Since our class has been speaking a lot lately about jazz improvisation, I decided to post a blog comparing a couple of famous jazz musicians. The first clip is of jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybFAxATVSWA
The video features Parker playing some rather impressive improvisation–and looking very relaxed doing so! There are quite a lot of notes played very quickly, and I barely heard one time when Parker paused or held a note out. In this way, his improv was technically impressive and sounded challenging. However, the improv seemed to be lacking in emotion. This would be an example of the opposite of what Victor Wooten meant when he spoke about saying more by playing less. On the other hand, the following clip of jazz trumpet player Miles Davis provides a look at the other side of the improv spectrum.
This video is a great example of what Victor Wooten was talking about. Davis does not play nearly as many notes as Parker, yet it does not diminish the impressiveness of the improv. When Davis hits certain notes, he sits on them just long enough to let them sink in. He clearly shows that “slow” does not mean “boring”. The improv is filled with emotion, and still shows off Davis’ incredible talent.
Sometimes, less is more.
