jedscott

We lost the revelatory poet Mary Oliver today. And while others will remember her for her Pulitzer Prize and her contributions as a leading American author, I will prefer to remember her as the author who can make every person in my house laugh, cry, smile, and nod in agreement […]

It might take a snow day (or two in a row!) to remember that you’re not as in control as you think. In our climate-controlled, rigidly scheduled, satellite-beamed lives, you can feel like how your spend your hours and minutes is decided by you, alone. But a snow day can […]

Arranger, conductor, educator, and vocal jazz legend Phil Mattson passed last week at the age of eighty. I didn’t know Phil Mattson as well as his closest students, but I knew him pretty well, thanks to attending his week-long boot camp four times (known officially as the Phil Mattson Vocal […]

We use “wrangle” in many situations, but it’s worth remembering that it comes from herding livestock, and especially herding horses. A herd of horses doesn’t want to be wrangled. The horses want to call the shots on where they’re going. It’s the same with being tired. You need to learn […]

It’s vital to know the answer to the question, “Is this sustainable?” But it’s not always possible to know in advance. You can’t know what a project is going to cost – monetarily, but also in emotional labor and time. So before committing to a long-term project, commit to a […]

I remember the first IAJE conference I attended, at eighteen. I didn’t understand how so many of my teachers, mentors, and idols seemed to be so casual about missing sessions or concerts I viewed as essential. I had my conference schedule obsessively highlighted and mentally practiced the paths I needed […]

“A solved game is a game whose outcome (win, lose or draw) can be correctly predicted from any position, assuming that both players play perfectly.” (Wikipedia) For example, you’ve probably solved Tic-Tac-Toe. Assuming no mistakes, every game you ever play will end in a draw. Checkers is a solved game, […]

Hard music gets easy with practice. Often, the biggest challenge is to learn to speak the harmonic language the composer or arranger is using in the piece. Other times, it’s learning to express subtle meanings in the score. Learning to phrase effectively or sing physically demanding moments are regular challenges. […]

I need a quiet moment to write each day. And quiet moments don’t happen by accident. Between work responsibilities, home responsibilities, and the onslaught of news, podcasts, social media, and on and on, it’s very easy to make it through a day without finding a single quiet moment. It’s one […]

The archetypal larger-than-life conductor demands your respect. Expects it, compels it. Goes into a range if he doesn’t get it. (And it’s so often a he.) And perhaps this is a functional way to get an efficient rehearsal. There won’t be side conversations with that conductor at the front of […]