LESSON 1: (Part 1) Minor Tetrachord over Four Dominant Seventh Chords

Part 1 of 2 Category: Ear Training and also in the Chord and Scale Categories.
A tetrachord is a four note scale. You could look at a major scale as being made up of two tetrachords: CDEF as the first tetrachord and GABC as the second tetrachord.

These examples are major tetrachords. You could think of a Dorian scale to produce two minor tetrachords: CDEbF is the first minor tetrachord and GABbC is the second tetrachord.
In this video lesson, I explore the minor tetrachord over four dominant seventh chords.

This lesson provided an ear-training breakthrough for me when I first discovered this practice approach. The video shows you how to train your ear to recognize the harmonic differences of the notes of the tetrachord when placed over four dominant seventh chords.

It is important to note the the minor tetrachord fits many more than four chords, but for the purpose of this particular lesson, I wanted to narrow the focus for the sake of ear training and explore the sounds of two different minor tetrachords over four dominant chords.

This approach combines many different categories of study; it’s a scale study because of the tetrachord (a four note scale), It’s a chord study, and it’s also an interval study as well as an ear training system. Includes detailed PDF practice notes for Bb, Eb and C instruments.

LESSON 2: (Part 2) Minor Tetrachord over Four Dominant Seventh Chords

Part 2 of the lesson on minor tetrachords. This portion of the lesson focuses on using tritone intervals created by combining notes of two different minor tetrachords.

The notes are then placed over the four dominant seventh chords to produce a strong melodic and harmonic effect over each chord.

LESSON 3: Pinky Control – The Secret to Smooth Technique

In this video lesson, I share a concept that completely transformed my technique on the horn.

In 1995 I was on a four-month gig in Singapore. It was a wonderful gig, playing four hours a night, free all day to practice my horn. I decided to rebuild my technique. I wanted to improve my speed, fluidity and smoothness.

At that time I was transcribing a LOT of Stan Getz. Getz’s technique is so clean and smooth. When I was playing along with his recordings, I noticed something…a lot of his lines involved a lot of pressing of the pinky keys, in both the left and right hand. I noticed that my pinkies
were flying far off of the keys. I also noticed that the G# and D# keys are what I call “reverse action” keys. By reverse action, I mean that when you press the pinky down to activate the G# and D# keys, you’re opening the keys, and when you release the key, you’re actually closing the keys.

This is the reverse of how almost all of the other keys on the horn operate. Think about pressing the F key…You press it to close it and you release it to open it. This is the opposite of the pinky keys. Because of this reverse action, it is always harder to play evenly when the pinkies are involved. This means that in order to play a smooth line of eight notes involving the pinky keys, takes very precise control.

I also learned at that time, that I was applying too much pressure once the key was down. It took a lot of slow practice and patience, but my technique was completely transformed after I started to pay close attention to my pinky technique, in particular. Of course, there are more aspects to clean technique than just the pinkies, but I’ve found that if the pinkies are in good position and played with control, the rest of the hand is also in a comfortable, relaxed position, as well. If you’ve already worked on my “surfer analogy” to improve your technique, this additional lesson on pinky control will give a level of technical poise that would make Stan Getz proud!

Includes PDF lesson notes based on the fingerings for tenor, as demonstrated. Alto players should use the same fingerings as demonstrated in the video (included in the PDF).

LESSON 4: The Rotation – Practice Strategy for Improved Musical Memory

In this video lesson, I share a practice concept that was a total game-changer for my ability to memorize and keep track of lots of different musical ideas while also transposing into different keys.

The rotation will help to improve your musical focus and concentration. I’ve included detailed PDF practice notes for Bb, Eb and C instruments, but I recommend that you try to follow along by ear to really expand your musical memory.

You can use this device on any musical content you like, but for this video lesson, I’m referencing another lesson from the course, “six variations on a descending minor seventh chord.”

This lesson will take your musical focus and memory to a new level!

LESSON 1: Creating a melody from Three Voice Leading Lines

In this video lesson, I demonstrate how to construct a melody from three voice leading lines. This is a great way to make your playing sound both melodic and harmonically accurate.
Harmonically, this approach covers you because you’re using voice leading from three locations in each chord, leading to three new locations in the upcoming chord. Melodically, you’re covered because this approach has built-in sequencing when you switch between the three voices.
Includes PDF practice notes for Eb, Bb and C instruments.

