This episode is in response to a question from one of my students, Mike. His concern was those tunes with fast tempos and dense chord changes. Something we all struggle with. This episode is all about turning those tunes into an opportunity instead of a section to be feared. By turning them into a ballad or a set of cadenzas, we can free ourselves up to try new things and develop new pathways through tunes and keys. When we look at things like this as learning tools, we suddenly change our view … [Read more...]

Just got back from a relaxing vacation and I thought I'd subject you to a rambling podcast on what I was thinking about! 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 discussion on stylizing a melody. This time, we take a look at a great jazz standard, I Remember You, and talk about some concrete techniques we can use to make it more interesting than what is written in the book. David, one of our loyal listeners should be credited with bringing these ideas up and suggesting this tune. Thanks, David, and I hope you all get something out of this episode! WANT THE PDF THAT GOES ALONG WITH THIS EPISODE?? Head over to our Patreon … [Read more...]

This week I respond to many questions I've been getting about the great Barry Harris and his methods. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwS4aPW0QGp5TbRhVnKNNShvblBMENi_n 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...]

Playing the melody is an often overlooked skill. We focus so much on the solo we are about to play, that the melody becomes an afterthought. This week, we put an end to that thinking and make sure we treat the melody with the care and respect it deserves. We start our journey by transcribing the melody, and only the melody, to a great Dexter Grodon recording of the tune, Three O'clock in the Morning. Dexter is going to teach us some things (as he always does) about swing, feel, and articulation. … [Read more...]

Just finished teaching a two week jazz camp and wanted to share some thoughts with you all. 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...]

We are back with another edition of our tune of the month series! This month's episode is an extension of things we have been working on in the past couple of episodes. We are doubling down on double time (see what I did there). This episode is going to teach you how to apply the concepts we learned about in episodes 165 and 166. Remember, the key to anything you're practicing comes down to application. This episode features that sentiment in action. Enjoy! WANT THE PDF THAT GOES ALONG WITH … [Read more...]

This week's motivation comes in response to a question asked by Juan on YouTube. Thanks, Juan! 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...]

It's no secret that Clark Terry is one of my all time favorite musicians. His mastery, playfulness, and feel make, for me, the total package when it comes to what makes jazz great. This week we look at a chorus of his solo from his own composition, Haig & Haig. Normally, we drill down on a specific topic or device in these lick of the month episodes but, this month, we take a look at an entire statement and figure out what makes this story that Clark is telling so compelling. Please enjoy … [Read more...]

I'm so excited to start your week off with a conversation with Brent Vaartstra of Learn Jazz Standards! Brent is a fantastic jazz educator and guitarist from NYC. He also is the mastermind behind the website, podcast, and YouTube channel, Learn Jazz Standards. In this episode he discusses his Big 3 things you need to be practicing to accelerate your jazz skills. I know you're going to love this conversation so please enjoy! Visit Learn Jazz Standards Subscribe to the YouTube Channel … [Read more...]