LESSON 1: Idiomatic Front F Lick

During a Skype lesson, one of my students was having trouble using his front F key on the saxophone. He couldn’t get comfortable with it. I created this lick to show him how I often access the key.

I refer to this as an “idiomatic” lick because it lays so well on the horn. This is not the only way to use the key, but it’s a good introduction to get comfortable with the unique hand position required for front F.

Includes PDF practice notes.

LESSON 2: Major Seventh Chord Inversions

In this video lesson, I play the major seventh chords in all inversions with what I call the “top margin” of my “C” on tenor, with all notes descending: C B G E (Cmaj7), C Ab G Eb (Abmaj7), C A F E (Fmaj7), and C Ab F Db (Dbmaj7).

Playing the inversions in this manner really highlights the interval structures of the chords and improves the accuracy of the ear. This is a great practice approach for ear training and improved control of your major seventh chords.

Advanced level. Includes PDF practice notes for Bb, Eb and C instruments.

LESSON 3: Getz Double Note Articulation Effect

In this video lesson, I demonstrate a specialized type of articulation that I call the “Getz Double Note Articulation Effect.”

This is a device that I first heard on an album called “Stan Getz Plays.” It gives the illusion of double-tonguing, but it’s single tonguing with very strategically placed slurs.

Learning to use this effect has really improved my control and speed for articulation. This is a great tool to have in your “special effects” bag of tricks to add something unique to your solos.

Includes PDF practice notes for Bb, Eb and C instruments.

LESSON 4: The Blues Scale – Part 1 of 2

In this video lesson, I explore the blues scale. This part one video teaches scale construction and application of the blues scale over a dominant and a minor chord.

I share my thoughts on using the scale over the full range of the horn and demonstrate some popular techniques used by the masters with this scale, including sequencing and repetition.

Includes PDF practice notes for Bb, Eb and C instruments.

LESSON 5: The Blues Scale – Part 2 of 2

This video lesson continues where part one ended, exploring options for adding extra chromatic notes to the scale.

Includes many examples in which I play some of my favorite phrases using the scale with the extra notes.

I also share my thoughts on the overuse of this scale by beginning players and explain why I look at this scale as a sort of musical spice, used to enhance the flavor of a chord progression.

Includes PDF practice notes for Bb, Eb and C instruments.

LESSON 1: Introduction to Major Seventh Chord Inversions

In this video lesson, I share my technique for hearing all inversions of a major seventh chord.

I explain why this unique approach helps the ear to hear the differences between the intervallic structures of root position, first inversion, second inversion and third inversions of the major seventh chord.

Includes PDF practice notes for Bb, Eb and C instruments.

LESSON 2: Major Seventh Chord Inversions Echo Game

In this video lesson, I play the major seventh chords in all inversions with what I call the “bottom margin” of my “C” on tenor: C-E-G-B (Cmaj7), C Eb G Ab (Abmaj7), C E F A (Fmaj7), and C Db F Ab (Dbmaj7), followed by the remaining eleven notes in the cycle acting as the “bottom margin notes.”

Playing the inversions in this manner really highlights the interval structure and improves the accuracy of the ear.

This is a great practice approach for ear training and improved control of your major seventh chords. Advanced level.

LESSON 3: Hip Lick #73

In this video lesson, I explore Hip Lick #73 and demonstrate how I adapt the lick to change it from a Bossa Nova style lick into a Swing style lick, with extra notes and less syncopation.

Hip Lick #73 is based on a popular chord progression known as “Parallel Major to Minor.” This means that the chord changes from Cmaj7 to Cmi7. Many of the old standard songs, including Green Dolphin Street, I’ll Remember April, How High The Moon, I’m Glad there Is You, etc., use this chord progression.

The video concludes with and ECHO GAME of the lick in all twelve keys, played in the cycle. Includes PDF practice notes for Bb, Eb and C instruments. Intermediate Level.

LESSON 4: Echo Game with Random Chord Types

I’ve had many member requests for a video in which I play the “big five” chords in the cycle, but randomize the chord types instead of just playing them in a preset order.

In this video lesson, the first half is designed for intermediate players and I reveal each chord type after I leave space for you to echo the chord arpeggio that I have played. The second part of the video is slightly more challenging.

I randomize the chords again through the cycle, but this time I don’t reveal the type played. The final part of this echo game is for more advanced players, with the randomized chords descending from the seventh.

This is an excellent way to improve your ear and your ability to focus on the unique sound of the “big five” chord types: maj7, dominant 7, minor 7, half-diminished and diminished chords. Intermediate & Advanced level.