LESSON 2: Exploring Hip Lick #3

In this video lesson, I explore Hip Lick #3 from Hip Licks for Saxophone, Volume 1. The lick highlights a iimi7 V7 chord progression, starting on the 9th of the iimi7 chord.
The video explores strategies for hearing the root movement, 7-3 voice leading and hearing how to easily locate the first note of the lick, which is the 9th of the iimi7 chord. For advanced players, I demonstrate some ways of extending the lick into a two measure
phrase. Includes PDF practice notes for Bb, Eb and C instruments.

LESSON 3: The High Tide Approach to Scale Practice

In this video lesson, I share my concept called “High Tide” for scale practice. This approach will improve your technical facility on the saxophone while also improving your musical memory.
This approach adds one new note each time you ascend the scale from the root. If you’ve been playing your scales the same-old-way for many years, this new approach will add extra freshness for your ears and your fingers.

LESSON 4: The Surfer Analogy & Thinking in Reverse

In This video lesson I share two key concepts that will help to give you smooth technique through efficiency of motion, minimizing any wasted finger movement while
playing the saxophone. In the surfer analogy, your fingers are the surfers, the keys are the surfboards and the keys moving up and down on the horn are the waves of water.
The “thinking in reverse” concept is something that i developed in my 30’s when exploring ways to improve my technical accuracy on the horn. I found that instead of thinking about the finger pressing the note being played, my technique improved if I focused on the keys not being pressed. Implementing these two concepts will greatly improve your technique on the saxophone.

LESSON 5: Road Tips – Location of Notes within Dominant 7th Chords

In this lesson, I show you how to think of one note in four different locations within a Dominant 7th chord. For example, C = Root of C7, but C = the 3rd of Ab7, C = the 5th of F7, and C = the 7th of D7. The importance of enharmonic notes is also discussed in the video. The first part of the video is at an easy pace.
At the end of the video I do a “speed round” for advanced players. This is a fun way to review and sharpen up your chord spelling skills.

LESSON 1: The Echo Game – Major Seventh Chords with Lower Neighboring Tones

In this video lesson, I play the echo game with major seventh chords, adding lower neighboring tones to the root, third, fifth or seventh. Includes directions one, two and a bonus round of direction three for advanced players.

LESSON 2: The Diminished Scale over a Cº7 Chord – New System

In this video lesson, I share a completely new approach to learning the diminished scale for use with the diminished seventh chord. This is one of the more challenging topics, as aspiring players are often unsure about the notes in between the chord tones of 1-b3-b5-bb7 when playing this scale. This new system eliminates all doubt and will help you to hear the scale with clarity.

Includes detailed PDF practice notes for C, Bb and Eb instruments.

LESSON 3: Major Scales in 3rds Shifting by Half Steps

In this video lesson, I take the familiar practice routine of playing major scales in thirds and put a new twist on it. To improve technical fluency in difficult keys, I shift the exercise both a half-step up and down. This is a great way to get over any inhibitions about playing in tricky keys.

Includes detailed PDF practice notes for C, Bb and Eb instruments.

LESSON 4: Staccato Articulation Strategy – Aka: Duck, Duck, Goose

In this video lesson, I share my unique approach to creating extremely percussive short notes similar to the style used by Stan Getz on many of his famous Bossa Nova recordings. This simple, yet effective approach will definitely transform your short notes.

LESSON 5: The Art of Listening

In this video lesson, I share my thoughts about being aware of your musical surroundings at all times. The first story is about a student with no awareness that he’s playing in the wrong key with a play-along. The second story is about a pro player how he was ignoring his musical surroundings. In both cases, it was a failure to listen that hurt both performances. I discuss the importance of developing the ability to listen and play simultaneously.

 

LESSON 1: Rollins & Coltrane Ornaments

In this video lesson, I demonstrate two of my favorite approaches to bebop ornamentation, based on my observations of Rollins and Coltrane and the way that they dress up their lines with ornaments. Intermediate & Advanced level. Includes detailed PDF practice notes for Bb, Eb and C instruments.

LESSON 2: The Jackpot 7-7-7 – Hearing a major scale over a II V I

In this video lesson, I show my technique for harmonically aligning a major scale over a ii V I. This strategic approach provides great clarity and voice leading, giving you all 3’s, 5’s, 7’s or 9’s over a ii V I while simply playing a diatonic scale.

A key factor is setting up your ear to hear the roots of the chords in relation to the starting note of the line. I demonstrate the process throughout the video lesson. Intermediate & Advanced level. Includes detailed PDF practice notes for Bb, Eb, and C instruments.

