Mulgrew Miller: Advice for Young Jazz Musicians

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14 жыл бұрын

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Pianist Mulgrew Miller has some advice for young Jazz musicians who want to learn how to improvise and play with other musicians.

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@RonCarterBassist Жыл бұрын

Mr. Miller was a great musician and a true friend of mine... Thank you for sharing his teaching here.

@adamrafferty 3 жыл бұрын

He was a true gentleman and absolute master of jazz. I miss you Mulgrew.

@bearishwearish 8 жыл бұрын

I have a feeling not many kids raised their hand when he asked if they listen to "so and so"... kids don't listen to the music they are trying to play. All my students are itching to sound legit but don't know any of the albums or the players. I'm not an old man with wise advice or anything, I went through the jazz student phase in the 2000's and my main goal was to collect, collect, collect as many albums as possible. My goal was not just to know all the lead guys but to know all the different rhythm section players too (and to be able to differentiate them by their sound). I wanted to be able to sing back all the baddest solos. Eventually I learned that the bebop scale wasn't a scale but a rhythmic concept using all the non scale tones. Later while on the bandstand in KC playing with one of the baddest swing ear stride pianist I learned that swing isn't just a style but a feeling. Yes there is a large part of jazz history where the genera was called "swing" but the actual act of swinging is all about feeling. I dealt with many many many arrogant jazz musicians and eventually found out that the baddest dudes out there are sweethearts, full of humility. High-schoolers are competing for the best solo awards and then go into college thinking that jazz is a competition. Trust me, when you are competing with other players on where the downbeat is suddenly 'playing a gig' turns into 'working a gig'. If you want to really be a jazz musician you gotta be an anthropologist, learn all the players, read their biography's, know all the story's, sing back their solos... and do not be an asshole.

@PIANOSTYLE100 6 жыл бұрын

bearishwearish makes perfect sense. I'm a chuch pianist I can fly on certain songs. I don't consider them jazz it's mainly pentatonic , blues, some modes, arpegios in swing rhythms . I have150 videos or so..I also have a guitar site. I communicate with many people on jazz sites. Really interesting to see the pioneers of jazz. I don't know why it is but my guitar playing of jazz is pretty descent.. for some reason..it comes natural..so I decided to start playing around with licks on guitar and moving those to piano.

@PIANOSTYLE100 6 жыл бұрын

Oh your statement about the bebop scale intrigues me.. I've noticed that with all the variations it does seem random.. I a lot of jazz books.

@timothy2204 5 жыл бұрын

bearishwearish i have to disagree. You dont need to do that to be a jazz player. Why do you have to listen to the “right guys”? To improve in a certain way. BUT you also improve exploring on your own. Study the greats because its fun, because they have different feels etc but its not the only way. THATS why jazz is jazz. Jazz is a way of music, of live, its you as a being. Jazz is not a guy that studies everything, everyone and know all. Jazz is someone who has a voice, feels out, has an opinion and outs it! Jazz is a cool guy. Enjoy jazz, if you dont love jazz for what it is, instead focus ONLY (i say only because ofcourse listen to some greats, if only for fun and motivation, inspiration) on transcription etc. jazz is a guy that has gone rogue doing what he loves, learning what he wants and being a loving person full of positivity and thoughts, philosophizing about life. Not a guy that studies his ass off all the time.... thats my opinion. Too many conservatory students are focussed on playing with great technique, licks and knowledge. They forget to have fun and appreciate where it all started; love for music........ ciao!

@Digiquarium 5 жыл бұрын

It is imperative to have knowledge of the most important people in the history of the music if you are going to play it. Jazz is not a way of life, it is a way of approaching music. That's where it starts and ends. This way is comprised of rhythmic and melodic rules that, when consolidated, can be summarised as a language. The study of Jazz music does not necessarily permeate your personality, how you treat others, your family, the cleanliness of your house, your life skills or any other matter. You can only form your own sentences and refine your personal way of speaking after you've learned the fundamental principles of your language. This is the way that the most accomplished jazz musicians perceive learning the language of music. Many of the best musicians can be heard giving statements similar to this, and you nor I nor anybody else is in a position to argue with that. Can you seriously bring yourself to dispute Mulgrew Miller after hearing what he has to say and play? Have you any idea of the extent to which the most important figures of the music studied? The amount of hours Charlie Parker put in? The time required to develop instrumental technique? To not realise the facts behind these considerations is effectively disrespectful. What you write implies that you are by no means a serious student of jazz and you ought not to comment on the matter of the study of the music unless you begin the journey and subsequently become enlightened to the depth of the requirements in order to become fully acquainted with playing Jazz music.

