LESSON 1: 1 Lick in 12 Keys vs. 12 Licks in 1 Key
Two Great Approaches to Fluency in All Keys – In this video lesson, I’ll share a practice concept which has been great for the development of my playing fluently in all twelve keys. Many are familiar with what I call the “1 in 12 approach.” With this approach to practicing in twelve keys, you take one lick, pattern or song, and play it in 12 keys. However, the “12 in 1 approach” is the reverse…You take twelve different licks and put them all into just one key. This gives you a LOT of material under your fingers in one particular key, and it really improves your hearing in a particular key center. Both approaches are vital, but this 12 in 1 approach is new for most players. Give it a try! I’ve included PDF’s with the 12 in 1 approach for all keys for the first 12 licks of Hip Licks. However, do try them by ear for the best results! INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED LEVEL.

LESSON 2: Application of the Diminished Scale over a II-7/V7/Imaj7
In this video lesson, I’ll show you how to apply the diminished scale over the V7 chord in a ii-7/V7/Imaj7. This is a great video to watch if you’ve always wondered just how to implement the diminished scale in a moving phrase. First, I’ll play the idea diatonically, using just the notes of the major key. Next, I’ll explain and demonstrate, how to use the notes of the diminished scale in the phrase. In this video, I teach the lesson while playing the examples on the VIBRAPHONE. The vibraphone is great for this type of training, because it’s visual, making it easy to see what I’m doing as I give harmonic analysis. The vibes are also great for working on your saxophone intonation. When you play along with the vibes in the video, you can easily hear if you’re out of tune, because the sound of the vibes is such a pure tone. In addition, the vibes, allow you to hear multiple notes at once, which is great for hearing in harmonic context. PDF NOTES include transposed examples for all C, Bb and Eb instruments. INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED LEVEL.

LESSON 3: The Four Middle Eb’s of the Saxophone
In this video lesson, I explore four different fingerings for middle Eb on the saxophone. The old-school players like Dexter, Stitt, Getz, Coltrane, Etc., liked to customize the timbre of their notes. Developing the ability to customize the weight and timbre of your notes will add a pro-level touch of detail to everything you play. If you’re not taking advantage of these four middle Eb options every time you play your horn, you’ve been missing out. Join in the fun with these cool sounds! INTERMEDIATE LEVEL.

LESSSON 4: Major 7th Intervals as 3rds & #9ths on V7 Chords
In this video lesson, I’ll show you how to apply the major 7th interval to one of my favorite harmonic settings, using the notes of the interval as the 3rd and #9th on a dominant seventh chord. While this is not technically difficult to play, harmonically speaking, for some players, it will take the ear a little bit of time to get used to the sound. In the video, I demonstrate the sound several different ways, so that it’s easy for your ear to hear the interval in this new setting. I first heard Sonny Stitt use this sound when I was learning to play, and have used it ever since. This sound will add a very nice harmonic edge to your playing. INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED LEVEL.

LESSON 5: Road Tips – The B = ?
Greg shows how to keep your mind focused and sharp even when you’re away from the horn. This music theory game involves thinking of the note “B” as different degrees of major scales.

LESSON 1: Minor 7th Intervals – Four Directions
In this video, I’ll take you through my system for practcing the minor 7th intervals in all four directions. Great for ear training, breathing and control of the horn. INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED LEVEL.

LESSON 2: The Hip Lick #143
In this video, we’ll work with Hip Licks #143 (from the book Hip Licks for Saxophone, Volume 1). This is a dminished lick which brings out the sound of some of the most powerful notes in the the chord; the major seventh and the flatted thirteenth. Includes harmonic analysis of the lick as well as a performance of the lick in 12 keys in the cycle. ADVANCED LEVEL.

LESSON 3: Rush Street Etude – Alto Version
In this video lesson, we’ll explore the etude “Rush Street” from my book, Jazz Saxophone Etudes, Volume 1. This is based on chords similar to “Satin Doll.” Lot’s a great tips in this video, including strategies for simplifying complicated technical passages by changing triplets to eighth notes. There is also some discussion of use of the bis key, side key and 1&1 for Bb. Also includes some demonstration of lower neighboring tones and use of sequence. INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED LEVEL.

