Lo!go& i!ter+ie- -ith the %a&ter' thi& (i""i)$lty &te%& "ro% the

(i""ere!)e bet-ee! the A"ri)a! a!( -e&ter! )o!)ept& o" rhyth%, ,,,the

A"ri)a! )o!)ept o" rhyth% i& polyrhyth%i) a!( -e are %o!o9rhyth%i),

Mr, Lo!go )lari"ie& Di44y& &tate%e!t6 Poly9rhyth% i& a )o%bi!atio! o"

&e+eral i!(epe!(e!t rhyth%i) %elo(ie& that agree +erti)ally a& -ell a&

hori4o!tally, That i& to &ay that e+e! tho$gh the&e are hori4o!tally

i!(epe!(e!t %elo(ie&' they al&o %e&h -ith ea)h other "ro% a +erti)al poi!t

o" +ie-' i! -hat -o$l( &ee% li#e a "or% o" rhyth%i) har%o!y,

A& )hil(re!' i! -e&ter! &o)iety' -e are ta$ght to lear! ti%e a& bei!g

e*e)$te( a& a &erie& o" $arter !ote&, O!e )a!t play -e&ter! %$&i) -itho$t

%a&teri!g $arter !ote ti%e, It i& the "ir&t %$&i)al ele%e!t -e %$&t lear! i"

-e are to be able to rea( a!( per"or% -e&ter! %$&i), Be e+e!t$ally

be)o%e )o!(itio!e( to )o!)ei+e all ti%e a& bei!g playe( i! thi& %a!!er,

There are %a!y a&pe)t& o" )hil(hoo( %$&i)al trai!i!g -e bri!g i!to a($lt

%$&i)al beha+ior that' altho$gh pra)ti)al "or the yo$!g %$&i)ia!' be)o%e

i%pra)ti)al "or the a($lt 3a44 %$&i)ia!, The a&&$%ptio! that "eeli!g 3a44

ti%e i& a %atter o" "eeli!g ti%e i! $arter !ote& i& o!e o" the%,


14/21

http6---,3a44beat,)o%ht%l-oo(&he(,ht%l, A!other %$&t i& Mi#e&

i!ter+ie- -ith Di44y, O!ly ,00 a!( it i& re+elatory7

I lear!e( &y!)opatio! at the "eet o" the %a&ter&' by playi!g -ith the%'

heari!g ho- it &ho$l( go !ight a"ter !ight' (oi!g %y be&t to e%$late it,

!til I (i&)o+ere( Mi#e& boo#' I ha( bee! (epre&&i!g %y )la&&e&' a(+i&i!gthe% o" the )halle!ge they "a)e tryi!g to lear! 3a44 rhyth%, That the o!ly

-ay they )o$l( lear! it -a& the &a%e -ay I (i(' thro$gh e*perie!)e,

!"ort$!ately "or the%' the %a&ter& I lear!e( it "ro% are (ea( a!(' be)a$&e

o" the (e%i&e o" the appre!ti)e&hip &y&te%' their (i&)iple& are !ot i! a

po&itio! to pa&& it o! to the% by the oral tra(itio!, .$t there i& hope, I! thi&

boo#' Mi#e ha& pre&er+e( the rhyth%i) lega)y o" Di44y Gille&pie a!( "o$!(

a! e""e)ti+e %etho( to pa&& thi& lega)y o!,

I ha( the goo( "ort$!e to &pe!( a -ee# -ith Di44y -he! he -a& a g$e&t

arti&t -ith the Phil Boo(& K$i!tet i! the 0&, I -a& !e+er the &a%e a"ter

that -ee#, All Di44y tal#e( abo$t "or that -ee# -a& rhyth%' rhyth%' a!(%ore rhyth%, Bhe! the i!+e!tor o" the %$&i) p$t& &o %$)h e%pha&i& o!

o!e parti)$lar a&pe)t o" 3a44' I got the poi!t' that 3a44 i&' at root' a rhyth%i)

i!+e!tio!, I" yo$ (o!t $!(er&ta!( the rhyth% yo$ (o!t $!(er&ta!( the

%$&i),

Mi#e Lo!go& boo# i& a %$&t "or e+eryo!e -ho prete!(& to be)o%e a 3a44

player, It &ho$l( be o! e+ery 3a44 %$&i)ia!& boo# &hel" a!( a part o" e+ery

3a44 (epart%e!t& )$rri)$l$%7

Phy&i)al Co!trol

M$&i)ia!& are athlete& o" the "i!e %$&)le&, Co!trolli!g "i!ger a)tio!&' lip

a)tio!&' breathi!g a)tio!&' all re$ire the (e+elop%e!t a!( )o!trol o" the

"i!e hea+y,?


