Why Does Your Own Playing Sound Stale to You? You’re Its Most Frequent Listener
Almost every jazz player dislikes their own playing, and the reason is arithmetic: you hear yourself more than anyone else does. Here is what actually moves you out of a slump.
Should You Learn Licks or Transcribe Solos? What You’re Really Copying Is Time Feel
Licks give you fragments. Transcribing a whole solo gives you the player's time feel — and time feel is what makes American music sound like itself. Here's why 'play what you hear' is useless advice unless someone teaches you what to listen for.
Why Drilling Scales in 12 Keys Won’t Make You a Jazz Player — Build Repertoire Instead
Drilling voicings and scales in all twelve keys only gathers ingredients — it never cooks the meal. Real jazz growth comes from learning whole tunes until you can jam them. A weekend reflection.
Jazz Guitar Practice Tips: Why Drilling One Tune Will Stop Your Growth
Most serious jazz guitar students hit the same invisible wall: they have one or two tunes they can play deeply, and everything else feels shallow. The reason is not lack of practice. It is the wrong shape of practice — and a borrowed metaphor from a Japanese comic book might be the clearest way to explain why.