This month's tune of the month episode is a tune I have been playing and thinking a lot about lately. There Will Never Be Another You is a great jazz standard with many of the chord movements that we talk about on this show. The circle of fourths is very present in this particular composition and gives us a chance to work on many concepts relating to tension and release. This is exactly what we are doing this week when we look at a #9 to b9 resolution model. These two notes sound fantastic in … [Read more...]

Seamus Blake is one of the best modern jazz musicians in the world. Universally respected for his approach to the music, studying Seamus' playing should be a thing that we all do on a regular basis. This week we take a look at two different pieces of vocabulary that he plays over 'Blues Up & Down,' from the Sax Summit record. Seamus shows us some great devices including a lot of chromaticism. This tune is orignally played at a blazing tempo (250+!!), but in this episode, we slow it down and … [Read more...]

Had a great hang this past week at a clinic with Jery Bergonzi. He said something that really made me think.... 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 we continue our series on chord extensions by looking at the minor seventh chord. The extensions we use on this chord happen to be 9, 11, and 13. You'll notice that they are all diatonic which makes things a little bit more simple when it comes to this chord. These extensions also form a minor triad built off the ninth, giving us a nice start on some triad pairs. This week we give you two exercises offering up some rhythmic variety to go with our harmonic material. Enjoy and have fun … [Read more...]

This week features a thought I had while re-reading one of my favorite Chris Potter interviews... Here's the link to the full interview!   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 kicks off a series all about chord extensions. We had done an episode WAY back about this very topic but this series is going to feature a more in depth discussion and we are going to feature a different chord quality each week, allowing us to talk more deeply about the extensions and why they are what they are. We are kicking off the series with the major seventh chord and the extensions of 9, #11, and 13. We talk about what structure these three notes result in and give you an … [Read more...]

This week is a simple solution for a big problem. It's not about talent or genius, it's about the punishment you're willing to take! 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 brings back another one of our listener favorites, the lick of the month! This month I give you something simple but effective in the form of an augmented V chord. This sound is one of the most classic throughout jazz history used by many of our favorite musicians. The good news is, it's very simple to start using and it's one of the most effective sounds out there. Enjoy the episode! WANT THE PDF THAT GOES ALONG WITH THIS EPISODE?? Head over to our Patreon page and when you donate … [Read more...]

This weeks features an album recommendation. If you haven't checked out Sam Dillon's music, it's time we fix that! 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...]