When I was a little kid, “infinity” meant something really big or really far. It was something “out there,” unreachable and abstract. My head would hurt trying to contemplate it. “So what’s beyond that?” After awhile, I didn’t bother to contemplate it. Beyond my understanding, it became a waste of … [Read more...] about Little Infinities All Around
Physical and Mental Programming
Strength and Character
Back in 1983 or ’84 I was on a gig with Tony Bennett at Harrah’s in Reno, a double bill with Nancy Wilson and her wonderful band with MD Michael Wolff, John B Williams and Roy McCurdy. (I had played some brunches at Fat Tuesday’s with Michael, so I knew him prior to this gig.) Also on that gig with … [Read more...] about Strength and Character
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
How to Play a Great Jazz Solo
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
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