Learning tunes. Memorizing standards. Building a solid repertoire that continues to grow. These ideas are always hovering at the back of an improviser's mind. We make lists of tunes, print out lead sheets to study,...Read More
Learning tunes. Memorizing standards. Building a solid repertoire that continues to grow. These ideas are always hovering at the back of an improviser's mind. We make lists of tunes, print...Read More
Let me guess...You’re smart. You know your stuff. And you have a sparkle in your eyes when you talk about music. You take lessons and you play in a band, and when you find a...Read More
Let me guess...You’re smart. You know your stuff. And you have a sparkle in your eyes when you talk about music. You take lessons and you play in a band,...Read More
Remember the first time you played a modal tune like Impressions and how fun it was to wail over a minor chord? Maybe you’ve had this experience, or maybe it’s in your near future, but...Read More
Remember the first time you played a modal tune like Impressions and how fun it was to wail over a minor chord? Maybe you’ve had this experience, or maybe it’s...Read More
Music theory is packed with quite a few dense explanations of esoteric concepts that plague the performer, and while music theory can be incredibly helpful to performing musicians, it has unfortunately steered so many players...Read More
Music theory is packed with quite a few dense explanations of esoteric concepts that plague the performer, and while music theory can be incredibly helpful to performing musicians, it has...Read More
If you think about it, the elements of your practice routine are like the different sections of a well-structured work-out plan. You've got your warm-up/stretching, cardio, strength training, resistance work outs, and the list goes...Read More
If you think about it, the elements of your practice routine are like the different sections of a well-structured work-out plan. You've got your warm-up/stretching, cardio, strength training, resistance work...Read More
Bebop language is at the very heart of jazz. From the classic beboppers to the crazy out players, every great jazz improviser has spent time absorbing, imitating, and developing timeless bebop language. There’s just something about...Read More
Bebop language is at the very heart of jazz. From the classic beboppers to the crazy out players, every great jazz improviser has spent time absorbing, imitating, and developing timeless bebop...Read More
You've got a list of tunes that you're excited to learn. Song titles scribbled on a piece of paper, lead sheets saved on your phone, and videos of your favorite players killing the changes. However,...Read More
You've got a list of tunes that you're excited to learn. Song titles scribbled on a piece of paper, lead sheets saved on your phone, and videos of your favorite...Read More
The ability to play in every key is essential for all musicians. From the complete beginner, to the serious music student, all the way to the seasoned professional... And it's especially important for musicians that...Read More
The ability to play in every key is essential for all musicians. From the complete beginner, to the serious music student, all the way to the seasoned professional... And it's...Read More
Phrasing is one of those things that everyone talks about, but most cannot clearly define. Like the concept of “swing,” it’s something you can feel and hear, but as soon as you start trying to...Read More
Phrasing is one of those things that everyone talks about, but most cannot clearly define. Like the concept of “swing,” it’s something you can feel and hear, but as soon...Read More
So you’ve finally realized the importance of jazz language and you’re starting to learn lines in all keys…it’s like a whole new world has opened up. More creativity. More possibility. More options...Done are the days...Read More
So you’ve finally realized the importance of jazz language and you’re starting to learn lines in all keys…it’s like a whole new world has opened up. More creativity. More possibility....Read More
You've seen it on TV or maybe you've even done it yourself. Trekking into the wilderness alone, armed with just a few essential tools and your own courage. Find your own shelter, find your own...Read More
You've seen it on TV or maybe you've even done it yourself. Trekking into the wilderness alone, armed with just a few essential tools and your own courage. Find your...Read More
On this site we’ve frequently written about learning tunes. This is no coincidence - learning tunes goes hand in hand with improving as an improviser. Whether you're practicing, performing, or simply listening to a few...Read More
On this site we’ve frequently written about learning tunes. This is no coincidence - learning tunes goes hand in hand with improving as an improviser. Whether you're practicing, performing, or...Read More
When your goal is to improve at a skill like improvisation, you will stop at nothing to gather as much information as you can. Your search leads you in every direction: out of print books,...Read More
When your goal is to improve at a skill like improvisation, you will stop at nothing to gather as much information as you can. Your search leads you in every...Read More
Jazz is smart people music! I first heard these words from the great pianist Harold Mabern. Walking through the practice rooms at school one day, as was usually the case, a group of eager students...Read More
Jazz is smart people music! I first heard these words from the great pianist Harold Mabern. Walking through the practice rooms at school one day, as was usually the case,...Read More
People will tell you all sorts of things about learning jazz improvisation. But no one tells you many of the things that could actually help you the most. As we practice jazz improvisation, we develop...Read More
People will tell you all sorts of things about learning jazz improvisation. But no one tells you many of the things that could actually help you the most. As we...Read More
Of all the time signatures that we encounter in jazz or any other music, the most common by far is 4/4, meaning it has 4 beats per measure and a quarter note is equal to...Read More
Of all the time signatures that we encounter in jazz or any other music, the most common by far is 4/4, meaning it has 4 beats per measure and a...Read More