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
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
Each day when you get your instrument out of its case and set out to practice improvisation, your goal is to play the right notes. Whether it's playing with great technique and great sound or...Read More
Each day when you get your instrument out of its case and set out to practice improvisation, your goal is to play the right notes. Whether it's playing with great...Read More
In the recent article Hearing in Color, Forrest discussed the technique of how to develop hearing individual chord tones in the context of triads and 7th chords. Just as the individual chord tones in a...Read More
In the recent article Hearing in Color, Forrest discussed the technique of how to develop hearing individual chord tones in the context of triads and 7th chords. Just as the...Read More
Being able to quickly hear, sing, and accurately identify intervals is essential to developing your improvisational ear. In this article, we've put together a plan for you to master your intervals in 28 days... ...Read More
Being able to quickly hear, sing, and accurately identify intervals is essential to developing your improvisational ear. In this article, we've put together a plan for you to master your...Read More
You’re a musician. Or at least you used to be one...You played an instrument in high school, faithfully took private lessons, and performed at dozens of recitals and concerts. Maybe you even went on to...Read More
You’re a musician. Or at least you used to be one...You played an instrument in high school, faithfully took private lessons, and performed at dozens of recitals and concerts. Maybe...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
How do I connect chords when I'm soloing? You're asking yourself this question in the practice room and you're frustrated when there doesn't seem to be an easy answer. But you're not alone. This is...Read More
How do I connect chords when I'm soloing? You're asking yourself this question in the practice room and you're frustrated when there doesn't seem to be an easy answer. But...Read More
Transcribing is the single most effective method of learning how to improvise...or so everyone says. The only problem is it can be a mystery figuring out what the transcription process actually entails. You have your...Read More
Transcribing is the single most effective method of learning how to improvise...or so everyone says. The only problem is it can be a mystery figuring out what the transcription process...Read More
Have you ever noticed how there's a special group of improvisers that seem to know EXACTLY what to play over any tune at any time – no matter what it is? The key doesn't matter,...Read More
Have you ever noticed how there's a special group of improvisers that seem to know EXACTLY what to play over any tune at any time – no matter what it...Read More
As a musician, you often find yourself listening to the best improvisers you can. Searching for inspiration, guidance, and answers to the challenges you're facing. Especially when it comes to those records that include the...Read More
As a musician, you often find yourself listening to the best improvisers you can. Searching for inspiration, guidance, and answers to the challenges you're facing. Especially when it comes to...Read More
After you’ve been improvising jazz for a while, most chords are pretty familiar. You're used to major, minor, dominant, and half diminished…but just as you thought you were getting a handle on things, a chord...Read More
After you’ve been improvising jazz for a while, most chords are pretty familiar. You're used to major, minor, dominant, and half diminished…but just as you thought you were getting a...Read More
August is finally here and with the approaching end of summer looms the shadow of the fall marathon season. Across the country runners are stepping up their training for races that they've been preparing for...Read More
August is finally here and with the approaching end of summer looms the shadow of the fall marathon season. Across the country runners are stepping up their training for races...Read More
Hey, did you just hear that? Look, did you just see that? Wait, can you feel that? What's that smell? Wait...what?! On a daily basis our senses are bombarded with information. Sights, sounds, smells, and...Read More
Hey, did you just hear that? Look, did you just see that? Wait, can you feel that? What's that smell? Wait...what?! On a daily basis our senses are bombarded with...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
At some point in your musical journey, regardless of what instrument you play, you'll find yourself in front of that 88-keyed beast we call a piano. This can be a daunting task for many musicians....Read More
At some point in your musical journey, regardless of what instrument you play, you'll find yourself in front of that 88-keyed beast we call a piano. This can be a...Read More