What is Practicing? Hal Galper

Book: Forward Motion
amzn.to/2ypAPPh
Recording: Cubist
amzn.to/2q3eKBR
Book: The Touring Musician
amzn.to/2yujzIK
Book: Jazz Piano Voicings: Transcribed Piano Comping
amzn.to/2PKJ8vZ
halgalper.com Pianist / Composer / Teacher discusses practicing.

[@Waylanification]

"art is supposed to teach you something about yourself, that you didn't know before" think i'll memorize that line

[@Bati_]

It's amazing how sentimental this line is. Totally a life motto

[@johnharrisjr.351]

I literally went to tears when he said, "I don’t think it’s a matter of taking external information and internalizing it. I think it’s just the reverse. It’s taking external information to bring out your own internal information."

[@yacinesaoudi749]

I think you all should thank JAZZ VIDEO GUY. For all those videos making you a real jazz musician

[@luvkayakn]

Great Bill Evans quote, "The whole process of learning the facility of being able to play jazz is to take these problems from the outer level in, one by one, and to stay with it at a very intense, conscious-concentration level until that process becomes secondary and subconscious. Now, when that becomes subconscious, then you can begin concentrating on that next problem, which will allow you to do a little bit more."

cool. where did you hear/read that? I'd like to know the context

[@imalamboman12]

@ I think it's from the interview with his brother. Easily found on KZbin.

[@johncip]

@ "the universal mind of bill evans" -- a great watch

[@kathleencook3060]

Sounds like learning any skill. All good information.

[@saxophonemechanic5454]

12:20 "That means what ever area you improve in, it (the area of practice that you been focusing on) improves all the other areas as well. You don't have to do linear practicing. Practice what you like, practice where you're interested. Because if you're not interested, if you're not concentrating, if you're not focussed on what your working on, you're not learning anything, you're JUST WAISTING TIME!"

[@kentbyron7608]

That comment about practicing what you LIKE is what will keep you interested, because boredom blocks learning and everything you choose to practice helps everything else out, and that "all change is global." Brilliant!!!! Yes!!! Indeed everything is interconnected. Loved the way Hal said it. What a wise, helpful teacher. I needed to hear that the way Hal said it. Bravo! Gratitude!

[@AJGreen-cn8kk]

Hal proves one of the things I love about music. No matter your age, or musical background you can always learn new stuff every day.

[@HeidiMontross]

"All change is global." Wise dude. I like his theories.

[@xxmanx1]

He is one of the VERY VERY Few guys who is actually able to express what really happens as you navigate the learning process. He also explains what I feel is the very best method of learning. And yes, he is a badass player!

[@JazzVideoGuy]

Well said.

[@jimjennings7623]

Hal Galper is a NATURAL teacher. He comes close to 100% in teaching skill BUT: His last two sentences are the most important. You can play and you can make it sound like practicing but you must ask yourself, "Am I learning anything? What? What skill am I trying to learn now? Can I be helped by anything or anyone or must I teach this to myself?" In Jazz more than almost anything, if you're not focused on learning something specific, guess what, you're not learning ANYTHING. Focus on what you desire to know how to do. Force yourself to GET THAT SKILL. Then you'll get it.

[@DaveLuxe3000]

This is literally one of the most important educational videos ever.

[@JazzVideoGuy]

I agree!

"I don´t think it´s a matter of taking external information and internalizing it. I think its just the reverse. I think it´s taking external information t bring out your own internal information. In other words, when you are attracted to a particular artist there is a reason for it, theres a resonance thats been created....yolu respond emotionally and psichologically to the music. ... One of the greatest definitions of art i´ve ever heard is ' Art is supposed to teach you something about yourself you didn´t know before, its supposed to be a process of self discovery so, one of the biggest misteriy we all face is What to parctice?, and what do you need to solve the mistery? .....the clue is what you respond to in an intuitive level." Great!

[@mecdrum7]

Hernán Londoño Im going to write this down.

[@jeffrey3498]

You practice the techniques needed to create the type of music you want to create.

[@ClaudioQuartaroneMusic]

Pure gold.

[@JazzVideoGuy]

yup

[@gerryrogers2452]

Amen and Hallelujah! So the opposite of the endless stuff you get taught in college!

[@bryandickerson5365]

Man, that is brilliant! Reminds me how influential his talk was at NTSU 36-7 years ago. I also remember how excited I was to be given the task of picking Hal up at Dallas/Ft Worth Airport!

