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.
David Story