As melodic improvisers, we are naturally focused on the harmonic aspect of what we are playing. After all, there's nothing worse than playing wrong notes, right? Our minds are so concerned with what key a...Read More
As melodic improvisers, we are naturally focused on the harmonic aspect of what we are playing. After all, there's nothing worse than playing wrong notes, right? Our minds are so...Read More
Music is the space between the notes - Claude Debussy. The use of space is what defines our lines. Learning how to control our use of space allows us to define our lines precisely how...Read More
Music is the space between the notes - Claude Debussy. The use of space is what defines our lines. Learning how to control our use of space allows us to...Read More
The difference between many subjects and jazz improvisation is that the latter has no single correct and well-defined path. Every person takes a different route depending how they learn, how they hear, what they want...Read More
The difference between many subjects and jazz improvisation is that the latter has no single correct and well-defined path. Every person takes a different route depending how they learn, how...Read More
Articulation...tonguing notes, it seems like a pretty simple concept, right? Well, not exactly. It has taken me quite a while and a ton of practice to figure out how to articulate my lines correctly when...Read More
Articulation...tonguing notes, it seems like a pretty simple concept, right? Well, not exactly. It has taken me quite a while and a ton of practice to figure out how to...Read More
You learn scales. You faithfully practice triads and arpeggios in every key. You memorize chord progressions & learn tunes. And then you improvise... Sound familiar? This is the standard approach to jazz improvisation that you...Read More
You learn scales. You faithfully practice triads and arpeggios in every key. You memorize chord progressions & learn tunes. And then you improvise... Sound familiar? This is the standard approach...Read More
You want to play exciting solos. Ones that will make the audience sit on the edge of their seats, that'll make you stand out from every other musician in the room. But when you improvise...Read More
You want to play exciting solos. Ones that will make the audience sit on the edge of their seats, that'll make you stand out from every other musician in the...Read More
Perhaps the most impressive thing about the musical masters that we look up to isn’t their ability to create incredibly fast and complex lines or even their vast library of harmonic knowledge… It lies in...Read More
Perhaps the most impressive thing about the musical masters that we look up to isn’t their ability to create incredibly fast and complex lines or even their vast library of...Read More
Think of a jazz standard that you often play. One that you've been working on in the practice room. Picture the chord progression in your mind and imagine yourself getting ready to play the first...Read More
Think of a jazz standard that you often play. One that you've been working on in the practice room. Picture the chord progression in your mind and imagine yourself getting...Read More
We've presented tons of exercises on how to practice ear training, but many require that you have someone to train with. So what do you do when you don't have a partner? When you have...Read More
We've presented tons of exercises on how to practice ear training, but many require that you have someone to train with. So what do you do when you don't have...Read More
The Chord-scale system has become the most established and widespread method for teaching jazz improvisation...And it's no mystery why. So often, scales—more specifically the modes of the major and melodic minor scales—get passed-off as the most...Read More
The Chord-scale system has become the most established and widespread method for teaching jazz improvisation...And it's no mystery why. So often, scales—more specifically the modes of the major and melodic...Read More
Becoming fluent with jazz language is the key to unlocking your musical freedom when you improvise. It’s the missing piece of the puzzle. The lost ship. The thing everyone ignores… And it’s totally counter-intuitive... You...Read More
Becoming fluent with jazz language is the key to unlocking your musical freedom when you improvise. It’s the missing piece of the puzzle. The lost ship. The thing everyone ignores… ...Read More
John Coltrane is probably best known for Countdown and Giant Steps, or his earth-shattering intensity on A Love Supreme. But often overlooked is the depth and beauty of his phrasing and lyricism... When I first...Read More
John Coltrane is probably best known for Countdown and Giant Steps, or his earth-shattering intensity on A Love Supreme. But often overlooked is the depth and beauty of his phrasing...Read More
Every improviser has to face it at some point. We're talking about those 32 bars of music that you know as Rhythm Changes. Sure it’s easy enough to sing the melody...And you've heard all the...Read More
Every improviser has to face it at some point. We're talking about those 32 bars of music that you know as Rhythm Changes. Sure it’s easy enough to sing the...Read More
Have you ever thrown your hands up in frustration trying to understand music theory? Have you ever found yourself lost and panicking in a solo as you search for the right scale or chord to...Read More
Have you ever thrown your hands up in frustration trying to understand music theory? Have you ever found yourself lost and panicking in a solo as you search for the...Read More
Admit it. You listen to pop tunes. You probably even like them. But hold on a second, aren’t you’re supposed to be a serious musician? It’s OK, everyone listens to pop tunes. Just because you...Read More
Admit it. You listen to pop tunes. You probably even like them. But hold on a second, aren’t you’re supposed to be a serious musician? It’s OK, everyone listens to...Read More
From the moment we are born, the world tends to have a container already built for us to fit inside: A social security number, a gender, a race, a profession, an I.Q. I ponder if...Read More
From the moment we are born, the world tends to have a container already built for us to fit inside: A social security number, a gender, a race, a profession,...Read More