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
They say that time is money, but in jazz improvisation, it's even more than that! Time is what's passing by while you're desperately trying to recall the next chord change in a tune, the notes...Read More
They say that time is money, but in jazz improvisation, it's even more than that! Time is what's passing by while you're desperately trying to recall the next chord change...Read More
It's the time of year again when we make ambitious lists of resolutions and let me tell you, this year is shaping up to be different. Seriously…all those other years were just practice runs, this...Read More
It's the time of year again when we make ambitious lists of resolutions and let me tell you, this year is shaping up to be different. Seriously…all those other years...Read More
Learning language is arguably the most important aspect of learning to improvise. When you start to use the language you've worked on in your solos, you start to realize how powerful it truly is. You...Read More
Learning language is arguably the most important aspect of learning to improvise. When you start to use the language you've worked on in your solos, you start to realize how...Read More
How creative are you each time you play your instrument? Think about it for a second...are you actually creating new musical ideas in your solos? Are you actually free when you improvise?? As a creative...Read More
How creative are you each time you play your instrument? Think about it for a second...are you actually creating new musical ideas in your solos? Are you actually free when...Read More
In today's world, it's easy to be overwhelmed. We live in a time of excess information and much of it is misleading. But supposing you've separated the good stuff from the stack, it still feels...Read More
In today's world, it's easy to be overwhelmed. We live in a time of excess information and much of it is misleading. But supposing you've separated the good stuff from...Read More
Arecurring theme on this site seems to be language - acquiring, practicing, and applying the jazz language. There is a reason behind all the repetition, however. Language is a very powerful concept when it comes...Read More
Arecurring theme on this site seems to be language - acquiring, practicing, and applying the jazz language. There is a reason behind all the repetition, however. Language is a very...Read More
What if you could approach something in a completely new way than you've ever done before? What would happen? Perhaps an entire world of possibility exists from this new angle, but how do you get...Read More
What if you could approach something in a completely new way than you've ever done before? What would happen? Perhaps an entire world of possibility exists from this new angle,...Read More