How much vocabulary should I learn in a week

smokinguit · #1 10-13-2011, 10:59 AM

I have a new goal. I want to build my jazz vocabulary to good level within a year. How do I go about doing that. For me vocabulary means phrases (licks) you have in your "trick bag" to tackle just about any song. I have met my goal of developing the ability to hear and sing what I play thanks to the lessons I took this year and to the software transcribe. Now that I'm "all ears", so to speak, how much vocabulary should I learn a week. I practice at least 2 1/2 hours every day. How do you internalize your vocabulary? Is Jazz vocabulary development the same as building your knowledge of words? Thanks.

Kman · #2 10-13-2011, 11:26 AM

You don't want to rely too much on a bag of licks, but it's nice to have some V7 vocabulary at least. If you know a lot of cool things to play on dominant 7th chords your overall jazz playing will sound much more interesting IMO.

jmstritt · #3 10-13-2011, 11:27 AM

There is always a debate about playing licks versus "Truly" improvising. Since your question is about licks, I will respond accordingly.

I would start of with a book of licks to learn. There are literally hundreds out there. Some of the ones that I like are the Essential Jazz Lines series by Mel Bay. They have plenty of licks in various styles, for instance there is a Wes Montgomery book, a Charlie Parker book, a John Coltrane book, Clifford Brown, Joe Pass, Bill Evans, Miles Davis, Cannonball Adderly, etc.

I would shoot for 2 or 3 licks a week, but REALLY learn them. That means being able to play that lick in any key, any position. Try to play a tune with a lot of ii Vs and play that lick over them. Tunes like Cherokee and Tune Up and All the Things You Are are good for getting new licks under your fingers. Obviously you wouldn't want to do that on a gig or anything, but it is good practice room material.

Then try doing the same thing with your own licks. Start by using chord tones and making good resolutions on each of the changes. For instance 7-3 resolution from chord to chord.

Ex in Bb
Cmin7: C Eb G Bb --> (1/2 step to A (The 3rd of F7)) A F E Eb --> (1/2 step to D (The 3rd of Bb Maj 7)) D C Bb A

From there try making substitutions ( Ex. Eb Maj7 for Cmin 7, B7 for F7, etc) and altering the lines you write to get new sounds. Once you've spent some time working on other peoples licks, this part will get easier!

If you shoot for 2 or 3 new licks a week you should build your vocabulary very quickly.

mr. beaumont · #4 10-13-2011, 11:55 AM

All jazz players play licks...the good ones can tweak them on the fly to make them sound fresh...but don't let anybody tell you jazz player's ain't go no licks...

Gramps · #5 10-13-2011, 01:10 PM

Everyone is different. Learn as many as is appropriate for you and apply them to everything until you learn where they work and where they don't.

There is no universally correct answer to your question.

RyanM · #6 10-17-2011, 04:51 AM

Check out saxophonist Steve Neff at Neffmusic.com.
His books, "Best ii V I Patterns", "Best Minor ii V i Patterns", and others are probably my favourite licks books.

MortenFaerestrand · #7 10-17-2011, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokinguit

how much vocabulary should I learn a week. I practice at least 2 1/2 hours every day. How do you internalize your vocabulary? Is Jazz vocabulary development the same as building your knowledge of words? Thanks.

Good questions!

Not sure I have good answer though..

But I think one can try to learn too many licks in too short time, resulting in that you forget most of them.. I think a good sollution might be to be careful to learn whatever you learn in a way that is really comfortable for you to play, and in different keys, and then remember to repeat them from time to time, maybe practice them every day.

Also, writing a solo, actually composing it, where you use the licks you want to internalise is helpful.