How to the world’s best jazz musicians learn the skills that set them on that path?
Sax School member Charles Benoit finds out what it’s like studying jazz saxophone at one of the most prestigious music colleges in the world – the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, USA.
The Eastman School of Music
Drop in Java Joe’s coffee shop in Rochester, New York, and you’ll find students from the legendary Eastman School of Music huddled over laptops, scores, and double-caff cappuccinos. Among them, saxophonists in Eastman’s Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media degree program, a competitive and demanding program that helped shape the careers of some of the world’s best musicians.
Missed the application deadline? No worries – Charles Pillow, Assistant Professor of Jazz Saxophone, shares what life is like for his students.
Lots of playing
It’s no surprise that becoming a top musician involved hours and hours of practice.
“They’re playing all the time.
They have instructor-led small groups that meet for two hours during which students play through various repertoire in the jazz idiom.
Then there are master classes twice a week for each instrument once a week. We go over ways to articulate, look at transcribed solos and analyze the harmonic information, et cetera. Students also have jazz history and large ensemble classes. I run a group called Saxology which is five saxophones and a rhythm section. That’s a lot of fun.
And they’re practicing on top of that. They’re busy 10-12 hours a day with various types of playing.”
Transcribing
If you’re studying jazz saxophone, learning from the greats through transcribing is a key element of that process.
“I’m always asking, ‘What transcription are you working on right now?’ That’s because playing along with a transcription of a solo is learning to think like that person, almost like you’re getting a lesson from them.
And articulation – when you practice articulation, everything else gets better.”
“It’s also important to always be learning a new harmonic device to input into a solo. I’m always asking, “What’s your latest 2-5 lick?”
I don’t have a practice time limit for my students, it depends on their schedule and workload. Forty-five minutes on a specific skill is great, but even just fifteen minutes spent on scales, fifteen minutes spent on transcribing keeps your brain moving forward.”
Listening skills
“Careful, detailed listening. I challenge students to see if they can tell the difference between Dexter Gordon and Stan Getz in three notes. Do the same with any musicians you’re into. It’ll help you find your own sound.”
Process
Even players studying jazz saxophone at Eastman experience self-doubt.
“Everyone, regardless of their level, feels like they’re not good enough. It’s a constant vigil. I tell students that the process is rather simple, but the work is long and arduous. Just do the work and focus on the long term, not ‘can I get better between now and 3:30?’ Trust the process.”
Tips for you
There’s loads of great tips from Charles here that we can all use in our learning when we are studying jazz saxophone – whether that’s at a music college like The Eastman School, or at home with Sax School Online.
- There’s no substitute for a solid, regular practice routine. Our Technique Tuesday series will help you hone the skills you need to nail your jazz playing such as articulation, finger speed, embouchure and more
- Learn from legendary players by detailed listening. Our Explore Jazz series dive deep into the jazz canon, guiding you through the melody, harmonic construction and improvisational concepts – including jamming with host tutor Joel Purnell
- Trust the learning process. Structured learning, support from great tutors and encouragement from other players on the same path as you will keep you moving forward.
If you want to develop your own jazz saxophone skills, check out Sax School Online with a 14 day free trial. Click the link to get started.