A question for you today. As jazz violinists, when you practice, do you mainly work on “how” you execute your notes or “what” notes you play?

Hello everyone! My name is Mason. I'm from the USA and play violin in the North Carolina A&T University Jazz Ensemble. I'm fairly new to improvising, but I thought I'd share one of my better attempts! I'm hoping to improve while on summer break so I can come back stronger next semester.

workin mostly on something else lately, but this piece is just so much fun 🤯

I’ve made my living performing music of different genres for many years, but have always had a hankering to play jazz violin. Beginning in the March 2021 pandemic lockdown, I decided to apply myself more seriously to the task. I have availed of many online resources and courses since then, picking up bits and pieces along the way. I met Matt at ‘Malaga Manouche’ last November, a gypsy jazz workshop weekend, where he was one of the violin tutors. I was immediately taken by his great playing, his quirky humour, and his obvious interest in communicating his knowledge to others. I subsequently joined his online SKOOL practice club, and can honestly say that it has given my study of jazz violin real direction and structure. The weekly guided group practice is something I always look forward to. Enclosures, chromaticism, arpeggios, and many other technical aspects of jazz language are drilled in a very melodic and enormously satisfying way. There is a huge amount packed into these 50 minute sessions. We are regularly encouraged to post video clips of our progress for comment by Matt and fellow students, and I enjoy this supportive community vibe. I book a one to one lesson every few weeks when I feel that my particular issues need some focus, but apart from this, Matt is always extremely giving of his time and experience when anyone needs guidance. I don’t mean to come across as a slathering sycophant, but this is certainly the best thing that’s happened to me in my jazz violin journey. Thank you Matt.

I’m mainly hanging out with family today and tomorrow, I’m sat in a park in south east London right now not really doing much moving because I injured my knee… This afternoon at 4pm however I’m jumping on zoom for a free workshop “getting started with jazz violin”, just for you LJV skoolers. It’s for violinists who are totally new to jazz who want a simple way in. You can sign up via the link below or in the calendar section up top. https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/cWbXLCGRSPOcRwg_nXlFUA#/registration Let me know in the comments what you are up to this weekend! If you are practising, why not show us what you are up to with a video?