Musical Values

This morning I was looking through Jamey Abersold’s Jazz Handbook, a little newsprint magazine you can pick up free with any order from Aebersold Jazz (or download a PDF version from here). It’s a great resource, full of scales, playing ideas, thoughts on music improvisation and all compiled with a view to encouraging the budding musician.

On page 36 there’s a list of “values,” reprinted from Jim Pierce’s “Big Golden Trumpet Encyclopaedia.” I’ve been a little blue about the amount of negativity in the music world lately and this little list was as refreshing as a cool breeze on a hot summer’s day. Pierce’s values are a beautiful summary of a lot of things I believe in – about making music, being creative and working with others.

Values

The Greatest Handicap – FEAR
The Best Day – TODAY
Easiest Thing To Do – FIND FAULT
Most Useless Asset – PRIDE
The Greatest Mistake – GIVING UP
The Greatest Stumbling Block – EGOTISM
The Greatest Comfort – WORK WELL DONE
Most Disagreeable Person – THE COMPLAINER
Worst Bankruptcy – LOSS OF ENTHUSIASM
Best Teacher – ONE WHO MAKES YOU WANT TO LEARN
Greatest Need – COMMON SENSE
Meanest Feeling – REGRET AT ANOTHER’S SUCCESS
Best Gift – FORGIVENESS
Greatest Knowledge – GOD
Greatest Thing In The World – LOVE