15/21

Pre(i)table a!( !pre(i)table Ele%e!t&

All art i& the pro3e)tio! o" a! ill$&io! )reate( by the arti&t, 8o$r!ali&t Ge!e

Lee& $ote( hi& "ir&t pai!ti!g tea)her a& &ayi!g Art i& a pro)e&& o"

eli%i!atio!, For a %$&i) that i& lear!e( thro$gh li&te!i!g a!( i%itatio!'

thi& )reate& )ertai! proble%& "or the &t$(e!t o" 3a44 a& 0 o" -hat i& goi!go! i! a per"or%a!)e i& !ot bei!g playe(' i& bei!g hi((e! "ro% the li&te!er,

O!e o" the ill$&io!& that 3a44 %$&i)ia!& )reate i& that o" &pa)e, There i& !o

&$)h thi!g a& &pa)e' o!ly the ill$&io! o" &pa)e' )reate( by the player lea+i!g

o$t %o&t o" -hat )a! be playe(, The $&e a!( )o!trol o" &pa)e %$&t be a&

orga!i) a& the $&e a!( )o!trol o" the %$&i)al &o$!(& that o))$r -ithi! that

&pa)e,

I! a!y i%pro+i&e( e+e!t there are orga!i4i!g "a)tor& that gi+e the e+e!t

"or% a!( )o!te!t, I! 3a44 it )o$l( be a!ythi!g "ro% o!e !ote


16/21

pro)e&& it %$&t be re($)e( to it& %o&t &i%ple a!( elega!t "or%, To the

&t$(e!t' 3a44 i%pro+i&i!g appear& )o%ple* a!( har( to (o, The tr$th i&' o!e

)a!t play $!le&& the pro)e&&e& $&e( are &i%ple a!( ea&y to $&e, Ca!t ha+e

"$! i" it& har( to (o, The rea(er %ay ha+e !e+er bee! tol( thi& b$t playi!g

%$&t be ea&y to (o it -ell,

I!ter!al "lo-& o" %$&i)al i!"or%atio! are a!other a((itio!al &et o" ba&i)

per"or%a!)e tool& -e ta#e to the ba!(&ta!(, the&e bei!g the ba&i) ele%e!t&

o" %elo(y' har%o!y a!( rhyth%,

Do$gla& Ho""&ta(er' i! hi& P$lit4er pri4e9-i!!i!g boo# Go(el' E&her a!(

.a)h' $!-itti!gly a!( bet-ee! the li!e&' )lari"ie( ho- a! i%pro+i&e(

e*perie!)e i& orga!i4e(, It i& thro$gh the i!ter!ali4atio! o" the pre(i)table

a!( &e%i9pre(i)table ele%e!t& o" the theorie& o" %elo(y' har%o!y a!(

rhyth%, The&e ele%e!t& are pra)ti)e( $!til they be)o%e &e)o!( !at$re,

They are the orga!i4i!g "a)tor& o" a! i%pro+i&e( e+e!t a!( a& &$)h are

!e+er playe(, O!ly the $!pre(i)table ele%e!t& o" a! i%pro+i&e( e+e!t aree+er hear( by it& a$(ie!)e,

Not -a!ti!g to 3$%p the g$! o! the theory o" %elo(i) i%pro+i&atio!' a

&hort (igre&&io! i!to that area %ight (e%o!&trate thi& elega!)e,

E+ery )hor( ha& "o$r ba&i) )hor(9to!e


17/21

For e*a%ple6 The r(, o" o!e )hor( )a! go the /th o" the !e*t' to the th o"the !e*t to the root o" the !e*t, It i& the po&&ible )o%bi!atio!& o" the&e

g$i(e9to!e %elo(ie& )reate( by the &i%ple (e+i)e o" a )hor( ha+i!g "o$r

ba&i) to!e& that gi+e& the )o!)ept o" %elo(y it& elega!)e, A!y o" the )hor(9

to!e %ay be )o!!e)te( to ea)h other $&i!g a!y )o%bi!atio! o" the "o$r

)o%po!e!t& o" to!al %elo(y6 S)ale&' Arpeggio&' Chro%ati)& a!( I!ter+al&

larger tha! a "o$rth,


18/21

o" the po&&ibilitie& are le"t o$t, Bhat i& e+e!t$ally arti)$late( o! a!

