Ernie Watts. A Melodic Approach to Improvisation.

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  • čas přidán 26. 02. 2012
  • Ernie Watts (saxophone) - www.erniewatts.com
    Frank Potenza (guitar) - www.frankpotenza.com
    JEN Conference 2012
    Louisville, KY
  • Hudba

Komentáře • 138

  • @SlikkTim
    @SlikkTim Před 11 lety +18

    "Everybody's healthy, running, quit smoking, quit eating meat... but nobody watches the garbage they let into their mind: what you think is what you are ! DONT LISTEN TO CRAP ! ".hella deep ! Ernie Watts dropping so much wisdom.

  • @timtully8015
    @timtully8015 Před 4 měsíci +4

    "All freedom comes from discipline." Beautiful.

  • @dactal4444
    @dactal4444 Před 4 měsíci +2

    Finally someone who says they don't tongue all the notes when playing fast. Great stuff

  • @DV-mq5fv
    @DV-mq5fv Před 9 měsíci +2

    Berklee professor Phil Wilson recommend Ernie when he was a student at Berklee to Buddy Rich. The rest is history.

  • @pfalcon626
    @pfalcon626 Před 8 lety +41

    I had the honor of sitting next to him and his wife on a transatlantic flight in 2015...It changed my life. They were the nicest and most gracious people. I had a chance to pick Mr. Watts' brain and never once was he anything but a wealth of knowledge willing to share and such a classy human. I'm glad I found this, and thanks for posting...

  • @march2324
    @march2324 Před 11 lety +3

    Wow. It honors me to be able to say that I was in this very clinic. Ernie Watts is one of the greatest.

  • @bryantjackson7450
    @bryantjackson7450 Před 10 lety +3

    the way he plays rhythm changes he has so much freedom.

  • @craighume2182
    @craighume2182 Před 11 měsíci +2

    Super player and a classy guy too. Love his playing - in particular, his playing with Lee Rit on the Coconut Grove show from many years back.

  • @ItalianDaves
    @ItalianDaves Před 11 lety +5

    "You surround yourself with greatness, by creating an environment for yourself that is great. What you believe is what you create".

  • @insite2life
    @insite2life Před 11 lety +2

    I hate to say this but it doesn't matter what he put in his mouth...it didn't help him get to his skill level of play, only practice and God's grace can do that! Ernie thank you for helping me to see how much more I have to learn and Practice!!!

  • @SlikkTim
    @SlikkTim Před 11 lety +6

    "Everybody's healthy, running, quit smoking, quit eating meat... but nobody watches the garbage they let into their mind: what you think is what you are ! DONT LISTEN TO CRAP ! ". Done watchin' this with my man Vince Thekal, hella deep ! Ernie Watts dropping so much wisdom.

  • @shaggybreeks
    @shaggybreeks Před 10 lety +16


    "Everybody's healthy, running, quit smoking, quit eating meat... but nobody watches the garbage they let into their mind: what you think is what you are ! DONT LISTEN TO CRAP ! ".
    This is the 1st aspect of the Buddhist Eightfold Path: Right View (don't listen to crap). It applies to all sorts of things. Especially politics.

  • @JohnPaulRiger
    @JohnPaulRiger Před 10 lety +1

    I pay close attention to my very first waking thoughts every single morning before my eyes open or my head leaves the pillow. Just now it was that you, Libby and I were hanging out. Chris, Bobby and Thomas were here too at our place and we were all laughing, laughing and reminiscing, going through old photos together. I wish I could wake to this type of energy everyday. You have such a beautiful energy Ernie. Thank you so much...

  • @TonyAguirreJazz
    @TonyAguirreJazz Před 3 lety +3

    I saw Ernie live in SF in the early 90’s and teared up during one of his Alto solos. Love this guy for all he’s done

  • @unready56
    @unready56 Před 11 lety +2

    The clarity with which this man expresses his thoughts is on par with his playing. Superb.

  • @horstlippitsch
    @horstlippitsch Před 2 lety +1

    Ernie Watts "The living legend"!!!

  • @zokimirchovski2968
    @zokimirchovski2968 Před 8 lety +5

    wish I had a teacher like you,Mr.Watts,you're AMAZING

  • @henrygarciga
    @henrygarciga Před 8 lety +5

    Ernie always gives you an exhilarating straight ahead confidence of playing that far exceeds his stellar sideman roles. His most lyrical solo for me is on the Lee Ritenour album Captain Fingers. He breathes a fire into that sax to make a juke joint jump.

