LESSON 1: Voice Leading 101 – Part 1 of 2
In this two-part video lesson, I take you through the essentials of voice leading, introducing you to the concept from the keyboard, making it very easy for your ear to follow along.

I cover four essential voice-leading moves over a ii / V / I. Incorporating these moves into your playing will make your playing sound smooth and connected. Every pro player uses these moves. I use a special vocal sound patch on the keyboard, which really makes it easy to hear the voice leading lines in the demonstration.

I break the lesson down to that even non-pianists will be able to get the essence of the concept and put it on their horns. Includes PDF practice notes for Bb, Eb and C instruments. Intermediate Level.

LESSON 2: Voice Leading 101 – Part 2 of 2
This video lesson continues where part 1 left off, showing you how to take the individual voice leading lines and combine them to form melodies.

I include strategies to create two-part, three-part and four-part melodies based on the voice leading lines. PDF practice materials include very detailed notes for Bb, Eb and C instruments. Intermediate & Advanced Level.

LESSON 3: Chicago Ave (Satin Doll) – Melodic Embellishment
In this video lesson, I demonstrate the concept of melodic embellishment, using my composition “Chicago Avenue” from “Jazz Phrasing for Saxophone, Volume 1.” This is a medium tempo swing piece based on chords similar to “Satin Doll.” In the lesson, I’ll show you how I embellish the original melody of Chicago Avenue by connecting new notes to the original melody.

I demonstrate approaches using arpeggios, fills and melodic variations as I take you through the piece. This is an essential skill for all improvisers. INTERMEDIATE LEVEL, Includes PDF practice notes for Bb, Eb and C instruments.

LESSON 4: Listening Recommendation: The Hi Lo’s: And All That Jazz
Recorded in 1958, this masterpiece by the Hi-Lo’s is one of my favorite vocal jazz albums. The Hi-Lo’s, comprised of four male vocalists: Clark Burroughs, Gene Puerling, Bob Strasen and Bob Morse.

They were one of the first (and best IMHO) jazz vocal groups to incorporate modern jazz harmony, complete with chord clusters including b9/#9, #11, etc. They had impeccable timing and intonation. This album teams them up with one of my favorite arrangers, the great Mary Paich, with an all-star cast of jazz players including: Jack Sheldon, Mel Lewis, Herb Geller and Bud Shank. Listening to their beautiful harmonizations is a lesson in voice leading and great for ear training. Also, they just have so much fun when they sing, it’s always a pleasant listening experience. Some of their stuff can range from ultra sophisticated to a bit tongue-in-cheek corny, but with a sort of wink….they’re just having fun with all of it. You’ll hear that on the tune “Lady in Red.” This is a long time favorite album for me. I hope that you enjoy it.

LESSON 1: Bebop Scale Highway – Part 1 of 3
Perhaps you’re familiar with the term “Bebop Scale.” The most common form of the scale is to play a descending Mixolydian scale with the addition of a major seventh. This extra note causes a shift in the placement of the notes in the scale, shifting the primary chord tones on the downbeats.

LESSON 2: Bebop Scale Highway – Part 2 of 3
In part 2 of this lesson the Bebop Scale highway, I demonstrate how to combine different exits for the descending or “Southbound” form of the scale. I also introduce four different exits for the ascending or “Northbound” version of the scale. Includes detailed PDF practice notes for Bb, Eb and C instruments. Intermediate and advanced level.

LESSON 3: Bebop Scale Highway – Part 3 of 3
In part three of this lesson, I demonstrate several different ways to practice the scale and the variations as I play along with Aebersold Volume 16 at a slow practice tempo and also at a fast, professional level tempo. Includes detailed PDF practice notes for Bb, Eb and C instruments. Intermediate and advanced level.

LESSON 4: Listening Recommendation: Antonio Carlos Jobim – Wave
Recorded in 1967, this masterpiece by Antonio Carlos Jobim is one of my favorite albums, in no small part because of the incredibly beautiful arranging and orchestrations of the great Claus Ogerman. Jobim, himself is on piano and guitar, and Ron Carter is playing bass.

The album features two of Jobim’s biggest hits — Wave and Triste, two staples in the Brazilian/Jazz repertoire.

LESSON 1: Basic Voice leading for a ii – V – I – PART 1 of 2
In this video lesson, I share some essential voice-leading strategies which will transform your chord arpeggios, making them sound smooth and professional.

f you’re used to just arpeggiating your ii – V – I chords as 1-3-5-7, one after another, this video (in two parts) will take you to the next level! Part one of the lesson deals with major ii V I progressions. INTERMEDIATE LEVEL. Includes detailed PDF practice notes for Bb, Eb and C instruments.

LESSON 2: Basic Voice leading for a ii – V – I – PART 2 of 2
In this video lesson, I share some essential voice-leading strategies which will transform your chord arpeggios, making them sound smooth and professional.

If you’re used to just arpeggiating your ii – V – I chords as 1-3-5-7, one after another, this video (in two parts) will take you to the next level! Part two of the lesson deals with minor ii V I progressions. INTERMEDIATE LEVEL. Includes detailed PDF practice notes for Bb, Eb and C instruments.

LESSON 3: Hip Lick #49
Hip Lick #49 is based on Cmi7. It’s a two-measure lick that outlines the primary notes of the chord (7-5-3-1) while also including some popular bebop elements, such as the opening triplet rhythm on the first beat.

I demonstrate how to use dynamics to liven up the lick and I also play it in 12 keys, descending chromatically. INTERMEDIATE LEVEL. Includes PDF practice notes for Bb, Eb and C instruments.

