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saxophone violin

November 1, 2005 at 10:13 PM

I recently had a violin birthday, it has been 3 years since I first started to study violin with a teacher so if I had started violin when I was 5 I would now be 8. I remember thinking if they show me how to play a 2 octave g major scale correctly, I sould be able top play bach, the money ran out so I was not able to take lessons for very long. I remember the bow used to bounce all the time and the intonation was awful. Now I can play 4 movements of solo Bach sonatas, not very well but when I take lessons again i'll already know where the notes are.

So anyways most of you know I have recently become involved with a really knowledgeable jazz musician, his name is Ron and he plays clairinet, tenor sax, flute, piano and bass. Ron studied at the Berklee School of music and last night he told me he used to play in an ensemble with Branfrd Marsalis when he was at Berklee.

Everytime we play togather we play a different piece every time, its really fun and interesting to try to play over different chord changes and there is always something different to play. We are writig music ad soon will start recording, the first 2 chords of the new tune I want to record are A maj7#5 to E maj7(#11). Maybe Ill have some recordings for you soon? Very recetly Ron said we may be able to form a full blown band instead of just a duet like we have been doing. Im really excited about recording with a full band again.

I recently met someone else who plays guitar and has a digital recorder. I plan on showing him the tunes and then play the melodies on violin so everyhing Im learning from Ron I can convert to violin.

Here are links to a few of the pieces we are playing, you should try some of these:

A Lotus on Irish Streams - some people have been asking about a violin guitar duet on the discussion board - this one should fit the bill nicely. This is a gorgeous melody written by guitarist John McLaughlin that appears on tyhe first Mahavishnu recording

Blue In Green - a real jazz classic written by Miles Davis that appears on the famed Kind of Blue cd, this is one of the first jazz tunes I started to learn on my own about 10 years ago

Afro Blue - we could play this for 30 minutes, a great tue to really stretch out on and play exteded improv. This is on the live at birdland cd by John Coltrane

Naima - a wonderful ballad written by john coltrane that would come across great on the violin, you can hear this on his imoratal cd, giant steps

Very Early - a tune by bill evans, my favorite jazz pianist - I absolutely love this man's sound

Waltz For Debby - another tune by bill evans - the harmonic movement on this is extremely unique - you will never find anything else with this progression

My Foolish Heart - an gorgeous standard with intensely rich harmony - bill evans used to love playing this

stay tuned...

cheers
scott (muggle violinist)
visit my webpage

Scott, it's good to hear from you again. You broaden my musical horizon with your discussion of violin and jazz. Happy third anniversary to you and your violin.