@clustercrash2995 4 жыл бұрын

@@Digiquarium but apparently Parker didn't listened to louis, duke, or any of the cats around before he went famous. Surely he had to dig something out there, its said he loved lester young's tone, and obviously was curious and fed himself artistically but i think he just turned upside down the jazz scene by inspiration. Im not certain about it but seems like he just stepped in it. Said things like bop wasnt jazz. Bridging some of the avantgarde he liked, like Stravinsky or hindemith, with the blues. And of course his thousand hours on the horn. Yet Stravinsky himself would tell you about the importance of digesting the tradition, food for the mind. And for sure Parker cared for educating himself, listening and learning all he wanted

@JazzSoulMetal 11 жыл бұрын

GOD BLESS THE MEMORY OF THIS GREAT MAN - MULGREW MILLAR!!! As a Jazz (and other genres) pianist, I promise to live up to your legacy the best that I can!!! Such wisdom in this video!

@RonCarterBassist Жыл бұрын

I hope your journey through playing the piano has only flourished.

@nyjazzman Жыл бұрын

Every student of jazz should watch this video. Smart advice from one of the best.

@alphonsemouzon 11 жыл бұрын

May you rest in peace Mulgrew. Your music and teaching will live on forever!

@CVinyl 3 ай бұрын

Miss you both bros 😢😢😢

@rgruesbeck 13 жыл бұрын

Piano players... have you heard Mulgrew Miller...

@loveyouall66 2 жыл бұрын

"you want to play this music, you must listen to the right people." love that advice. so many of the young musicians today feel they do not need to listen to those old guys, because that is not the type of music they want to play. the thing is that what ever you want to play, you must listen to those who MASTERED their instruments.

@dongorgon4168 Жыл бұрын

So young, so talented. Sorely missed. Thanks Jazz Video Guy

@bigtoine45 13 жыл бұрын

This is a some heavy stuff. When you talk, you know what idea you want to share and how you are going to share it, from beginning to end. If I talked like I improvise, people would think I was an idiot. KZfaqrs, I just realized that all I'm communicating in my music is that i've learned my scales.... I'm going to take a nap now.

@JulianFernandez 8 жыл бұрын

Good advice...Thanks for sharing.

@MartinUherek 13 жыл бұрын

Thank God, for Mulgrew Miller. And thank you, Bret, for sharing this. True words.

@toffdiggity 14 жыл бұрын

amazing... I wish this clip was 5 hours. Knowledge is POWER! Mulgrew is KNOWLEDGE..... Good job JazzVideoGuy!!!

@bobgsearch 14 жыл бұрын

invaluable advice. thank you

@willimination1 9 жыл бұрын

Cmon jazz students, you gotta love the music to play it! I play drums, but even I've heard sonny stitt, hank mobley, lee morgan, and kai winding! Admittedly not that much each, sonny stitt with dizzy and sonny rollins, hank mobley - soul station, kai winding from some sort of all star album in the 70s, and lee morgan from Art Blakey's recordings

@Hajjmusic_ 4 жыл бұрын

Such powerful words

@StephenWrightWrightjus 8 жыл бұрын

Great advice! I have actually been doing exactly what he says.. I started in Bb MInor on the 1 then progressed to a 2-5 and back at 1..using the circle of 4ths/5ths I inserted a 6 after the 1 then went 2-5-1...The circle helps with having a logical place to go, but I imagine with jazz sometimes you don't necessarily go where expected.

@AljoniMusiCo 11 жыл бұрын

Great advice for young musicians--remember him and these words...

@carolvanrandwyk2549 9 жыл бұрын

Worth watching!

@clarkewi 6 жыл бұрын

Great teacher.

@boyan.guitar 9 жыл бұрын

hey I'm not even that young anymore and these words still apply!

