I remember when Rick Margitza first started his 365 days of practice project on Facebook. At that time, it was exciting to see him post all these cool melodic ideas in his handwriting throughout 2020.
Even at that time, I was reading through those lines and thought about how cool it was to have an inside look into his creative mind. Then, in January 2024, when a book version of that series was released, I was so excited.
To be honest, I already saved almost all the lines he posted on Facebook (and practiced many of them in 2020) but to see it in this new collected format was a real treat.
Now the question is:
Why would you buy this book if you could do a search and find the original posts on Facebook?
Well, besides supporting both an amazing musician (Rick!) and a great company (Sher Music Co.) – this collected edition includes an 11-page practice method that Rick personally uses. According to Rick, this is a method of practicing that he learned from Gary Campbell when Rick studied with Gary at the University of Miami in 1983. This alone is a valuable part of the book, especially if you feel that your practice routine is lacking effectiveness. Some of the suggestions and routines are logical once you read through the method, but man, this stuff really works. Solid stuff!
As you go through the book, you not only get to learn Rick’s melodic ideas, but also his thought process as he morphs, combines and develops ideas from the previous days. Some of these lines are diatonic, some chromatic, some bebop and some very modern. Rick also takes them through different chord progressions and cycles.
I have to say that all the material is very cool and filled with rich lessons. You also get the chance to hear Rick play the examples in the book. Although Rick played these on the Bb tenor saxophone, the audio has been transposed up a whole step so that concert instruments can hear these lines. Rick mentions this early on in the book, and as far as I’m concerned it is a small price to pay to get to hear all the ideas.
Working through the ideas that Rick shares has already helped me get different kinds of melodic shapes and leaps into my own improvisation too. Some of the lines are VERY DIFFICULT (for me) but there are all worthwhile and helpful.
All in all, I am happy with this book and recommend it highly for anyone who is a fan of Rick’s playing. Also, if you’re looking for cool melodic ideas and exercises to shed, this book might be just what you need. Strongly recommended!
Get your copy of the book (both print and eBook versions) here: https://www.shermusic.com/9780991077342.php
Many thanks to Chuck Sher for sending me a copy of this amazing book for this review. I deeply appreciate it.
Pros: Great book from a master of his instrument and craft!
Cons: None.
TLDR: Want to improve your lines and get new ideas? Get this book and start shedding.
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