Frequently Asked Questions
Herbie Hancock responds to some common queries:
Q. What is the best way to obtain good technique and to progress in Jazz?

A. It is important to learn the art of listening and to respect others’ contributions to the music. Openness is an admirable quality.

Always try to do your best and to create something new and fresh each time you play. One can learn how to be a good technician but that alone is not sufficient for making good music. I would suggest that you listen to a lot of music from others and from all genres and study classical music as well as jazz.

Music is about life and tells the story of humanity--its triumphs and fallibilities. Be true to yourself and to others. Respect everyone. Have the courage of your convictions. Do not be defeated by failures and challenges.


Q. If you were to hire jazz musicians to play in a rhythm section, who would they be?

A. First, I would like to say that, as my experience grew over the years, I began to realize that among the very best there is not a single person who is better than them all. There are several players who distinguish themselves as individuals with an individual approach. They share the top ranks, where no one is better than the others.

I might cite Ron Carter and Tony Williams, but how can I dismiss John Patitucci, Brian Blade, Philly Joe Jones, Elvin Jones, Jaco Pastorius, Paul Jackson (the bassist), Terri Lyne Carrington, and Jack DeJohnette. Each fulfills a function that the others cannot to the same degree.


Q.If you could play with one horn player as part of this band, who would that person be?

A. Miles Davis -
1. He knew how to listen and respected the musical choices of everyone he played with.
2. He constantly strived to play beyond the known territory and thereby consistently challenged himself.
3. His sense of time was impeccable.
4. He had a way of perceiving the collective summary of the individual activities of each rhythm section player and creating the "glue" or thread that binds them together, in his solos. When Miles would play I could then hear the direction that the rhythm section, of which I was a part, was alluding to.
5. He was non-judgmental about what the other band members played as long as they were reaching for something new or creative.
6. He played with fearlessness, courage, conviction, and faith in himself and in the other band members.
7. He played with integrity and with a "never give up" persistence.
8. Each note was played with respect for the character of its individuality.
9. He knew how to use silence and space.
10. He upheld the basic foundation of jazz, which is to play the moment, not the past.
11. He played with heart and compassion and always tried to deliver his best for the audience.