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I began the introduction video I recently posted by saying, “I’m trying to solve a problem.”
I went on to say that the problem I’m trying to solve is the ingrained idea of so many jazz players that they need to be told what notes to play in order to be good improvisers. Here are the scales, here are the chord tones, here are exercises for those scales, etc.
As I’ve said more times than I can remember, I’m not against learning scales, arpeggios, and chord tones. They build technique and muscle memory that build the necessary facility on your instrument. I’m against the idea that you must memorize them for the purpose of regurgitating them as the substance of your “improvisation.”
True improvisation requires the mastery of deep listening. It requires the close connection between your musical mind and your instrument. That way you can play what you feel and think.
Over the past five years, I’ve created several platforms that strengthen your ability to connect mind and instrument. I realized earlier this summer how well each of my main products along with several of my books integrate with each other to elevate that listening and connection to which I’m referring.
I started to visualize that integration as a circle. From a video course to a practice platform to hearing masters talk about their approach to having a Chatbot that can simplify, further explain, and/or translate those ideas. From one to the next, each element builds and reinforces from one to the next – like a circle.
In order to make it easier for players to access each of those components to the circle, I created a a jazz improvisation membership called the Jazz Circle.
Here’s a short video I created that explains this circle and the membership…
There are two tiers of membership: Jazz Essentials Circle and Jazz Mastery Circle. To learn more about each, go here.
The other ‘problem’ I’m trying to solve is, how to get this full collection of courses, practice platforms, interviews, and the AI Chat into the eyes and ears of more players – and also how to help them make the most of the materials in order for them to improve quicker. Is a membership the best way to do that?
I think it is. Another benefit of membership is a monthly group video call where I answer questions and talk about how to use the courses, practice platform, interviews and the Chat. How many times have you purchased something, only to realize that you are not getting the most from it – especially online platforms?!
So check out the Jazz Circle memberships and open up your ears to your full musical potential.
Trombonist, author, marketer, & tech guy
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