LESSSON 4: Why Does My Playing Sound so Choppy (and how do I make it Smoother)?
Many students come to me with the same issue…they want to have a smooth sound when playing eighth-note lines, but no matter how slowly they practice, they still have a “choppy” sound. This is a tricky problem to correct because it has several causes.

I explore the three main reasons for the “choppy” sound issue and provide effective solutions for this frustrating issue. When I show these techniques to my students, it immediately raises their playing level, and many years of frustration go away very quickly.

While it will take some time and effort to fix the problem, with the tips from this video lesson, you’ll be sounding smoother than you ever thought possible. INTERMEDIATE LEVEL. Includes PDF practice notes for Bb, Eb and C instruments.

LESSON 5: Listening Recommendation: Marcos Valle – Samba 68
In this video, I discuss one of my all-time favorite albums, Marcos Valle’s “Samba ’68.” It’s deceptive because it sounds so light and fluffy and simple. Actually, it’s incredibly deep, sophisticated writing with some of the catchiest melodies I’ve ever heard.

Each tune is a masterpiece of melodic construction, performed in a charming, relaxed manner, by the composer himself, singing and playing guitar.

The lush orchestrations are by Deodato. Recorded in 1967 and released in 1968, at the tail-end of the bossa nova craze, this is a rare gem of a record.

LESSON 1: How to Play What You Hear in Your Head
In this video lesson, I share some of my techniques for getting the sounds in your head to come out on your horn.

This is an all “by ear” lesson. Includes a detailed description of the process involved in practicing to develop this unique skill. This lesson is a must for all playing levels, from beginner to advanced level

LESSON 2: Stan Getz Minor 2nd Interval placement – as the 3rd and 9th over a mi7 chord
In this video lesson, we’ll explore one of my favorite harmonic settings a minor second interval, acting as the 3rd / 9th / 3rd of a minor seventh chord. This has a very Getzian kind of sound…smooth and melodic. Includes page 22 from “Intervals in Action,” plus detailed PDF practice guide for C, Bb and Eb instruments. INTERMEDIATE LEVEL

LESSON 3: Phil Woods Turnaround Lick
In this video lesson, I explore what I call the “Phil Woods” turnaround lick. It uses two voice-leading notes to create a beautifully balanced, melodic line of eighth-notes.

We’ll work with a progression of: Emi7 A7b9 / Dmi7 G7b9 / Cmaj7 in the video, but the included PDFs have transposed parts for Eb, Bb and C instruments. Intermediate Level with some additional tips at the end of the video lesson for advanced players.

LESSSON 4: Bebop Tradition: How to Mix a Minor Triad with a Diminished 7th Chord
Part of the bebop tradition involves the usage of both upper extensions and implied harmony. The mixing of the minor triad with a diminished seventh chord adds a strong harmonic boost to any minor passage.

When you mix the diminished seventh chord in with the minor triad, the implied harmony is a temporary V7b9 chord that switches back to the i minor chord.

If this description sounds really complicated, let me just say that it’s a really cool sound, and it’s really easy to add this to your playing. You’ll definitely recognize it when you hear it. INTERMEDIATE and ADVANCED level. Includes detailed PDF practice notes for Bb, Eb, and C instruments.

LESSON 5: Listening Recommendation: Charlie Parker with Strings
In this video, I discuss one of my all-time favorite albums, Charlie Parker’s masterpiece album, “Charlie Parker with Strings.” The album features popular standards from the Great American Songbook, arranged for the strings-plus-rhythm section. Parker at his most eloquent. One of my all-time favorites.

LESSON 1: Double-time Passage from Ravenswood Avenue
In this video lesson, you’ll observe me working with my Skype student Ritchie Graham (in Scotland). Over the years, many students have struggled with this double-time passage that I composed for my etude “Ravenswood Avenue.”

I share some unique practice techniques for gaining control over this tricky passage. Rather than just playing the phrase myself, I felt that it would be very instructive for our group members to observe how quickly Ritchie improves his command of the phrase by simply following my unique practice approach. Includes PDF of the phrase in Bb, Eb and C.

INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED LEVEL.

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LESSON 2: Confirmation Changes / Hyde Park Blvd w/Aebersold
In this video lesson, I’ll show you how to nail the changes on Confirmation through good voice-leading, demonstrated in my contrafact for Confirmation, titled “Hyde Park Boulevard.”

This video includes me playing along with the fantastic Jamey Aebersold Volume 6 “All Bird” featuring Kenny Barron, Ron Carter and Ben Riley. I also play an improvised solo, demonstrating what I call “first gear,” which is a very melodic way of navigating the changes.

The lesson includes a full PDF transcription of my improvised solo, as well as written out voice-leading lines over the chords for the A section of Confirmation. PDFs are for C, Bb, and Eb instruments. Intermediate and Advanced level.

LESSON 3: Lifting Weights – The Importance of Daily Practice
In this video, I read the first chapter of my book, “The Lobster Theory.” This chapter is called “Lifting Weights,” and it’s about the importance of practicing each day.

LESSON 4: Sonny Stitt Triplets
In this video lesson, I’ll show you a very cool Sonny Stitt triplet pattern that works great over a ii mi7 / V7 progression.

Features analysis of chord tones used in the lick, as well as ear training advice on hearing the lick over the chords. Includes detailed PDF practice notes plus the lick written out in 12 keys for Bb, Eb and C instruments. Intermediate Level.

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