6 "Rules" For Jazz Articulation

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[@monsterjazzlicks]

Superb for a pianist arranger like myself! ❤

[@edgardoortizayala6379]

God Bless that smooth spectacular sound.

[@kevinhornbuckle]

This is very helpful. I'm so glad you have the software that allows you to show what you are playing so that we can read along.

[@kevinhornbuckle]

Practice phrases are at 4:52, 5:22, 6:37, 7:10, 7:52, 9:00

[@pheldonmajors2999]

Thank you Dr. Shawn! Usually playing keys, but picking up my 1st love. Trombone!

[@tomasm007]

Great video Shawn

[@FanTrombone]

GREAT STUFF

[@mitchellhintzsche6910]

Hey Shawn! I’m looking into mic’s for recording trombone. One of my picks is the cascade fathead for that nice ribbon sound. Is that what you use in your videos?

[@ShawnBellMusic]

This is indeed a fathead. I've been pretty happy with it for this type of project especially for the price; however, it can be a little thick in the low mids when used to record an entire section. For the 4 part examples in this video I actually used both the fathead and a sennheiser 421 dynamic mic. This helped give a little more "bite" to the sound. If you have a little more money to spend, I have heard great things about the SE Voodoo VR1. That might be a better all around option that is still way less than a royer 121.

[@mitchellhintzsche6910]

@@ShawnBellMusic thank you for the honest information! I think I’ll keep evaluating what I’m going for, but I might go for a cheaper active ribbon for the college budget I have. Thank you for your knowledge!

[@mitchellhintzsche6910]

@@ShawnBellMusic after enough investigation I realized you were right on the money! The SE Vr1 seems to be what I’m going for, with a good bodied mic. The other budget ribbon of the SE brand is really good too, so those are my thoughts now.

[@ShawnBellMusic]

@@mitchellhintzsche6910 You'll have to let me know if you end up trying the SE stuff. I'm considering getting the Vr1 myself. To my ear it sounds a little brighter on the examples I've heard, and that can be really helpful for section stuff.

[@kareesu1]

Thanks for much needed content! Do we still put slight accents on other off beats that don’t fall into your rules?

[@ShawnBellMusic]

I tend to like less accents on off beats when they occur as part of a moving 8th note line; however, it is very subjective. If you listen to different players, especially from different periods of Jazz, there isn't just one "right" way to do it. Check out some recordings of your favorite players and pay attention to what is going on with their off beats. That can give you a lot of insight into what is going on. I will say that if you accent offbeats that are part of 8th note lines too heavily, it will likely make your swing feel seem less convincing. Almost like you are "trying" to swing, rather than allowing the swing to be created by the subtle difference in note length between the downbeats/offbeats and the articulation concepts that are in this lesson.

[@kareesu1]

@@ShawnBellMusic I analyzed Charlie Parker on playing the melody of conformation and he accents on all the places in your rules and not other off beats in 8th note lines especially after higher downbeat notes which were emphasized instead. Thanks for clarifying the misconception that we are supposed to emphasize every off beat in jazz. When I analyze my favourite players they mix accenting downbeats and upbeats. But your rules seem most applied. Do you have a suggestion on how to practice improvising with your rules? Thanks!

[@ShawnBellMusic]

@@kareesu1 The best way to get all this type of stuff is through listening and transcription. Learning it primarily by ear helps to get it internalized so you don't have to "think" about it when you are improvising. You can also try some single note exercises either with a metronome or a play along for whatever tune you might be working on. Choose a 1 or 2 measure rhythmic pattern that includes rhythms where you can apply some of these "rules". Play this rhythm either on a single note or on the roots of each chord in the song. Make sure to focus on whatever articulation concept you are working on. This will feel pretty rigid at first; however, with some practice, you will start to naturally hear how the articulation should fall.

[@kareesu1]

@@ShawnBellMusic thanks so much for your answer. I just watched your other video “ swing checklist” which shows examples of the exercise you mentioned! Swing articulation is so important but so hard to understand for beginners of jazz but hardly anyone on the web explains it as succinctly as you with practical guidelines and examples. You are a great teacher and are very generous to share your knowledge.

[@ShawnBellMusic]

@@kareesu1 Thank you for the kind words. I'm glad you found the information useful.