This document provides 10 tips for musicians to improve their skills, whether they are beginners or professionals. The tips include practicing techniques like scales regularly, setting goals for improvement, having patience as it takes a long time to develop skills, keeping practice sessions fun, organizing jam sessions to get feedback, understanding music theory like keys, finding an instructor, learning your instrument and gear, using online resources, and challenging yourself regularly. The overall message is that musicians at any level can enhance their abilities through dedicated practice and trying new things outside their comfort zone.
This booklet is designed to give you the basics which you will need in order to learn the art of improvising in
music. Many feel that people who improvise or play jazz are special. If they are special, it is because they have
spent their time wisely learning the tools of the trade. A few of the tools are: scales, chords, patterns, licks, songs
(standards and originals), training the ear, listening to records of jazz greats and any other thing which they feel
will contribute to the growth of a well-rounded musician.
I feel it is good to establish a practice routine, especially for those of you who are new to learning the language
of jazz. To play jazz requires discipline, and discipline is good for all of us.
The language of jazz or the jazz idiom is in a constant state of flux. In order to be a part of the jazz movement
one must accept change. Jazz has changed greatly over the past 70 years and is presently in transition. Each
generation of jazz musicians contribute their own unique ideas, feelings, and sound to the music and this is what
creates the change. If you equip yourself well, you may be one of those people who influence others and set new
trends in jazz.
If you want to get it all together, I suggest reading each of the pages in this booklet very carefully. Mark with pen
or pencil points that you feel are important so when you flip through the pages In the future your eye will catch
them. Listen, listen, listen carefully to anyone playing jazz or improvising. You can learn much from live performances as well as records. Start a record collection and listen to what has been recorded over the past 85
years. You are in for a treat!
Spend your practice time wisely. Don’t play things over and over that you can already play. This is great for the
ego but does little to advance your musical progress. Be patient with yourself. Don’t expect everything to come
at one setting. They say that things come to us when we are ready to accept them. A healthy mental state is also
responsible for progress when practicing.
Gradually train your ears to really HEAR music and all of the components that make the final product. Read the
pages on Ear Training carefully and institute a daily routine to improve your perception. There are also other
pages that help spell out an excellent practice routine.
Since most of us do not have a good rhythm section at our disposal, I recommend practicing and soloing with the
play-a-long records. Each volume contains a book and one or two CDs. Many professionals use these recordings
to warm-up, keep in shape, practice new patterns or licks, or to learn new songs and improvise on the chord/
scale progressions.
During the past 43 years, many private teachers as well as high school and college teachers have made the
recordings part of their daily or weekly teaching assignments.
This booklet is designed to give you the basics which you will need in order to learn the art of improvising in
music. Many feel that people who improvise or play jazz are special. If they are special, it is because they have
spent their time wisely learning the tools of the trade. A few of the tools are: scales, chords, patterns, licks, songs
(standards and originals), training the ear, listening to records of jazz greats and any other thing which they feel
will contribute to the growth of a well-rounded musician.
I feel it is good to establish a practice routine, especially for those of you who are new to learning the language
of jazz. To play jazz requires discipline, and discipline is good for all of us.
The language of jazz or the jazz idiom is in a constant state of flux. In order to be a part of the jazz movement
one must accept change. Jazz has changed greatly over the past 70 years and is presently in transition. Each
generation of jazz musicians contribute their own unique ideas, feelings, and sound to the music and this is what
creates the change. If you equip yourself well, you may be one of those people who influence others and set new
trends in jazz.
If you want to get it all together, I suggest reading each of the pages in this booklet very carefully. Mark with pen
or pencil points that you feel are important so when you flip through the pages In the future your eye will catch
them. Listen, listen, listen carefully to anyone playing jazz or improvising. You can learn much from live performances as well as records. Start a record collection and listen to what has been recorded over the past 85
years. You are in for a treat!
