A Master Class in Jazz Performance and Creativity with Pianist Kenny Werner

In this clip from www.artistshousemusic.org - Recorded on April 26, 2005, renowned jazz pianist and writer on the process of improvisation Kenny Werner hold a master class in jazz performance and creativity for a small group of students at New York University. Werner fields questions on topics like performing effortlessly (for example, learning not to criticize your own performance as you play and not even think about the music you are making), the mental difference between practicing and playing, how to inventory and improve your weakest attributes, why making your musical ability part of your self-image can be dangerous to both, how to practice effectively and manage your mind while in a practice session, and much, much more. The session concludes with an excerpt from a performance by Werner and his trio at the Blue Note in New York City.

[@visakanv]

I've started periodically revisiting this video every few months. It's so powerful and profound in so many ways. It's remarkable how Kenny is able to be so nourishing and encouraging while telling people that their ego is the problem

[@zayamtariq550]

hi visa i like ur twitter

[@rachaelmeager3907]

oh hi me too from your recommendation. this is my second full watch through.

[@justinmulvaney]

This has reaches FAR outside the realm of music. His words apply to practicing and working on ANYTHING.

[@KrystofDreamJourney]

It does !

[@ashandesilvaguitarist]

this is actually the philosophy of Buddhism. absence of thought is the highest goal. wow, he directly applied it to music and everything!

[@handdancin]

"thats what you do in pracitce: you make models of the music you wish you could play" what a perfect summation!

[@danbabs]

I never comment on anything, whats the point? I just found the point.. this video only has 16,640 views? Are you f'n kidding me? This is literally the best musical advice I've had in my 10 years of playing music. This should have a million views.. If this had a million views maybe all the shit they play on the radio wouldn't be shit.

[@gaijin134]

"It's a vacation from thinking about yourself." This guy is some kind of ZenMasterMusicalMaestro! Thanks for sharing!

[@mattdavis9801]

This has to be the best workshop I've ever seen...

[@lionellovanoni733]

"It doesn't take talent to upgrade your playing, it takes patience"

[@vibeman27]

I've about 20 minutes of this and it has made a world of difference already, not in my playing, but in my understanding of what was happening to me while attempting to play stuff. I also understand why I hated hearing when friends would say things like "man, you don't need anything else, you sound great."

[@persenaamarit]

What a great wisdom and depth. Every musician should watch this.

[@bromixsr]

This was brilliant. Five minutes into the video I was hooked. .Almost like he knows every bad mindset I've had about my music .I've already recomended this video to 7 other people, every musician needs to see it.

[@beantrouser]

As he mentions in the video, loving every note you play is a mindset meant specifically for performance. Practice is the improving on parts you don't have down pat.

[@catteadams]

Life lessons here man! Not just music. GRATEFUL for you Kenny! Thank you.

[@jolantaomari9973]

They are really life lessons. And they can apply to any kind of art. Thank you for uploading them and thank you, Kenny.

[@jennifer86010]

The essence of making music on the piano is the ability to understand the "sound of no hands playing."

He is the only person who really knows how to explain the basics elements of music in such exciting way!! Inspiring!! Thank you for uploaded this !

[@lucaskeybass9935]

tmj baga

[@henry24816]

This man is a genius and articulates such important truths about life and music so effortlessly.

[@catteadams]

Tears at 1:09:00 my God. Remembering high school orchestra and that non - connection. Beautiful story.

[@hueylove6785]

Many jazz styles don't really move me but this video really turned a light on for me. My touching my bass will never be the same. NO PRESSURE AND EVERY NOTE IS BEAUTIFUL.

[@MuzoSTEIN]

This is fantastic holistical insight to music practice & playing! Thank you Mr Werner.

[@ArtistsHouseMusic]

So glad! Thanks for tuning in!

[@SafeRetirement]

Brilliant! I forwarded link to every musician I know. If I knew these music and life lessons at 15, I would be in the Chicago Symphony. Teach your kids!

[@El-Kurdo]

I had a big cloud over my head ,when Maestro Ruben Diaz send me this ,It helped me big time thanks ,I would probably listen to him when I need it.Big thanks for posting it.

