​How to be a successful Jazz student in a few difficult steps.

I’m back from a week at the Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshops in Louisville Kentucky. My third year. I will be back next year.

This year I interviewed “successful” campers. 

What characteristics do successful adult Jazz students possess? Here are my unscientific conclusions.

• They have learned to play their instrument with a professional teacher. They have the solid facility to play Jazz. Then they found a Jazz teacher.
• They listen to Jazz like a musician: analytically.   " What's going on here?" They started stealing "licks" early. Short simple ones and built from there.
• They got their ears together, many have taken ear training classes at some point.
• They have a good grasp of Jazz history. They know the main players of their instrument.
• They have memorized a few simple Jazz tunes. Like Aebersold volume 15.
• They found folks to jam with at their level or above. Real eager beavers, they're out there.
• They understand the basic rudiments of music. The classical theory level for incoming college freshmen really helps. ii-V-I is not a mystery to them.
• They seek feedback; they go to Jazz Camp with an open mind.
• They love to practice and jam.
• They are enjoying the journey.

Cheers,
David Story