i!&tr$%e!t are the i!t$iti+ely &ele)te( $!pre(i)table )hoi)e& o!e %a(e

-hile -e!(i!g thro$gh the pre(i)table ele%e!t& o" a &o!g,

To be )o%pletely $!(er&too(' the pro)e&& o" 3a44 i%pro+i&i!g %$&t be

)o!&i(ere( "ro% both' the poi!t o" +ie- o" the i!(i+i($al i%pro+i&or a& -ella& the i%pro+i&or a& part a gro$p e+e!t,

It& !ot the !ote& yo$ play' it& the !ote& yo$ lea+e o$t Di44y Gille&pie

Thro$gh pra)ti)e a!( trai!i!g all "o$r pre(i)table ele%e!t& are %ol(e(

i!to a )o%bi!e( "lo- o" i!ter!al %$&i)al i!"or%atio!, Graphi)ally it %ight

loo# &o%ethi!g li#e thi&6

Ho-e+er o!e (oe& !ot play e+ery po&&ibile ele%e!t, The &oloi&t &tri+e& to

play a& little o" it a& po&&ible7 I! thi& )a&e the graphi) %ight loo# &o%ethi!g

li#e thi&6


19/21

Bhe! playi!g i! a gro$p &it$atio!' the abo+e "o$r ele%e!t& o" ea)h

i!(i+i($al are &y!)hro!i4e( by %$t$al agree%e!t, !otey'? -itho$t phra&eology, Notey player& are tho&e -ho (i(!:t ta#e

playi!g by ear to the !e*t le+el' heari!g e+erythi!g b$t playi!g a& little o"

-hat yo$ hear a& po&&ible, It i& h$%a! !at$re that' -he! yo$:+e -or#e(

har( to a)hie+e a )ertai! goal' it i& re-ar(i!g to -a!t to #eep o! (oi!g it,

Ho-e+er' there:& a! ol( tr$i&% that i& appli)able to thi& proble%6

>E+erythi!g yo$ lear! ha& the pote!tial to be)o%e a trap,? The #ey to

a+oi(i!g thi& trap i& to #!o- -he! to )$t &o%ethi!g loo&e' to &top -or#i!g

o! it,


20/21

To a)hie+e a le+el o" phra&eology yo$ ha+e to pra)ti)e brea#i!g $p -hat

yo$r ear i& telli!g yo$ -hat to (o,

The &ol$tio! to bei!g !otey i& to the! begi! to &top thi!#i!g %elo(i)ally a!(

begi! thi!#i!g o!ly ryth%i)ally, O!e o" the trap& o" )o!te%porary

e($)atio! i& to o+erly "o)$& o! the %elo(i) a&pe)t& o" i%pro+i&i!g, o$ )a!te&t thi& (e"i)ie!)y by &i!gi!g o!ly the rhyth%& to the %elo(y o" .ir(:&

>Co!"ir%atio!? i! a %o!oto!e, Bitho$t !ote&, Try it -ith other bebop

hea(& a& -ell, o$ %ay e!)o$!ter (i""i)$lty i! (oi!g &o, o$:ll the! &ee ho-

-ell yo$ #!o- the%,

Ho-e+er' that %elo(i) -or# i& !ot -a&te(' it !ee(& to be $&e( i! a (i""ere!t

-ay tha! it -a& lear!e(, Bhi)h bri!g& $p a!other tr$i&%6 >E+erythi!g i&

lear!e( o!e -ay' the! $&e( i! a!other -ay,?

Di44y o!)e &ai(6 >I thi!# o" a rhyth% "ir&t' the! a(( a !ote to it,?

A! i%pro+i&or )a! begi! to )ha!ge the -ay they hear by thi!#i!g &olely i! a

&y!)opate( %a!!er, A pra)ti)al -ay to lear! ho- to &y!)opate i& to ta#e the

rhyth%& o" a& %a!y o" the bebop hea(& yo$ #!o- a!( try applyi!g the% to

other t$!e& li#e >A$t$%! Lea+e&> or Stella .y Starlight,? o$:ll !oti)e

-hat I )o!&i(er o!e o" the %o&t i%porta!t le&&o!& yo$:ll ha+e to lear!6 that

the rhyth%& pi)# the right !ote& o$t "ro% yo$r i!ter!al "lo- o" %elo(i)

i!"or%atio!7

HOB NEB INFORMATION AFFECTS OLD INFORMATION

Bhe! !e- %$&i)al i!"or%atio! i& a)$ire(' it a""e)t& a!( alter& ol(

i!"or%atio!, The ol( i!"or%atio! i& &till there b$t i! a! altere( &tate, A&

)hil(re! -e ha+e to lear! the ba&i)& o" $arter9!ote ti%e a!( -here the

!ote& are o! the i!&tr$%e!t, A& -e gro- %$&i)ally' the !e-er i!"or%atio!

