New Lessons!
You'll find my newest lessons in this collection. As other new releases are published, I'll migrate these into their respective categories. Look for the EXTRAS and PDF files for each lesson at the end of this category.
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Confirmation Bop Concepts, Lesson 2: Inversions and Displacements
Learn about inversions and displacements and the role they play in creating bop lines.
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Beginning Improvisation, Lesson 7: Developing Jazz Technique
Learn how to improve your technique and understanding of harmony - simultaneously! This lesson shows you how to practice the jazz vocabulary covered in earlier lessons in this series through a system of patterns. The goal is to get the fingers and mind moving quickly and fluently as you internal...
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Confirmation Demonstration
This demo goes with the Confirmation Bop Concepts lesson series.
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Confirmation Bop Concepts, Lesson 1: The Guide Tone Connection
Learn how guide tones serve as connection points of chords in bop lines. We'll work specifically with the guide tone connection in the ii-V progressions found in the chord progression of Charlie Parker's tune, Confirmation. Be sure to download the EXTRAS folder for the PDF and slow & fast play-al...
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Beginning Improvisation, Lesson 6: Developing Your Jazz Sound
Learn how to begin developing your personal jazz sound. Tonal flexibility and jazz articulation are among the concepts addressed in this lesson. Be sure to view the supplemental video called The Secret of Tonal Control.
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Beginning Improvisation, Lesson 6 -Supplement: The Secret of Tonal Control
This supplement to Beginning Improv Lesson 6 shows you how to build tonal control and flexibility.
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Minor Blues ala Stolen Moments - Lesson - Quick Tunes #13
Learn to solo on a 12-bar minor blues progression like the one used in Stolen Moments. Variations on this chord progression are found in most 12-bar minor blues, making this a multi-tune related lesson. Be sure to check out the Phrasing Demo and I Play-You Play videos that accompany this lesson. ...
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Minor Blues ala Stolen Moments - Phrasing Demo - Quick Tunes #13
This is the phrasing demo that goes with the Minor Blues Quick Tunes lesson.
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Minor Blues ala Stolen Moments - I Play-You Play - Quick Tunes #13
This is the I Play-You Play video that goes with Quick Tunes lesson #13.
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A Look Into Dexter Gordon's Cadenza on You've Changed
My personal insight into Dexter Gordon's cadenza on You've Changed from the Swiss Nights album. Be sure to download the PDF in the EXTRAS file for the written transcription.
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Rhythm Templates and Tunes
Learn to practice tunes using rhythmic templates for developing time and phrases. In this lesson, we'll apply a number of rhythmic templates using a play-along track to the standard, Autumn Leaves. This method can be applied to any tune. Download the EXTRAS folder for a play-along track and writt...
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Rhythmic Templates and Tunes - Play-Along
This is the video play-along for Rhythmic Templates and Tunes. A play-along track is included in the downloadable EXTRAS folder
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Beginning Improvisation, Lesson 5: The ABC's and 7ths of the Jazz Language
Learn about 7th chords and the common key centered progression known as ii-V-I. Be sure to download the EXTRAS folder for the written and play-along files.
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When Sunny Gets Blue - Phrasing Demo - Quick Tunes #12
This is the phrasing demonstration that goes with the Quick Tunes lesson on When Sunny Gets Blue.
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When Sunny Gets Blue - Lesson - Quick Tunes #12
Learn to solo on the classic tune, When Sunny Gets Blue. The lesson covers basic through moderately advanced soloing and phrasing concepts. Thanks to fellow subscriber, Hans-Jurg, for inspiring this lesson. Be sure to download the EXTRAS folder for written and play-along files.
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Beginning Improvisation, Lesson 4: The ABC's of the Jazz Language
Learn the most basic component of chord changes as we begin improvising on a tune- The Summer Wind. Download the EXTRAS folder for the written file and Play-Along track.
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Beatrice - Phrasing Demo - Quick Tunes #11
This is the phrasing demo that goes with the Quick Tunes lesson on Beatrice. The play-along track included in the EXTRAS download.
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Beatrice - Lesson - Quick Tunes #11
Learn to solo on this beautiful standard by Sam Rivers. Be certain to check out the phrasing demo if you're not familiar with this one. I think it will quickly become one of your favorites! Download the EXTRAS for the play-along and written files
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Beginning Improvisation, Lesson 3: Paving the Way with Pentatonics
Learn to use this multi-functional scale on major and minor tonalities, chords, and tunes. We cap the lesson off by improvising with a play-along track to the jazz standard, Cantaloupe Island. Be sure to download the EXTRAS for the written file and play-along track.
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Minor ii-V-i's, Part 3: Creating Phrases
Learn to create minor ii-V-i phrases using the half-diminished, altered, and tonic chordal basics. Be sure to download the EXTRAS folder for the written file and a play-along track.
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Beginning Improvisation, Lesson 2: Blues and the Blues Scale
Learn how the blues scale is constructed and used in creating phrases in improvised solos.
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Minor ii-V-i's, Part 2: The Scales
Learn about the various scales associated with the chords in minor ii-V-i's.
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Minor ii-V-i's: The Whats and Whys, Part 1
Learn the basics of minor ii-V-i's in Part 1 of this series as we cover the different types of chords associated with this common progression.
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Focus on Phrasing - Phrasing Demo
A phrasing demo to go along with the lesson.