For many music lovers, becoming a jazz musician is a dream come true. Dedication, objective self-assessment, and talent are all necessary components in making that dream a reality. Though there is no one-size-fits-all approach to becoming a jazz musician, anyone serious about pursuing a career as a professional teacher or performer must be willing to devote years of study and effort.
The decision of which instrument to play is the first step on the path to becoming a jazz musician. Piano, drums, saxophone, trumpet, and flute are all traditional jazz instruments, as are vocalists. However, almost any instrument, from cellos to trombones, can be adapted to fit jazz music. Some musicians specialize in a single instrument, while others learn to master multiple instruments over time. Those who want to teach jazz music should learn at least one instrument from each of the four major categories: percussion, brass, woodwinds, and strings.
Following the selection of an initial instrument, jazz performance and composition training is essential. Jazz training differs from classical training in that it emphasizes skills such as harmony, improvisation, and rhythm. A jazz education can be greatly enhanced by listening to live and recorded jazz, participating in bands or jazz choirs, and reading about the genre’s history, in addition to taking music classes and learning to read music. Although the time it takes to master an instrument varies from person to person, many jazz musicians insist that a true musician never stops learning.
Competent, objective evaluation is an important step in becoming a jazz musician. Many musicians record their practice sessions in order to analyze their performance and determine where they need to improve. A private instructor who can point out specific problems and suggest possible solutions or methods of improvement may also be beneficial. To master an instrument, you must be willing to listen to constructive criticism and apply solutions.
Despite the fact that new jazz music is constantly being created, the genre also relies heavily on a historical repertoire of songs known as “standards.” To become a jazz musician, you should work on memorizing as many jazz standards as possible, so that you can accommodate almost any request for a specific song. Many music stores sell large songbooks of jazz standards, many of which are shortened versions with only the basic chords and lyrics to help with memorization.
While it is possible to become a jazz musician solely for the pleasure of it, many people aspire to make a living out of it. Finding work as a jazz musician is typically easier in cities with a large number of music clubs and a strong culture of music performance; however, even rural areas frequently have occasional gigs available. Starting a jazz career can also be accomplished by recording at home and releasing music through online forums, as well as using social media to promote a new album.