Love jazz standards? Gary Bartz hopes you do, but he also hopes that you play the tunes' melodies! Find out more in our discussion with this legend of music.
That's what Thelonious Monk insisted upon from his band members when they improvised. He had no patience with players who just wanted to run chord changes. Listen to Coltrane solo with Monk on Ruby, My Dear. He plays all over the horn, alternating blinding 64th-note runs with long, lyrical phrases, but through it all, the melody sings. It's what anchors the improvisation and guides it, making it distinctive. And it's soul-stirringly beautiful.
Stan Getz used to compose all the time during his improvs. A very melodic jazzman. Totally agree with Gary -- a musician that I like and respect for his constant development.
This is why the audience is so small for Jazz. I respect the proficiency of great jazz players, but too many become obsessive - end up playing to impress other players, etc. You hear a non-stop blizzard of notes ...and remember nothing.
When you ask people to sing/hum a tune I bet you they're always going to give you the melody. If you can't follow the melody you can't remember it. Goodbye song.
without melody there is no story to tell in musical notes that embrace your brain ,melody make musicians richest and melody and lyrics make composer more richest..i think rap is not music.. is a ""bitching bla bla bla of someone"
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That's what Thelonious Monk insisted upon from his band members when they improvised. He had no patience with players who just wanted to run chord changes. Listen to Coltrane solo with Monk on Ruby, My Dear. He plays all over the horn, alternating blinding 64th-note runs with long, lyrical phrases, but through it all, the melody sings. It's what anchors the improvisation and guides it, making it distinctive. And it's soul-stirringly beautiful.
Stan Getz used to compose all the time during his improvs. A very melodic jazzman. Totally agree with Gary -- a musician that I like and respect for his constant development.
This is why the audience is so small for Jazz. I respect the proficiency of great jazz players, but too many become obsessive - end up playing to impress other players, etc. You hear a non-stop blizzard of notes ...and remember nothing.
Exactly
I concur.
AMEN! Thank you for addressing this.
Agreed!
Great
Jaco Pastorius was asked if he had any advice for young bass players and he said "know the melody."
Chet Atkins was once asked by his fellow musician what he could play over the solo. Chet answered, the melody always works.
It's the tune that counts.
✌ 🎹
When you ask people to sing/hum a tune I bet you they're always going to give you the melody. If you can't follow the melody you can't remember it. Goodbye song.
Jason Powell well said.
without melody there is no story to tell in musical notes that embrace your brain ,melody make musicians richest and melody and lyrics make composer more richest..i think rap is not music.. is a ""bitching bla bla bla of someone"