Welcome to the final edition of bebop basics! This week we are looking at a really cool exercise with major triads. Most of us know our major triads but can you play them in chromatic motion starting from the root, third, and fifth? That's what these exercises are all about and this is sure to stretch your technique and knowledge to the limit! I've had so much fun showing you these exercises over the past month. I hope you all have gained something from them. Remember, these are the essential … [Read more...]

This week we bring things back to the beginnings of the art form we know and love. Are you invested in the tradition?   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 is the 3rd installment of our bebop basics series. This week we are taking a look at some very useful exercises involving pivoting on chords and scales. A pivot point is essential to keeping our lines interesting and unpredictable. Solos that just sound like arpeggios or running scales get stale fast. By incorporating some pivot points we keep our listeners wanting more and keep even ourselves guessing what we'll do next. Remember that these exercises are all building toward something and … [Read more...]

This week we talk about the relationship between left and right brain when we practice and why you should be making time for both. … [Read more...]

Welcome back to another episode covering bebop basics! This week we are looking at playing diatonic chords with chromatic approaches. It is absolutely vital that every jazz musician be able to nail their scales and chords for maximum effectiveness while soloing. If you haven't practiced your diatonic chord structures, you should start there. Once we get this down, it's time to add our chromatic approach tones and make things a little more interesting. Enjoy the episode and be prepared to take … [Read more...]

This thread dropped some serious knowledge on me and changed everything for good. … [Read more...]

This week we are starting a multi-part series on what you should be doing to nail down the basics of the bebop style. Bebop is the most important thing to understand when it comes to playing modern jazz as the information provided by these revolutionary musicians informed all music that came after it. You can think of bebop as the building blocks for everything you will play and in this week's episode we get into the must know exercises that come from the world famous musician and teacher, … [Read more...]

Getting the most out of your practice is all about your energy levels. When is the best time for you??                             … [Read more...]

Pat Martino is probably my favorite guitar player ever. On an instrument with such a storied history, people like him and Joe Pass still make me smile and tap my foot every time I hear them play. Today we are taking a look at one of his ii-V-i licks over Blue Bossa. This tune is one that every jazz musician should know regardless of skill level. This tune gets called at so many jam sessions and contains some essential chord progressions that everyone should know. Martino uses several devices … [Read more...]

This week's Motivation Monday is all about turning off the biggest distraction in any room.                             … [Read more...]