Jazz Improv

Thanks to Allan Meyerson and the Elm Street Jazz Workshop, I've been working on developing some jazz chops. I have a very long way to go... Okay, I still pretty much suck terribly, but at least I'm trying. It's like I'm finally working the way I should have in high school. Takes much longer at my age, but it's a lot of fun.

The ESJW has been a great place for this. The first Friday of each month is devoted to improvisation. We jam, taking turns playing from lead sheets. Allan frequently offers a theme or teaches some theory. All fantastic. 

But I'm writing this in October 2020 with the Covid-19 pandemic starting its fall "second wave" in the United States, and of course the workshop is not meeting. So I'm jamming with myself, using the iReal Pro app as a backing group. This definitely is not like interacting with and learning from others.  

I'm having fun doing some recording. To read more, expand this box:

I have the BlueStacks Android emulator loaded on my PC. I have the latest version of Finale. I have a Focusrite 2i2 mixer with condensor mike, and use the Ableton Live Lite software that was provided with this setup. 

Here's my work flow:

The recording results are pretty decent for an amateur producer, even if the performer leaves much to be desired, yet.

A Child is Born by Thad Jones

A Child is Born - Intro - Bflat.mp3