LESSON 3: Speed Bag – Cool Minor Lick

In this video lesson, I share one of my favorite minor patterns that I used for working up my technique.

This is a short but very effective lick for improving your precision on the keys, as well as improving alignment between your articulation and fingers. ALL LEVELS. Includes detailed PDF practice notes for Bb, Eb and C instruments.

LESSON 4: Greg’s Philosophy of Music: Playing by Theory vs Playing by Ear

In this video lesson, I discuss the difference between playing by theory and playing by ear. I share many examples from my years as a student and later observations from the perspective of a pro player and teacher.

If you’ve been trying to figure out music theory to make up for the possibility that your ear isn’t all that developed, this video will really shed some light on the reason that the theory (as much as I enjoy it) is no substitute for a highly trained ear. I’m not saying that theory isn’t important, but when it comes to playing jazz and improvising, the ear must be first, not the intellect.

LESSON 5: Listening Recommendation: Frank Sinatra: Point of No Return

For me, Frank Sinatra was the greatest singer, ever. He had it all…perfect intonation, diction, dynamics…the way he could tell the story of the lyrics in a way that felt like he was speaking directly to the listener. And, his phrasing…the breath control…astounding.

This album isn’t one of the most popular, like Live at the Sands, or Come Fly With Me (both equally good, but different). This is a mellow, introspective Sinatra, not the ring-a-ding Sinatra. Axel Stordahl’s arrangements are great examples of beautiful, clear, uncluttered orchestration. Like all of Sinatra’s Capital album’s, the engineering is top notch, sounding like it was recorded today.

LESSON 1: System for Creating Diminished Scales on V7b9 Chords
This lesson demonstrates my system for creating diminished scales for the V7b9 chord. If you haven’t yet learned the diminished scale, or if you learned it via the traditional “half step/ whole step” approach, this system is a total game-changer! Check out this video to master your diminished scales over V7b9 chords.

LESSON 2: Theme & Variation – Singles, Doubles & Triples
This lesson demonstrates a technique I call “Singles, Doubles, and Triples.” This is a fun way to practice your chords or scales while creating lots of rhythmic variations by varying the number of times that you play each note. If you’ve ever been bored while practicing your chord arpeggios, give this new approach a try! BEGINNING & INTERMEDIATE LEVEL.

LESSON 3: Irving Park Road (Etude Studies) – ALTO
Ideas and exercises for practicing, and getting the most out of this original jazz Etude with your ALTO sax.

LESSON 4: Irving Park Road (Etude Studies) – TENOR
Ideas and exercises for practicing, and getting the most out of this original jazz Etude with your TENOR sax.

LESSON 5: Using Major Scales to Learn Intervals
With this lesson, we’re going to take the familiar C major scale and use it to train the ear to hear ascending and descending intervals. This approach lets you hear the intervals within the scale in much greater detail.

LESSON 6: 24 Permutations for the Fingers
This video features my method for sharpening independent control of each finger. This exercise will improve your technique and keep your fingers in shape even when you’re away from the horn.

LESSON 7: Road Tips – Location of Notes within Maj7 Chords – Part 1 of 3
In this lesson, I 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: Exploring the V7sus Chord
The V7sus chord is a mystery for many aspiring players. Greg breaks the chord down into simple, understandable terms, demonstrating a very clear approach to spelling the chord while providing exercises to train the ear to differentiate between a V7 and a V7sus chord. Next, Greg shares two different systems for hearing and practicing the chord with a more sophisticated sound and approach. INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED LEVEL.

LESSON 2: Use of the bis Key on the Saxophone
This is one of my most requested video lesson topics. The use of the bis key is a controversial subject among saxophonists. Some teachers have very strict rules regarding the usage of the bis key. In this video, I share my personal approach to using the bis key. Includes exercises for practicing with the bis key, do’s and don’ts about hand position, and brief discussion of proper horn setup to ensure ease of use. ALL LEVELS

LESSON 3: North Avenue – 1st Sax Part
Greg Fishman plays the 1st sax part for the duet “North Avenue” from his book, “Jazz Saxophone Duets Volume 1.” Play along with great on the first part to match pitch and style, or play the 2nd sax part to complete the duet, with Greg playing lead. Looking forward to members posting videos playing this fun duet with Greg!.

