Using only the 1,3,#11,7 Tetrad (or 4 note set) I’ve been using this 1, 3, #11, 7 Tetrad (4 note set) for years in both…
Read Full Blog Post4th mode of Harmonic Major (triad pairs)
Using “triad pairs” has become a popular method to help generate melodic material. I first heard Oliver Nelson use triad pairs in his 1961 solo…
Read Full Blog PostHot House
I’ve been looking at using Modes of harmonic Major and harmonic minor over the chord progression “What is This Thing Called Love”. The first two…
Read Full Blog PostLesson 121: Fool To Want You
Today I’m working on the first melody of the standard “I’m a Fool to Want You”. I’m singing the opening phrase at the piano while…
Read Full Blog PostLesson 120: Singing/Tapping
Today I’ve been singing half note roots over Coltrane’s tri-tonic system. In this case: C Maj, Eb7, Ab Maj, B7, E Maj, G7 repeat… while…
Read Full Blog PostLesson 119: Relative Pitch
This is a supplementary post to Lesson 26. This skill will help you learn to play what you hear, learn to hear new ideas, melodies…
Read Full Blog PostLesson118: All Intervals
. . I’ve been working on this interval exercise with a drone for the last week or so and it’s really starting to have a…
Read Full Blog PostLesson 117: Major 9 #5 Melody
This short warm up is a melody based on a Major 7 #5 chord. The melody starts on the Root, ascends to the #5, ascends…
Read Full Blog PostLesson 116: The Four Half Diminished Scales
Here’s a simple melody that outlines the 4 distinct half diminished modes or scales. The PDF contains both scale and the melody (which uses the…
Read Full Blog Post115: Melodic Minor Modes
Although I believe there is a limit to value of practicing and understanding chord scale theory, the melodic minor scale is so prevalent in jazz…
Read Full Blog PostInterview with Neon Jazz
Last February I was interviewed by Joe Dimino at Neon Jazz. Joe’s blog is an amazing wealth of interviews and inspiration where you can spend…
Read Full Blog PostLesson 114: Groupings of 5/8 Over 4/4
In this video I’m working on playing All The Things in 4/4 on piano. Half notes in the bass and 3rds and 7ths grouped in…
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