One of the best things you can do for inspiration is to listen to music. So, where to start? There are literally millions of tunes on YouTube and many more on the streaming sites, iTunes etc. Here is a list of five tunes that I find particularly inspiring, all with links to youtube to make them easy to find.The key thing in my opinion is to listen objectively and to think about what you can and might be able to learn and implement it into your own playing via practise. For example there might be a particular tonal sound that the soloist is using. Try to figure out what that is then work on getting it into your playing. This takes time so don't be in any hurry. I have found most concepts take me about 3 months of solid practise for them become habits that sound natural and not contrived.
In no particular order:
1. Hiromi's Sonicbloom - Time Out. Great band, loose vibe yet tight playing. Love it. You can listen here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmyujJ7QctI
2. Michel Camilo - On Fire. Anthony Jackson is a beast of a player and Horacio Hernandez is mind blowing. The energy these guys play with is astounding. The music has so much forward motion it is just ridiculous. Listen here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLdKObM2OJ8
3. Snarky Puppy - Lingus. Great band flying the flag for fusion music. They are really popular with the young players today and for good reason. The band is tight. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_XJ_s5IsQc
4. Wes Montgomery - Round Midnight. I really don't need to say anything about this. Wes is a big inspiration for me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOm17yw__6U
5. Herbie Hancock - Headhunters 1974. This was pioneering work at the time. Some hate it, I love it. It is fresh still to this day and these guys are going for it. This is not just one tune but a whole concert. I got to play a concert a few years ago with Benie Maupin from this group. It was incredible. You could feel the mans energy in the air; I would imagine thats what Miles Davis' vibe was like. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAlejqkd-ggThere is a wealth of practise inspiration, information and general musicianship in these tunes. Give them a good listen and see what happens.
If people have suggestions of tunes they find inspire them to practise leave a comment below. Let me know why you find it inspiring too.
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