Jazz Technique Misconceptions

It is a common mistake that Jazz musicians have bad technique. People that I have spoken to, who don`t have a lot of knowledge about about jazz (often parents who want the best for their children), look unfavourably upon jazz music because they think it leads to bad habits on the instrument and a lack of control/technique. I admit there are examples where this has been the case, however, this is only due to bad instruction and improper methods of improvising. In order to become a good jazz musician, correct technique is paramount- all bases must be covered because the very nature of improvising means that you may want to play a certain phrase which requires a certain technique; if this technique is not mastered, then this can lead to bad habits, hence why good technical facility is essential when becoming a good jazz musician!

As jazz music evolves, so does the need for good instrumental technique. About 100 years ago when jazz was starting to develop, the musicians were mainly self taught. The music was complex to a degree, but by no means virtuosic, so with their varied instrumental capabilities, the earliest jazz musicians were able to get by without proper tuition because the music didn`t suffer for it. As the years went by, the music became more demanding technically, aurally, and mentally, so the importance of proper musical training increased. Fast forward to the year 2000 and we had the likes of Wynton Marsallis, who was the first person to win grammies for classical and jazz performance in the same year; and Michael Brecker who was nothing short of a virtuoso by anyone`s standards- a true master of the Saxophone, and pioneer in the field of electronic instruments. So much is required of the modern jazz musician that bad technique is simply not possible. So to put any uncomfortable feelings towards jazz music to rest- jazz is not the instigator of bad technique, but it should be every reason a person needs, to have the best technique possible.