  • @Handle2point0
    @Handle2point0 Před 8 lety +2

    "oooh, background music.. You are about to experience.." LOL I laughed so hard.

  • @teddypantelas
    @teddypantelas Před 9 lety +2

    this man is truly inspiring with a tone that doesn't quit. thanks for posting.

  • @gohuskies583
    @gohuskies583 Před 11 lety +1

    Ernie Watts, the Master........what more can you say?

  • @Merf1195
    @Merf1195 Před 10 lety +2

    Ernie is one smooth cat, love his sound, I don't know how he does it

  • @JiveDadson
    @JiveDadson Před 6 lety +2

    I'm with the Pompano Beach mouthpiece guy. A tip opening of 150 mils is batshit insane.

  • @TheFunkyKingston
    @TheFunkyKingston Před 10 lety +2

    I wish i hadn't studied business crap and economics in college...damn that hurts me still.Great masterclass.

    • @MarkInLA
      @MarkInLA Před 5 lety +1

      You mean, as you cry all the way to the bank ?

  • @jacquelamontharenberg
    @jacquelamontharenberg Před 3 lety +1

    Great player and teacher. Learning all the time....thank you...

  • @stormdawg
    @stormdawg Před 9 lety +1

    A wealth of great advice. Right on, Ernie!

  • @chikomalo1976
    @chikomalo1976 Před 10 lety +2

    I saw your live performance in Jakarta some time ago, It was great.. and thanks for signing my tenor Ernie.. :-)

  • @PhrygianPhrog
    @PhrygianPhrog Před 9 lety +2

    Total master of the sax

  • @Project41Band
    @Project41Band Před 11 lety +1

    You've been blessed with some great musicians to play with there, Ernie. Stories are great here. Horn sounds even better.

  • @mboia
    @mboia Před 8 lety +2

    Thanks for posting! Incredible guy!

  • @iskrim
    @iskrim Před 11 lety +1

    Great man! Great musician! Great saxophonist !!! Thanks E.W.

  • @SaxyRedd77
    @SaxyRedd77 Před 11 lety +1

    Fantastic! I really like the way Ernie puts things. Thanks for posting.

  • @joeschmo1332
    @joeschmo1332 Před 10 lety +3

    Wow Ernie Watts what a Player!! just love his playing.

  • @ogatoulas
    @ogatoulas Před 9 lety +20

    It was an interesting speech but I missed the part of the melodic approach to improvisation.

  • @IndraAziz
    @IndraAziz Před 10 lety +1

    Thank you Samir for this video. Wonderful man Ernie Watts.

  • @arpysax
    @arpysax Před 11 lety +1

    one of my favorite saxophone player
    !!

  • @luksaxtenor
    @luksaxtenor Před 11 lety

    THANK YOU so much Ernie Watts!

  • @Trueno33
    @Trueno33 Před 10 lety +1

    wow, awesome! thank you so much for sharing this one

  • @carelabels5753
    @carelabels5753 Před 8 lety +1

    11:23 Love peace and read!

  • @albertnemiroff1502
    @albertnemiroff1502 Před 7 lety

    Thank you. Life lessons.

  • @CrossBonesAlex
    @CrossBonesAlex Před 7 lety

    Thanks for this gem of education

  • @Project41Band
    @Project41Band Před 11 lety +1

    I need to find out about the altered scale. Thanks again, Ernie. Wow

  • @zu0832
    @zu0832 Před 11 lety

    Thanks for posting!

  • @zelenovicb
    @zelenovicb Před 11 lety

    Gerat video, thanks!
    Mr. Watts had a concert a few years ago in Belgrade, Serbia with Charlie Haden's Quartet West, and he was brilliant! After one of more brilliant solos he did (think it was lonely woman, but not sure) CH said: If I could play like that I would shut up for months ;)
    Thanks again!

  • @paulalexander3540
    @paulalexander3540 Před 8 lety

    play it by ear, no musical notes to read, is the best approach to jazz improvisation.

  • @blahdeblah1975
    @blahdeblah1975 Před 9 lety +4

    Some One also said, "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he..."

  • @trobson9952
    @trobson9952 Před rokem

    Heres a case of alot of notes not just being hip or cool , their inside and great. Thanks EW.

