Az Jazz Guitar Lessons #4: Enjoying the Process & Your Present State

There is elitism in jazz.

Sometimes more experienced jazz musicians look down on the younger players who are at an early stage of their musical development. Sometimes professionals look down to hobbyists musicians. Sometimes, "insert x group of people" look down to "insert y group of people".

For me, regardless of what level you are at, it's important to be present and appreciate the experiences you have.

• Maybe you learned one new chord voicing that you liked.
• Maybe you transcribed a jazz guitar lick that you really love completely by ear.
• Maybe you learned a new song.

Of course, there's always debate about the best way to learn music (by ear instead of reading it from the Real Book, learning 3 to 7 versions of the song by ear from definitive recordings, being able to play the song in the style/vibe/groove like all the classic recordings).

There's of course an ideal high standard that we can aim for and try to achieve so that we can prove how 'authentic' or how 'real' or how much better we are compared to another musician. But this to me, sometimes - this can be blinding and spread negative energy.

• Maybe you can only play a few jazz guitar licks but you're really happy when you play them.
• Maybe you're in music college and you're NOT the best guitarist there with a full scholarship.
• Maybe you can play a jazz standard but it's only using the "Real Book Changes" that some musicians despise.

I'm not suggesting you to be mediocre, far from that. What I'm suggesting is that at every stage of your journey, to savour and appreciate where you're coming from, where you are and where you're going.

It may be not perfect but it can still be beautiful. You can still be happy on the way to your highest self.

• Appreciate the moment.
• Keep on learning.
• Keep on growing.
• Learn new things every day.
• When you learn something new, add that to your existing knowledge.
• Repeat.

Good luck!

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If you're interested to learn more in depth on this topic or level up your guitar playing ,music theory or songwriting or composing skills. get in touch with me for private lessons in Kuala Lumpur or worldwide via Skype/Zoom/Facetime etc.

Contact me here: http://www.azsamad.com/contact

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My new e-book, Jazz Guitar Licks and Etudes is now available:
http://www.azsamad.com/book2

My first e-book, Jazz Improvisation Uncovered is here:
http://www.azsamad.com/book

[Az Jazz Guitar Lessons]
Az Jazz Guitar Lessons #1: The importance of listening
Az Jazz Guitar Lessons #2: Learning the 5 Essential Jazz Chords
Az Jazz Guitar Lessons #3: Seven Guitarists to Check Out

[Performances]
Zee Avi & Az Samad - Cry Me A River
Chendering (Malaysian jazz song) with Roby Lakatos, Denis Chang, Az Samad and Zulhilmy Zulkifli

[Music Education]
How to spot a good music teacher
How to write a song in 6 steps
How to learn music
If we have the Internet, why do people even need guitar lessons?

[Music Career]
I wanna be a full-time musician... should I?
When are you ready to perform for that big gig?