[@PastTime777]

Good advice. Everything he said I agreed with and feel the same way. If I'm bored, it doesn't happen. When I practice what I like, everything improves.

[@kathleencook3060]

Lucky you are not taking music Lessons from a piano teacher.

[@JamesScottGuitar]

This is so important for all Musicians to hear and understand. It does not matter the genre of Music, or style. Listen to these Words of Wisdom. #Guitar #Music #Jazz #Practice #Lessons

[@milesovguitar]

Good stuff. I go thru listening phases. Study and steal. Then I take breaks from listening so what I learn gets incorporated without being too influential that you become a clone.

[@jazzerson7087]

Indeed. Many thanks to Jazz Video Guy for capturing this gem of a guy.

[@mjsayers6186]

Man, I love this guy, he speaks wise words about practice !! Love it, thank you sir !!

[@kathleencook3060]

I respond to Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, Schubert etc. However, I am looking forward to learning, Jazz etc so I can play Baseline for my Guitar playing son- in- Law. Since I can play the Blues scale I am getting along well. Looking forward to learning new Rhythm patterns that jazz and Blues players can teach me. Very good video. Thank you very much.

[@JazzVideoGuy]

How about Mahler, Ives and Copeland?

[@danielhooglandt1620]

This guy is such a legend geesh. And this information is so valuable, thanks for this upload!

[@movewithmike]

I'm watching this video from the perspective of a visual artist and a martial artist. Hal's perspective on practicing rings true in BOTH those areas. Phenomenal wisdom. Thank you for sharing it, Jazz Video Guy.

[@SergioPamiesMusic]

One of the best teachers (and musicians) I have met.

[@SergioPamiesMusic]

@@benjaminholt6640 hahaha

[@ZackGrooves]

Hey man, hope you dont mind but I quoted something from this for a video of mine and credited you of course in my description. Love the channel and the content!

[@JazzVideoGuy]

Cool

[@shinp0pp0]

He said something important about music so lucid yet so encouraging, a lesson like such is priceless. Thanks to Hal and Jazz Video Guy for sharing!! 👏I will watch it again and again and try to internalize these ideas in daily practice.

[@JazzVideoGuy]

There's some real truth here.

[@jwn52]

I also like how the music stands form abstract piano white and black keys.

[@bureckjazz6655]

Hey Hal --- Thanks for mentioning "905" (Boylston St ).....I arrived in Boston in 1963 and met a few guys that were part of that "underworld" center of activity. As you know, I didn't attend Berklee but I knew people like yourself and had the ability to play some gigs around Boston with any "advanced" musicians that would tolerate me.... Always enjoy your outlook and wit so keep on keeping on. Burt Eckoff / pianist, NYC. Leave any comments,if you like, on my Facebook page. Blessings

[@A.ChristopherJohnson]

Can't thank u enough Jazz Video Guy, Right On Fam !

[@carlop3019]

Amazing, neverending teaching. We must watch and listen to for ever and ever..

[@JazzVideoGuy]

One of the most popular videos on this channel.

[@drmorqWarrenProject]

I am a very simple 'musician'. I hesitate even calling myself that because I generally am just a rocker.. There are other forms that creep in but at the end of the day, I usually find a way to rock. Music for me is religion. It is God. And because it is with me constantly, always, practice is what I do with others. It is rehearsing. Because I know my limitations on the piano/keyboards as a technician, my forte is songwriting and composition. And if I sit down to practice by myself, I invariably find that I must write a new song that comes to me as I am attempting to practice. I have been in bands where we practiced or rehearsed 5 days a week for 3-4 hours at a time, sometimes much longer. I have always had melodies/solos going thru my head. Like a constant life theme that changes with the scenario. I think because of that and with my own 'oral tradition', I am almost constantly practicing... because it so often forces me to write new songs or compositions and that pushes me to do and be my best.

[@ronaskew]

At first I felt that a very important issue was being ignored in this video. Skills. What makes music work is the interplay between keys, scales, chords,and arpeggios. So, a minimum skill level is required to practice those elements in the context of a tune. Then it hit me. He was already assuming that and was off and running with what follows having the basic skills at, at least, a minimum functional level. After that point, to a great extent, playing is practicing.

[@michaelfoxbrass]

You’re absolutely right. Without a mastery of technique, one cannot express what one hears or feels accurately. I believe he touches on this in a different session. But he does talk here about mastering a new technique (counterpoint) in that improving his voice leading in the harmonies he chooses to play in a small jazz ensemble required him to unlearn less useful technique and replace it with more useful. One thing the general public cannot quite comprehend (and as a result, many young musicians aren’t motivated to accept), is that it requires monumental how focus, effort, and repetition to develop, maintain, and expand technical facility on an instrument or one’s voice. The work is lifelong and on many simultaneous levels!