@saxorona Жыл бұрын

The Countdown!! Amazing Record!

@buddyfaya8631 7 жыл бұрын

Great video

@janicebriggs3441 9 жыл бұрын

Mr.Mulgrew Miller has roots in Memphis I was born in Memphis. I was so fortunate to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in Jazz and Cotemporary Music. However I couldn't find A Private Instructor who had Time in their Schedule to Teach me. My Greatest Influences are Donald Brown and Mulgrew Miller.These Two Conceptual Techniques in Analyzation of Melody sets the Origin of Super Improvisation Possibilities. .....Why Search the World looking for The Greatest....When The World's Finest are these two......I studied some of your embodiment of Linear Improvisation Techniques in College. It really is a Difference in real Jazz Theory as to opposed to Ear Musucians. You must know the real Jazz Theory. Not fake the lines . These Gentlemen are Masters of Jazz. Like Fine Brass.......Jan Briggs .

@mario.international 11 жыл бұрын

Rest In Peace Sir Mulgrew Miller. I am mad I only got to see you play once and was going to come to the concert coming up. But wow a great legend

@MonsterPianoPlayer 2 жыл бұрын

Great Advice!! : )

@grahamhaynes9201 4 жыл бұрын

Great guy Mulgrew ! Helluva player too, one of the best.

@JazzVideoGuy 4 жыл бұрын

Couldn't agree more!

@davidcawrowl3865 7 жыл бұрын

Good ole Mulgrew, a high school classmate in Greenwood, MS.

@nemo227 4 жыл бұрын

I've heard them all . . . but I'm 80, and I've heard recordings of some of the guy that came before those mentioned. Some of the early females were outstanding too.

@peggiesings1 11 жыл бұрын

RIP~ Mulgrew....Thank you!

@SokratisVotskos 11 жыл бұрын

I liked the nap conclusion!

@bcatt 14 жыл бұрын

I miss Mulgrew.....best time of my life .......telling me whar NHOP would have done........

@shadowknight132 13 жыл бұрын

I never approached improvisation the way he does. This gives me relief because my improvisation sucks now I know what to do with my guitar.

@shields765 2 жыл бұрын

Checking in ten years later: how's your improvising going?

@earthchild100 14 жыл бұрын

genius of our time

@PamelaChiarappa2 11 жыл бұрын

I should have gone out more to have the chance to meet him...god bless him

@marilyntkeller 12 жыл бұрын

The very same principle applies to anyone who wants to sing Jazz also. I don't hear vocal instruments addressed in these forums very often or many times not at all.

@Matr2z 14 жыл бұрын

I don't think ANYONE can explain how to develop a good jazz vocabulary this well in 4 minutes like Mulgrew just did right here. Great video!

@jazzman158 12 жыл бұрын

this guy has all the answers... seriously

@robyartic 6 жыл бұрын

Great Miller!

@JazzVideoGuy 6 жыл бұрын

A remarkable man. He is missed. Big time.

@fingerfootmusic 14 жыл бұрын

All I can say is AMEN!

@astrojazzman 6 жыл бұрын

Words of wisdom

@JazzVideoGuy 6 жыл бұрын

yes, he was a remarkable man

@astrojazzman 6 жыл бұрын

Jazz Video Guy I got to hang with him Ron Carter and Russell Malone one night in California he signed my album for me great times RIP MM

@electrokat1000 13 жыл бұрын

wow this is so good!!! i am a 15 year old pianist and i am desperate to get into jazz- i just dont know how to get onto improv. thanks so much JazzVideoGuy!!!

@AGUSTINL0PEZ 8 ай бұрын

@miedhi 12 жыл бұрын

Great advice. The only thing that's wrong with this picture is that people interested in learning this music shouldn't need to spend tens of thousands of dollars per year to go to an expensive school to have someone impart this advice; it should be something that the student would know intuitively. It's obvious; listent to the masters, study their solos, learn things in different keys (12 ideally), learn harmony, study rhythm, and that's just the beginning...

@Monkforilla 4 жыл бұрын

Michael Hicks ikr too many people think going to a nice music school gives them a boost! And admittedly it does. They seem to take it for granted!

@m41incanis 3 жыл бұрын

It certainly does.

