In Reply to: Re: Jazzmine or Jazzmean posted by Farmer on February 06, 2010 at 01:08:56:
There is this idea that with "freedom" comes ease, that the road is no longer straight and narrow. For me, with freedom comes responsibility, and the road seems even more narrow and difficult to negotiate when there are so many turns and possibilities. Things have to add up and make sense in the long run. There has to be truth and simplicity. There are also many ways to check my progress and know that I am growing. I am bound by my own scruples and am constantly aware of what I have to overcome. It can be a really lonely on the road alone, with no likeminded souls around. Still, I feel I have grown a whole lot more than if I were bound to the fellowship of a church.
Incidentally, I was in a church yesterday, and the priest said a lot of wise things, and everyone around me found it so feeding except me. I agreed with him, but what he said was not so profound and awakening. For me, that Voice comes from so many sources, be it nature, music, mathematics, a conversation somewhere, something I read in the news, etc.
About scales in Jazz, scales are important but it's not the scales, but rather how they sit on the chord progressions. On the outside, it sounds like Jazz musicians are practicing scales all day, but on the inside, they are transplanting them over many key centers and harmonic situations, training for fluidity. There is saying in music, that you learn the scales so you can forget them.
Anyway, don't overuse the Jazz analogy for my faith, as I do enjoy simple music too. Complication itself is not the rule. The idea is also finding simplicity through it all.
Peace unto you!