3rd year Jazz School - Yikes!I'm

I'm now 6 weeks into my 3rd year at the American Music School of Modern Music and man... it's really swinging.  The work load is incredible but at the same time, it's amazing to be at a level where I'm actually handling all this. It shows how much progress I've made in the past two years.

I had only planned on staying two years, but everyone talked about the third year of this program as being the pinnacle and best year. I realize now why they all said this. It's as if we laid the ground work down for years in order to be ready for this year. 

We are playing in ensembles every week, working on jazz standards in different key signatures, and different time signatures. The tempos are fast and of coarse everything must be memorized.

Then we are doing dictees constantly... using only our ear to transcribe melodies, harmonies, solos and memorized tunes into different keys. No instruments, only ears and memories.

Then we are memorizing and singing solos of jazz greats as well as transcribing... as well as listening to a wide selection of important jazz albums from Wayne Shorter to Charlie Parker. We are to really listen and know solos, who played and be able to name them in the Drop the Needle exams when small excerps are played.

Finally there is an arranging class. Meaning writing scores and parts for jazz standards to be played in our unique interpretation. 

Though I had a panic attack last week (crise angoise) I seem to be managing the load so far, including working about 20-30 hours a week. My hands and my mind are surprising me, rising to the demands of the occasion. And I guess that's what's best about going to school... is being pushed in a positive manner towards a new level of musicianship and confidence where i know that I'll be able to meet any musical occasion with style and swing.

I hope by the end of the year my ears are much more attuned and my hands and voice much more able to play the music as I hear it.  And of coarse, I hope that I can serve the music and the musicians in a selfless yet unique manner.