Jazz Trombone F.A.Q.s

5) Can I learn music theory without going to music school?

Sam Burtis: Yes.

Sometimes some people can learn MORE (or at least more quickly) outside

of school.

Individual lessons are cheaper, more personal, and all-around BETTER, if

you're the kind of self-motivated person who can do this sort of thing.

The only REALLY irreplaceably good things about music schools in my

estimation are the ensemble opportunities and the long term contact w/your

peers.

Chris Smith: I think school can be beneficial, but a burning desire to play jazz has

to be there FIRST if someone is going to really be a “player”. School will also not teach

you a lot of things you can only learn by playing gigs and hanging with real musicians.

Do you REALLY want to play jazz well? If so, I don’t think school could hurt. If you’re not

sure of your commitment, I think that music school probably won’t work magic for you.

I learned by paying “dues” in the clubs and reading everything I could get my hands on.

There are a lot of good books out there. Mark Levine’s “The Jazz Theory Book”, for one.

Jeff Adams: Absolutely, you can learn outside of school- I learned the majority of what

I know about harmony before ever set foot in Berklee (through private lessons).

Understanding harmony will become more clear to you if you have started to analyze

the chord changes to standard tunes.

Alex Iles: Yes and no. The bitter reality is this: if you REALLY have to go to school to

learn to play jazz, you probably won't be much of a jazz player. Jazz players

tend to be "self starters" motivated by something burning inside them. Find

mentors and like-minded players to spend time with. Learn from the greats from

seeing them perform live and from their recordings.  This is the real jazz

classroom. It's all out there for you to hear and digest at your own pace. There are

excellent schools that provide this environment, but ultimately you have to create

the best environment for yourself to learn this highly personal music.