1. INTRODUCE YOURSELF Copy this format and comment below: • your name • where you’re from • your musical background • what you’re trying to achieve in your playing 2. MAKE YOUR FIRST POST This could be: • a jazz violin video you like • a question about learning jazz • or something you’ve found helpful to practice 3. BUILD UP YOUR POINTS As you comment and post, you’ll earn points in the community. These points move you up through the levels. Once you reach Level 2, you’ll unlock all of the free courses in the classroom, including: • 5 Simple Licks in G • Jazz Bowing • Honeysuckle Rose • Jazz Listening List •. Harmony Lessons BONUS There’s a poll below this post. Let me know what you’re most interested in improving in your playing, it helps me shape the material in here

What is the one thing you have found hardest moving into playing jazz? Give us some more details in the comments if you like.

Made this video for YT. Have I missed anyone out?

My stride piano playing father ended every tune he ever played with this ending and I never knew it was from I Got Rhythm

When I first got to music college I was probably one of the least “together” players. I had had a disjointed musical journey, not really focusing on anything for longer than a few months. I didn’t have the usual trajectory of a violinist who was going to make it as a professional. My classical playing was pretty bad and my technique wasn’t great. I grew up around jazz though as my grandfather was a “trad” jazz musician. Also as a violinist on a jazz course, you really have to prove yourself tenfold for anyone to really accept what you do, or at least you did back when I was there. I hadn’t really managed to prove anything to anyone during the first year. I didn’t sound very good. Through blind determination however I had decided that this was going to work. I practised a lot. I took classes with a classical teacher to help with technique, I went to all the classes and I stayed at home through most of my student years practising. I was a couple of years older than everyone else so I wasn’t that bothered about going out clubbing. By the end of college I had certainly made some big jumps but the biggest jump was when I moved to London. I had gigs with different musicians 4 or 5 nights a week playing tunes I didn’t know. These were musicians I respected and were a lot better than me. I can’t say I “enjoyed” all the gigs as I do now but there was still an element of fun for sure. My advice to anyone starting out or looking to make some jumps in their playing is to find some time to get out and play at a jam or find someone who might be willing to just “have a play”. it can be hard when you don’t live in a big city to find the people but there is always some way to do it. Usually finding the closest jam session to you and making connections there. My 10 tunes course is a great way to get ready for playing with others. It has everything you need to move from the practise room to a jam session. Find it in the classroom, upgrade to access or buy it outright.