wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

Comments

• [1] Richard Mitnick from Highland Park, NJ October 29, 2009 - 11:57AM

  In building my knowledge of Jazz and as a sort of guide to what I should hear, Gary Giddins' two books, "Visions of Jazz - The First Century" and "Weather Bird - Jazz at the dawn of its Second Century" have both been without parallel.

  And, for today's show, my sister, a loyal WNYC member, called to to let me know Mr.Giddins would be on. When I asked her how she knew I liked his work, she reminded me that I had extolled the books in my weblog, "Whither Public Radio and serious music" at http://richardmitnick.wordpress.com

  I am glad for the call, I apparently had an incorrect RSS feed, so I was getting nothing. I have now corrected that.

  >>RSM

  
  
• [2] Daniel from Beacon, NY October 29, 2009 - 02:13PM

  What of the long time rumor that "Jazz is dead?"

  
  
• [3] Emm from NJ October 29, 2009 - 02:13PM

  Do I understand jazz?? It's art. I enjoy it. I didn't realize I had to "understand" it.

  
  
• [4] jeffy from brooklyn October 29, 2009 - 02:13PM

  I thought jazz was a profane term for sex. I have done no research, just something I remember hearing.

  
  
• [5] Roy Byrd October 29, 2009 - 02:15PM

  What is the best way for a classical pianist to learn to improvise? (I know harmony and can read classical music well, but I'm intimidated by improvisation.)

  
  
• [6] Daniel from Beacon, NY October 29, 2009 - 02:18PM

  Miles Davis "Live-Evil" changed my life.

  
  
• [7] Daniel from Beacon, NY October 29, 2009 - 02:20PM

  Experts always said that Miles' genius was not in his playing, but in his pauses.

  
  
• [8] Twitchy from New York October 29, 2009 - 02:24PM

  Roy, I second your question. One thing that my old jazz band teacher recommended was something of a Music Minus One - called "How to Play Jazz and Improvise." (ASIN B00005Y95W) Then said band teacher gave me a whole list of jazz pianists to listen to. DON'T DO that. You'll be too hard on yourself, judging everything that you play to be sub-par. Remember that it gets easier, like most things about our instrument, with practice. Try making things on your own! Then tell me to take my own advice more often.

  
  
• [9] Linda natanagara from ocean, NJ October 29, 2009 - 02:25PM

  Thank you!

  I often feel like a little kid standing on the outside watching other kids play when I listen to jazz. I have a musical background and feel that, if I understood some things about jazz, my appreciation would grow. Some jazz doesn't always fall easily on my ears, but I want to know what everyone else is hearing that I'm missing!

  
  
• [10] Cynthia from long island October 29, 2009 - 02:33PM

  Best Gateway to Jazz is Maceo Parker "2% jazz 98% funky stuff!"

  
  
• [11] jeffy from brooklyn October 29, 2009 - 02:33PM

  CD 101.9 ? that's a jazz station, yes

  
  
• [12] Red October 29, 2009 - 03:00PM

  Roy, thanks for the question. Just wish I'd had Gary Giddin's answer to it 10 years ago, when I was a classical pianist trying to find my way in a jazz band--and intimidated to the max.

  
  
• [13] w October 29, 2009 - 10:16PM

  What da man say? if it sounds good it is good?

  
  
• [14] Aldona Elena from Brooklyn, NY October 29, 2009 - 10:19PM

  I sometimes wonder if I am supposed to understand jazz or just like or dislike it. I like some classical music and dislike other classical music, but do not ask if I understand it. Not Really. I do want to learn about both classical and jazz. Jazz seems like a very wide term covering a lot of territory. Maybe not as wide a territory as classical, but pretty wide none-the-less, as a lot of very different music gets called jazz.

  
  
• [15] Aldona Elena from Brooklyn, NY October 29, 2009 - 10:26PM

  I wonder why the question is do I understand jazz rather than do I like this particular piece or not. I like some classical music and dislike other classical music, and enjoy learning about ALL music, but I do not really feel that I MUST UNDERSTAND all that I hear. Sometimes understanding DOES change my experience of music, sometimes it does not. Who is it that says, "if it sounds good, it IS good." I kind of like that.