This is my Podcast on The Musical Musician. In this podcast I describe my own personal opinion and views on what can be considered musical and what can be considered technical playing

1. The Musical Musician
A look at musical playing

2. Less is more

3. Less Is More
Simplicity is sometimes more
difficult than complexity

4. Less Is More
• James Blake – Limit to your Love
• Minimalistic
• Bass Drone, Percussion, Vocals
• Space

5. Less Is More
• Moonlight Sonata – Beethoven
• Simple Melodic lines
• Repetition
• Only Piano

6. Less Is More
• Praeludium I – Bach
• Simple melodic lines
• Only Piano
• Repetition

7. Musical Improvisation & Soloing

8. Musical Improvising & Soloing
• Why shouldn’t we show off our technical
ability?
• Speed is impressive but not a necessarily
musical approach to improvisation

9. Musical Improvising & Soloing
Technical Solo
• Buddy Rich
Drum Solo

10. Musical Improvising & Soloing
Musical Solo
• Bill Stewart on Heck of a Job

11. Musical Improvising & Soloing
Technical Solo
• John Coltrane
Giant Steps Solo

12. Musical Improvising & Soloing
Musical Solo
• Chet Baker
My Funny Valentine Solo

13. Musical Improvising & Soloing
Benny Greb
“If I would have played a lot of notes all the
time and loud all the time, it means less than
if I do something very very quiet and then do
a couple of loud strokes.”

14. Writing

15. Writing
• Trying to write a massive composition all
at once can prove very challenging
• Start out with the bare minimum and
embellish on that
• “Less is More”

16. Writing
• John Mayer Trio – Vultures
• Simple driving Drum Beat
• Bass & Guitar repeat phrase
• Small nuances

17. Listening

18. Listening
• We like showing off how good we are
• Playing with someone sounds more organic
than playing AT the other musician
• Play according to the style!!!!
• Listen to yourself and also listen to your
fellow musicians

19. Summary
• Less is More
• Do what you think sounds good
• Respect the style
• Respect the Song!!!

20. Thank you