In this practice video I’m working on minor 7 b5 chords or half diminished chords. I’ve found that by just focusing on the 4 notes…
Read Full Blog PostLesson 102: Accenting Triplets
In this practice video I’m working on using hand drums (in this case books) to practice accenting the 2nd triplet. This is similar to Lesson…
Read Full Blog PostLesson 101: Lydian b13 Cycle 5
In this short lesson, I’m delving into the Lydian b13 scale (1, 9, 3, #11, 5, b13, maj7, 1), in real time, exploring its nuances…
Read Full Blog Post~New CD Release “Soliloquy”~
Our newest CD, “Soliloquy”, features ten original compositions performed by a wonderful group of Kansas City musicians. This ensemble has been together for just over…
Read Full Blog Post~Lesson 100: Triads
A continual study of triads helps to build an ever strengthening grasp of the underlying structure of both melody and harmony. Using this simple approach…
Read Full Blog Post~Lesson 99: 4 Note Cell
In this lesson we’ll look at 5 different harmonic contexts for a common 4 note cell. This 4 note cell is often thought of as…
Read Full Blog Post-Lesson 98: Trumbauer
This past week in my Jazz Theory and Performance class at KU we looked at a solo recorded in 1927 by Saxophonist Frankie Trumbauer. The…
Read Full Blog Post