[@dr05guitar]

He is so interesting and I always seem to learn something new from him. Thanks!

[@young0804]

What a good quality chat

[@JazzVideoGuy]

yes

[@latinkeys1]

This is INCREDIBLY on point. Thank you for posting. I knew this intuitively but to hear a teacher say this.. Wow!

[@marioborg4952]

The greatest lesson!!!! Thank you!

[@JazzVideoGuy]

Glad you think so!

[@TheMusicmak3r]

Thank you for uploading!

[@tatianapostman9134]

This is such an amazing lecture. Thank you for posting it!

[@taylorfusion]

Ah, very good. I had just finished watching Will Vinson's my music masterclass video on this very technique of counter point and the melodic attitude towards chord voicings. THANKS for posting this.

[@65luds20]

This is phenomenal stuff

[@Dang...]

Thanks for sharing this gem!!!

[@wonder6789]

Brilliant, and just what I needed to hear!

[@brogroove]

Great stuff, thanks for posting! Hal is a wealth of good info

[@romulloqueiroz]

Awesome advice!!!!

[@trampley]

This is fantastic advice. Thanks so much for posting.

[@daviddunaway4218]

So simple yet so meaningful and deep! A brilliant musician who is also humble and generous! Very inspiring! Thank you for the post!!!

[@zigsrig]

Excellent video!

[@Get_Yo_Life]

It’s amazing how teachers have such a hard time explaining “what to practice.” I mean Hal gave good insight here but he didn’t say “what to practice.” Instead he told us to transcribe in a round about way. Barry Harris is like one of the only teachers that have practical practices methods that actually explain harmony and rhythm.

[@paulh9277]

Great humility.

[@cwise7]

So......profound ....Awesome advice. .....brilliant

[@jacquelamontharenberg]

Thanks for reinforcing my thoughts regarding practicing.

[@edsgdennis]

Great and insightful.

[@davidsauzay]

the best master class ever !

[@marcusflippen8296]

Love this dude

[@protocosm]

Hal's the man!

[@EsahmMalik]

This is terrific

[@fotofavoloso267]

Very wise advice

[@brianbernstein3826]

THE STANDS LOOK LIKE A PIANO LOL

[@JamesScottGuitar]

Fantastic observation!

[@AlexisGitarre]

+Brian Bernstein the one wrong stand drives me nuts ;)

[@Ketoswammy]

Ha, like a close up of the keys with a dot on the blacks keys...

[@stevengregory3991]

Subliminial messaging.

[@tatianapostman9134]

Yes!!

[@Gusrikh1]

Very, very interesting and educational

[@thesuccessfulbarber]

This guybis a genius

[@KnjazNazrath]

"Bill's trying to tell me something about my playing, and I gotta find out what it is, and he's dead". Story of my musical life, I swear. RIV Geoffrey Laurence Burton.

[@leonardogzm]

Thanks for the video! :D

[@RanBlakePiano]

These words are fascinating

[@matthewsnyder6127]

This is so very helpful.

[@JazzVideoGuy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@alemuabayneh2519]

HE IS RIGHT

[@wallycherry]

Excellent.

[@vanguard4065]

we still have a long way to go

[@BlasJohnny]

Thank you

[@PhrygianPhrog]

Brilliant

[@saxyricks4731]

develop vocabulary aurally, listen, listen, listen, sing it. Art is a process of self discovery.

[@jamesnewberry2945]

thank you that was a big help

[@socrazyG]

that's sound advice, sir !

[@LukeTheringMusic]

The shapes/lines made by the black music stands against the white wall sort of look like keys on a keyboard.

[@lexnuss791]

"I've heard that " reminds me of what L.A. A&R men were always telling me about songwriting, publication and P&D. This is a river of blessings satsang between Dzogchen and Zen. If practice makes perfect then what is practical? The sound of one hand or what was your face before your parents were born? Beginner's mind...

[@coolaxe-dw4840]

Awesome

[@HelmarWeiss]

Cool!

[@mindcontro]

dropping jewels!

[@goldsmithstrings6842]

What a lad!

[@clarkewi]

Master teacher.

[@briank7363]

Yes :)

[@jecrispy8217]

This cat is a legit musician, he get's "it" !

