Mini-Lesson #44: My Improvisational Routine and Self-Teaching

Here are some thoughts and tips on how I practice and more importantly prepare my improvisation routine. Be sure to take screenshots of the tips in this lesson!

0:40 How do I practice jazz? A few of my daily exercises are my chordal approach exercises, "speed demons" exercise, learning tunes, and most importantly I record myself every day to self-diagnose my playing.

1:40 Here's what I listen for when I review my recordings: what's the actual content that I'm playing? How's my technical execution? How's my pacing during a solo?

4:08 I also try to assess whether I'm expanding my capacities as a musician (screenshot this chart).

5:00 Record yourself daily! Don't be afraid of the recording device. A recording is just a snapshot of your playing. Store your recording from today for six months, then come back to it and see how much you've grown. I always enjoy the perspective this gives me on how I'm doing.

6:00 Have a detailed plan. Make sure you're getting a balanced diet of work in your practice sessions throughout the week. And make sure to have fun practicing, because that's what it's all about!

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[briankleve]

This is outstanding. What a great list of ideas to work on each day. I will be typing these up and putting them on the wall right where I practice. Thank you, Trent!

[Trumpetking]

LOVE the comment “A recording is a fingerprint in time. A snapshot of your playing at the moment “

[argeancomics]

Hit Trent. Amazing channel. What book is this? Can you share?