[@georgekobtymusic]

Still so informative and funny years after I've binged listened to it... I'm back with new ears thanks to mr. Kenny Werner

[@amileoj9043]

What a wonderful talk: As others have said, there are great lessons for musicians to be had here, and also great life lessons for anyone. And all of it capped off by a lovely skipping singing dancing performance by the trio.

[@rafaelgomez1989]

PURE GOLD = KENNY WERNER !!!!!

[@Chrispotterfan222]

Changed my life. Everyone should watch this.

[@nickk8416]

Wow! I wish I heard this 50 years ago. Wonderful words of wisdom. I needed this. Thanks Kenny.

[@DayneReedy]

This is great! Thank you, Kenny Werner.

[@SerialSoundTV]

If everyone had a teacher like this in his specific field, in a fee years the world would be full of masters

[@samrdbr]

the first 10 minutes can be used in any walk of life not just music.wow.

[@MrGuitaraddict1]

This guy is AMAZINGLY INTO IT! I feel this masteclass changed me !Thanx Kenny Werner!

[@karalough4402]

Life Mastery! Beautiful teaching 🙏🏻

[@sekousam]

this is probably the best video i have ever seen on youtube. whoever uploaded that...thank u so much!

[@laurelthomas4464]

Thanks for this Master Class in LIFE!

[@ElChitarrino]

One of the best videos I've ever seen. So philosophical!

[@ljmounteney4131]

love Kenny Werner! his book helped me immensely!

[@digsjazzalot]

Many many many valuable insights are to be found in this master class...

[@ranaair]

Thanks so much for putting this material online

[@kimpaterson976]

Thanks Kenny! a bridge between Eastern Mysticism and Jazz- or anything.

[@clarkarussell]

The applications of what he's saying go way beyond music.

[@gcpezzi]

This is probably one of the best videos ever... Damn.

[@russellreilly4278]

WOW, this will hopefully not only enhance my drumming , but also my life! Thanks Kenny !

[@naterevolution]

This is so incredibly good. Thank you Kenny Werner and thank you to whoever uploaded this!!!

[@velvetpaws999]

Wow, great advice.... I totally agree with that! I discovered all these things intuitively! Thanks for the master class!

[@fusion-music]

A very important video in music. Great

[@pencert]

He explains this in a chapter of his book. Basically you always play in an effortless state of mind, but if you mess up you go up and actually try LESS. It's hard to understand unless you understand his principle of the practice-diamond, and I highly recommend his book.

[@kennybradshaw2122]

A gift of endless enlightenment. Fantastic!

[@squiddyjamzzz]

Incredible. I teared up a few times. So informative and inspirational

[@janellesadler]

Inspired. Thank you for posting this, Kenny!

[@clintp4234]

Fantastic! His book has helped me tremendously in many aspects of my life.

[@ginkgogirl]

Thank you for this deep wisdom and insight, Kenny. It's nothing short of life-changing. I'm finally experiencing music as a spiritual practice -- and an intentional system of insight and liberation not just in music but in EVERY sphere of life. (It took four messy decades but was totally worth the wait.) I live up the street from the Berklee School of Music in Boston and only just learned of Kenny's Effortless Mastery Institute there. Can't wait to take a class and meet you in person!

[@shaleensharma2731]

I m sure KENNY is ENLIGHTENED

[@BigCityPalooka]

Astonishingly helpful for me right now. Thanks, Kenny Werner: this was incredibly generous, and thanks Artist House!

[@TJNorton]

This was emailed to me today ... WOW, it just improved my life big time ... THANKYOU Kenny :-)

[@christopherjones1649]

This video sums up how I feel about my playing at almost any given time. Good stuff.

[@uduboy]

Nothing more need be said. Thank you. Important information to remember to live an honest life!!!!

[@jodi183]

I saw Kenny give a masterclass in Oakland at Duende recently. He was talking about some deep stuff. I don't know if he's read a lot of Jidu Krishnamurti, but he really reminded me of him. Anyway... I'm going to watch and listen to him again. ;-)

[@babynature3]

It blows my mind!!!

[@robertprice2007]

He's right, the absence of thought DOES feel good. In fact its brilliant!

[@RupertoIfil]

This clip was sent to me by a fellow musician - it was a fantastic find! Very useful to me TODAY. Thank you both.

