This week continues our look at simple, actionable devices that we can use over sus chords. Last week we talked about pentatonics you can use over over these chords. This week, is all about triadic material that you can easily insert over these types of chords. The first device is so simple you can start using it right away. The second may be a little bit tougher, but I promise you will have it down in no time. Enjoy the episode and remember to support us on Patreon if you enjoy this … [Read more...]

This is the second in our three part series on everything that has to do with motivation and practicing. Would you like to support the creators of this podcast? If so, please head over to our Patreon page and show your love by donating $3 or more each month. You get incredible benefits and this keeps the podcast coming at you regularly. Thanks so much! … [Read more...]

The inspiration for this week's show came from a student of mine that was having trouble with sus chords. She wasn't sure what to do when she saw a sus chord and what was appropriate as far as melodic devices. So, this week, I'm giving all of you the exact same material that I gave her. We investigate a couple of pentatonic scales that work very nicely over sus chords and the differences in sound between them. Enjoy! WANT THE PDF THAT GOES ALONG WITH THIS EPISODE?? Head over to our Patreon … [Read more...]

The next three MM episodes will feature questions from one of our long time listeners, Andrew. They are based on a project he has to do for a class he is in on motivation. Hope you enjoy and tune in the next two weeks for more of these topics! Would you like to support the creators of this podcast? If so, please head over to our Patreon page and show your love by donating $3 or more each month. You get incredible benefits and this keeps the podcast coming at you regularly. Thanks so much! … [Read more...]

Confirmation is one of those tunes that is very scary to look at. There's a good reason for this as Confirmation is usually played at extremely fast tempos and has a ton of changes! But don't fret, we are here to simplify some of the most difficult parts and give you a way to approach them with sequences. Sequential playing is an important aspect of playing bebop and tunes like Confirmation. It does a couple of important things: Gives you good sounding material that helps you learn the texture … [Read more...]

This week is all about doing something by hand that is typically done by computers these days. Would you like to support the creators of this podcast? If so, please head over to our Patreon page and show your love by donating $3 or more each month. You get incredible benefits and this keeps the podcast coming at you regularly. Thanks so much! … [Read more...]

This week continues our lick of the month series with a great piece of vocabulary and concept from the master, John Coltrane. Triads are such a great device when it comes to improvising and in this episode, Coltrane shows us how to masterfully use triads in a very interesting way. We also come up with an exercise based on Trane's line that we can use to get better at our instrument and develop some new things to say in our solos. Please enjoy and make sure you visit the Patreon link below to get … [Read more...]

This weekend was amazing. Got the chance to play with the legendary musician, Matt Wilson. He reminded me of some things that we sometimes forget when it comes to being musicians.... Would you like to support the creators of this podcast? If so, please head over to our Patreon page and show your love by donating $3 or more each month. You get incredible benefits and this keeps the podcast coming at you regularly. Thanks so much! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLWo1YEaf-M … [Read more...]

This week we are talking about something that I think will be truly revolutionary for many of you out there. Vocabulary is an essential part of learning the jazz language. The tricky part is how difficult it is and how frustration can cause you to give up on this important part of your jazz education. This is where short bits of vocabulary come in very handy. The ability to take these lines through all 12 keys without much trouble will be important for you to have fun and not give up. Have fun … [Read more...]

This week is all about choosing the right solo when you're getting started with transcription. Enjoy! Would you like to support the creators of this podcast? If so, please head over to our Patreon page and show your love by donating $3 or more each month. You get incredible benefits and this keeps the podcast coming at you regularly. Thanks so much!   https://youtu.be/UM9lhMDVmUU … [Read more...]