If you recall, following my first concert with the Master class I decided  that I really needed to spend some time working on my trumpet technique. When I  listened to the recording of our performance I didn’t like what I heard. Over  the past few months I have really focused on developing my sound, tonguing,  playing speed and other aspects vital to becoming a good trumpet player. I know  I have a long way to go but I (and the people I play with regularly) can tell  I’ve made some strides in a few key areas departments.

That being said I don’t think I’ve made enough improvements with regards to  improvisation. Mike Fore recorded our performance at the Movies By the Pool gig and while I think I sounded better — I was playing the same ideas. When working  on the “Freddie Freeloader” and “Tenor Madness” I relied almost completely on  the blues scale and did not address the basic changes. My solos on tunes like  “Blue Bossa” and “Summertime” were pretty much on point with what I have done in  the past. This really bothered me.

As result I am trying to find a way to get all my fundamentals done and still  spend a good chunk of time on my jazz studies. I am working with a CD that I  purchased from Anderkamp music called Daily  Routines for Trumpet. It takes about 30-45 minutes to complete and it covers  long tones, articulation, slurs, expanding scales and technical studies. The  great thing about it is you hear each exercise being played before you play and  that is a good way to enforce the rest as much as you play rule. After  performing that I take a 15-20 minute break before moving on.

Right now jazz studies for me includes the following:

• Scale and chord work around the circle of 4ths or using Aebersold’s Volume 3. I can cover my minor, dom 7 and major scales this way.
• Learning a pattern and playing it in all 12 keys. I usually work from the Jerry Coker Patterns for Jazz book. It gives you two or three of the patterns but you have to work the rest out yourself (by ear). You play these patterns around the circle of 4ths, 5ths and chromatically. I also work with some patterns given to me by my teacher and another friend.
• Transcribing solo excerpts by ear and memorizing them. I knocked out Chet Baker’s solo on “Summertime” a long time ago, started on Kenny Dorham’s “Blue Friday.” Next up will be Miles Davis “Four.”  Some days I will just work on learning a new head without looking at music.
• Working with tunes. I like working with a single tune for a week or two (or three). I try to include the patterns I’ve learned or pieces of a solo that I’ve heard someone else do.  Right now my focus tunes are “Little Sunflower,” “Ladybird” and the Bb blues form.

I really hope this works. I do NOT want to play the same way a year or two  from now. It is funny – I tend to take more chances in the practice room but  once I go out for a concert or jam session I pull out the old safety net and  play within my comfort zone. Right now that comfort zone is extremely small.   The licks, solo transcriptions and patterns that I work on are not coming out  automatically. I guess that means I don’t really know them yet. Frustrating.