@CVinyl 3 ай бұрын

Master Teacher M.M 🕯 😢

@JazzVideoGuy 3 ай бұрын

He is missed, big time.

@FreddyPaperview 11 жыл бұрын

R.I.P.

@yelnats21 11 жыл бұрын

along with sadness that comes when you hear of the passing of such gifted musicians such as Mulgrew, Zawinul, Petterson, etc, is that all that talent is silenced and taken along with them.. not true, the gift of music is passed on, and never silenced, it is our responsibility to continue the creative stream begun by the almighty..sure, i want to hear zawinul play "a remark you made" live , but Horowitz wanted to hear Debussy play "Reverie""..this music lives or dies through us!

@MarcPlaysDrums 13 жыл бұрын

@gospelkeys07 wow you don't know wat ur missing. millers a great pianist. i was kinda fortunate cause my dad was heavy into jazz so i heard a lotta the lesser known cats as well as the popular ones.

@YoungJiBest 14 жыл бұрын

He said 'Hank Mobley' for tenor.

@NebkadBible 11 жыл бұрын

So sadly true

@Acorparation 11 жыл бұрын

that's it. He mentioned sonny stitt for the altos though. And stitt played tenor too

@joechindamo1948 5 жыл бұрын

Lovely man. Met him in Melbourne back in 1981.

@youkali22 12 жыл бұрын

"play that you meant it"

@893165009 14 жыл бұрын

The name of the ALto guy is Sunny Stit?

@horbergus 12 жыл бұрын

I was trying to hear what he was saying at 0:40, so i turned on captions, it said "well congress"

@schnieef 14 жыл бұрын

What are the odds? Today I bought the "incredible Winding trombones" :-)

@decampp 6 жыл бұрын

RIP Mulgrew

@JazzVideoGuy 6 жыл бұрын

He is missed. Big time.

@apzzpa 10 жыл бұрын

+Saxodude95 Hank Mobely

@kwameajanaku5255 10 жыл бұрын

WHILE IN MSU, I WANTED TO MAJOR IN MUSIC AND PIANO . BUT SINCE MY PASSION WAS IN ELECTRONICS, I STILL KEEP MY MIND ON MUSIC AND PIANO. THEN, I MET MULGREW MILLER MULGREW MILLER MET AT MEMPHIS STATE UNIVERSITY IN THE 1970'S I WAS PURSUING A BACHELOR DEGREE IN ELECTRONIC ENGINEER MULGREW MILLER TAUGHT ME MY 1ST PIANO LESSON "YOU ARE THE SUNSHINE OF MY LIFE". WE WERE IN A PRACTICE PIANO ROOM. AT MEMPHIS STATE UNIVERSITY AND MULGREW MILLER INVITED ME IN.. SO I STARTED COMING BY THE PRACTICE PIANO ROOM ON A REGULAR BASIS I BOUGHT A STEVIE COMPOSITION "YOU ARE THE SUNSHINE OF MY LIFE". I PUT THE MUSIC BEFORE HIM AND WOW! HE PLAYED LIKE HE OWNED IT I DIDN'T KNOW HOW MULGREW MILLER WOULD BECOME A GREAT JAZZ ARTIST I WAS IN FORT WORTH AT A JAZZ CLUB AND MET BETTY CARTER MULGREW MILLER PLAYED JAZZ FOR BETTY CARTER.

@kdfan 14 жыл бұрын

Sonny Stitt

@rayoll 14 жыл бұрын

Trombone and no Vic Dickenson reference? well since he mentioned Lee Morgan I will cut him some slack. : )

@MrScoodles 6 жыл бұрын

Perfect example of how jazz became classical. The imitate, assimilate, innovate model manufactures clones

@AMJazzy96 11 жыл бұрын

R.I.P. ;_;

@ranaair 11 жыл бұрын

Im so sad, so many people dying lately. R.i.p

@violinoscar 11 жыл бұрын

2 people (dislikes) don't want to do the hard yards

@ChrisAndrewsJazz 11 жыл бұрын

who dislikes this?

@colourfulwithaU 11 жыл бұрын

Not true...this is for experienced students of jazz who have facility on their instruments and know theory, etc. This is about taking all those words you know and turning them into something that means something. Good advice for improvisers of ALL levels.