i& >layere(? $po! the ol( a!( )ha!ge& it, For thi& rea&o!' a($lt pra)ti)i!g

&ho$l( !ot be li!ear' a& i" )ertai! %$&i)al a&pe)t& ha+e to be (e+elope(

be"ore yo$ )a! go o! to other&, Do!:t pra)ti)e -he! yo$r bore(7 o$ -o!:t

lear! a!ythi!g, Co!)e!trati!g yo$r e""ort& too lo!g o! a!y o!e parti)$lar

%$&i)al a&pe)t -ill )reate bore(o%, S#ip aro$!( "ro% o!e )o!)ept to

a!other, It (oe&!:t %a#e a!y (i""ere!)e -hat yo$ pra)ti)e' there i& !o

parti)$lar or(er i! -hi)h to pra)ti)e %$&i)al i(ea&, Altho$gh -e tal# abo$tthe (i""ere!t a&pe)t& o" %$&i) i! a &eparate %a!!er' i!ter!ally' e+erythi!g i&

)o!!e)te( together7 Bhe! yo$ i%pro+e i! o!e area' it a""e)t& all the other&'

globally, o$ i%pro+e i! all other area& a& -ell,

A& )a&e i! poi!t "ro% %y o-! per&o!al e*perie!)e6

I! the "i"tee! year perio( be"ore I 3oi!e( the Phil Boo(& ba!(' I ha( bee!

"o)$&&e( o! (e+elopi!g %y pe!tato!i) playi!g, Ho-e+er' I -a& bor! i!to the

po&t9bop era, All %y %o(el& -ere bebopper&, I -a!te( to play bebop a!(

-or#e( har( "or (e)a(e& to (o &o, .$t ha(!:t bee! playi!g it "or tho&e

"i"tee! year& be"ore I 3oi!e( Phil:& gro$p,


21/21

I" there e+er -a& a bebop ba!( it -a& Phil:&, Bhe! I "ir&t 3oi!e( the%' I -a&

&till i!to %y pe!tato!i) playi!g a!( I )o$l( hear that I -a&!:t "itti!g i! to

the ba!(:& %$&i)al &tyle,

O!e !ight' be"ore a )o!)ert at The .otto% Li!e' I -a& &itti!g at %y #it)he!

table' r$%i!ati!g o+er thi& parti)$lar proble%, I reali4e( that I ha( bee!approa)hi!g the ba!(&ta!( -ith a pre)o!)eptio! -hat )o%e& i& -hat:& happe!i!g,?

So' I:% &itti!g at the table a!( I &ai( to %y &el"@ o#ay' to!ight' I:% 3$&t

goi!g o! the ba!(&ta!( -ith !o i(ea -hat9&o9e+er o" -hat I:% goi!g toplay, I:% 3$&t goi!g to p$&h tho&e little bla)# a!( -hite thi!g& $p a!( (o-!

a!( &ee -hat happe!&,

M$)h to %y &$rpri&e' -he! I &tarte( playi!g' all %y ol( bebop i!"l$e!)e

)a%e o$t, The re+elatory thi!g abo$t thi& -a&999%y bebop playi!g ha(

i%pro+e( a& i" I ha( bee! playi!g it "or tho&e la&t ;/ year&7

I re&t %y )a&e,

SMMATIONLear!i!g ho- to be)o%e a 3a44 i%pro+i&or i& a li"e9lo!g ta, There i&!:t

e!o$gh ti%e i! li"e to pra)ti)e e+erythi!g, o$:ll al-ay& %i&& &o%ethi!g

a!( ha+e to go ba)# a!( lear! it, It ta#e& (e(i)atio! a!( patie!)e a!(

yo$:re !e+er (o!e -ith the pro)e&&, There are al&o !ot e!o$gh

opport$!itie& to gai! ba!(&ta!( e*perie!)e playi!g -ith yo$ better&, It:& a

battle that i& )o!&ta!t,

Pia!i&t%e!tor 8a#i .yar(' o!)e o""ere( %e a pea)e o" Ca&te!a(a9li#e

a(+i)e -he! I tol( hi% I -a& thi!#i!g o" %a#i!g %y "ir&t trip to Ne- or#

City, I thi!# it applie&6 >Hal' get yo$r &hiel( a!( yo$r &pear a!( go tothere,?

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Practice and Performance Goals