Ernie Watts. A Melodic Approach to Improvisation.

Ernie Watts (saxophone) - www.erniewatts.com
Frank Potenza (guitar) - www.frankpotenza.com
JEN Conference 2012
Louisville, KY

[@SlikkTim]

"Everybody's healthy, running, quit smoking, quit eating meat... but nobody watches the garbage they let into their mind: what you think is what you are ! DONT LISTEN TO CRAP ! ".hella deep ! Ernie Watts dropping so much wisdom.

[@timtully8015]

"All freedom comes from discipline." Beautiful.

[@pfalcon626]

I had the honor of sitting next to him and his wife on a transatlantic flight in 2015...It changed my life. They were the nicest and most gracious people. I had a chance to pick Mr. Watts' brain and never once was he anything but a wealth of knowledge willing to share and such a classy human. I'm glad I found this, and thanks for posting...

[@dactal4444]

Finally someone who says they don't tongue all the notes when playing fast. Great stuff

[@SlikkTim]

"Everybody's healthy, running, quit smoking, quit eating meat... but nobody watches the garbage they let into their mind: what you think is what you are ! DONT LISTEN TO CRAP ! ". Done watchin' this with my man Vince Thekal, hella deep ! Ernie Watts dropping so much wisdom.

[@DV-mq5fv]

Berklee professor Phil Wilson recommend Ernie when he was a student at Berklee to Buddy Rich. The rest is history.

[@shaggybreeks]

"Everybody's healthy, running, quit smoking, quit eating meat... but nobody watches the garbage they let into their mind: what you think is what you are ! DONT LISTEN TO CRAP ! ". This is the 1st aspect of the Buddhist Eightfold Path: Right View (don't listen to crap). It applies to all sorts of things. Especially politics.

[@ItalianDaves]

"You surround yourself with greatness, by creating an environment for yourself that is great. What you believe is what you create".

[@bryantjackson7450]

the way he plays rhythm changes he has so much freedom.

[@craighume2182]

Super player and a classy guy too. Love his playing - in particular, his playing with Lee Rit on the Coconut Grove show from many years back.

[@march2324]

Wow. It honors me to be able to say that I was in this very clinic. Ernie Watts is one of the greatest.

[@insite2life]

I hate to say this but it doesn't matter what he put in his mouth...it didn't help him get to his skill level of play, only practice and God's grace can do that! Ernie thank you for helping me to see how much more I have to learn and Practice!!!

[@TonyAguirreJazz]

I saw Ernie live in SF in the early 90’s and teared up during one of his Alto solos. Love this guy for all he’s done

[@zokimirchovski2968]

wish I had a teacher like you,Mr.Watts,you're AMAZING

[@henrygarciga]

Ernie always gives you an exhilarating straight ahead confidence of playing that far exceeds his stellar sideman roles. His most lyrical solo for me is on the Lee Ritenour album Captain Fingers. He breathes a fire into that sax to make a juke joint jump.

[@JohnPaulRiger]

I pay close attention to my very first waking thoughts every single morning before my eyes open or my head leaves the pillow. Just now it was that you, Libby and I were hanging out. Chris, Bobby and Thomas were here too at our place and we were all laughing, laughing and reminiscing, going through old photos together. I wish I could wake to this type of energy everyday. You have such a beautiful energy Ernie. Thank you so much...

[@unready56]

The clarity with which this man expresses his thoughts is on par with his playing. Superb.

[@teddypantelas]

this man is truly inspiring with a tone that doesn't quit. thanks for posting.

[@SaxyRedd77]

Fantastic! I really like the way Ernie puts things. Thanks for posting.

[@mboia]

Thanks for posting! Incredible guy!

[@stormdawg]

A wealth of great advice. Right on, Ernie!

[@jacquelamontharenberg]

Great player and teacher. Learning all the time....thank you...

[@IndraAziz]

Thank you Samir for this video. Wonderful man Ernie Watts.

[@arpysax]

one of my favorite saxophone player !!

[@Handle2point0]

"oooh, background music.. You are about to experience.." LOL I laughed so hard.