  • @rorysly906
    @rorysly906 Před 5 lety

    So clean

  • @jcfernandez7
    @jcfernandez7 Před 10 lety

    Wow great job...

  • @HUM1BRTO
    @HUM1BRTO Před 11 lety

    muito bom brigado...

  • @saxfish
    @saxfish Před 11 lety

    Great Schooling, Thanks!

  • @arpysax
    @arpysax Před 9 lety

    Those 23 guys(Kenny G bitches) witch didn t like this video please do not come here and try to put down a true master of music and saxophone !!THIS IS ART AND THE PRESENT HISTORY!!!!

  • @pelonsax
    @pelonsax Před 11 lety +1

    DOWN IN FRONT!!!!

  • @Project41Band
    @Project41Band Před 11 lety

    I've been to the Baked Potatoe!! Across from Universal Studios. I LOVE that club, man! Ha, you musta had a good time there. Good talk.

  • @user-ro9uy5ey7g
    @user-ro9uy5ey7g Před 8 lety

    Це клас мастер клас!

  • @janetremsing6988
    @janetremsing6988 Před 6 měsíci +1

    👍🙂Total mutant-beast!!

  • @cmelodysax
    @cmelodysax Před 8 lety +2

    Nicholas - nah, Gerald Albright does the "Ernie Watts Leg Lift" - Ernie was wowing 'em whilst Gerald was still in kindergarten ;-)

  • @charleswinokoor6023
    @charleswinokoor6023 Před 4 lety +1

    “Clarity of articulation.”
    Snippet of “I Dream of Jeannie with the Light Brown Hair” while trading fours on the Bird song.

  • @SamirKambarov
    @SamirKambarov  Před 11 lety

    I've been there but couldn't record it. Can post Peter Eldridge's session "Concepts in Song Writing" though. It's from the same conference.

  • @kfdisawesome
    @kfdisawesome Před 9 lety +2

    is the guitar player practicing his scales or something while Ernie is talking?

  • @jazznpraise
    @jazznpraise Před 9 lety +2

    I'd like to know the title of the first piece they did after the introduction. Sounds like a standard but I'm not sure.
    Thank

  • @EMasteringIICargeJr2
    @EMasteringIICargeJr2 Před 9 lety

    To por essas, por enquanto.............. O resto a gente vee depois.......... Meu lance eh Musica nao GUERRAS !!

  • @ogdenphotographics
    @ogdenphotographics Před 4 měsíci +1

    Erniie Watts .. WAY before Brecker! I remember him as the solo tenor on the Tonight show band. No offense to Mike B who obviously was a giant….but I never hear tenors of that generation give credit who helped develop this sound and approach to harmony and articulation and altissimo. Here is a great example of ALL the concepts, approaches that was mimicked by Berg, Brecker, on and on

  • @glen6945
    @glen6945 Před 6 lety

    ace

  • @saxfish
    @saxfish Před 11 lety

    Great Clinic. Love E W...and yes...what was that in his mouth ? Something for the teeth? I feel my teeth jutting out from years of playing. Or,...is it my imagination ?

  • @MarkInLA
    @MarkInLA Před 5 lety +4

    I've always wished people would not clap after solos /during number. Why ? It both interrupts the flow of the piece as if it's not as sacred, not as important as classical music where people clap only after each movement or at the end..Plus, to me, it gives the performance a feeling of being a contest, a sports competition. The whole musical statement should not include clapping in it. I know I'm nearly alone here. So don't bother dissing me over it. I know you're there. I know you're in the majority. And I know I'll never persevere in this wish. I would, though, like to hear from those who do happen TO agree with me, If there are any at all...
    M, Los Angeles

    • @jazzman_10
      @jazzman_10 Před 3 lety

      As a general rule Europeans in general will not applaud until the song finishes, I guess this comes from listening to opera and classical music, nobody would dare to clap unless it's over.
      Nevertheless US influence and traveling is starting to change things but I agree with you, silence let's the artist connect with the muses and amazing stuff starts to flow...

    • @felixhoezen3935
      @felixhoezen3935 Před 2 lety +1

      The absence of clapping and reacting to the music in classical music concerts only dates back to an absurd concert tradition in the nineteenth century. They don't even clap in between movements, only at the end of the work. I think in live situations, jazz, classical or whatever people should react to the music and connect with the performers. The listening you're describing i would reserve for recordings.

