I took lessons around 89 or 90 for about a year, probably a little less. It was under the idea of improvational ideas but we tossed alot of ideas around, it was free form lessons.... lol. He is a pretty good jazz player as well as blues, rock and metal. But leans toward jazz and blues. The few times we worked on jazz improv I could get the feel by bouncing off his technique. So actually playing with other influences as well as better players is very productive, however the easy and lazy way out..... its still gobs more fun, and thats what music is about.