You're welcome, James! It's extra special to know you've helped someone else out, so I'm glad you found encouragement here. I'll be sharing more stories in the future :)
You were so fortunate to start the way you did. I unfortunately began in a very staunch classical environment, first piano (like you at an early age), then tpt & organ. By the time I'd started in the profession I realised I had what I called 'wrong note syndrome' to the point I didn't even like being listened to in practice - i know right, ridiculous! I was a long time un-learning the fear but eventually discovered a new freedom. The strange thing was that I never had any issues improvising when at the organ in a service (aged about 10). I think I was forced into it by trying to play contemporary repertoire as postludes before I'd really learned them properly - good reader, bad at practice! I found you btw ages ago via your Gigout Toccata at St. Sulpice with Daniel Roth which I keep finding myself revisiting. Awesome recording.
Thanks for sharing, Eddie! The more self-conscious we are, it tends to get more challenging to try and avoid mistakes, but that's why I always say to start one hand at a time, and give the other hand something fairly mindless to do, harmony-wise. Cheers!
Great perspectives - and what a phenomenal early introduction you had to the art of improvisation - I think it is the corollary then for me that lack of exposure early on created something of a mental block for me - but as in all things... practice is the answer!
I agree, it's difficult to start as an adult, but as long as you provide a safe space for yourself where nobody is listening but you, it's much easier to experiment with musical ideas without outside judgement.
If you improvise music, do you remember how you started? Comment with your story!
It’s the theme song for me 🤩
This was a great introductory vlog! Very helpful and encouraging by sharing your journey!
Thank you for sharing your story! It’s a great encouragement to me.
You're welcome, James! It's extra special to know you've helped someone else out, so I'm glad you found encouragement here. I'll be sharing more stories in the future :)
You were so fortunate to start the way you did. I unfortunately began in a very staunch classical environment, first piano (like you at an early age), then tpt & organ.
By the time I'd started in the profession I realised I had what I called 'wrong note syndrome' to the point I didn't even like being listened to in practice - i know right, ridiculous! I was a long time un-learning the fear but eventually discovered a new freedom.
The strange thing was that I never had any issues improvising when at the organ in a service (aged about 10). I think I was forced into it by trying to play contemporary repertoire as postludes before I'd really learned them properly - good reader, bad at practice!
I found you btw ages ago via your Gigout Toccata at St. Sulpice with Daniel Roth which I keep finding myself revisiting. Awesome recording.
Thanks for sharing, Eddie! The more self-conscious we are, it tends to get more challenging to try and avoid mistakes, but that's why I always say to start one hand at a time, and give the other hand something fairly mindless to do, harmony-wise. Cheers!
Great perspectives - and what a phenomenal early introduction you had to the art of improvisation - I think it is the corollary then for me that lack of exposure early on created something of a mental block for me - but as in all things... practice is the answer!
I agree, it's difficult to start as an adult, but as long as you provide a safe space for yourself where nobody is listening but you, it's much easier to experiment with musical ideas without outside judgement.
I also didn’t have the foundations that Aaron talks about. But it’s never too late. Let’s do it, Jerry.