Many jazz musicians believe that playing a great solo is a matter of playing melodies that fit over the chords. They learn chordal scales, standard “licks” that fit over them, pentatonics, arpeggios, patterns, etc–and believe that doing this as virtuosically as possible will lead to a … [Read more...] about How to Play a Great Jazz Solo
Jon Burr’s Blog
Peel Garlic Fast – Video
Fresh garlic is great, but peeling it can take forever - but not any more!Try this simple hack.Video shot by Koko Burr... :) https://youtu.be/cYdd_qc2o14 … [Read more...] about Peel Garlic Fast – Video
Reviews of Jon Burr’s Playing
Performance reviews: "Newcomer Jon Burr...is a technical master, for whom `In a Sentimental Mood' and `Blue Monk' were perfect frameworks."—Leonard Feather, Los Angeles Times"Burr erected solid foundations and filled his accompaniment with clever embellishments as well. His unaccompanied `Makin' … [Read more...] about Reviews of Jon Burr’s Playing
Little Muscles Causing Big Problems
There are so many essential little muscles hidden away controlling our posture and defining our self-concept, we’re usually not aware of them until something goes wrong.Creatures of Habit Every body has different habits, strengths and weaknesses, and different histories of fitness and muscle tone. … [Read more...] about Little Muscles Causing Big Problems
Learn to Run | Improve Metabolism
Dieting is a Mistake ! “Losing weight” is an unhealthy goal to pursue. Using a weight scale as your measure of progress usually leads to muscle loss with fat loss, causing serious damage to your metabolism. Metabolism has to be healthy to maintain healthy weight, and adequate muscle mass is crucial. … [Read more...] about Learn to Run | Improve Metabolism
The Metabolism of Fat in Aerobic Exercise
Fruit, running and the House Money There’s fat in sweat. Fat liberated from the cells by aerobic exercise is used as fuel *and* eliminated through the skin as a component of sweat. There’s also fat in feces. Flavonoids in fruit increase the fat content of … [Read more...] about The Metabolism of Fat in Aerobic Exercise
Weight Walking for Musicians – Core Strengthening for endurance and improved performance
Nobody ever told me to do this. I wish they had, years ago. As a typical music geek kid, I wasn’t into sports as a youngster, preferring to practice, listen to and play music. Consequently I had poor muscle tone, particularly in my upper body. I had “grampa bod” at the age of 14. A massage therapist … [Read more...] about Weight Walking for Musicians – Core Strengthening for endurance and improved performance
Jon Burr Quintet News | CD release Events
"Very Good Year" is out, and up on iTunes, Amazon and CDBaby.We've been getting some good press! Review on axs.com: “Now we’re talking. Hard bop jazz fans need look no further than this new record, Very Good Year, by the Jon Burr Quintet, coming out on Oct. 10, 2015. Led by a monster bass player, … [Read more...] about Jon Burr Quintet News | CD release Events
Why Jazz is Struggling to Survive
Bad Composition Too many jazz guys tend to think that composition is putting together a string of “cool” chords, writing a melody consisting of patterns that fit over the chords over some hip rhythms, and then improvising by playing more patterns over their cool chord progression. … [Read more...] about Why Jazz is Struggling to Survive
Get With The Bass
Attention: Drummers and Bandleaders - Get With The Bass! “Where the bass puts it is where it is.” These are not my words - they’re Milt Hinton’s. If you want your music to feel right, you need a good bass player. He/she has more influence on how your band feels than anyone else on the bandstand. … [Read more...] about Get With The Bass