Practise Notes

The word for today is EMBODIMENT

embodiment

ɪmˈbɒdɪmənt/

noun

noun: embodiment; plural noun: embodiments

  1. a tangible or visible form of an idea, quality, or feeling.

    "she seemed to be a living embodiment of vitality"

    synonyms:personification, incarnation, incorporation, realization, manifestation, expression, representation, actualization, concretization, symbol, symbolization; More

    • the representation or expression of something in a tangible or visible form.

      "it was in Germany alone that his hope seemed capable of embodiment"

      synonyms:personification, incarnation, incorporation, realization, manifestation, expression, representation, actualization, concretization, symbol, symbolization; More

One thing I've learned is that musical language, not technical exercises, is the fastest route to embodying a new technique. With that in mind I have been focussing on utilising my unorthodox right hand technique to perform saxophone lines by Parker and Coltrane. One practical reason for this is that musical language involves a blend of techniques to communicate and idea, thus integrating techniques into the lexicon of pre existing embodied musical language (music & technique). Conversely limiting oneself to only working on exercises, scales etc is the equivalent to body building: you might look the part but you won't develop any real world functionality.     

Today's Activity Breakdown

Warm-Up Routine

Confirmation (Parker's solo)

The technical focus in this practise (and most of my technical practise these days) was all about finding what's possible with my extended right hand technique. I've been digging on the Parker and Coltrane Omnibooks for this. 

PW Farrell1 Comment