Early on, you’re taught to play only the ‘right’ notes.

Then you find out you can add color with tension and notes outside of the ‘right’ notes.

Great jazz musicians will take you on a journey, but they’ll bring you back with resolution.

Got this message from Andrew:

Another thing I HAVE LEARNED; first, there is never a wrong note,  is that the resolution you are seeking? contrast, suspense color. It’s in the resolution, never Wrong.

My response:

That’s pretty true about resolution, some jazz guys get waaaay out and then come back.  But if you never make it back…. haha

I think it’s a balance of you, the group, and the audience.  If the audience is ready to go where you’re taking them and you lead them there then it will work.  The tension and color will be a cool thing that holds their interest.

If you just turbo-charge light years away from anything they’ve ever heard, it may not work as well.

For the debut of Stravinsky’s ‘Rite of Spring’ in 1913, the audience’s reaction was very negative, but not too long after the premier, the public loved it.

To hear more about the Stravinsky and some other ideas about musicality in language, check this out:
View Full Audio on WNYC