  • @MattLawton
    @MattLawton Před 11 lety

    Does anyone have any footage from the Victor Wooten session he talks about at 40:00 ?

  • @rafael_lc
    @rafael_lc Před 2 lety

    Uooouuuww

  • @yutub8712
    @yutub8712 Před 9 lety

    dang!!! closed my eyes and thought i was listening to Sanborn.

    • @vladimirlopez7840
      @vladimirlopez7840 Před 4 lety +2

      Yu Tub lol not even close. Not even the same instrument.

  • @clix089
    @clix089 Před 10 lety +1

    How did I guess that the freebie would be something with Coltrane on it, and that he would be Ernie's first major influence?

  • @voodoochili12
    @voodoochili12 Před 7 lety

    does anyone know what that thing he's blowing into and making sounds is called? cool video

  • @Project41Band
    @Project41Band Před 11 lety

    25:30, confused, thought of Edgar Cayce, serial killer???NONO, the psychic guy, yeah. But can you get a book without reading it? I don't know. I'm loving this Jazz Education Network. I wish I had gone to college for music, not psychology. Great talk!

  • @melodistman
    @melodistman Před 7 lety

    OMG . . .

  • @blahdeblah1975
    @blahdeblah1975 Před 9 lety +17

    Who's the bozo that showed up late and sat with his shoulder in the camera? His mommy never taught him manners.

    • @JonFrumTheFirst
      @JonFrumTheFirst Před 8 lety +3

      +blah deBlah There's always one asshat in every room. Einstein discovered it in 1905.

    • @tomforsythe7024
      @tomforsythe7024 Před 6 lety +1

      I rarely encounter that.
      Oh.

    • @allrockirwin23
      @allrockirwin23 Před 5 lety +3

      He also asked “reed and mouthpiece” like a drill instructor.

  • @Samyham007
    @Samyham007 Před 10 lety +3

    can you tell us who is that guitar player please ? he is very very efficient ! Thank you!

    • @SamirKambarov
      @SamirKambarov  Před 10 lety

      Sorry, I missed his name. He is great!

    • @joseph4756
      @joseph4756 Před 10 lety +4

      Capri recording artist and educator Frank Potenza is a protege of the late, great Joe Pass and an active composer and performer with nine solo albums to his credit.

    • @joseph4756
      @joseph4756 Před 10 lety

      Samir Kambarov
      Frank Potenza

    • @Jazzblade1977
      @Jazzblade1977 Před 6 lety

      You can hear the Joe Pass in there... Although I might like him better. He plays less busy then Joe, with more feel. Don't get me wrong I like Joe, but after a while it starts to annoy me that he has to fill EVERYTHING (Virtuoso Series). Like in "Dude take a breath every once in a while". Frank seems a bit more laid back.

  • @tomforsythe7024
    @tomforsythe7024 Před 6 lety +31

    I disagree with him on the "don't listen to crap" thing. Listen to everything, and try to figure out why people like it. Allow that to inform your understanding of music.
    Listen to bad music, every once in a while. You will often see some of your own bad habits, exemplified right in front of you.
    If you only hear excellent music, it will be easier to delude yourself into thinking you are on that level, yourself. And if you ARE a genius, why read my silly comments. I would rather read yours.

    • @pkbby1
      @pkbby1 Před 4 lety +3

      The bible says as a man thinketh in his heart so is he.

    • @marselmusic
      @marselmusic Před 4 lety

      👏🏾

    • @HeathWatts
      @HeathWatts Před 4 lety +1

      It becomes increasingly difficult to listen to everything. I have about 3000 CDs (jazz, blues, improv, classical, Indian, shakuhachi, African percussion, rock, country, etc.). If I listen to one a day, it will take about 10 years to get through them once. I wish that I hadn't spent my teen years listening to top 40 radio garbage (Twisted Sister and other hair rock garbage), when there was a world of great music out there. Of course, those were pre-internet times, so access to good music was more difficult than it is now. If you want to be a great player in a particular genre, I'd suggest that you listen primarily to that music, but there is quality music in other genres that can help in your musical journey. That said, there is a mountain of garbage out there, and it has always existed, much of it is popular, but most of it won't improve your musicianship.

  • @lottierose8668
    @lottierose8668 Před 4 lety

    reference 36 neck on his sx 90

  • @SAX-cl6lk
    @SAX-cl6lk Před 9 lety

    What is the thing that he puts in his mouth when he plays?