Spend your practice time wisely. Don’t play things over and over that you can already play. This is great for the
ego but does little to advance your musical progress. Be patient with yourself. Don’t expect everything to come
at one setting. They say that things come to us when we are ready to accept them. A healthy mental state is also
responsible for progress when practicing.
Gradually train your ears to really HEAR music and all of the components that make the final product. Read the
pages on Ear Training carefully and institute a daily routine to improve your perception. There are also other
pages that help spell out an excellent practice routine.
Since most of us do not have a good rhythm section at our disposal, I recommend practicing and soloing with the
play-a-long records. Each volume contains a book and one or two CDs. Many professionals use these recordings
to warm-up, keep in shape, practice new patterns or licks, or to learn new songs and improvise on the chord/
scale progressions.
During the past 43 years, many private teachers as well as high school and college teachers have made the
recordings part of their daily or weekly teaching assignments.
My Top 10 Singing Tips I learnt from Superior Singing Method. If you want to learn how to improve your singing skills, use these singing tips to get you there. Becoming a great singer is possible, even if you need to learn how to sing first. You can take advantage of these tips that the pros use and work your way to an excellent vocal tone. Enjoy!
www.learnsingingonline.com
'Nature was etched in Britten's music': the bird watching composerDj Rama
Mixing Britten’s folk songs with poetry and soundscapes, soprano Marci Meth took inspiration from the composer himself to create an album inspired by and embedded in the countryside that he loved
From “Paparazzi” and “Bad Romance” to “John Wayne” and “Rain on Me” — we talked to the Gaga collaborators who helped make some ofthe best videos ofthe 21st Century
My Top 10 Singing Tips I learnt from Superior Singing Method. If you want to learn how to improve your singing skills, use these singing tips to get you there. Becoming a great singer is possible, even if you need to learn how to sing first. You can take advantage of these tips that the pros use and work your way to an excellent vocal tone. Enjoy!
www.learnsingingonline.com
'Nature was etched in Britten's music': the bird watching composerDj Rama
Mixing Britten’s folk songs with poetry and soundscapes, soprano Marci Meth took inspiration from the composer himself to create an album inspired by and embedded in the countryside that he loved
From “Paparazzi” and “Bad Romance” to “John Wayne” and “Rain on Me” — we talked to the Gaga collaborators who helped make some ofthe best videos ofthe 21st Century
Everybody Dance Now: 20 Songs to Get the Party StartedDj Rama
It may be a while before dance floors are packed again. But music remains a priority for couples, even when hosting intimate socially distanced weddings and celebrations in person or via video conferencing apps and platforms. Hiring a D.J. for your reception — even a virtual one — offers several advantages.
Trust Us, DJ Snake ' s New Single 'Trust Nobody ' Is Pretty MajorDj Rama
Altogether these elements amalgamate into a massive anthem that would certainly get tens of thousands of heads banging if DJ Snake were able to play it live this summer. Alas, as that form of collective catharsis is currently unavailable, we recommend that you just turn this one up as loud as is appropriate to your current surroundings and just headbang by yourself or with a group of socially distanced friends. You may also consider turning it up in your headphones and just running as fast as you can for as long as you can. Another option is to blast it through your car speakers while driving as fast as is safely possible.
Regardless of your reason, pursuing a career as a DJ can be expensive, according to DJ Rama. Unlike a singer who mostly just relies on their voice and songwriting skills, a DJ needs equipment, and those are seldom affordable. Here is a breakdown of what you need to become a DJ and their cost.
Passion alone is not enough to achieve greatness in the music industry. One must have the right set of skills to even compete against local and international talents. The same can be said when aspiring to be a professional DJ. No matter how expensive your gear is, skill is what separates those who play in small clubs and packed concert venues. DJ Rama shares his musthave skills for professional DJs.
Prevent tinnitus after a concert with these stepsDj Rama
Temporary tinnitus, the condition where one hears ringing, hissing, or whistling sound in one's ears can subside after a few days. Here are some steps to prevent this discomfort
Switching to IEMs: Getting used to the new set-upDj Rama
DJ Rama. In-ear monitors (IEMs) are a great investment for live musicians. While a good pair can be costly, it can improve an artist's performance, especially with an accurate mix. Here are some ways musicians can start transitioning from oor monitors to IEMs.
