To become a jazz musician, choose an instrument, receive training in jazz performance and composition, and practice objective self-assessment. Memorize jazz standards and consider recording and promoting music online to start a career.
Aspiring to become a jazz musician is a dream for many music enthusiasts. To make this dream a reality, dedication, objective self-assessment, and talent are necessary components. While there is no one way to become a jazz musician, anyone seriously considering a career as a teacher or professional performer must be willing to put in years of training and concerted effort.
The path to becoming a jazz musician starts with choosing an instrument. Traditional jazz instruments include piano, drums, saxophone, trumpet and flute, as well as vocalists. Almost any instrument, however, can also be adapted to suit jazz music, from cellos to trombones. Some musicians choose to specialize in just one instrument, while others may learn to master several over time. Those who want to become jazz music teachers may need to learn at least one instrument in all of the major categories: percussion, brass, woodwind, and strings.
After choosing an initial instrument, it is important to receive training in jazz performance and composition. Jazz training is often significantly different from classical training and may emphasize skills such as harmony, improvisation, and rhythm. In addition to taking music classes and learning to read music, jazz education can be greatly enhanced by listening to live and recorded jazz, participating in jazz bands or choirs, and reading about the history of the genre. The time to master an instrument can vary between individuals, but many jazz musicians emphasize that a true musician never stops learning.
An important step necessary to becoming a jazz musician is competent and objective assessment. Many musicians record their practice sessions to review their performance and find out where more work is needed. It can also be helpful to have a private trainer who can point out specific problems and suggest possible solutions or methods of improvement. A willingness to listen to constructive criticism and apply solutions can be crucial to mastering an instrument.
Although new jazz music is constantly being composed, the form also draws heavily on a historical repertoire of songs called “patterns”. In order to become a jazz musician, it is important to work on memorizing as many jazz standards as possible so that almost any request for a specific song can be fulfilled. Music stores often carry large music books of jazz standards, many in abbreviated versions that contain basic chords and lyrics to ease the memorization process.
While it’s certainly possible to become a jazz musician simply for the fun of it, many people hope to turn a talent for the style into a career. Finding a job as a jazz musician is generally easier in cities that have many music clubs and a strong music performance culture; although even rural areas have occasional concerts available. It is also possible to start a jazz career by recording at home and releasing songs on online forums, using social networks to promote a new album.
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