LESSSON 4: Rush Street Etude – Tenor Version
In this video lesson, we’ll explore the etude “Rush Street” from my book, Jazz Saxophone Etudes, Volume 1. This is based on chords similar to “Satin Doll.” Lot’s a great tips in this video, including strategies for simplifying complicated technical passages, some discussion of use of the bis key, and use of sequence. Also includes discussion of voiceleading. INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED LEVEL.

LESSON 5: Road Tips – The F# = ?
Greg shows how to keep your mind focused and sharp even when you’re away from the horn. This music theory game involves thinking of the note “F#” as different degrees of major scales. While the note “Gb” also can be used in some scales, “F#” is a better choice for this music theory game, because it easily fits with all of the standard key signatures of the major scale system.

LESSON 1: Enclosures
In this video, I demonstrate the enclosure, one of the most common elements of the bebop language. An enclosure consists of a targeted note preceded by upper and lower neighboring tones. Includes several practice strategies for working with the enclosures.

LESSON 2: Hip Lick #157 Tutorial – Working with Moving 7ths
In this video, I break down Hip Lick #157 into component parts and show you how the lick is built. Getz, Stitt, Coltrane, Rollins…they all use this fantastic device, which provides great harmonic color through voice-leading on the minor chord in a ii / V or ii / V / I.

LESSON 3: Halsted Street Etude – ALTO
Ideas and exercises for practicing, and getting the most out of this original jazz Etude with your ALTO sax.

LESSON 4: Halsted Street Etude – TENOR
Ideas and exercises for practicing, and getting the most out of this original jazz Etude with your TENOR sax.

LESSON 5: Road Tips – Location of Notes within Maj7 Chords – Part 3 of 3
In this lesson, I’ll show you how to think of one note in four different locations within a major 7th chord. For example, C = Root of Cmaj7, but C = the 3rd of Abmaj7, C = the 5th of Fmaj7, and C = the 7th of Db maj7. The importance of enharmonic notes is also discussed in the video.

LESSON 1: Dorian Mode – New System Focuses Ear on Chord Extensions
In this video lesson, I take you though my system for practicing the Dorian scale. You may already know the scale, having learned it the traditional way, as the second mode of a major scale, going from the second note of the major scale to the ninth note. While that method does give you the right notes for Dorian, it doesn’t really train the ear to hear the upper extensions of the minor chord contained within the scale. With my system, your ear will be trained to hear the difference between the sound of the 9th, 11th and 13th. This is a really fun system, and in addition to great ear training, it’s also good workout for your technique. If you already know the Dorian scale, you should watch this video to experience the sound of the scale in a new way. If you’ve never learned the Dorain scale, this is the best way to get started! INTERMEDIATE LEVEL.

LESSON 2: The Pencil Trick
In my 20’s, I was transcribing many hours each day. I got tired of putting down the pencil and picking it up again to write a just few more notes. For the sake of efficiency, I just started to hold on to the pencil, even when I was playing the horn. To my surprise, it really helped my technique. Holding the pencil dramatically improved my hand position on the horn. In this lesson, I’ll take you through the process of practicing the “pencil trick,” and also share a few other crazy strategies that I’ve used to getting my fingers in a better position on the horn. INTERMEDIATE LEVEL.

LESSON 3: Tritone Substitution Tutorial
In this music theory video, I’ll take you through from the very basic application to of the tritone sub, all the way through the relationship between altered notes on the native V7 chord and extensions of the tritone substitute. PDF extras include scans of the actual sheets I created during the filming of the video lesson. INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED LEVEL

LESSSON 4: Tasting Harmony – Practice Strategies
Many group members have asked me to create a video in which I demonstrate some of my practice techniques for working with the book, Tasting Harmony. In this video, I explain the concept of the book and demonstrate many different ways of working with the play-along tracks. The extras with this video include several pages from the book, some of the exercises from the video, plus the mp3 tracks. ALL LEVELS.

LESSON 5: Road Tips – The E = ?
Greg shows how to keep your mind focused and sharp even when you’re away from the horn. This music theory game involves thinking of the note “E” as different degrees of major scales.