Successful musical artists such as Jay-Z, Jennifer Lopez, John Mayer, and Adele won’t sound the way they do without a little magic from audio engineers. These professionals don’t necessarily tweak the artists’ vocals and musical arrangements, but they make sure the artists hear the sound the way they should. DJ Rama
How Music Videos Get Made in the Time of the CoronavirusDj Rama
When stay-at-home orders were finally enacted in Florida in early April, DrewFilmedIt left his place in Miami and made the four-hour drive to St. Petersburg, Florida, to be with his family. The 19-year-old director spent the first two weeks of lockdown playing video games. Then the Pompano Beach rapper Jackboy called him about making a music video. Drew turned the opportunity down. But Jackboy kept calling. And calling.
Stephin Merritt of the Magnetic Fields: ' used to live in a commune where mus...Dj Rama
Is it ingrained in him that this is the perfect length for a pop song? “It’s ingrained in everyone in Gen X or earlier,” he says. “It used to be that seven-inch singles were 2 mins 50 in length maximum – this is before Bohemian Rhapsody and such epics were considered singles.” It’s much more rare for him to write a song that lasts around five minutes. “That’s long to me, yes, both in my tastes and musical output. I like bubblegum and experimental music so I’m comfortable with two minutes and I’m comfortable with six hours.”
DJ Rama. Musicians, sound designers, audio technicians, and even avid music fans are at risk of hearing loss. Being exposed to loud music or using headphones, earphones, or in-ear monitors for hours can damage the ears. Here are some tips to protect one’s hearing.
Regenerative Design: Changing Your Thinking Can Change the Design OutcomesDj Rama
Guest Susanne Angarano, principal at Vaysen Studio, discusses the importance of regenerative design; what it means and how designers can start thinking about not just “doing things better” but about “doing better things.” Find out the advantages of using this approach over more traditional design methodologies in this insightful episode.
Successful musical artists such as Jay-Z, Jennifer Lopez, John Mayer, and Adele won’t sound the way they do without a little magic from audio engineers. These professionals don’t necessarily tweak the artists’ vocals and musical arrangements, but they make sure the artists hear the sound the way they should
Juice WRLD's 'Righteous' brought in about 40 percent of the voteDj Rama
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As the coronavirus lockdown continues, the Guardian’s music desk thought you might be in need of a distraction – something to send you down memory lane, or to divert the annoyance at your housemates or children on to us. We present to you a ranking of the 100 greatest UK No 1 singles since the charts began in 1952
There are many dierent approaches, and what will work well for one lyricist will not necessarily work for another, but here are some tips, tricks, dos and don'ts...
This comprehensive program covers essential aspects of performance marketing, growth strategies, and tactics, such as search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, content marketing, social media marketing, and more
NIDM (National Institute Of Digital Marketing) Bangalore Is One Of The Leading & best Digital Marketing Institute In Bangalore, India And We Have Brand Value For The Quality Of Education Which We Provide.
www.nidmindia.com
1. 17 Feb 2017
HOW TO BE A BETTER MUSICIAN: 10
TIPS FOR BEGINNERS & PROS
If you want to establish a career as a musician, then you need
to put in the time and effort it takes to play like a professional.
It’s ok to make mistakes during the writing and recording
process, but when it comes to playing live, you need to make
sure your musicianship and stage presence is on point every
time.
2. Whether you’ve been playing your chosen instrument for years, or you’re just
getting started, no one is perfect and everyone can improve. So if you’re hoping to
take that next step towards playing like a pro, or looking for new ways to hone your
skills, here are our tips to help you become a better musician.
