Jazz

Wow, someone who remembers Mazzy! They were probably the band most usually found in my cd player before I discovered Jazz. Great pop, IMO. You wouldn't by chance have heard of either HUM or Grant Lee Buffalo would you?

Some great rock there! I've just been recently getting into Aimee Mann (Bachelor No.2)! I've also lately been listening alot to The Postal Service, Colplay's first album, Hope Sandoval, and Jon Brion's soundtrack of Punch Drunk Love.

Awesome! Larry, do you have any reading material to recommend someone who has NO understanding of movie criticism? Something I could definitely get into also is cinematography. I just don't know where to start, except possibly Cinematography for Dummies. (Do they even have that? They have one of those "for Dummies" books on everything else...)

I'm not quite ready to let this one die because I think this is important, although if no one wants to reply after this post then so be it. I'll make some specific questions, and then give personal examples and any thoughts, even if extremely tangential would be greatly appreciated. Does anyone find that the general premise of Musashi's observation is true? That many people try to "Hasten the bloom of the flower" and make the nut "become less than the flower"? Is that a bad thing if it's true? What would the "nut" be in contrast to the "flower" in the specific context of Jazz music? Are there actual overall approaches to training that in themselves could be considered the nut or the flower, or for that matter, trying to hasten the bloom of the flower? Or does it have more to do with intent, the way Joe G says? When I was studying Jazz, I knew I wanted to be great. The best. The best Jazz guitarist ever. But now that I look back, I don't think I ever thought about what that really meant. I never asked myself what I was trying to accomplish by being the best. Was I trying to communicate emotions? Was I trying to make pretty music? Make people happy? Was I trying to change the world? Change myself? I was pretty much only concerned with "sounding good". I only focused on technique and I think that is the reason why I failed. I wanted the beautiful colors of the flower without worrying where it was coming from. That, in my opinion, is an example of trying to hasten the bloom of the flower.

Wow, great analyzation! Are you someone who knows a few things about cinematography? (sp?)

Hey! Stop making so much sense you crazy Moose! I'm watching you.

Wow Joe, great quote! The Law of Conservation of Intention! I dig that. Musashi was a 16th century Samurai devoted to the Way of the Warrior. But his work was devoted not only to the Way of the Warrior, but also THE Way through which knowledge of ALL ways is acquired. The art he is talking about is the Art of Bushido (Way of the Warrior), but I find that this quote, as most of his writing, applies to all Ways. I mean, there are so many things he said that I could apply to being a Jazz musician as easily as a businessman or a warrior. Thank you thank you thank you for not leaving out the hard work part. Alot of people I knew just wanted to feel it out without bothering to train or learn things. Cause you know, learning things is dumb. As far as I understand Musashi, training is critical in everything. Training until what you're training becomes second nature to you, but without losing sight of the true goal of what you're training for! Yeah, that sentence didn't make any sense. So sue me!

Right now I'm making the list for a rock compilation of newer stuff that I dig. I've been taking a pretty long break from Jazz (I still listen, just not as much as I used to), but for more personal reasons than general reasons. Still, when I was studying to be a jazz musician, I still required some bouts of rock or blues or soul or funk or the very few classical pieces I'm into. So, yeah, I guess the answer is a hardy YES! There's plenty of music to enjoy besides Jazz, though I will always STAUNCHLY contend that Jazz is the most artistic, passionate and communicative ART FORM across all the mediums.

You see though, that is what I absolutely hate about most movies. I feel like I'm being talked down to by alot of films. Like they have to have some guy walk across the screen with a big sign that says "feel sad now" because I'm too dumb to get it myself. Interesting point about Dexter's playing ability though, I never thought of that. I'll have to watch it again with my friend and see what I think!

