"Jazz Language"

    The Beginner’s Guide to Jazz Articulation: Coltrane Techniques Demystified

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    It's the subtleties of articulation that make melodies come alive. But, being so subtle, articulation is one of those concepts that's difficult to grasp, or for that matter, even teach. And it's personal. Nearly every...Read More

    It's the subtleties of articulation that make melodies come alive. But, being so subtle, articulation is one of those concepts that's difficult to grasp, or for that matter, even teach....Read More

    Applying the Pareto Principle to Learning Jazz Improvisation

    The commonly known Pareto Principle states that 80% of the effects of something, come from 20% of the causes. In terms of learning, this means: figure out where the largest gains can be made and...Read More

    The commonly known Pareto Principle states that 80% of the effects of something, come from 20% of the causes. In terms of learning, this means: figure out where the largest...Read More

    Jazz Contrafacts and Reharmonization: A Creative Approach to Jazz Standards

    Creativity in its most basic form is simply the act of taking something old and making it new. Whether you're a novelist, an architect, an engineer or an improviser, artistic creation stems from a desire...Read More

    Creativity in its most basic form is simply the act of taking something old and making it new. Whether you're a novelist, an architect, an engineer or an improviser, artistic...Read More

    The Improviser’s Tipping Point

    When exactly do I become good at improvising? Is there a single point that occurs where I can finally play like I want to? These are questions that inevitably pop up and hover at the...Read More

    When exactly do I become good at improvising? Is there a single point that occurs where I can finally play like I want to? These are questions that inevitably pop...Read More

    6 Disastrous Mistakes You’re Making in Learning to Improvise

    Learning to improvise is a life long pursuit. Constantly, we're bombarded with information on how to improve. From the teachers that give us private lessons, to friends who recommend their personal practice routines, it seems...Read More

    Learning to improvise is a life long pursuit. Constantly, we're bombarded with information on how to improve. From the teachers that give us private lessons, to friends who recommend their...Read More

    The Smart Improviser’s Process for Creating Stellar Solos Every Time

    Contrary to what many people think, great solos don’t just happen by chance. They aren’t a lucky run of notes that happen to sound good or a sudden stroke of divine inspiration that hits once...Read More

    Contrary to what many people think, great solos don’t just happen by chance. They aren’t a lucky run of notes that happen to sound good or a sudden stroke of...Read More

    6 Reasons You Should Start Composing Today

    Ican't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones - John Cage. At some point as an improviser, whether you welcome it with open arms or avoid it like...Read More

    Ican't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones - John Cage. At some point as an improviser, whether you welcome it with open...Read More

    How Thinking Like a Writer Will Make You a Better Jazz Improviser

    Sometimes a change in perspective is all you need. Jazz improvisation is a demanding pursuit, one that combines intellect, feeling and expression. It's easy to grasp the music theory side of things, but it's much...Read More

    Sometimes a change in perspective is all you need. Jazz improvisation is a demanding pursuit, one that combines intellect, feeling and expression. It's easy to grasp the music theory side...Read More

    4 More Myths About Jazz Improvisation

    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

    Transcribing Whole Solos Is More Than You Thought

    In my article on Monday I talked about why you're not getting the results you want from transcribing whole solos. For the most part, that article was written with respect to language: how to make...Read More

    In my article on Monday I talked about why you're not getting the results you want from transcribing whole solos. For the most part, that article was written with respect...Read More

    Learning to Let Go: Achieving your optimum performance mindset

    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 Crucial Step For Mastering Any Tune You Play

    One of the most frustrating things about learning to improvise is the expectation that you can simply jump in and start creating a great solo right away... The belief that you can learn a single...Read More

    One of the most frustrating things about learning to improvise is the expectation that you can simply jump in and start creating a great solo right away... The belief that...Read More

    Why Jazz Theory Is Easier Than You Think…

    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

    Mulgrew Miller’s Secrets to All the Things You Are

    All The Things You Are is a timeless jazz standard...Charlie Parker, Stan Getz, Ella Fitzgerald, Sinatra...these are just some of the legends that recorded it. But with its traveling tonal centers and unfamiliar keys, this...Read More

    All The Things You Are is a timeless jazz standard...Charlie Parker, Stan Getz, Ella Fitzgerald, Sinatra...these are just some of the legends that recorded it. But with its traveling tonal...Read More

    27 Ways to Get Inspired to Play Music Again

    It’s been a while since you’ve picked up your horn, sat down to the piano, or even thought about practicing. As time goes by, it gets more and more difficult to get that spark going...Read More

    It’s been a while since you’ve picked up your horn, sat down to the piano, or even thought about practicing. As time goes by, it gets more and more difficult...Read More

    Music Theory Basics: The Circle of Fifths

    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