[deleted]
Hey there, so this is the second course from Coursera this week that I've seen friends and family applying for. It looks like it's a good resource. I've applied. It seems quite clear and well structured. Fun fun!
[deleted]
ha ha, thanks for actually putting in the link...duh Monday morning
Psean
Hehe. Any time. Ain't Google amazing...
NileshHansjee
I completed this course a few weeks back - it's taken me twelve years of playing bass and guitar to realise that I'm not that good at jazz. Or improvisation.
Even so, it was a fantastic learning experience despite my finding it a little intense with work commitments and all.
Gary Burton's lecture style was very good, and I was pleased to find that the peer review process was very fair - I received some really helpful feedback, even when my submission wasn't that great.
Just a word of warning - the basic requirements are somewhat understated. Although it doesn't say so in the requirements, being able to read sheet music is a huge help - I had to dust off my old notes, but it's all good since it got me reading again after many years of neglect.
Have fun!
[deleted]
Thanks Nilesh, I'm sure it's going to be pretty tough! More to the point, hilariously challenging. At least it's a good sign that the introduction is concise. There is an abundance of courses and books with all the right buzz words and very little substance. At least I can read music pretty well, but the rest...ah, we'll see... it'll probably be "a very good learning experience".
Kush
Awesome, thanks Viccy I have signed up, just what I needed. You have been thanked!
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Yayy, it's started!!!! I'm a STOOOODENT!!!
[deleted]
Tee Hee, I did my first assignment, don't know if any other members did it, but I'll upload my clip here if anyone wants to add their input ?
Keira-WitherKay
hey ya viccy , fabulous you doing the course ..... jazz improv is tremedously "free ing" to musicians who usually work off rigidly set out pieces ....(anything you need to play as it was written)
in a recently televised doccie from the 70's Dollar brand our very own abdulah Ibrahim said when he performs (improvised) he feels like a "ninja" as he has just one sheet of music with a basic melody written down and he's expected to each performance improvise for 10 min on it .... he said it was like risking your profesional life each night on stage ......
i think thats a lovely way to describe improvisation ..... scary but highly rewarding ?
good luck with the course
[deleted]
Thanks Keira,! yes, it is very free-ing. I found that the openness of the chords gives you so much opportunity to be creative, but the trick I find comes in stepping out and actually saying something. It's definitely a test of faith! But a good one.
[deleted]
So, I don't know how anyone else is doing on this, but from my side I have to say this is a really good course. The lecturer puts the information to you in an uncomplicated way, and those assignments make you put your toes in the water. Besides the fact that the peer reviews are generally very nice, and useful.
So here's my laughable "improv", I managed to get it done at about one last night. I thought I'd "analyse" the progression and get the right scales, but I was way off, so I worked out the scales mostly by ear. I stayed pretty conservative, and hopefully with a bit of practice I'll be more used to the scale shapes and venture out more.
chrisbark
Have to agree with you, IMO it has been great course. Well presented material, challenging assignments and good feedback.
It has forced me to get dirty with modes esp Locrian and the two melodic minor modes.
It has also encouraged me to stop half stepping and revealed some truths about how I practice.
Before this I would almost always practice in one or two keys (usually C ) instead of tackling the problems directly.
I would see the F#m7b5, realise I was weak and then go practice Bm7b5 and then wonder why I wasnt nailing it when I tried again ?
I haven't really struggled with analysis cos I have been trying to play jazz for a while, just the improv that has kicked my ass.
I realise now it probably would have been a good idea to start a study group rather than going it alone.
Anyway your improv is far from laughable. Yeah it's not Coltrane but IMO it's better to play one or two strong notes and get something melodic going rather than just play noodle soup. That way you can find your way through the tune and build on it as you get more confident.
Also belated thanks for posting about this, I saw it on Coursera a while back and was interested, but if not for your post I wouldn't have known it was starting again.
[deleted]
Hell yeah! Glad you're enjoying it too. The assessments really helped me understand where my shortcomings in my analysis came. I come from a classical background, so I was trying to find a common key/ or modulation for the whole song, instead of just taking it chord by chord. In this last assignment I see they do do a bit of that, under certain conditions.
I know what you mean about it forcing you to practice. I got a horrible surprise! I'll put in the time for this last assessment ?
Good luck for the last one! Maybe post it here when we're done?
