We often get stuck in a rut when it comes to practicing technique. In the practice room we cover the same bases in our efforts to improve our overall technique. We run our major and...Read More
We often get stuck in a rut when it comes to practicing technique. In the practice room we cover the same bases in our efforts to improve our overall technique....Read More
Tell me if this scenario sounds familiar:You walk into a jam session ready to play a tune that you've been sounding great on. As the band finishes up a set you gather up your courage,...Read More
Tell me if this scenario sounds familiar:You walk into a jam session ready to play a tune that you've been sounding great on. As the band finishes up a set...Read More
Remember those times in school, where you were assigned a huge project and given a deadline to finish it by? You know, the ones where the teacher threw an enormous assignment at you as soon...Read More
Remember those times in school, where you were assigned a huge project and given a deadline to finish it by? You know, the ones where the teacher threw an enormous...Read More
In case you were starting to mistake jazz musicians for super-humans...Or highly talented individuals that know thousands of tunes, have perfect pitch, and transcribe solos in mere minutes, I thought I’d write a post to...Read More
In case you were starting to mistake jazz musicians for super-humans...Or highly talented individuals that know thousands of tunes, have perfect pitch, and transcribe solos in mere minutes, I thought...Read More
When I think about what it means to "let go," detailed scenes from Hollywood hits come to mind. Scenes like Neo in The Matrix learning that "there is no spoon," and Tom Cruise in the...Read More
When I think about what it means to "let go," detailed scenes from Hollywood hits come to mind. Scenes like Neo in The Matrix learning that "there is no spoon,"...Read More
The dominant chord is one of the most versatile chords in the jazz repertoire, and it's your best bet for adding harmonic tension and melodic interest to your lines. The only problem is that many...Read More
The dominant chord is one of the most versatile chords in the jazz repertoire, and it's your best bet for adding harmonic tension and melodic interest to your lines. The...Read More
After countless hours in the practice room, you've finally managed to transcribe one of your favorite players. You figured out a particular line that caught your ear, and now you're learning it in all keys....Read More
After countless hours in the practice room, you've finally managed to transcribe one of your favorite players. You figured out a particular line that caught your ear, and now you're...Read More
When you first began learning how to improvise, chances are the first thing you encountered were scales. Memorizing lists of scales from Major and minor to diminished and octatonic. Knowing which scales work with which...Read More
When you first began learning how to improvise, chances are the first thing you encountered were scales. Memorizing lists of scales from Major and minor to diminished and octatonic. Knowing...Read More
Have you ever felt like you're stuck with the same old licks when it comes to improvising? Or that you're trying to create a solo from a strict set of scales. The truth is many...Read More
Have you ever felt like you're stuck with the same old licks when it comes to improvising? Or that you're trying to create a solo from a strict set of...Read More
Open up any music theory book and you'll find the term "lydian." A funny sounding word that refers to the fourth mode of the major scale. You’ve, no doubt, played this scale. You've probably even...Read More
Open up any music theory book and you'll find the term "lydian." A funny sounding word that refers to the fourth mode of the major scale. You’ve, no doubt, played...Read More
Several readers have written us lately asking how to practice scales. Simply practicing them is not difficult, but attaining a high level of speed and accuracy, while keeping your sound consistent throughout all registers is...Read More
Several readers have written us lately asking how to practice scales. Simply practicing them is not difficult, but attaining a high level of speed and accuracy, while keeping your sound...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
Practicing lines in all keys is a must, but it’s not that easy or even clear why it’s so important in the first place. Many years ago, I remember trying to take a ii V...Read More
Practicing lines in all keys is a must, but it’s not that easy or even clear why it’s so important in the first place. Many years ago, I remember trying...Read More
Ahh the summer…a time to take a break from the daily grind and a moment to take stock of your progress. A few months to relax, reset, and refocus on the stuff you want to...Read More
Ahh the summer…a time to take a break from the daily grind and a moment to take stock of your progress. A few months to relax, reset, and refocus on...Read More
One thing you always want to be doing is learning new material. New lines, new tunes, new concepts...there's always something new to learn. We preach the mantra "Quality Over Quantity" in practically everything we write....Read More
One thing you always want to be doing is learning new material. New lines, new tunes, new concepts...there's always something new to learn. We preach the mantra "Quality Over Quantity"...Read More
One of the most frustrating feelings I have, is to get to the end of the day and realize that I haven't practiced enough, or even worse, that I haven't even touched my instrument. Whether...Read More
One of the most frustrating feelings I have, is to get to the end of the day and realize that I haven't practiced enough, or even worse, that I haven't...Read More