LESSON 1: Creating a Melody from Four Voice Leading Lines – Part 1 of 2


In this video lesson, I present a visual system, using common chord shapes as upper extensions, to create beautiful melodies using four voice leading lines.

A unique feature of this video lesson is the way in which I demonstrate the concept with written notes, explaining the theory behind the concept as I create the written notes. Be sure to have blank paper and a pencil handy so you can follow along and create your own notes as you watch the video. Copy everything that I write onto your own page of notes.

I have included my note page as a PDF, but I recommend that you take your own notes…it will stay fresher in your own memory if you write out the notes as you watch me explaining the concepts.

LESSON 2: Creating a Melody from Four Voice Leading Lines – Part 2 of 2


In this video lesson, I play my tenor to demonstrate a wide variety of melodic lines derived from the written notes created in part 1 of this lesson.

It is really exciting to hear the written notes come to musical life as I play the chord structures and relate them to the underlying bass notes of the ii V I chord progression.

I explain my melodic choices and share some key strategies that I use to ensure smooth transitions from one chord to the next.

LESSON 3: The 4-3-2-1 System for Technical Fluency


In this video lesson, I share my practice system to gain technical fluency over any musical material that you want to play in all twelve keys.

The system improves your technique through repetition of the musical phrase, but it will also improve your ability to focus your concentration, keeping track of how many times you’ve played each phrase before you move on to the new key.

I use Hip Lick #1 for the playing example in the lesson, but you can apply this concept to any musical phrase.

LESSON 4: Slowing Down Recorded Performances

In this video lesson, I share my thoughts about aspiring players slowing down recorded performances.

I got the idea for the video when a student contacted me to ask if I could create my next iPad app so that it would slow my performance down to just 30% of full speed (the current version of the app slows to 60% of speed).

Although I am a fan of practicing slowly with a metronome and working things up to tempo, I’m not really a huge fan of slowing down recorded performances.

In this video, I explain why I think that it can actually have a negative effect on your development if you’re always listening to “slowed-down” recordings.

LESSON 1: Finding the Money Note (b13) on a Diminished Seventh Chord

In this video lesson, I explore what I call a “money note” over a diminished seventh chord. I call it this because I consider it to be a high harmonic value note.

I have always loved the sound that the major composers utilize in their great melodies. Jobim, Porter, Jerome Kern, Johnny Green…they all have this one note choice in common when it comes to their melodic choice over a diminished chord.

This video lesson is given from the piano to provide you with the full harmonic context of the sound. Includes an echo game working with the sound.

LESSON 2: Using Maj7#5 Chord Structures Over Minor ii v i Progressions

n this video lesson, I share my system for applying the Maj7#5 chord structure over a ii mi7b5 / V+7+9 / i mi(maj7) progression.

This approach uses sounds that highlight the extensions of each chord, resulting in a very rich harmonic flavor. Since the chord structures are all the same (maj7#5) and applied to three different chord types, there’s also a beautiful symmetry to the sound.

I demonstrate the concept using the four directions. Includes PDF practice notes for Bb, Eb and C instruments.

LESSON 3: Articulation – Playing with a Fast Airstream

In this video lesson, I discuss one of the common reasons that many aspiring players have difficulty with high-speed articulation. They’re inadvertently slowing down their airstream whenever they move their tongue.

This causes the reed to vibrate at a slower speed and the tonguing feels slow and labored. I demonstrate several phrases with and without articulation and include suggestions for ways that you can practice with these concepts to improve your articulation with a fast airstream.

LESSON 4: Listening Recommendation: Gerry Mulligan – What is There to Say

In this video, I discuss one of my all-time favorite albums, Gerry Mulligan’s “What is There to Say.” This album is great on so many levels…the writing and arranging is superb. Incredible counterpoint and such creative use of the textures in the group.

The solos have a feeling of crackling energy and life to them. It almost feels like a live recording, rather than a studio date. In addition, the engineering is outstanding…it’s like you’re in the room with the group. I also discuss certain aspects of the time feel and how to achieve a relaxed effect at a fast tempo.