I have heard his name around for the past year or so but I had never heard him play, other than on MySpace. Happy to say I was not disappointed; great sound, deep harmonic sense and a time feel to die for. He gave our students a great class and when he fielded questions, I got some insight into one of my own weaknesses. I asked him if he could share any strategies for becoming fluid in odd meters. This is something I really have a problem with and I know with the circles he runs in he has had some experience with this. His explanation hit home with me. He said basically he had a breakthrough in his comfort level with odd meters when he got his playing in three together. My jaw dropped a bit because upon reflection, my three is not together. Whenever I do a tune in three my playing feels very stilted and tight. I really should focus on three and see if it helps me deal with meters. I have to say that I am encouraged that he could isolate something as "simple" as "get your three together" and that it resonated so deeply with me.
There is never a "magic key".
I just finished writing a waltz to use as a tool to work on this...
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