Digging in
With
Mike Lovatt
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29 lessons (1h 2m) · 1 free
Lesson transcript
Transposition Blues Lesson: Digging Into the Time
So maybe now you've listened to the Basie band, specifically one of those numbers off the Atomic Mr. Basie album. I'm now going to apply that kind of feel, that kind of sound, to the first section of Transposition Blues.
Understanding the Feel
It's quite slow, so we need to really dig into the time and feel of it.
What Does "Digging In" Mean?
- When we play, we should really be feeling the time.
- We all have an internal body clock, it's our heart, okay? Our heart rate changes now and again.
- If you hear a really fantastic big band, and everybody's really swinging and digging in together, you will find that they sound amazing.
- This happens because they're feeling time the same way.
Playing a Solo
When we want to dig in while playing a solo:
- We can really listen to the rhythm section.
- We must make sure that we're not rushing.
- We should always keep in mind those triplets, which we've learned in previous lessons.
The Pocket
- Really be in the time, in the pocket, as we call it.
- Play in the pocket.
- Don't rush.
- Don't drag.
Example of Style
This is an example of that kind of style. You can hear that I'm really, even though there's no rhythm section with me, completely engaged with the time.
- I'm playing on my own, but I'm trying to feel as though I'm playing with a rhythm section.
- I'm really getting into that time, no rushing.
Final Thoughts
Think of that when you're playing. Always maintain this internal feeling of time.
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Meet your guru
Meet your guru
Mike Lovatt studied at Trinity College of Music, where he was awarded the Jon Kelly Jazz Scholarship. He has performed and recorded across a huge range of styles with artists including Quincy Jones, Robbie Williams, Eric Clapton, the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Michael Buble, Oasis, Michel Legrand, Tony Bennett, Shirley Bassey and Danny Elfman, among many others.
As Principal Trumpet in London's West End, Mike has performed in Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, The Producers, Billy Elliot, Guys and Dolls, Saturday Night Fever, My Fair Lady and Spamalot, amongst others. He has played on movie soundtracks including the James Bond films, Harry Potter with the London Symphony Orchestra, the award-winning Chicago, Kevin Spacey's Beyond the Sea, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Madagascar and The Corpse Bride. He is featured on trumpet and cornet in George Fenton's Mrs Henderson Presents, and on trumpet in Looking for Eric.
Mike is principal trumpet with the Grammy-nominated John Wilson Orchestra and has been featured in their celebrated BBC Promenade concerts and recordings.
Mike is sought after as a teacher and clinician, and is a professor of trumpet at the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music. In April 2013 he was proud to be awarded the prestigious Derek Watkins' Chair of Trumpet at the Royal Academy of Music, London.
In his MusicGurus courses, Mike shares the secrets behind his versatility, showing you how to nail authentic swing, rock and Latin trumpet styles so you can play any of them with confidence and the right feel.
