Hi,

Welcome to my site! This is where I'll share ideas about teaching and playing jazz through the philosophy of "No rules, no fear," as well as any other deep thoughts I feel like sharing. Feel free to chat back!

When I talk to my fellow music educators, I ask the following questions:

• What rules about jazz are you looking for permission to break?
• What rules must we keep for it to still be considered jazz?
• What is your biggest fear about teaching jazz?
• What is your biggest fear about playing jazz yourself?

…

Life at the Speed of Smell 

(Note: I've been thinking about this topic for a while. This entry was started on 5/4/18 after working the idea in my head for a while longer. I updated the post to get it ready for publication this week.) 

For years, I’ve noticed the special sensations of traveling by foot through my neighborhood (or whatever neighborhood I happen to be around.) The sensation tends to be more evident in the Spring and Fall, though I try to walk outside most days I can year-round. 

I call it…

Hi, Here's a new article called "Navigation." It's a bit longer  than a "typical" blog post, talking about the ideas of walking, thinking, driving and finding your way, both metaphorically and in reality. There are also some hard-earned insights on "navigating" a career, which I'll continue to discuss.

Navigation 

Today on my walk, I tried a new route: no route. Generally, I alternate from a collection of trips I have mapped out, at least on foot or in my memory, that take the usual amount of time. Each day…

Click HERE for the handout from my recent workshops on "No Rules, No Fear Jazz." 

What Does “No Rules, No Fear Jazz” Really Mean?

“Part 1. Powerful Words”

By Tom Kamp

Copyright © 2019 www.tomkamp.com

All rights reserved

When you think about teaching jazz improvisation to your students, your mind may be filled with lots of Very Important Rules like these:

Don’tstartteachingjazzandimprovisationtoosoon,waitforMiddleSchoolorHighSchooltoteachitDon’tteachflutes,clarinets,orhorns,onlysaxesandbrassDrummersdon’tplaythemelody,theykeeptimePlayersmustmemorizeallthechordsandscalesbeforeimprovisi…

Hi,

I just posted a new article on the Creative Process, called "Cultivate." It's more of a philosophical "think piece," but there are still practical applications. Read it here! 

If you missed the handout from my "Play Freedom: Jazz Improvisation for Everyone" clinic at the 2/21/19 NJMEA Conference, click here to download a pdf.

Thanks for coming to the session! Please keep in touch!

My book, "Rhythm First!" got a mention in the new books section in the latest issue of the International Musician.  Check it out here!

Or go to the publisher HERE!

My article Teaching Beginning Jazz Improvisation: “All In Good Time”  is now available to read here or download and take with you to the beach, mountains, or backyard hammock!

Additionally, there's a mini-article with my attempts to define swing rhythm here. Let the passionate  arguments begin!

Thanks to Bret, Randy, the Toms and everyone who worked so hard to make the 4th Annual Zeswitz Symposium a great Professional Development opportunity for music educators in Pennsylvania!

I gave my "No Rules, No Fear Jazz" talk to an appreciative and cooperative group of teachers who stayed inside on a beautiful June Saturday.

Here's what they came up with when we talked about our four big questions:

What rules about jazz are you looking for permission to break?

I don’t have rules.

There are rules in jazz?…