10 TIPS ON HOW TO BECOME A BETTER
MUSICIAN
PRACTICE TECHNIQUES
This may seem like an obvious one, but the point we want to make is that simply
playing your instrument is necessarily not the same as practicing
When a professional musician practices their instrument, they go through scales (or
rudiments) repeatedly, working hard to improve their technique. Set yourself a
dedicated practice or warm-up regime for each day to burn those scales into your
memory.
Not only should you practice scales and exercises to maintain your abilities, but you
should also challenge yourself to master something new as often as possible.
SET YOURSELF GOALS
Set yourself realistic targets at every opportunity and work towards them, whether
that’s learning a certain scale by heart during one practice, or mastering a full song
by the end of the week.
By accomplishing set goals, you’ll enjoy a greater sense of achievement as your
skills begin to develop, and approach each practice session with a more productive
3. attitude.
PATIENCE
Perhaps the most important quality in a musician looking to perfect their instrument
is patience, especially if you’re just starting out. No one becomes a virtuoso
overnight, so if you hit a wall, don’t worry, just keep going until you get it right. It
takes a lot of time and effort to be a truly great musician.
Don't take your frustrations out on your instrument! Keep calm and carry on
practising!
KEEP IT FUN
While it’s important to work on your scales and other (more boring) techniques -
don't forget to keep your practice sessions fun! Learn your favourite songs and
work on new material around your more regimented exercises to make sure you
feel fresh and enthusiastic about your instrument. The worst thing for a musician is
when playing becomes a chore, rather than an enjoyable experience.
ORGANISE A JAM SESSION
Whether you’re aiming to set up a new band, or just enjoy a friendly jam with
friends, playing in a group can help to not only improve your technique but also
your timing and improvisational skills.
4. Playing with other people can expose you to new ideas and methods, and is a great
way to receive honest feedback on your playing style.
KNOW WHAT KEY YOU’RE IN
Following on from the last point, if you’re planning on jamming with other
musicians, it’s important to be able to identify which key you’re playing in at any
given time, and adapt your approach accordingly – unless you’re the drummer of
course!
Learning scales can help you to stay in key during a jamming session. As the more
experienced musicians among you will know, each musical scale focuses around a
specific key. So, the more scales you know, the better you’ll be at staying in key,
improvising on a track, and making sure you sound great playing alongside other
musicians.
For guitarists, the pentatonic scales offer an easy way to stay in key while
improvising during a jam
FIND A TEACHER
Taking lessons is one of the most effective ways to become a better musician, no
matter what your skill level. There’s always something new to learn, and a
professional mentor can help you develop new techniques and improve old ones.
However, paying for lessons isn’t necessarily for everyone and there are plenty of
self-taught musicians out there. If you’re strapped for cash, you could always ask
musician friend to help develop your musicianship or watch and learn from one of
the thousands of YouTube videos out there covering your chosen instrument.
5. GET TO KNOW YOUR GEAR
A professional musician should have a thorough understanding of their equipment
as well as their technique. You can’t produce a great sound if you don’t know the
capabilities and limitations of your gear.
However, you don’t want to be an ‘all the gear, no idea’ guy. If you’re new to your
instruments, there’s no point splashing thousands of pounds/dollars on a top of the
range bit of kit, when you can get the same results from an affordable one.
Learn everything you can about your chosen instrument - not just how to play it!
6. LOOK FOR RESOURCES ONLINE
They are plenty of free resources out there for musicians looking to improve their
skills and learn new songs. Websites like and offer
access to thousands of tablatures, chord charts and sheet music. If you want to learn
a new track or cover a certain song, there's nothing to stop you searching for the
chords, tabs and notation online.
MOVE OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE AS OFTEN AS
POSSIBLE
It's often tempting to stick with what you know, but as a musician, you should try to
leave your comfort zone as often as possible, discover new ways to play and
constantly challenge yourself. Yes, it can be frustrating, and yes it'll be hard work,
but the rewards mastering something brand new are worth it. In a year's time, you'll
look back with pride to see how far you've come!
Do you have any advice on how to be a better musician? Or
any practice techniques you have found helpful? Let us know
in the comments and share these tips with your friends!
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