...re-learning, not so much. Recently, having retired from active gigging, I have been 'jamming' once a week with a couple of (VERY proficient) older musicians, a guitarist and a sax player. While this has been enjoyable, it has also put a lot of pressure on me to learn (or re-learn) some of THEIR favorite tunes. What started out as very causal jamming has now turned into something more akin to a JOB. This is not true for the other guys as they are much better musicians and MUCH better sight readers, so learning a new tune for them and even improvising a totally spontaneous solo based solely on the chord structure , is a piece of cake. The good part (for me) is that I have learned more about basic jazz playing in the last couple of months than I have in the last 15 years.

My deficiencies, however, force me to go down and practice the new tunes we assign ourselves each week (repertoire building). This means findind a suitable drum pattern on the BK7m (we rarely have a drummer), playing it over and over until I've committed it to 'muscle memory', then coming up with a suitable organ trio-type arrangement, then working out a unique solo. After that, I have to play it every day so as not to forget what I did (old age). Oh, and yes, it often involves a lot of Youtube watching if I'm not familiar with the tune or if they want to cop some existing arrangement they may like. All of this, of course, replaces the time I used to spend playing all my old familiar tunes strictly for pleasure. Now I admit that learning a new tune and playing it well is very satisfying, but the process of getting there (when not motivated by 'getting paid') can be tedious.

So my question for you 'home players' or retired or semi-retired 'pro' players is, WHAT DO YOU USE TO MOTIVATE YOU TO LEARN NEW MATERIAL (when you don't have to). Also, for those of you that do something similar (jamming with friends), do you spend any time preparing for it? I don't want to bail on these guys because I really enjoy the jam itself, just not the preparation for it. For the record, jazz tunes are harder to fake, so you'd better know the changes if you're going to play with professionals.

Side question; how many new tunes have you learned (to a performance level) in the last three months?

chas

I don't quite fit the criteria, but I seldom ever learn a song without it having been a request from somebody, or I just happen to hear one that inspires me. And, when I do, I seldom memorize anything except the chord structure, the words, and a signature "lick" if there is one.
All my solos are just improvised on the spot, for better or for worse.
I think after I quit getting paid, I won't be learning any new songs, after that being an important part of my life for more than 50 years. That's sort of sad. I'm proud of you for the work you're doing with your friends. It will keep you young!

Don, I wish that were true but "keep you young" implies that you're young to begin with . As much as the heart may want it, that train has left the station (boo hoo!).

chas

It will keep you FEELING young-ER!

I'm a home player....the love of the music I like to hear played. And for that to happen the sounds on the instrument MUST be super high quality....as I play mostly considered the slower type music.

I would be inclined to learn or relearn old tunes the way I have done for more than 50 years.... I used fake books... They offered the chord progression, lyrics and a melody..

Use the melody line as a reference, the chords as the foundation allowing chord changes and bass lines..
Improvise within the chord progression in realtime..

If I have to learn a tune via an audio recording I try to work out the bass progression first, then chord structure..

Melody is not as important in your situation (other then reference), you have a sax player and possibly the guitar plays lead too..

Well, Elvis may have left the building, but you are still here with us, and still jamming with "much better musicians" (?!?), so obviously that train has NOT left the station ...

Now back to your OP ... A number of years ago a very talented musician friend - he plays multiple instruments - and I started jamming one night a week, playing songs from the 'Real Book' ... soon a guitar player, bass player, and another sax were added ... I was BY FAR the least talented/accomplished musician in the group, which forced me to work on tunes I had never or rarely ever played before ... I got to the point where I could at least lay a good basic chord foundation for them ... unfortunately, various situations eventually brought an end to the sessions ...

Now, my motivation for learning 'new' songs is just my love for music ... of course the songs I am working on are MUCH simpler than those I worked on during the sessions, but there still is a good feeling of accomplishment when a song becomes 'performance worthy' ...

Keep at it, chas ... the 'pain' doesn't last long ...

BTW ... in a recent travel to NY, listening to the Real Jazz station on Sirius radio I heard Charles Earland's version of "More Today Than Yesterday" ... very reminiscent of your version which I have on my iPOD ...

Tony, you know I stole that arrangement (well, concept) from Charlie. I knew Charlie very well; I used to play in his Aunt's club back in the day and he would frequently stop by. He was a super nice guy and although not the greatest jazz organist, he WAS a great 'funkmaster' and could really get a crowd going. His emphasis was always on the 'grove'. Charlie would play one tune for 15 minutes but the groove was so tight it was almost hypnotic. He was a lightweight at that time though 'cause all the local clubs in Philly and So. Jersey were featuring guys like Groove Holmes (before he moved to the west coast), Wild Bill Davis (already a 'dinosaur', style-wise), 'Brother' Jack McDuff, Don Patterson, Johnny 'Hammond' Smith, occasionally Jimmy McGriff, and about once a summer (in Atlantic City), the great Jimmy Smith. When Jimmy Smith (the acknowledged 'king') was in town, every organ player (they were never referred to as 'organists') within 50 miles would be there to see him. Boy, those were great days, but for me just a summer thing (I was either teaching or in grad school at the time) as I was off active duty but still in the Reserves. Can't believe how long ago that was. Oh well. Some people had better 'wild oats' than others.

chas

I try to pick songs that would I once listened to regularly but have forgotten about the work on those. Having a few gigs also helps it keeps me motivated to learn some new tunes. I can sight read pretty well so when playing a senior facility it isn't a problem playing the instrumental part, for me it's trying to work on vocals, something I've been doing for a little over 5 years. In the last 3 months i've probably learned 8 new tunes, concentrating on the vocal side of it.

To me the process of learning new things is fun,
Improving your skills and broading your horizon is the reward.
As another reward learning keeps you young,
nothing is a better training for your brains then making music.
On top of that being in full concentration learning a new piece of music makes me relax, and feel zen.