Kirk Whalum | Blog

The way to happiness

Kirk Whalum — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:22:26 -0500

“The way to happiness: Keep your heart free from hate, your mind from worry. Live simply, expect little, give much. Scatter sunshine, forget self, think of others. Try this for a week and you will be surprised.”

--Norman Vincent Peale

A Sax Lesson (Scales)

Kirk Whalum — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:36:39 -0500

The key that unlocks the door of improvisational technique...scales. It's just that simple. If you are proficient at scales and scale exercises, you can be a very good improvisor. The only thing you'll need to add is a lot of imagination. God is already with you, so that part is covered.

So the main thing is to start where you are (the things you already know and are able to play) and move up a step each week. For instance, if you can play all your major scales at a decent tempo (I always recommend a metronome) then you should move on to playing them in 3rds: C-E-D-F-E-G-F-A-G-B-A-B... etc. LEARN THIS VERY EVENLY IN A SLOW TEMPO IN EVERY KEY BEFORE MOVING ON. THEN LEARN IT IN "REVERSE:" E-C-F-D-G-E-A-F-B-G... etc.

Do this in every key.

Then learn it in the "melodic minor ascending." Then do it in "harmonic minor."

Now there is lots lots more, but I guarantee that what I just described will take you at least 8 weeks.

The idea is that the more proficient you become at these basic, boring things, the more head-room you'll have to translate your creative ideas from your head and heart to your fingers. You must be both diligent and patient.

Paz,

Kirk

National Civil Rights Museum TV Broadcast of Freedom Awards on @PBS

Kirk Whalum — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 18:00:00 -0500

Hi All,

Tune in to PBS this evening. They will be airing the Freedom Awards ceremony in celebration of the National MLK Holiday. Check local listings for times.

I was incredibly honored to have been chosen as one of this year's recipients.

Check out the release below.

Off to 3 weeks at sea with Jazz Cruises! I'll post pics to Facebook and Twitter!

Paz,
Kirk \\ halum
(hey... ever been to Soulsville!? Ask me about it)
www.soulsville.com

National Civil Rights Museum Celebrates National MLK Holiday with TV Broadcast of Freedom Awards and Mobile Giving Campaign

20th anniversary of the National Civil Rights Museum’s Freedom Awards ceremony will be broadcast on over 100 Public Broadcast Stations (PBS)

The 20th anniversary of the National Civil Rights Museum’s Freedom Awards ceremony will be broadcast on over 100 Public Broadcast Stations (PBS) starting the weekend of the MLK National Holiday on January 14, 2012 through February. The Museum is also launching its first text mobile giving campaign on the King Holiday January 16, 2012.

The Freedom Awards ceremony was held on November 12, 2011 and honored Usher Raymond IV, Hill Harper, Cicely Tyson, Danny Glover, Kirk Whalum, Bill Russell, Alonzo Mourning, Marva Collins, Susan L. Taylor, the NAACP and the Southern Poverty Law Center. Seven Icons of the American Civil Rights Movement received special recognition, Rev. James Lawson, Rev. Ed King, Rev. C. T. Vivian, Dolores Huerta, Leola Brown Montgomery, John Seigenthaler and Rev. Samuel Kyles. The ceremony was hosted by actress Wendy Raquel Robinson and featured Grammy Award performer James Ingram.

Top PBS markets of Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Atlanta, New Orleans, Indianapolis, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Boston and Dallas will carry the show with additional markets in over 100 cities. The Museum website has a complete schedule and listings at http://www.civilrightsmuseum.org.

Supporters can now help support the Museum’s first major renovation to the Lorraine Motel site, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. Simply text MLK to 501501 and reply YES and a $10 donation to the Museum will be added to donor’s cell phone bill.

Gwen Harmon
National Civil Rights Museum
(901) 521-9699 241

Home

Kirk Whalum — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 10:23:30 -0500

The Master revealed to me ystrdy while prfrmng Softly & Tenderly that we are able, weary in the rat race, to close our eyes briefly, breath deep, & go "home"

Where we live

Kirk Whalum — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 11:47:10 -0500

My black brother, how far do you live from your barbershop?

Where we live

Kirk Whalum — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 11:44:10 -0500

My black brother, how far do you live from your barber?