Jazz for aficionados

This short 45 minute Bill Evans documentary, created in 1964, is very interesting.

"Its much more important, Evans feels, to master fundamentals, both in theory, so that you understand what you're doing, and then in active practice developing ones musical muscles. Not just technical facility but also the brain connection with the arm muscles so to speak, developing that facility to the point where the subconscious mind can take over the basic mechanical task of playing, thus freeing the conscious mind to concentrate on the spontaneous development that distinguishes the best jazz...

Universal Mind of Bill Evans (1966 Documentary) - YouTube

@curiousjim

 I wonder if Peter Jackson would like to have a wack at it?

I think KOB may have a chance at its best remaster if Steve Wilson takes a wack. But that’s wishful thinking on my part....

@pjw81563

"Not just technical facility but also the brain connection with the arm muscles so to speak, developing that facility to the point where the subconscious mind can take over the basic mechanical task of playing, thus freeing the conscious mind to concentrate on the spontaneous development that distinguishes the best jazz..."

Arguably, this is a prerequisite for performing ANY style of improvised music well.

It’s pretty hard to stay "in the zone" while switching back and forth between right and left brains.

Your topic brought the following to mind:

"Just a little more and this instrument is gonna be so connected with my brain that my fingers aren’t gonna have to play it"

-- Duane Allman

Arguably, this is a prerequisite for performing ANY style of improvised music well.

It’s pretty hard to stay "in the zone" while switching back and forth between right and left brains.

Your topic brought the following to mind:

"Just a little more and this instrument is gonna be so connected with my brain that my fingers aren’t gonna have to play it"

-- Duane Allman

Great post stuartk... thanks ...😊

The threshold of virtuosity is passed when this is the instrument which play you, no more you playing the instrument ...

Music only grows ,not without, but certainly out of virtuosity ...

I had this impression listening all great musicians ...

By the way it is true of  the thinking process too in the same way as it is true for a set of artistic gestures  ,  the thought process  must go on its own and  the thought process work better without the ego ....Mathematics thinking  is the best example of this ...

" The tools think better than you , let it work " -- Anonymus craftmanship artist

@pjw81563 ,

Bill Evans is definitely in my top five piano players. I really like the way he tickles the ivory’s.  I’ll try to watch the documentary.

Thanks.