[@iskrim]

Great man! Great musician! Great saxophonist !!! Thanks E.W.

[@PhrygianPhrog]

Total master of the sax

[@luksaxtenor]

THANK YOU so much Ernie Watts!

[@Project41Band]

You've been blessed with some great musicians to play with there, Ernie. Stories are great here. Horn sounds even better.

[@Trueno33]

wow, awesome! thank you so much for sharing this one

[@chikomalo1976]

I saw your live performance in Jakarta some time ago, It was great.. and thanks for signing my tenor Ernie.. :-)

[@Merf1195]

Ernie is one smooth cat, love his sound, I don't know how he does it

[@horstlippitsch]

Ernie Watts "The living legend"!!!

[@joeschmo1332]

Wow Ernie Watts what a Player!! just love his playing.

[@JiveDadson]

I'm with the Pompano Beach mouthpiece guy. A tip opening of 150 mils is batshit insane.

[@gohuskies583]

Ernie Watts, the Master........what more can you say?

[@CrossBonesAlex]

Thanks for this gem of education

[@zelenovicb]

Gerat video, thanks! Mr. Watts had a concert a few years ago in Belgrade, Serbia with Charlie Haden's Quartet West, and he was brilliant! After one of more brilliant solos he did (think it was lonely woman, but not sure) CH said: If I could play like that I would shut up for months ;) Thanks again!

[@TheFunkyKingston]

I wish i hadn't studied business crap and economics in college...damn that hurts me still.Great masterclass.

[@MarkInLA]

You mean, as you cry all the way to the bank ?

[@albertnemiroff1502]

Thank you. Life lessons.

[@trobson9952]

Heres a case of alot of notes not just being hip or cool , their inside and great. Thanks EW.

[@Project41Band]

I need to find out about the altered scale. Thanks again, Ernie. Wow

[@zu0832]

Thanks for posting!

[@rorysly906]

So clean

[@ogatoulas]

It was an interesting speech but I missed the part of the melodic approach to improvisation.

[@MuriMorello]

+ogatoulas he started with it

[@Project41Band]

I've been to the Baked Potatoe!! Across from Universal Studios. I LOVE that club, man! Ha, you musta had a good time there. Good talk.

[@saxfish]

Great Schooling, Thanks!

[@user-ro9uy5ey7g]

Це клас мастер клас!

[@jcfernandez7]

Wow great job...

[@carelabels5753]

11:23 Love peace and read!

[@paulalexander3540]

play it by ear, no musical notes to read, is the best approach to jazz improvisation.

[@blahdeblah1975]

Some One also said, "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he..."

[@Birdland-tz6bz]

blah deBlah , Proverbs 23:7 :).

[@HUM1BRTO]

muito bom brigado...

[@charleswinokoor6023]

“Clarity of articulation.” Snippet of “I Dream of Jeannie with the Light Brown Hair” while trading fours on the Bird song.

[@ogdenphotographics]

Erniie Watts .. WAY before Brecker! I remember him as the solo tenor on the Tonight show band. No offense to Mike B who obviously was a giant….but I never hear tenors of that generation give credit who helped develop this sound and approach to harmony and articulation and altissimo. Here is a great example of ALL the concepts, approaches that was mimicked by Berg, Brecker, on and on

[@SamirKambarov]

I've been there but couldn't record it. Can post Peter Eldridge's session "Concepts in Song Writing" though. It's from the same conference.

[@MattLawton]

Does anyone have any footage from the Victor Wooten session he talks about at 40:00 ?

[@MarkInLA]

I've always wished people would not clap after solos /during number. Why ? It both interrupts the flow of the piece as if it's not as sacred, not as important as classical music where people clap only after each movement or at the end..Plus, to me, it gives the performance a feeling of being a contest, a sports competition. The whole musical statement should not include clapping in it. I know I'm nearly alone here. So don't bother dissing me over it. I know you're there. I know you're in the majority. And I know I'll never persevere in this wish. I would, though, like to hear from those who do happen TO agree with me, If there are any at all... M, Los Angeles

[@jazzman_10]

As a general rule Europeans in general will not applaud until the song finishes, I guess this comes from listening to opera and classical music, nobody would dare to clap unless it's over. Nevertheless US influence and traveling is starting to change things but I agree with you, silence let's the artist connect with the muses and amazing stuff starts to flow...

