YOU NEED TO PLAY MORE

I've been spending a lot of time lately, studying and listening to Lester Young. Considered by many to have been one of the main architects of what we now know as jazz tenor saxophone, Mr. Young had a detached style and an approach that was all his own and in the day, considered highly original. 

He was a working sax player and all accounts say he was always up for a jam session, even if it meant losing sleep.  He, like every other musician in his era, played long hard hours. It was an expectation first, but also a deeply ingrained part of their culture. For example, listen to Young's solo in this Count Basie recording from 1928. It was made around 10 in the morning -- after the band had played a 9 pm to 5 am gig and then jammed before the recording session. 

And still, they played the session with energy and verve.

Most of us don't play nearly as much as our saxophone forebears. And that is precisely what we need to be doing -- playing as much as is possible.  We don't play nearly enough.

And by that, I mean playing, not practicing. Jamming with others, playing gigs, one-nighters, whatever. 

Play more -- and everything about your own musicianship will improve.

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