JPF Home Page Forums General Messages General Message Forum Can You Learn Jazz From A Book?

I have posted my answer to this question on my blog, but I would like to know what you think. Go to my blog at www.keithgamblemusic.blogspot.com and share what you think.

Sure you can, you an learn ANYTHING from a book. But learning to have a "feel" for something is another story. And that goes for anything as well. And just because you read it or see it doesn't mean you can actually do it well.

A book (in any subject) is always a complement to doing (or thinking). You can't learn anything from a book without trying it out. Of course some algebra, physics, history, philosophy, music, ... books are better than others.

Keith,

Yes you can learn some jazz from a book, and if you already understand music to the degree it is presented in the book. Some jazz, like some blues and swing, has a feel to it that would require a lot of detail and explanation. I doubt if I could learn the more intricate timing that way, maybe some folks can, but probably very few.

You cannot learn bluegrass from a book.

LOL

I had a friend who played violin in the local symphony orchestra. He could sight read like nobody else. He wanted to learn bluegrass fiddle. I loaned him a stack of fiddle tune books and sat with him playing rhythm guitar to each song as he flipped through the pages. I've never seen someone play these old time songs so well who has never heard them before, much less interpret them from notation. But, he was classically trained and sight reading goes with the turf.

As Mike said, he was good at interpretation, but lacked the feel or soul of an old time fiddle player and he knew it. He needed to learn the feel, soul, or groove, whatever you want to call it.
He began meeting me at bluegrass festivals and started playing with and learning from the old timers. They were impressed at his talent and gladly took him in.

This was 15 years ago. He's still with the symphony, and is an established old time fiddle player.

Mike kinda stole my thunder......yes you can learn anything from a book.......but in order to truly understand and master anything it takes a great deal of practical knowledge and experience....plus a natural aptitude.