looking for constructive criticism please

[tww001]

I just posted some recordings of a trio I play with on MySpace. I would really appreciate some constructive criticism and feedback to help the trio improve, whether it be specific or general. Thanks in advance!

myspace.com/timwolfejazz

[Rumble Bee]

Sounds great to me. I like it.

[tww001]

Thanks, anything in there you think could be a little different/better?

[fingers]

Hey. I think the playing sounds good. Nice solo on Blue Monk. A couple things that jumped out at me.

Arrangements - I feel like when you (all of us) are playing tunes that have been played a million times before by the heaviest cats for the last 50 years the tune has to be arranged. Two things happen here. First you make the tune more personal. You make the tune your own. Second, you get really inside the tune and approach playing it with a different mindset. I try to arrange as much as possible since I am in the business of playing standards sometimes. Arrangements don't even have to be some huge intellectual endeavor either. Some little feel change or simple reharm may do the trick.

Dynamics - Take Blue Monk. The piano solo is pretty even all the way through. I found myself tuning out after a while. Try some stuff to break it up - broken swing or two beat or dynamic differences or pedal points etc. I always have the overall shape of the solo or even the entire tune in my head as I play.

I am working on my ballad playing right now so I don't feel qualified to speak Blue in Green. Maybe somebody else can.

Overall solid playing. Now just own the material you choose.

[tww001]

Thanks, fingers! I appreciate the help, I agree that dynamics is definitely something that could be utilized much more with this group. It's the piano player's gig, but I will mention the idea of doing some arrangements (he is a composer, playing is secondary for him, so this probably shouldn't be a big deal). Perhaps I could just write some of my own and bring them. to gigs.

[fingers]

I have a few simple arrangements that I have done that I try to slip in the mix if the gig needs it and the leader is receptive. Nothing charted... just simple things like a G minor vamp over the A sections of Autumn Leaves (assuming you are playing it in G minor) or an Eb pedal in the bridge of All or Nothing At All (assuming you are in A minor) or a slight feel change to a latin instead of a plain bossa nova. Or just cook some up on the spot. Whatever. Just helps to break things up and sometimes bring some of the other cats on the gig to life too.

Just make sure the leader is cool with it. Some leaders want to be in total control and want you to play things the 'traditional' way.

I save the more involved ones with charts and all for gigs I book or leaders that are excited for people to take the initiative.