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The journey through jazz is one of continuous discovery, where mastering the nuances and embracing the genre’s rich traditions can elevate your musicianship.  Musicians tend to think that one’s improvisation on a tune is of paramount importance, but there are many more things that being a strong soloist that goes into being a good jazz musician.  I was at a local jazz jam session recently and took notes on some of the common pitfalls that can plague amateur jazz musicians without their knowing it, and very few, if any, of them have to do with the content of the solos.

1. Ignoring Intros and Endings

Neglecting the craft of intros and endings can lead to unpolished performances. Pro tip: Practice creating spontaneous intros and endings by listening to how classic recordings begin and conclude. Mimic these in your practice sessions.

2. Missing Non-Verbal Cues

Overlooking the subtle cues between musicians disrupts the flow of music. Pro tip: Sharpen your awareness of non-verbal communication during rehearsals and live performances to ensure seamless transitions.

3. Inconsistent Tempos

Struggling with tempo maintenance can undermine the groove. Pro tip: Use a metronome in practice, experimenting with various tempos to build internal consistency.

4. Losing Track of the Form

Forgetting the form leads to confusion. Pro tip: Follow along with the form of recordings, using sheet music to visually track progressions.

5. Poor Verbal Communication

Unclear communication can result in disjointed performances. Pro tip: Practice articulating the tune, key, and feel before each song in rehearsals to improve clarity and mutual understanding.

6. Not Knowing Common Jazz Etiquette

Inappropriate behavior during sessions can alienate others. Pro tip: Read the article “How to Jam” especially section III: Jam Etiquette.

7. Relying Too Much on Sheet Music

Over-dependence on written music hampers freedom. Pro tip: Challenge yourself to memorize a new standard each week, focusing on both melody and harmony.

8. Lack of Stylistic Versatility

Sticking to comfortable genres limits growth. Pro tip: Dedicate part of your practice routine to exploring less-familiar styles and tempos, perhaps even arranging a well-known tune in a new style.

9. Not Being Able to Transpose

Reliance on technology for transposition stifles adaptability.  If you can’t transpose a tune easily, you don’t understand it’s intervallic structure well enough. Pro tip: Work on transposing familiar tunes into new keys as part of your regular practice to enhance flexibility.

10. Overlooking Aural Skills

Neglecting ear training can isolate you from the ensemble. Pro tip: Practice playing along with recordings, focusing on matching reharmonizations and chord changes by ear.

11. Limited Rhythmic Understanding

A predictable rhythm can make music feel flat. Pro tip: Don’t mark the downbeat of every section during a drum solo, for example.  Explore complex rhythmic patterns to diversify your playing.

12. Limited Reading Ability

Weak sight-reading limits on-the-spot creativity. Pro tip: Incorporate sight-reading melodies into your daily practice.  Also practice soloing on changes you’ve never seen before on the fly.

13. Failing to Convey Emotion

Playing without emotion can leave performances feeling sterile.  Music is a conversation, not just with your bandmates but with your audience as well.  Pro tip: Reflect on what each piece means to you and let that guide your expression.  Record yourself soloing and listen to it on a different day.  Does it have emotion?

14. Playing on Every Song

Dominating every tune can stifle a group’s dynamic. Pro tip: Recognize when to step back and allow others to shine. Your contribution can sometimes be more powerful in restraint.

15. Neglecting Dynamics

Amateurs often overlook dynamics, missing out on how loudness and softness shape a performance. Pros use dynamics to add depth and interest, making music more expressive. Quiet moments become introspective, and loud ones, impactful. Pro tip: Vary the dynamic levels in your phrases. Record and review your playing to hear the difference. Work on crescendos and decrescendos to gain dynamic control. This enhances both solo and ensemble performances, helping you blend in or stand out as needed.

By consciously working to avoid these common errors and integrating the pro tips into your practice, you’ll be on your way to not just playing jazz, but truly living it, contributing to the genre’s vibrant, ever-evolving legacy.