Practicing of the “Soul”
March 2, 2004 in Articles
harry63 writes “I know that we can never practice scales, arpeggios, theory, etc. enough. However, how does one practice the musical or “soul” aspect of the music? I feel my playing is more a series of notes that are theoretically correct and not yet “soulfully correct.”"
Hmmm…..listen to recordings and find little phrases or things that you like and put them in your playing?
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palealeartie said on March 3, 2004
Of course “soul” is subjective. The most important thing is to mean what you play. If you have the right intentions, your playing has “soul”. You gotta hear the notes you are playing before they come out or as you are playing them, otherwise, it is nothing more than a string of correct notes and pitches. Even if you only hear one sustained note to play, that note will have more “weight” to it than a thousand notes you didn’t “mean”. I recommend reading Kenny Werner’s great book ‘Effortless Mastery’ and you can also check out an older text by Yusef Lateef called ‘How to Play Soul Music’ were he discusses spiritual aspects of playing the music. Ultimately, you gotta feel it before it will be evident in your music. Besides, who says you don’t play with soul? Listen to a recording of yourself and see how you come across on tape and maybe ask some of your peers that you really trust and are open to this kind of concept. Good luck and think positive! -art
Candlebain said on March 5, 2004
You are soul…just ask yourself one question:
Am I really playing what I hear/feel?
uwe said on March 9, 2004
Hi,
Try to imitate the lines of a singer. F.E.: Take a cd of Aretha Franklin, “Chain Of Fools”. Play the break in the middle of the song with a-b-repeat funktion. Try to copy the sound of her voice- she´s just singing one note, but in very different colours. Can you make your horm sing that vocal sound ? Try that for a long period…It helps a lot!
Gest said on March 21, 2004
YES! I have a friend who has been playing alto way longer than i have, but when she plays Jazz I listen and it sound like notes on a paper, it was good but it sounded like hill billies not jazz.
but I played a slow blues on my tenor and the same friend started to cry.
You have to fell the emotions of the song, is it happy, sad, angry? Yes, if you get into a song you might start to cry yourself because you put so much emotion into the song. you sould feel like your instrument and the song.
ok that ws corny
zibalatz said on April 6, 2004
Find people to play with that share a similar musical vision/ideas and play with them every day. If you can get a regular gig with said people, all the better… but I think the trick is just to play all the time with like-minded people.
Also, sometimes free improvisation (i.e.: improvisation with no predetermined underlying harmonic structure and/or rhythmic structure) can help to develop your feelings of “soul”. Also, playing on extended vamps where you are less concerned with technical limitations (i.e.: being able to “make the changes” on complicated tunes) can help to bring out the more “soulful” elements.
Anonymous Coward said on April 16, 2004
Hi, I have a suggestion for you if you would like to play with soul and making your playing more soulful. A great excercise is to take one of your favorite jazz Cds and pop it in the old Cd player. Pick up your horn and close your eyes. Play one note then two notes and slowly work your way around. Play whatever you think feels right. Soon you’ll be “one-with-your-horn” as I say. Your “soul” will control what you want to play. You can play along with the melody if you want but don’t let the melody stop you. If you want to play your won melody, dont stop your soul. Finally, if you want some good soul sax music, I suggest Kirk Whalum either his “For You,” “Unconditional,” or “Into My Soul” CDs. If you have any more questions please email at justinweaver@yahoo.com.