LESSON 1: Ogden Avenue (Take the A Train) – Melodic Embellishment
In this video lesson, I demonstrate the concept of melodic embellishment, using my composition “Ogden Avenue” from “Jazz Phrasing for Saxophone, Volume 1.”
This is a medium tempo swing piece based on chords similar to “Take the A Train.” In the lesson, I’ll show you how I embellish the original melody by connecting ideas with additional notes or sequences. This is an essential skill for all improvisers. INTERMEDIATE LEVEL, Includes PDF notes for Bb, Eb and C instruments.
LESSON 2: Cake, Frosting & Sprinkles – Part 1 of 3 – Lower & Upper Neighboring Tones on Triads
This is part one of a three part in-depth lesson on the usage of lower and upper neighboring tones.
I use the fun analogy of cake, frosting, and sprinkles to show you how to apply lower and upper neighboring tones on major and minor chords. The upper and lower neighboring tones are an essential part of the musical language.
Once you’ve learned how to apply these concepts, your playing will have a new level of fluency and polish. Includes extensive practice PDF notes for each of the three videos. Includes parts of Bb, Eb and C instruments. INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED LEVEL.
LESSON 3: Cake, Frosting & Sprinkles – Part 2 of 3 – Lower & Upper Neighboring Tones on Triads
This is part two of a three part in-depth lesson on the usage of lower and upper neighboring tones. I use the fun analogy of cake, frosting, and sprinkles to show you how to apply lower and upper neighboring tones on major and minor chords.
The upper and lower neighboring tones are an essential part of the musical language. Once you’ve learned how to apply these concepts, your playing will have a new level of fluency and polish.
Includes extensive practice PDF notes for each of the three videos. Includes parts of Bb, Eb and C instruments. INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED LEVEL. Part two focuses specifically on the usage of the upper neighboring tones.
LESSON 4: Cake, Frosting & Sprinkles – Part 3 of 3 – Lower & Upper Neighboring Tones on Triads
This is part three of a three part in-depth lesson on the usage of lower and upper neighboring tones. I use the fun analogy of cake, frosting, and sprinkles to show you how to apply lower and upper neighboring tones on major and minor chords.
The upper and lower neighboring tones are an essential part of the musical language. Once you’ve learned how to apply these concepts, your playing will have a new level of fluency and polish. Includes extensive practice PDF notes for each of the three videos.
Includes parts of Bb, Eb and C instruments. INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED LEVEL. Part three focuses on combining the lower and upper neighboring tones, how to apply both upper and lower neighboring tones to minor chords, and includes extensive playing examples.
LESSON 5: Listening Recommendation: Count Basie – E=MC2
One of my all-time favorite Count Basie albums, E=MC2. Neal Hefti arrangements. The band is just smokin’ on this one. I love the close miking, as well. Feels like we’re in the same room with the band. The Basie band conveys such power, but it’s never forced. Beautiful buoyancy to the feel. Great solos. A great addition to any serious jazz collection.