[@ahmed1987m]

likeeeeeed and loveeeeeeeeeed

[@capeheartriz]

boy, he really makes sense....

[@mikedavino2400]

I remember him from playing with Jamie Aebersold

[@adityatyagi4009]

Practice what you like.

[@rjrichmusic]

I've never seen any of these Hal Galper videos that I didn't like.

[@jfufighter]

Great points by Hal Galper. I don't know if I heard him correctly about how practicing one thing improves everything else. If that is what he is saying, I can't say that what he's saying is incorrect, but I'm not sure that I agree with it 100 percent. For an example, is his theory that if a musician only practices pentatonics, that the musician will improve in improvising and playing other diatonic and chord tones?

[@mcshair2110]

i think you're reading into it too closely. literally everything you learn will expand your "overall map" of life. go beyond music, this applies to everything. my new understanding of the structure of the universe will give me new insight into the way i form a solo next time i play..., etc, etc

[@jazziejackie]

All he's saying is one thing at a time

[@MrDarkstar620]

I'll coincide with you on that you don't have to go full-throttle with agreement. In my experience, and not just of practicing music, whenever you train yourself in a specific/particular aspect of something (painting, wrestling, meditating) you eventually pick up other or better recognition of techniques/styles and can mate with them better or more intuitively-- instead of trying to use reason all the time. Reason can override passion and instinct but isn't nowhere near always favorable. In addition to that, practicing what you like is a great thing. I think, in contrast to Hal Galper's statement, that practicing something that has you bored, or your simply bored doing it, can be viewed as a great obstacle. Practicing should always be applied with the thirst for discovery; embracing things mysterious, complex and challenging can make "change" as he said, "global".

[@hebrewchile5144]

***** I agree with you. I have a saying and it is "that everything is connected to everything"

[@StompL7]

I know all the informations hal Gave us are going to be processed by our minds . I'm sure of that.

[@RKTologist]

best thing to practice is writing something new everyday

[@CrandMackerel]

Heavy.

[@MrRamonator]

Does anyone know the name or where I could find the "book by Jack Riley about Bill Evans" he mentions it analyzes some of Bill Evans' playing, looked it up online but I had no luck finding anything.

[@TheBlackTrumpeter]

I think I found the books he referenced. It’s called “The Harmony of Bill Evans” by Jack Reilly. Found both volumes on Amazon. Link is below👇🏾 The Harmony of Bill Evans - Volume 1 www.amazon.com/dp/0793531527/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_DLHEFb1656REB The Harmony of Bill Evans - Volume 2 www.amazon.com/dp/1423465865/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_HQHEFb4Q36Y9T

[@MrRamonator]

@@TheBlackTrumpeter Wow man, thanks a bunch!

[@TheBlackTrumpeter]

MrRamonator no problem! I was looking in the comments to see if anyone found or mentioned the book. Thought I’d see if I could find it and share.

[@nick34075]

Есть ёмкое и точное определение ,что такое метод(метод музыканта самостоятельно импровизировать,например) от Гегеля.Метод есть осознание(субъектом) внутреннего самодвижения содержания исследуемого предмета.То есть чисто субьективное ,в соединении с объективным разумеется ,внешним. .. лучше не скажешь.По простому если- каждый сам себе решает,как создать свою систему импровизации ,и что бы красиво было..

[@JazzVideoGuy]

yes!

[@daisyfaragher]

can somebody help clarify what he's talking about around 11:04 ? intervalid pentatonic music? cant catch what he's saying

[@ericanthony1982]

Daisy Faragher no idea, I was wondering the same thing. Although apparently rly it took him 15 years to learn lol

[@theopaopa1]

2:43 "a process of self discovery"

[@JazzVideoGuy]

Life is....a process of self discovery

[@theopaopa1]

exactly, and hal galper is a great music teacher

[@Herehear49]

"It's when I'm playing WHAT I DON'T KNOW..."

[@carlosreboucas3262]

psicological intteligence!! that is what is Hal about!

[@lewisbirkett4428]

The problem is if I listen to a song so much I get tired of it so I need to be exposed enough to know the song inside and out and analyse but not so much that I hate listening to it

[@SS-je2ih]

So ya, bada boom bada bing!

[@gregdearmond3309]

adams method but for piano

[@rdmsttt]

subtitles pleasee!!

[@TomasMikaX]

I learned loads of stuff whilst bored.

[@paulprice6330]

Tomáš Mika welcome to the future of learning