Every single person who wants to play jazz starts out as a beginner. There’s no way around it!! And over the first couple years of learning how to improvise, only a small handful of beginners...Read More
Every single person who wants to play jazz starts out as a beginner. There’s no way around it!! And over the first couple years of learning how to improvise, only...Read More
You know how it goes…you're feeling super confident as you solo creatively over one of your favorite jazz standards and everything’s going well. But then, just for a split-second you lose focus. All of a...Read More
You know how it goes…you're feeling super confident as you solo creatively over one of your favorite jazz standards and everything’s going well. But then, just for a split-second you...Read More
Chord function is a confusing topic that is intricately tied to other just as confusing topics like voice leading, harmonic tension and resolution, intervallic content, chord voicings, chord families and more! Today we’ll unravel the...Read More
Chord function is a confusing topic that is intricately tied to other just as confusing topics like voice leading, harmonic tension and resolution, intervallic content, chord voicings, chord families and...Read More
Many chords are pretty easy to understand. But dominant seventh chords with an assortment of alterations…they’re a whole different animal! What's with all this b9, #9, b13, #11, b5 stuff! There seem to be a...Read More
Many chords are pretty easy to understand. But dominant seventh chords with an assortment of alterations…they’re a whole different animal! What's with all this b9, #9, b13, #11, b5 stuff!...Read More
It's time to get down to business...The business of finding out if you're on track to achieve your musical goals and develop into the musician you want to become. While we often focus on the...Read More
It's time to get down to business...The business of finding out if you're on track to achieve your musical goals and develop into the musician you want to become. While...Read More
Learning a tune straight from a recording is THE way to learn it. But the most difficult part is always deciphering the chord changes. And it's certainly not an easy task compared to the alternative...Read More
Learning a tune straight from a recording is THE way to learn it. But the most difficult part is always deciphering the chord changes. And it's certainly not an easy...Read More
What is a jazz musician's most important tool? Is it their ear? Their technique? The concepts at their disposal? All of these are extremely important, but without this one specific tool, they’re all useless… The...Read More
What is a jazz musician's most important tool? Is it their ear? Their technique? The concepts at their disposal? All of these are extremely important, but without this one specific...Read More
You’re waiting by the stage. In a few moments it'll be your turn to walk into the spotlight to take a solo. And your heart is beating a mile a minute. But there’s just one...Read More
You’re waiting by the stage. In a few moments it'll be your turn to walk into the spotlight to take a solo. And your heart is beating a mile a...Read More
There is a secret that all great musicians have in common. You won't hear it on their recordings or even in their live performances. And some may even deny it that it ever happened at...Read More
There is a secret that all great musicians have in common. You won't hear it on their recordings or even in their live performances. And some may even deny it...Read More
Recently a reader wrote in wanting to know, “What makes jazz ear training different from just general ear training?” That’s a great question and I definitely had to think to arrive at an answer. They...Read More
Recently a reader wrote in wanting to know, “What makes jazz ear training different from just general ear training?” That’s a great question and I definitely had to think to...Read More
What exactly is ear training? You’ve heard musicians talk about it. Your teachers have recommended it. And if you’re a regular here you’ve seen it pop up in more than a few lessons...But I'm guessing...Read More
What exactly is ear training? You’ve heard musicians talk about it. Your teachers have recommended it. And if you’re a regular here you’ve seen it pop up in more than...Read More
You're a trumpet player. You play the piano or the guitar. Maybe you’ve taken up the saxophone. Out of a dozen different instruments, this is the one that you’ve chosen to amplify your musical voice....Read More
You're a trumpet player. You play the piano or the guitar. Maybe you’ve taken up the saxophone. Out of a dozen different instruments, this is the one that you’ve chosen...Read More
All practice is not created equal. There’s the practice that's fun. You're in a room with your instrument and maybe a few friends and you just start playing. The minutes fly by, but you're not...Read More
All practice is not created equal. There’s the practice that's fun. You're in a room with your instrument and maybe a few friends and you just start playing. The minutes...Read More
You walk into your practice room. You sit back in your favorite chair and mentally prepare to play your first note of the day. You glance at your stack of etude books, the half transcribed...Read More
You walk into your practice room. You sit back in your favorite chair and mentally prepare to play your first note of the day. You glance at your stack of...Read More
I have a vivid memory of the first time I tried to play in an early jazz group. I was in school and was asked to play the trumpet part in an ensemble that met...Read More
I have a vivid memory of the first time I tried to play in an early jazz group. I was in school and was asked to play the trumpet part...Read More
Take a peek into a high school jazz band rehearsal or grab a seat at a college jazz combo concert. Better yet, walk into your local jam session or take a close look at the...Read More
Take a peek into a high school jazz band rehearsal or grab a seat at a college jazz combo concert. Better yet, walk into your local jam session or take...Read More