Ten adults and one teen of different skill levels recently participated in  their first "jam" in Toronto. We went to a real jazz club, locked the doors and drew the curtains. We hired a professional bassist and drummer.

They were excited, nervous, and pumped. They'll all be back in the fall for round 2. They learned a lot, starting with "real Jazz" is intense and loud. And, really really fun. 

Good examples for us all on stepping out of our comfort zones. 

Best, 

David

What keeps us going for 40 plus years? Good question. The money? Partly. The attention? Partly. The social community? Partly The challenge of staying sharp, staying in the game? For sure. The shear joy of making music with our friends and colleagues.  Yes, yes, yes. 

I think the greatest challenge of modern adult life is keeping life simple enough to stay sane and healthy. Without simplicity it is impossible to maintain a practice regime, health regime, and build relationships when we are bogged down in distraction and unnecessary crap.

 Student/Us/Me need reminding of the following order of priorities:

1. Health
2. Family
3. Work
4. Music, unless Music is your work
5. The rest of it

As a teacher of adult music students the following complaints come my way on a regular basis. Notice that family responsibilities are not on this list.

1. ​Netflix
2. Social media
3. Commuting
4. Unfocused practice goals
5. Drinking and drugs. The stats are sobering. https://www.projectknow.com/research/drug-addiction-statistics-alcoholism-statistics/www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/healthy+living/is+your+health+at+risk/the+risks+of+poor+nutrition
6. Physical and mental exhaustion from a lousy career or home life
7. Poor nutritional choices that sap our energies.                                                https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/healthy+living/is+your+health+at+risk/the+risks+of+poor+nutrition
8. Boredom from the same old same old
9. Clutter in our studios/homes/life that makes everyday activities inefficient
10. Internet surfing

Best, 

David

Forty one years ago I was getting ready to attend Berklee College of Music. I was pumped with adrenaline,  piano fingers ready to play, my scores in a bag. The next few years were a blur of rehearsals, classes, and adventure. 

​One professor who stood out among the giants was a young Andy Jaffe. Our paths have crossed numerous times since then, most recently in New Orleans at a Jazz Education Network event. He is still at it, I'm still at it. More evidence on the power of associations to inspire and prod us into a lifetime of musical action. 

​Thank you Andy. 

​David

A lot of talk about keeping it fresh by seeking out opportunities to play with younger musicians. But, sometimes it is good to play with your own cohort. Jamming tonight with guys in my age group is like wearing your favourite set of clothes: it fits, it's relaxing, it's undemanding, it's fun. Jamming with your peers is naturally musical 'cause they know the tunes. You can shoot the shit without offending, they will listen to your old war stories and they laugh at the jokes. 
​
Cheers,

​David

Miles did
Chick does it

​Hiring younger musicians to keep it real. I'm not hiring anymore, but getting out there and jamming with younger musicians is fun. A couple of tips, some of which I've learned the hard way:

1. Keep your mouth shut. Nobody cares what you've done in the past including who you've worked with, no matter how famous.
2. Let them call the tunes.
   
3. Keep your solos brief.
   
4. Be a gentleman around women at the jam. Old attitudes have no place in the modern world. 
   
5. Don't drink, thus reducing back sliding on tips 1 to 4
   

Cheers,

​David

Victor Wooten Metronome Exercises: Let's get our timing together with these hair raising exercises. Good luck. 

To quote Nike: Just do it. But, staying enthusiastic takes some work. Sometimes the vegetative state, induced by Netflix binging, is seductive. Some tips:

1. Hang out with younger people, but keep your mouth shut. Nobody, but nobody wants to hear about the "good old days". Let some of that energy waft over you.
2. Learn something new in your field. I went to college 40 years ago. Maybe I'm a little out of date. :-)
   
3. Clean out the music collection and start over from scratch. 
   
   1. http://www.jazzwisemagazine.com/artists/14787-top-20-jazz-albums-of-2017
      
4. Get the bike out of the garage and go for a ride in the woods.
   

Best,

​David 

Dear Dave:

• Learn to practice young man, it is the skill that keeps on giving, forever.
• Learn to count, it’s worth millions. Really!
• Pick a wife very carefully. Lust and loneliness is a seductive trap when you are young. (I’m second time lucky.)
• Work out, your health is the foundation of all ambition. “Get thee to the gym!”
• Always play with the A crowd, many times they will say no, but enough of them will say yes that the band will be smokin'. You are judged by the company you keep.
• Dress sharp, groom carefully. First impressions count. And, nobody wants to associate with someone who looks broke, except other broke people.

 Cheers,

​David