Postcard #7

“It's the group sound that's important, even when you're playing a solo.”
–Oscar Peterson

Picture: Oscar Peterson, piano; Herb Ellis, guitar; Ray Brown, bass.

We as teachers, in many cases, teach and encourage group work as much as individual work. Opportunities to reflect and think on your own, then gather and share your thoughts in a small group, rather than the whole class which can be intimidating, can be very beneficial to many. I appreciate the work we do in class as we are given the opportunities to do that. We are learning how to teach as we are being taught.
Oscar Peterson, a great Canadian jazz pianist, was a phenomenal soloist as well as a group performer as many musicians are. You can create music on your own, but you can create music with others. Music provides that unique opportunity. In Jazz, when you are in a group your individual playing affects the music as a whole especially when you are improvising (soloing). The other players are listening to your playing, so the notes and the phrases you chose to play influence the communal music you put out. The audience is listening to you but also as a group. Music making in a group is about making each other sound good.
As we work in groups and listen and share our ideas, you have an opportunity to learn about yourself. You realize who you are and what thoughts are important to you.
Oscar Peterson has been dead for 3 years. I have forgotten about this. His music is still alive and always will be, and perhaps I haven’t had the emotional time and energy to pay attention to his passing.
We as individuals make up this world. How we are presented as a group and as a global family is significant. We must pay attention to what kind of legacy we are leaving behind as a generation. Environmental, financial, political and social issues are most eminent. We must not forget the decisions we make today may have a significant influence on our future generations. With compassion, love, honesty and respect, we can continue to work to make a positive difference as individuals and as a community.