I hope I'm not too late to this discussion, but you mentioned she likes more "popular" forms of music. If this is true, her ear will probably interperet conventional jazz harmonies, and therefore jazz solos/improv, as very dissonant (in pop, dissonance is usually a no-no). I would try to start the compilation with a few ballads, the least dissonant you can find. Remember, if it sounds dissonant to you it'll sound like absolute nonsense to her. DON'T include any bop, most people I know think it sounds like chaos. Remember to include some vocal jazz peppered throughout, so she can grab on to some lyrics. One good one would be Carmen McRae's version of "New York State of Mind", that Billy Joel song (or anything by Carmen in my opinion). I hope any of that made a lick of sense!

I almost posted this in the musician's forum, but I think everybody probably has an opinion on this. I got to thinking why I never got very good on my gih-tar when I ran across this: I think this directly applies to many of the music students I met while studying, including myself. Anyways, I thought I'd post it here and see what you guys think.

It's a GREAT site. I'm gonna PM you some of my fav articles. Here's a quote from this santa one:

Yeah B-3er. To some, it's going to look like I went into Hyper-Butt-Kissing mode with all the compliments I've given you, but they are VERY sincere compliments. I've given moderators plenty of flack before and I've even quit a board in protest over their treatment (of other posters, not me), so I'm not afraid to speak my mind. I truly think you've done a great job of being fair minded and objective. No easy tasks, that. Two thumbs up and a cutey roboticon for you mister!

No WAY!! You read X-E?? I thought I was the only one....

That is because most people are not mature enough to keep political conversations polite and civil and yes I count myself among these. Political discussions tend to become heated in either real life discussion or on the 'net. So, instead of having countless discussions about jazz or whatnot ruined, B-3er has made a whole platform on his Jazz website devoted only to talking about that whale of a conversation topic: POLITICS. A sort of "political forum" if you will, where anyone can post political rantings, discussions, ideas, debates, etc etc. There are, sadly, no platforms devoted to speaking out on how to baste a turkey (Turkey Forum), or what football team you're rooting for (Football Forum), or how to get a nasty stain out of your best silk shirt (How To Get A Nasty Stain Out Of Your Best Shirt Forum). Therefore, it seems entirely logical that threads can stray into many other areas excepting only politics which has its own forum. How B-3er can implement a new feature designed only to make his board more comfortable for everybody and still get flack for it is beyond me. Your Friendly Neighborhood Jazz

RT - I can definitely sympathize, being 5'5" in height. I'm pretty short, so the whole vintage clothing thing kind of presents a few problems for me as well. It doesn't help that I'm not too fond of clothes shopping either! But, for some reason, I really like the idea of wearing a suit most days or at least dressing up a little every day. That watch sounds like a dandy! I have nothing vintage or keepsake-y to speak of, but I guess it's just as well...

Are you into other types of "vintage" clothing at all? I'd like to be a sharp dresser, but I barely know how!

Uh, yeah and then some others don't, and those are the ones who won't see the politics forum. Yeppers peppers.

Would you recommend me some amazing rap? I have extremely disliked most of what I've heard, but I know I haven't heard the best of what the genre has to offer. Well, I'm not sure specifically about Pet Sounds (though it is great pop), but I remember hearing some of the Beach Boy's more experimental stuff via a friend who is a big fan of theirs. IMO, they went waaaay further than the Beatles ever did. I mean, they could swing pretty hard, used afro-cuban rhythmic ideas, and had some really great arrangements and textures that went beyond your standard pop stuff. Anyways, you might already know what I'm talking about, but I'll call my friend up and ask him what recordings he played for me.

Very awesome! Thanks for making me hip to these. I'll probably try and make it down to some Goodwills in my area sometime soon. You know, I think one of my friends actually found a Gavardine in a Goodwill once, so you never know...

Ahh, Jack In The Box. Bastion of all learning and knowledge. I always liked that commercial where the guy calls it Crap in the Box and Jack chases him down Cops style. Man, I'm in a real stream of consciousness mood lately. Sorry, don't mean to spam!

Thanks! Whenever I get a decent income, I think I'll want to dress sharply most of the time. I'll definitely keep my eyes open for some. Is Rooster a brand name of ties, or is it the name for the square end style?

Chipotle is awesome Does anyone know how to pronounce that anyway? Chee poat lay? Chee-poat-ell? Chip-aught-lee?