When we practice jazz improvisation, we zoom in on one area of study so much that we often lose sight of the whole. How do we practice in this truly focused way, while simultaneously train...Read More
When we practice jazz improvisation, we zoom in on one area of study so much that we often lose sight of the whole. How do we practice in this truly...Read More
Great solos don't come from nowhere. The ability to apply innovative harmonic concepts, flawless instrumental technique, and appropriate musical language doesn't just materialize out of thin air. These prized aspects of excellent musicianship have to...Read More
Great solos don't come from nowhere. The ability to apply innovative harmonic concepts, flawless instrumental technique, and appropriate musical language doesn't just materialize out of thin air. These prized aspects...Read More
I practice a lot. Some days more than others, but I try to get in a couple hours everyday no matter how busy I am. In many jobs I've had, I've even been known to...Read More
I practice a lot. Some days more than others, but I try to get in a couple hours everyday no matter how busy I am. In many jobs I've had,...Read More
Recently I've been checking out a book called "You are Your Own Gym: The Bible of Bodyweight Execises." The author, Mark Lauren, is a former instructor and trainer for elite special forces soldiers. The central...Read More
Recently I've been checking out a book called "You are Your Own Gym: The Bible of Bodyweight Execises." The author, Mark Lauren, is a former instructor and trainer for elite...Read More
It's as easy as getting from point A to point B, right? Of course it is. But what they fail to mention is that the distance between the two points is not a straight line!...Read More
It's as easy as getting from point A to point B, right? Of course it is. But what they fail to mention is that the distance between the two points...Read More
Recently we've gotten a few questions regarding chord tones: how to work on hearing them, how to aim for them in your lines, and how to connect them when you're improvising over a chord progression....Read More
Recently we've gotten a few questions regarding chord tones: how to work on hearing them, how to aim for them in your lines, and how to connect them when you're...Read More
You've heard it time and time again...PLAY WHAT YOU HEAR!! But when it comes to improvising jazz, how do you actually go about playing what you're hearing? And how do you mentally hear the beautiful...Read More
You've heard it time and time again...PLAY WHAT YOU HEAR!! But when it comes to improvising jazz, how do you actually go about playing what you're hearing? And how do...Read More
Everybody talks about learning tunes. I mean everybody. It's the one common thread that pops up at jam sessions, on gigs, in music schools and in conversations with great players. Hey, what tune do you...Read More
Everybody talks about learning tunes. I mean everybody. It's the one common thread that pops up at jam sessions, on gigs, in music schools and in conversations with great players....Read More
We spend a lot of time thinking about what we want to play, but how often do we think about what we don't want to play? I'm sure if you spent some time recording yourself...Read More
We spend a lot of time thinking about what we want to play, but how often do we think about what we don't want to play? I'm sure if you...Read More
Being successful as a jazz musician isn't all about practice routines, ii-V licks, or memorizing tunes. Sometimes getting to the next level as a player is all about having the right perspective. Here are 20...Read More
Being successful as a jazz musician isn't all about practice routines, ii-V licks, or memorizing tunes. Sometimes getting to the next level as a player is all about having the...Read More
The extreme ranges of any instrument express extreme emotion, but they're not easy to tackle. The high register is notoriously difficult on most instruments and the low register is often under-developed and under-utilized. The standard...Read More
The extreme ranges of any instrument express extreme emotion, but they're not easy to tackle. The high register is notoriously difficult on most instruments and the low register is often...Read More
Let's face it, improvisation is hard enough as it is, even when we do spend the time in the practice room. But however much we study or practice, there are some key factors that can...Read More
Let's face it, improvisation is hard enough as it is, even when we do spend the time in the practice room. But however much we study or practice, there are...Read More
Half-diminished chords are difficult, but they don't have to be. In How to Not Suck At Half-diminished Chords, I presented a simple way to start to improve at these often neglected chords and if you...Read More
Half-diminished chords are difficult, but they don't have to be. In How to Not Suck At Half-diminished Chords, I presented a simple way to start to improve at these often...Read More
Amagical thing happens when you listen to a recording of your favorite player and begin to play along with the record. It's almost as if an unconscious transformation takes place, an instant instruction through aural...Read More
Amagical thing happens when you listen to a recording of your favorite player and begin to play along with the record. It's almost as if an unconscious transformation takes place,...Read More
In a recent question from a reader, I was asked why in many examples on this site do I denote the iii chord in a iii Vi ii V as half-diminished? This is an excellent...Read More
In a recent question from a reader, I was asked why in many examples on this site do I denote the iii chord in a iii Vi ii V as...Read More
It's a question that we get asked all the time on gigs, at jam sessions, and even in our weekly lessons. As you probably know, it's not a lot of fun when you are put...Read More
It's a question that we get asked all the time on gigs, at jam sessions, and even in our weekly lessons. As you probably know, it's not a lot of...Read More