  • @radiokid2
    @radiokid2 Před 11 lety

    The alt.scale for dom 7ths is simple...just play on a minor scale (with a raised 6h and 7th) over a dominant chord one half-step LOWER.... ie: play on an A flat minor scale over a G7th. Or: on Db minor scale over a C7th. Here's the You Tube code with a tutorial...just paste it in the mini-strip at the top of any YT page, watch?v=fAzwviInwoU

    • @MarkInLA
      @MarkInLA Před 5 lety

      It's called super locrian: Ab melodic minor begining on its 7th, G,...over a G7...

    • @obergssin
      @obergssin Před 3 lety

      Here’s how I easily remember it ... A7 altered ... Play the major scale half tone below but leave out the root (A flat) ...

  • @pallhe
    @pallhe Před 3 lety

    What's the name of the first song they play?

  • @customsignschatt
    @customsignschatt Před 8 lety +5

    does anyone know what he holds in his mouth while he plays?

    • @customsignschatt
      @customsignschatt Před 8 lety

      Ok, makes sense, Thanks!

    • @lickingfrog
      @lickingfrog Před 7 lety

      dude, his tone sucks in this video... wtf?!

    • @nicolasmartinez8472
      @nicolasmartinez8472 Před 6 lety +1

      A Tenor saxophone

    • @adriantapia48
      @adriantapia48 Před 6 lety

      custom made..Otto Link 12*

    • @Jorvaskrr
      @Jorvaskrr Před 5 lety +1

      @@Lrlupercio That's called biting and it's a big no no in sax technique.It makes you sound small and ugly.Please don't do it.Do long tones with a tuner and make sure it sounds straight almost like a sine wave.

  • @marselmusic
    @marselmusic Před 4 lety

    6:07 LOL that one bloke in the back

  • @Project41Band
    @Project41Band Před 11 lety

    20:08 Joe Henderson huh. Yup.

  • @QuincyFuLo
    @QuincyFuLo Před 7 lety

    What tune do they play at the beginning?

  • @ItalianDaves
    @ItalianDaves Před 11 lety

    42:50

  • @filipdinevmusic
    @filipdinevmusic Před 7 lety

    Not really about melodic improvisation, but great...

  • @skatersaxman
    @skatersaxman Před 11 lety +1

    Please let me know what you put in your mouth before you started blowing the horn?

  • @akatsuki642
    @akatsuki642 Před 11 lety +1

    i think it was an artificial embouchure

  • @ber334
    @ber334 Před rokem +1

    That poor guitar player to have to take a solo after Ernie's brilliant improvisation on footprints

  • @marselmusic
    @marselmusic Před 4 lety

    6:16

  • @aurematic
    @aurematic Před 3 lety

    I got a question: the guy at the bottom, Is he a mannequin?

  • @MarioSilva-jg5nh
    @MarioSilva-jg5nh Před 2 lety

    Wattsapening

  • @stevedarlington278
    @stevedarlington278 Před 9 lety +5

    a lovely blow and wonderful clinic. not stressing a melodic approach though.

    • @ogatoulas
      @ogatoulas Před 9 lety +2

      Steve Darlington I spent a good deal of 53 minutes searching for this melodic approach...

  • @marselmusic
    @marselmusic Před 4 lety

    He kinda looks like Jim Colerick a bit, don't ya think?

  • @alexloda7660
    @alexloda7660 Před 10 lety +1

    im a hard rock guitarist and i bookmarked this elevator music why.. because if u played this harmonically complex music thru a marshall stack u would be the next hendrix/van halen :=)

  • @mikec6733
    @mikec6733 Před 3 lety

    Come in late and sit in front of the camera. Nice.

  • @Project41Band
    @Project41Band Před 11 lety

    Ah, man!!!! YEAH. Ernie, great!!! New fan here. Thanks for the work! Ernie, could you check out my videos and give me a tip. Figured I'd give it a shot. Thanks. Great soloing. Thank you kindly.

  • @doctordogood9658
    @doctordogood9658 Před 2 lety

    Siri!

  • @alexloda7660
    @alexloda7660 Před 10 lety +1

    p.s. please no high brow insults about calling this grocery store music..holy shit hes blazing bach arpeggios as im eating raviolio's..lol

  • @deathmasterheartsnap1537
    @deathmasterheartsnap1537 Před 8 lety +3

    melodic my ass