The STEAM Brothers

The following is an edited revision of a note I posted on Facebook in September of 2016. I think the issues it presents continue to be significant and deserve more discussion. You might also find the comment thread for the original Facebook note enlightening. Musings: On the Demise of Live Performance Venues PAT HARBISON·WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2016 A video has recently been circulating on social media that inspired me to write. [ 1,306 more word ]

Musings: On the Demise of Live Performance Venues The following is an edited revision of a note I posted on Facebook in September of 2016. I think the issues it presents continue to be significant and deserve more discussion. You might also find t…

The ancient and powerful Griot form of education is reemerging in the 21st Century as The Gradual Release of Responsibility Model. The teacher guides the student toward independence using methods and strategies the student needs at every step along the way. The essential element in this relationship is trust. The student must trust the teacher can and will lead them to achievements they could not otherwise make on their own. [ 181 more words ]

The Way We Do The Things You Think We Do The ancient and powerful Griot form of education is reemerging in the 21st Century as The Gradual Release of Responsibility Model. The teacher guides the student toward independence using methods …

What makes a really fun band to play in? Chemistry described by this STEAM Brother equals Trust. Trusting everyone walks into the session or concert ready to make the band make great music. With the goal of "lifting the band stand" via "disturbing the air". One of the great jazz mixologists was also a "mortal and pestle man".

http://idowedoyoudo.blog/2017/09/07/the-tradition-is-chemistry/

The Tradition Is Chemistry What makes a really fun band to play in? Chemistry described by this STEAM Brother equals Trust. Trusting everyone walks into the session or concert ready to make the band make great music. With …

Over the next several days (or longer) I am going to discuss performances from the jazz tradition that are NOT the modern "jazz repertory" approach. These performances show how subsequent generations of jazz musicians have at once paid homage and created new takes on earlier performances from the jazz legacy. For context, I ask that you read my earlier posts, "Ancient to the Future: A Brief History of Time" parts one and two. [ 364 more words ]

http://idowedoyoudo.blog/2017/09/06/taxidermy-is-not-a-tribute-part-one/

Taxidermy is not a Tribute (part one) Over the next several days (or longer) I am going to discuss performances from the jazz tradition that are NOT the modern “jazz repertory” approach. These performances show how subseque…

Noble Prize winning physicist Richard Feynman was known as the great ex-plainer. A brilliant mind who worked on the Manhattan Project by day and celebrated with Bacchus by night. The Feynman method, derived from his teaching, his one of the best mechanisms for understanding a complex subject. It is nearly useless in becoming a musician. Many adult students come to me firmly convinced if they buy the "right" books, attend the "right" masterclasses, watch the "right" video, or ask the "right" questions they will play at the level they seek. [ 118 more words ]

http://idowedoyoudo.blog/2017/09/06/mr-feynman-meet-mr-ra-aka-let-me-ask-you-a-question/

Mr. Feynman meet Mr. Ra aka “Let me ask you a question” Noble Prize winning physicist Richard Feynman was known as the great ex-plainer. A brilliant mind who worked on the Manhattan Project by day and celebrated with Bacchus by night. The Feynman metho…

In African culture, the griot is the keeper of stories. In each generation, the griots retell stories that were passed to them and in turn will be passed to the next generation. The stories never die or become old because they always reflect the wisdom and viewpoint of each new generation of storykeeper. All stories remain alive and vital and continue to exist in the present. [ 346 more words ]

http://idowedoyoudo.blog/2017/09/05/ancient-to-the-future-a-brief-history-of-time-part-two/

Ancient to the Future: A Brief History of Time (part two) In African culture, the griot is the keeper of stories. In each generation, the griots retell stories that were passed to them and in turn will be passed to the next generation. The stories never d…

While this quote is often attributed to one James Earl Hendrix it is for the ages. As I assert is this...

http://idowedoyoudo.blog/2017/09/05/knowledge-speaks-wisdom-listens/

Knowledge Speaks Wisdom Listens While this quote is often attributed to one James Earl Hendrix it is for the ages. As I assert is this…

Welcome to STEAM Ferguson Florissant Berkley Jennings Kinlock Normandy. Missouri
"One District United"!

The Art Ensemble of Chicago was and is one of the leading creators of (largely) improvised African-American music ("Great Black Music" aka jazz). "Ancient to the Future" was the title of multiple volumes of recorded works, as well as a statement of their philosophy. In essence all of the stories and works of creativity that have been told have been passed from generation to generation through the griots. [ 78 more words ]

http://idowedoyoudo.blog/2017/09/04/ancient-to-the-future-a-brief-history-of-time-part-one/

Ancient to the Future: a Brief History of Time (Part One The Art Ensemble of Chicago was and is one of the leading creators of (largely) improvised African-American music (“Great Black Music” aka jazz). “Ancient to the Future” was…

"If you don't live it won't come out of your horn" -Charlie Parker (paraphrased)

Dr Beau Lotto – Is creativity actually creative?

"Take your time son!" The Gradual Release of Responsibility learning model extends onto the bandstand and is pressed into the grooves of the record. "Express Yourself!" In my late teens and early twenty's, I spent two brief periods playing in H-Bomb Ferguson's Medicine Men Band. His frequent shouts of "express yourself" and "take your time" were direct instruction, encouragement, and part of the music all at the same time. "That don't belong here!" was H-Bomb's way of admonishing his young charge to be mindful. For life. -Christopher Braig

http://idowedoyoudo.blog/2017/09/03/practice-as-performance-performance-as-practice/

Practice As Performance : Performance As Practice “Take your time son!”   The Gradual Release of Responsibility learning model extends onto the bandstand and is pressed into the grooves of the record. “Express Yourself!& #8…

When a baby makes vocal sounds it isn't language...yet. It is experimentation. When a creative musician practices and studies it doesn't sound like performance...yet. We learn to speak through an experimental process that involves highly motivated close observation of successful speakers, followed by an experimental process. The parent/mentor "teaches" the child to speak following the "I do. We do. You do." model. [ 57 more words ]

http://idowedoyoudo.blog/2017/09/03/the-language-of-learning/

The Language of Learning When a baby makes vocal sounds it isn’t language…yet. It is experimentation. When a creative musician practices and studies it doesn’t sound like performance…yet. We learn t…