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: 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.

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.