Paul Read News

Transcribing is a part of the development for most jazz musicians. This being the 21st century (isn’t it?) there are plenty of tools that can help you in this endeavour. I recommend you take a look at one of the best sorftware packages called, “Transribe!” available at:

Seventh String Software – the home of Transcribe!

This site provides a bonus. A free index to a large array of the most popular fakebooks. It doesn’t give you the tune, but it can tell you WHERE to find the piece might be looking for. Be aware, Fakebooks are a mixed blessing. Some have poor changes or incorrect melodies and it is always essential to check them with a source recording. The more recently available LEGAL books, such as those published by the Sher music publishing company are quite reliable, but the practice of checking the notation against several recordings is ESSENTIAL.

Later

P

Watch for two articles just completed recently:

1) The IAJE: One Canadian’s Perspective. This one will appear in the next issue of the OMEA Recorder which is the periodical published by the Ontario Music Educators’ Association. In this one, I tried to set the record straight on some misconceptions held by some Canadians about the apparently rich, apparently political, apparently self agrandizing organization that is in fact trying to do as much as it can to promote the music and jazz education world wide. There is a little history and there are some personal reminscences. Hopefully of some interest to some.

2) Golf and the Art of Jazz Tenor Saxophone Practicing. This one is scheduled to appear in the next issue of Canadian Winds. Hope you will check it out too. In it I share some personal tips that have helped me improve my technique, my improvisation and my overall playing over the years.

Paul

On-line forums such as the ones mentioned in yesterday’s post, are invaluable resources. They are free to join and the exchange of ideas, questions and answers and discussion (just the tip of the iceberg) are features that can really benefit anyone who takes the time to participate. You can log on 24/7 of course, and just a quick check every day or so, or even less often (some users only log on when they have a specific question to ask – other log on reguarly and offer help through their opinions and through the discussion with other members). If you haven’t tried this, please give it some consideration.

There is a FORUM established at the IAJE Canada website:
IAJE Canada that is ready to be used and I hope that if you are involved in jazz or jazz education in any way, that you will help us get it started. Here is all you have to do:

1. Go to the site (the link is just above this sentence) and click on Forum.
2. Register (it’s FREE)
3. Once registered, go to the area of your choice and start a new topic or post a reply to an existing one.

This could be one of the greatest untapped resources for Canadian musician/educators involved in jazz. What makes it strong is its use. Registered members develop a real sense of community and if you get involved and participate, we can really help each other out.

Ideas: discuss repertoire, curriculum, political issues (the situation in BC this past year was worth a great deal of discussion), ask questions or post tips and ideas related to finding recordings, tips for rehearsing and on and on.

Hope to see you there.

Paul

This has to be one of the greatest forums on the internet for composers and other musicians who use sample libraries in their work.
Northern Sound Source – Powered by vBulletin

For those with questions about Finale (my notation program of choice since the late 1980s), this on-line forum is indispensable!
MakeMusic Forum