Jazz band hears for the first time, then improvises

[Pareto Pragmatic]

I found this awesome, as in I am in awe.

Generation Y hears Nirvana's "Heart Shaped Box for the first time....

I've see similar things for individual musicians, but for a whole group to get that going in such a short time? Awe.

I would love to see people here discuss the details of what is going on, because I can't.

 

[RayDunzl]

would love to see people here discuss the details of what is going on, because I can't.

Playing "by ear".

And discussing how to dress up what they first did.

 

[JeremyFife]

Experience, skill (craft?) and the uncomfortable recognition that many popular songs are simple and based on simple patterns ... doesn't stop them sounding awesome though

 

[Pareto Pragmatic]

Ummmm, yes on both. I'll add "the ability to turn off self criticism when playing."

I was more interested in how their shorthand discussion shows up in the final (second) version. I don't speak jazz musician.

 

[drmevo]

I would love to see people here discuss the details of what is going on, because I can't.

It's a cool cover, the band sounds great and are clearly super-talented, but I am pretty sure there was a little more to them putting it together than what you see in the video. They probably edited it down for time's sake, and to increase the "wow, how'd they pull that off?" factor. I also think most of them have probably heard the song before, even if some didn't immediately place the group/name.

I dunno, these videos are definitely interesting but some parts of them seem a little unbelievable. The drummer/leader is just about my age (early 40's) - it seems really strange he never heard Nirvana growing up. I mean, I never listened to Pearl Jam or owned any of their albums, couldn't tell you a single song name off the top of my head, but I still recognize them when I hear them.

Not trying to detract from the musicianship and talent, just pointing out there is probably more going on than meets the eye.

 

[Blumlein 88]

This looks completely normal to me with good musicians who play with each other. I've seen it happen about like that and not just with jazz. One I remember that I was recording was one of the guys on stringed instruments had been working on something. It combined a medieval chant with some music from the 1850s, but done in a style and meshed with a folk song from the 1920s. It starts with getting the rhythm. Then different people figuring out what their part needs to do. After 5 minutes it sounded like nothing, but they seemed to know where it was going. Then they go thru it once. Not very good. A couple more times now it is sounding like something and they think they know what they want to do. I record the 4th time and 5th and 6th time thru it. And other than a couple mistakes fixed we used the 4th time they did it. It does not always go quite that well, but as a non-musician it is amazing how music is something of a language and good musicians can put together things so quickly almost like a group mind.