Quote:

I am lost on one point of the original concept of the thread. "Will BIAB help me play jazz better".

The effective answer to that question is "No. Nothing will help YOU play better but a lot of practice."





Hi Eddie,

My aim with BiaB is pretty similar to yours, and I certainly agree with the general points that you made. But I'd come at it from a somewhat different angle, so my answer to the question would be "Yes, it can help you play jazz better". My reasoning goes something like this:

    1. Jazz Focus. BiaB is surprisingly strong on jazz. Rather than just giving a quick nod in the direction of jazz, as some programs might, it features a wide range of jazz styles. That alone should make it worth a close look for a student of jazz.

    2. Motivation and Ease. The biggest factors in whether we just think something is a good idea, and whether we actually DO it usually boils down to two things - motivation and ease. Do I still feel like doing something after the first enthusiasm wears off, and how easy is it to carry out? In my opinion, the quality of the results, and the relative ease with which I can get a useful result (compared to reading a lot of books or researching, tracking down, and buying multiple CDs) puts a tick in both boxes for me.

    3. Learning Value. One of the huge bonuses of BiaB for me - across all styles - is its value as a tool for learning. I don’t know all there is to know about the structural differences between the different musical genres, or what characterises the variations in their sub-styles. The more I listen, the more I realise how little I do know… BiaB is proving to be an excellent teacher. I can study the demo songs and see what makes them work. Or I can put together a chord progression, and listen carefully to what BiaB does with it, depending on the chosen style. Then pick another style, listen again, and hear what BiaB does differently with the same progression and so on. If all I ever did with BiaB was use it that way I’d consider it worth the price. They say that with some styles “All you need is 3 chords and the truth”, but jazz can be anything from fairly simple to very complex and intellectual in approach. Knowledge is valuable, and can definitely contribute to being a better player. Knowing what you’re aiming at and why can be a huge asset.


That’s how it strike me anyway. I’d say that BiaB can definitely help somebody become a better jazz player.

Cheers,

Chris