Excessive Chops, Antagonistic CDs, and the Malevolent Inner Voice

Excessive Chops

Dear Mr. P.C.:

It seems like people don't really value chops anymore. Cats want their solos to be "thoughtful" with lots of space between notes and lines, and I know most of them only play that way because it's all they've got. To me, big spaces are just missed opportunities. I have chops; am I wrong to want to use them?

—Can't Handle Others Playing Sparsely

Dear CHOPS:

After all the years you spent locked in practice rooms shedding your lines—of course you shouldn't have to leave empty spaces! Hopefully the soloists won't mind.

Remember: those hipsters who say "the music is in the space between the notes" only like music when there's no music at all.

Antagonistic CDs

Dear Mr. P.C.:

When another musician hands me their new CD, do I have to listen to it? Basically they're asking me to give up an hour of my time, even though I'd rather be practicing or doing just about anything else. Then I pretty much have to say I like it even when I don't, which makes me feel like a fraud. Isn't it insensitive of them to put me in this position?

—No CD, Baby

Dear NCDB:

CDs do still have music on them, but that's become irrelevant. As you can attest, a CD's value lies in its use for advantage, imposition, and shame. CDs may be out of vogue as a medium, but they're still a powerful form of expression.

Malevolent Inner Voice

Dear Mr. P.C.:

I watched the Brad Mehldau interview with Rick Beato. Brad talked about bringing out certain inner voices when he plays chords, and he obviously has great command of them. But when I play a chord, the only inner voice I'm aware of is yelling "S***!!! F***!!! You suck!!!"

How can I make my inner voice more like Mehldau's?

-Self-Hating Henry

Dear SHH:

I think you misunderstood Brad. He's talking specifically about voice leading, and he has developed the ability to lead multiple inner voices exactly as he intends. You're not leading your inner voice at all—it's leading you, and sabotaging you in the process.

Most people, like you, have just one inner voice; Mehldau is an exception. His ability to control his inner voices is admirable, but from a psychological perspective, those multiple voices don't bode well for his future. As he weakens with age, the voices will gradually work their way free, threatening to add his name to the long list of jazz geniuses sidelined by multiple personality disorder.

As for you, just keep this in mind: Until your inner voice becomes an outer voice, you'll be fine.

Have a question for Mr. P.C.? Ask him.