[@jodi183]

to Kyle Reilly: I started mindfulness meditation several times a week about a year and a half ago. It has helped me in a lot of areas of my life. I think it has also helped my musicianship in tandem with hours and hours of practice. I haven't read Kenny's book yet, but I've heard him speak a couple of times now. As I stated previously, he reminds me of Krishnamurti.

[@BlossomVpiano]

Yes, he's talking about playing from pure consciousness which can be applied to daily life.

[@faateris]

You are awesome, Kenny! Just the insight You have! I thank Universe for You being You! :)

[@batbeatsmusicnz]

Great masterclass from a great musician.

[@JohanSellus]

Great vid for when you find yourself sitting at home contemplating how you should be finding yourself sitting in a practice room.

[@SILASbanduk]

Very similar to meditation techniques! letting the thoughts go etc... awesome stuff!!

[@janafabijanic1464]

This guy is smart and really knows human nature. Fantastic. Btw, he is talking about Sizif ( part where he is mentioning Prometeus) and Jules Verne said that all his life he was worrying about the things that never happened.

[@ArgoBeats]

so meaningful, thank you for the upload

[@mannytuzman3461]

Very inspiring and practical!

[@jpb318]

This is SO good and reinforces things I feel Ive taught myself about music and life...just nice to hear someone verbalize it...Thanks!

[@Cloroqx]

Thank you very much for posting this.

[@song4night]

mind blowing and life changing video!

[@Humandavid1]

30 min discussion from 1 question? That is awesome.

[@ToddGoldfingerMediaProductions]

Outstanding thoughts and insight.

[@DreamDeliriumMusic]

true enlightenment. in philosophy and music

[@MichaelBB]

Music management in realtime, a substantive issue, and a lack of technique, the Two most Critical issues. Good stuff. MBB

[@SyBass6]

I urge you all to read Mr Werners book 'Effortless Mastery' read it & try the meditations too.

[@marcusclarke4454]

He is so present

[@richardwu0609]

Amazing lecture

[@Mahavishnu80]

inspiration, internalisation, innovation.

[@MrFredericF]

Hello, what kind of jazz is that at the end ?

[@vikt1m1337]

Anybody know the song at 1:15:40?

[@yghorr]

Fantastic!

[@ThePausarecordspt]

all difference , all equalities. yeah im not alone ! this make hole difference . tanks musician .

[@ArtistsHouseMusic]

Excellent.

[@janjeandread9120]

Sisyphus, he was the guy pushing the rock uphill

[@ConfoundSound]

Suuuuuuuuper inspirational

[@CrossBonesAlex]

Superb advice

[@ethanjamesescano]

I like it, very general

[@colmmoore28]

Does anyone know what the intro piece?

[@pencert]

This is so Zen.

[@sondogs98]

The best fucking dude ever!

[@rapinncapin123]

Great vid

[@juliealbrightmoon]

Jedi!

[@LeavesLullaby]

If I'm correct, one of the things Kenny Werner says is you have to "let go". Like if someone else plays for you. But how can one let go if there are so many things think of while playing like: which scales fit on which chord, playing on up or downbeat etc.

[@gr8tbigtreehugger]

The whole point of this talk is not to think about these things when performing and perform solely from the unconscious.

[@rrastom]

Good masterclass! It's Sisyphus that pushed the stone, not Prometheus. anyway, Kenny Werner rocks!

[@gil-evens]

9:57 16:13 24:37 26:06 28:49 - 35:00

[@zefSF]

Very smart guy

[@AlexPashkov]

Lang Lang should see this video in order to learn something really usefull!

[@wachter2000]

and also Riviera Paradise which is memorable in jazz chordage (I can never find these chords without help), at but his old rock standarda my favorite are Tightrope, which are lasting in rock, at are gist as memorable, while his foray into jazz is both respectable and good, but if he'd been afraid to put his signature on the blues, then we'd have none of his takes on jazz either...

[@wachter2000]

I think Kenn puts out a lot, and its funy because I'd never been trained as a jazz guitar, but more in blues and rock, pentatonic minor and major and such I IV V stuff you know. But I think its interesting to look at the famous guitar Stevie Ray Vaughan, who produced album after album of rock infamous songs like Texas Flood at But when Stevie takes on jazz say in Chitlins Con Carne, at h then we see he does pretty awesome, as well as say in Little Wing