[TPIN] Friday Firestarter 3/7/08

[Orion Development Corp - D. Arndt]

Sorry - I don't buy your premise, let alone your argument.  

Years ago, unless you grew up in a metropolitan area with access to good jazz playing opportunities, you were at a tremendous deficit.   This is a lot *less* true today.  The availability of technology, communications - the internet - and resources like Aebersold, fascilitate a greater number of players being able to "get into the game" and provide a regular "venue" for disciplined practice, where it didn't exist before.   If only for this reason alone, I would have to say that "becoming a *competent* improviser" is less difficult than ever before  - if you're willing to practice.

I think there are probably a lot more "good" players today than ever before, but no more "great" players than at any time in history (jazz/musically, speaking).  

True musical genius (as in the true meaning word "great") is a combination of hard work AND genetics, unfortunately.   Technology, lessons, and Aebersold can't change the genetics part of the equation.

(That last paragraph was somewhat off topic, but what the heck...)

- Dave, "Still Learning To Live With His Genetics", Arndt

On Fri, 7 Mar 2008 09:23:59 -0800, Boozo Destructo wrote
> Hello class. 
> 
> Today's discussion: "The passé art of improvisation?" 
> 
> % trumpet content: variable 
> 
> Level Of Difficulty: No Aebersold 
> 
> Statement: 
> It was much easier to become a competent improviser 50 years ago than 
> it is today. (With all consideration for personal artistic tastes 
> removed from the equation) 
>