Did you know that the first semblance of bebop played on the violin might not have been Jean-Luc Ponty, as a lot of people think? Has anyone ever heard of Harry Lookofsky? He was a classical violinist who led the orchestra on loads of L.A. string sessions, including many of the famous “jazz musician with strings” recordings you might have heard. But he also loved jazz, and in 1959 he recorded a great album called Stringsville. The album has lots of really hip arrangements of well-known jazz tunes and some completely wild solos played by Harry. The interesting thing is that he didn’t improvise. He got his jazz musician friends, including Hank Jones and Bob Brookmeyer, to help him write the solos and work on the arrangements. The lines are full of bebop language and he swings really hard, but he didn’t improvise a note. What do you think?

Hi all, We’ve been working hard on the tune Avalon this last month in the practise club. Post a video of you improvising over the tune and get some feedback and encouragement from the group! Use the backing track here! https://youtu.be/97k8jD9Bgd4?si=OLDCdx8RubuKPyyg Here’s my version!

Why is sometimes not the easiest question to answer. I know that I got into playing jazz because my grandfather helped me at the start. However I think the “why” is that when I was a teenager I played the violin, but I wasn’t great at reading music and I naturally preferred learning by ear and just sort of playing around with music. I went through lots of music obsessions when I was young. Metal, hip hop, classic rock, country, folk. I remember being at youth orchestra rehearsal across town with a bunch of kids who I didn’t know and not really feeing like I fitted in with anyone. I wasn’t really interested int he music we were playing at the time, I was the worst violinist there and I didn’t really feel any motivation to become the best. I played drums at school too, I would give up my lunch break to go to a rehearsal room with my friends and make noise. Learning to improvise on the violin gave me the opportunity to use my natural skills in learning by ear. It meant I could jam with other people and made me feel like I could really CREATE, but I could do it with the violin this time. I still feel out of place in an orchestra but I’m at home in a rehearsal room trying to work out a nice arrangement for a jazz tune. What about you?

Hi all, I’ve created a simple pathway specifically for beginner jazz violinists to help you get the most out of what I do and know exactly where to start. Its attached to this post! If you’re not sure where to begin, just head to:👉 Classroom →Membership/Course Info It walks you through the pathway step-by-step and shows you what’s included at each membership level. If you’d like access to everything, you can join: 🎻 Premium – Unlock all courses and materials 🎻 VIP – All courses + weekly live classes + replays Or you can purchase most of the courses for a one time fee. As always, feel free to ask any questions. Excited for you to dig in!

https://youtu.be/BPELtu3Qb2E?si=NEhb0ZK-EYXHc9OH