[@felixhoezen3935]

The absence of clapping and reacting to the music in classical music concerts only dates back to an absurd concert tradition in the nineteenth century. They don't even clap in between movements, only at the end of the work. I think in live situations, jazz, classical or whatever people should react to the music and connect with the performers. The listening you're describing i would reserve for recordings.

[@SAX-cl6lk]

What is the thing that he puts in his mouth when he plays?

[@cmelodysax]

Nicholas - nah, Gerald Albright does the "Ernie Watts Leg Lift" - Ernie was wowing 'em whilst Gerald was still in kindergarten ;-)

[@pelonsax]

DOWN IN FRONT!!!!

[@pallhe]

What's the name of the first song they play?

[@arpysax]

Those 23 guys(Kenny G bitches) witch didn t like this video please do not come here and try to put down a true master of music and saxophone !!THIS IS ART AND THE PRESENT HISTORY!!!!

[@saxfish]

Great Clinic. Love E W...and yes...what was that in his mouth ? Something for the teeth? I feel my teeth jutting out from years of playing. Or,...is it my imagination ?

[@kfdisawesome]

is the guitar player practicing his scales or something while Ernie is talking?

[@clix089]

How did I guess that the freebie would be something with Coltrane on it, and that he would be Ernie's first major influence?

[@jazznpraise]

I'd like to know the title of the first piece they did after the introduction. Sounds like a standard but I'm not sure. Thank

[@SamirKambarov]

Footprints by Wayne Shorter.

[@voodoochili12]

does anyone know what that thing he's blowing into and making sounds is called? cool video

[@markbra]

?????

[@aurematic]

I got a question: the guy at the bottom, Is he a mannequin?

[@Project41Band]

25:30, confused, thought of Edgar Cayce, serial killer???NONO, the psychic guy, yeah. But can you get a book without reading it? I don't know. I'm loving this Jazz Education Network. I wish I had gone to college for music, not psychology. Great talk!

[@yutub8712]

dang!!! closed my eyes and thought i was listening to Sanborn.

[@vladimirlopez7840]

Yu Tub lol not even close. Not even the same instrument.

[@EMasteringIICargeJr2]

To por essas, por enquanto.............. O resto a gente vee depois.......... Meu lance eh Musica nao GUERRAS !!

[@lottierose8668]

reference 36 neck on his sx 90

[@skatersaxman]

Please let me know what you put in your mouth before you started blowing the horn?

[@QuincyFuLo]

What tune do they play at the beginning?

[@williamporter4670]

QuincyFuLo footprints by Wayne shorter

[@tomforsythe7024]

I disagree with him on the "don't listen to crap" thing. Listen to everything, and try to figure out why people like it. Allow that to inform your understanding of music. Listen to bad music, every once in a while. You will often see some of your own bad habits, exemplified right in front of you. If you only hear excellent music, it will be easier to delude yourself into thinking you are on that level, yourself. And if you ARE a genius, why read my silly comments. I would rather read yours.

[@pkbby1]

The bible says as a man thinketh in his heart so is he.

[@marselmusic]

👏🏾

[@HeathWatts]

It becomes increasingly difficult to listen to everything. I have about 3000 CDs (jazz, blues, improv, classical, Indian, shakuhachi, African percussion, rock, country, etc.). If I listen to one a day, it will take about 10 years to get through them once. I wish that I hadn't spent my teen years listening to top 40 radio garbage (Twisted Sister and other hair rock garbage), when there was a world of great music out there. Of course, those were pre-internet times, so access to good music was more difficult than it is now. If you want to be a great player in a particular genre, I'd suggest that you listen primarily to that music, but there is quality music in other genres that can help in your musical journey. That said, there is a mountain of garbage out there, and it has always existed, much of it is popular, but most of it won't improve your musicianship.

[@janetremsing6988]

👍🙂Total mutant-beast!!

