Jazz is a diverse genre, which encompasses many different types of music. If you're interested in pursuing this quintessentially American art form, this page on how to become a jazz musician will show you how to get started. Jazz began around the beginning of the 20th century in African-American communities in the southern United States. It merged African and European musical traditions to create a brand new American art form. It spread north to Chicago and Harlem, picking up local influences and evolving as it spread across the country.

Jazz can be music played for performance, played for family, or played to lift the mood of the musician. It may be soulful and bluesy or peppy and mood lifting. Very few jazz musicians earn a living from their music; they play for the love of the music, and pay their bills with a day job. Discovering the jazz musician within you may result in developing a following, recording a CD, get picked up by the media, and vaulting to stardom. Even if that does not happen, however, you can feed your souls as a jazz musician, even if you may need to seek out other work to pay the rent and feed your body.

• As with any style of music, you can't become a jazz musician without knowing how to play an instrument. Almost any instrument can be used for jazz, but these are typical:
  • Saxophone
  • Trumpet
  • Trombone
  • Clarinet
  • Piano
  • Guitar
  • Double bass
  • Drums
• Your voice can also be considered an instrument; jazz singers are also jazz musicians. Choose an instrument which suits you. It needs to be one you love but one you can also perform with. If you have no means of transporting a double bass, it is probably not your best choice. If you have trouble with the mouthpiece type of the trumpet or trombone, you may choose a different instrument. In spite of your choice of instrument, consider learning to play the piano also as an accompaniment, and as a way to learn harmony. http://www.michaelzilber.com/page/10-questions-every-aspiring-jazz-musician

When choosing the instrument, look for one which will be of a quality that the music tone is acceptable. While a beginning player may not need a top of the line instrument, as you progress and plan to make being a jazz musician an important part of your life, saving to buy a better quality instrument is important.

• Jazz is an art form that is based on improvisations. Improvisation doesn't just mean going off on your own, and playing what ever notes you like, there are techniques you can practice in order to become better at improvising. Here are a few links that may help you refine your improv skills. Once you learn the basic skills of your instrument and become a better player, you will need to concentrate on learning the art of improvisation. In order to do this, you need to learn your scales and know your options for playing. Improv is not just playing notes, the notes must blend and respond to those of the rest of the playing group.Try these tutorials for more information and learning tips on Improv.

• • University of Wisconsin: Jazz Improvisation
  • Outside Shore Music: A Jazz Improvisation Primer
  • A Passion for Jazz: Jazz Improvisation

One of the keys to being a Jazz Musician with a group is to listen. Your listening skills must be keep and you must be able to take your instrument to the same levels or coordinate your style with the rest of the band. You can improve your ability to do this by practice. Practice must be quality playing time, not just running through a note or two. It must be done with the purpose of improving something. Beginning jazz musicians should set goals of particular portions or types of music to perfect by certain time lines and work towards the goal. If no accompanying band is available to practice skills for improv, consider buying a software program like Band in a Box in order to have the feel of fitting your tunes and music in with a group.

• While you can play jazz as a solo musician, you can refine your skills by playing with other musicians. Jam with friends, or take a risk and bring your instrument to a local bar that has nights where musicians meet to play. Many taverns and clubs have open mic night, as well, where you can practice playing in front of an audience and get instant feedback on your music. These are usually unpaid gigs, but you'll be able to polish your skills in a group setting.

Solo performances in public can help to build your confidence. If you belong to a church group consider working with the music director to schedule regular performances. If you live in an area where a jazz musicals are performed, check out the music area for contacts of others looking for fellow band members. Playing with others gives the chance to learn to adapt to a change in style or changes in the printed music. It offers the option of learning to write new portions of music, and to supplement the best parts of your instrument with the harmonies and supporting sounds of the fellow players.