This video demonstrates a warm up using Major 7th chords in a broken arpeggio and Altered Scales in each key. Warming up each day with…
Read Full Blog PostLesson 105: 1,9,5,13 Tetrad
In this video I practice using a 4 note cell or “tetrad” consisting of just the 1st, the 9th, the 5th and 13th degree of…
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 PostLesson 74: Cycle Wheel Pt.2 (Cycle 3 and 6)
This is part 2 of a 3 part lesson series dealing with using Cycle Wheels to deconstruct any type of 7 note scale. The 3…
Read Full Blog PostLesson 69: A Major
Sometimes working on just one key for a while can be beneficial. Today I practiced a bit on concert A major – on tenor sax…
Read Full Blog PostLesson 64: Book ii-V-I
In this lesson we’ll look at the first ii – V7 – I melody found in the “Modern Jazz Vocabulary vol. 2” book. This melody…
Read Full Blog PostLesson 63: Nat 9 ~ Flat 9
In lesson 63 we look at a simple melody that uses both the natural 9 (the #11) and the b9 on a dominant 7th chord. …
Read Full Blog PostLesson 61: “Drop 2” Voicing
While working on major 7th and minor 7th “drop 2” chord voicings, I found a nice shape to work on through the keys. Drop…
Read Full Blog PostLesson 53: pentatonic
I played a gig a few weeks ago with a wonderful alto player from NYC named Logan Richardson. While playing over Without a Song in…
Read Full Blog PostLesson 52: Enclosures
Chromatic and diatonic enclosures are a great way to begin working with melodic embellishment. In this exercise the 3rd of both a major triad (with…
Read Full Blog PostLesson 24: Major Melody
This is a very simple melody that clearly outlines the major 7 sound (with a passing natural 11). First learn to sing the melody in…
Read Full Blog PostLesson 38: 1st Inv Triads
Over the years I consistently hear from my students, “I know all my triads” and, “I know all my major scales”. After closer examination, it…
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