[@glen6945]

ace

[@Samyham007]

can you tell us who is that guitar player please ? he is very very efficient ! Thank you!

[@SamirKambarov]

Sorry, I missed his name. He is great!

[@joseph4756]

Capri recording artist and educator Frank Potenza is a protege of the late, great Joe Pass and an active composer and performer with nine solo albums to his credit.

[@joseph4756]

Samir Kambarov Frank Potenza

[@Jazzblade1977]

You can hear the Joe Pass in there... Although I might like him better. He plays less busy then Joe, with more feel. Don't get me wrong I like Joe, but after a while it starts to annoy me that he has to fill EVERYTHING (Virtuoso Series). Like in "Dude take a breath every once in a while". Frank seems a bit more laid back.

[@blahdeblah1975]

Who's the bozo that showed up late and sat with his shoulder in the camera? His mommy never taught him manners.

[@JonFrumTheFirst]

+blah deBlah There's always one asshat in every room. Einstein discovered it in 1905.

[@tomforsythe7024]

I rarely encounter that. Oh.

[@allrockirwin23]

He also asked “reed and mouthpiece” like a drill instructor.

[@ber334]

That poor guitar player to have to take a solo after Ernie's brilliant improvisation on footprints

[@radiokid2]

The alt.scale for dom 7ths is simple...just play on a minor scale (with a raised 6h and 7th) over a dominant chord one half-step LOWER.... ie: play on an A flat minor scale over a G7th. Or: on Db minor scale over a C7th. Here's the You Tube code with a tutorial...just paste it in the mini-strip at the top of any YT page, watch?v=fAzwviInwoU

[@MarkInLA]

It's called super locrian: Ab melodic minor begining on its 7th, G,...over a G7...

[@obergssin]

Here’s how I easily remember it ... A7 altered ... Play the major scale half tone below but leave out the root (A flat) ...

[@ItalianDaves]

42:50

[@rafael_lc]

Uooouuuww

[@filipdinevmusic]

Not really about melodic improvisation, but great...

[@marselmusic]

He kinda looks like Jim Colerick a bit, don't ya think?

[@customsignschatt]

does anyone know what he holds in his mouth while he plays?

[@customsignschatt]

Ok, makes sense, Thanks!

[@lickingfrog]

dude, his tone sucks in this video... wtf?!

[@nicolasmartinez8472]

A Tenor saxophone

[@adriantapia48]

custom made..Otto Link 12*

[@Jorvaskrr]

@@Lrlupercio That's called biting and it's a big no no in sax technique.It makes you sound small and ugly.Please don't do it.Do long tones with a tuner and make sure it sounds straight almost like a sine wave.

[@melodistman]

OMG . . .

[@akatsuki642]

i think it was an artificial embouchure

[@Project41Band]

20:08 Joe Henderson huh. Yup.

[@marselmusic]

6:16

[@marselmusic]

6:07 LOL that one bloke in the back

[@alexloda7660]

im a hard rock guitarist and i bookmarked this elevator music why.. because if u played this harmonically complex music thru a marshall stack u would be the next hendrix/van halen :=)

[@spider5604]

Sound man always late to regulate the first note when Ernie plays.....

[@blueeyedsoulman]

Size 13 mouthpiece?! What's the reed, #8 lol? I bet this guy has BIG shoes too. (Just for the uninitiated: You can't buy a size 13 mouthpiece. It would have to be custom made.)

[@yramhossoo8586]

What if this whole Jazz thingy was built on the faith in substitution(harmony/melody/rhythm) and sheer arrogance? Why should I bother about someones technical woes and an instrument's deficiencies?

[@MarioSilva-jg5nh]

Wattsapening

[@crossoverpianistmarcusschi7133]

I just played with Ernie and it was amazing! Look at our video “With Ludwig van in Halong" kzbin.info/www/bejne/gHiZimltqpKUha8

[@stevedarlington278]

a lovely blow and wonderful clinic. not stressing a melodic approach though.

[@ogatoulas]

Steve Darlington I spent a good deal of 53 minutes searching for this melodic approach...

[@mikec6733]

Come in late and sit in front of the camera. Nice.