[Trombone-l] improv in practicing

[Tom Ervin]

Maybe somebody mentioned it and i overlooked it, but
don't leave out COPYING and IMITATING other fine players you love.

I think  I still have some good stuff up on my website.
Need theory
Need to learn lotsa tunes
Gonna need some range and endurance
Will need technique-enough to play the things you imagine
Must listen
Should know some jazz history
etc.

But also do COPY some from your heroes' best stuff. Transcribe it if  
you wish, or must, or simply memorize it.
Both procedures will involve extensive, repetitive listening, and  
that's the main point (perhaps).

One of my old improv students said, "But I really don't want to play  
like Carl Fontana."
I said, "Two things! Yes you do; and don't worry, you won't."

Tom Ervin
ervint at u.arizona.edu
Prof of Trombone, Univ Arizona (Emeritus)
...now a recovering trombone player.... ; >}
(520)241-4411 (cell)
website:     tom-ervin.com