Yesterday I had a nice practice session. It is amazing how well you can do
when you have the luxury of time. I broke everything into small 15-20 minute
chunks focusing on long tones (including Caruso six notes & Clarke #1),
articulation, slurs and then some simple etudes. I took a nice long break and
resumed some improv studies that afternoon. That is where the frustration kicked
in…

I’m finding that my playable range isn’t quite what I thought it was. Two of
the songs we are doing in the master classes are "Take the A Train"
and "Autumn Leaves." Both of the heads on these tunes hover around F
and F# on the staff. While I can play them I cannot play them musically. It
doesn’t flow at all. I got really frustrated with it and I’m thinking of playing
some parts (or the entire songs) an octave lower. I know Freddie Hubbard
wouldn’t do it that way but I just can’t play them and make it sound like
anything worth listening too. Very frustrating. My stomach will be churning if
(when) they call these tunes. If anyone has suggestions — I’d love to hear
them. I’m talking about playing the head!! Not improvisation. Perhaps I was
tired from my earlier session and this will pass when I try to play them
again.  One thing is for sure – this tells me that I still need to spend significant
time working on my fundamentals.

I don’t like closing my journal entries on sour notes so here is some good
news. There is a very good possibility that I will become a regular player with
the improv classes in mid July. They are starting a new group of which I would
be a part of. I have a feeling that playing in that format on a regular basis
will help me improve as a player AND make me more comfortable/confident. All
good things in my book. The master classes combined with my studies at home seem
like a recipe for success in my book.

Recordings are on the way. I’m hoping to have a new one up before the week is
out. If I do – I will place it at the end of this current message.