LESSSON 4: North Avenue – 2nd Sax Part
Greg Fishman plays the 2nd sax part for the duet North Avenue from his book “Jazz Saxophone Duets Volume 1.” Play this part along with Greg to match his phrasing and style, or play lead while Greg plays this second part. Looking forward to video posts of lots of members playing this fun duet!

LESSON 5: North Avenue – Saxes 1 & 2
Greg Fishman plays both parts for the duet North Avenue from his book, “Jazz Saxophone Duets Volume 1.” Listen to this video to hear how the 1st and 2nd sax parts interact with each other, sometimes trading off the lead line.

LESSON 1: The Fork in the Road (Perpetual Cycle Pattern)
In this video lesson, Greg shows you how to keep a constant flow of notes going through the cycle while alternating between two different patterns. Great for technique, concentration, ear-training and voiceleading. Every jazz saxophonist should know these two essential patterns. INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED LEVEL.

LESSON 2: Altissimo “G” on the Tenor Saxophone
In this video lesson, Greg shares his unique approach to teaching altissimo. Rather than the traditional method of playing overtones from low Bb to achieve the altissimo notes, Greg has a different approach, showing you how to play overtones on the neck to give you a more accurate feeling of the way that the reed needs to vibrate when playing in the altissimo range of the saxophone. PDF notes include a fingering chart for both alto and tenor to play an altissimo “G.” INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED LEVEL.

LESSON 3: Grand Avenue Etude – Alto Version
Greg takes you through a detailed anaylsis of musical highlights in the etude “Grand Avenue,” from “Jazz Saxophone Etudes, Vol. 1.” This etude is based on chords similar to the old standard, “Out of Nowhere.” The etude is packed with examples of classic Bebop devices, including enclosures, chromatic scale usage, voiceleading and more. This lesson includes a very detailed PDF, packed with exercises and insights practicing the compositional devices used in this etude. INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED LEVEL.

LESSON 4: Grand Avenue Etude – Tenor Version
Greg takes you through a detailed anaylsis of musical highlights in the etude “Grand Avenue,” from “Jazz Saxophone Etudes, Vol. 1.” This etude is based on chords similar to the old standard, “Out of Nowhere.” The etude is packed with examples of classic Bebop devices, including chromatic scale usage, voiceleading and more. This lesson includes a very detailed PDF, packed with exercises and insights practicing the compositional devices used in this etude. INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED LEVEL.

LESSON 5: Road Tips – The Eb = ?
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 “Eb” as different degrees of major scales.

LESSON 1: Hip Lick #1 Video Lesson
In this video, we’ll explore a simple technique for creating variations on Hip Lick #1. This is part of a concept that I call “High Mileage.” High Mileage means that you have the ability to create many variations on any lick or pattern. This is a very important skill for any improvisor, and one of the major differences between the aspiring player and the professional…the pro can easily create variations on a theme, while the aspiring player just keeps repeating the same exact lick. INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED LEVEL.

LESSON 2: The “Speed Bag” for Fast Technique
In this video, I demonstrate a technique with I developed in my own practice sessions. I call it the “Speed Bag,” named for the small punching bag that boxers use to train for speed. I found that a continuous motion of notes gave me improved fluency of technique and increased speed ability. In this video, I use Hip Lick #1 to demonstrate the concept, but you can use this technique with any lick, prase or pattern. Watch this video to see one of the ways that I work on my high-speed chops. ADVANCED LEVEL.

LESSON 3: Minor 7b5 Chords – Piano Accompaniment Video
In this video lesson, I play the piano to accompany your practicing the minor 7b5 chords in all four directions: 1. UP 2. DOWN 3. UP/DOWN ALTERNATING and 4. DOWN/UP ALTERNATING. Play your saxophone along with this piano accompaniment and match the pitch and time of the piano. This is excellent training for the chords, and it will drastically improve your tone, pitch and time. Everything is played at a comfortable eighty-eight beats per quarter note, so it will not present a technical challenge. I have included full notation of the entire exercise for Concert, Eb Alto and Bb Tenor. To ensure your success as an improvising musician, it is absolutely essential that you learn these chords by memory and practice them daily. INTERMEDIATE LEVEL.

LESSSON 4: Diminished 7th Chords – Piano Accompaniment Video
In this video lesson, I play the piano to accompany your practicing the diminished 7th chords in all four directions: 1. UP 2. DOWN 3. UP/DOWN ALTERNATING and 4. DOWN/UP ALTERNATING. Play your saxophone along with this piano accompaniment and match the pitch and time of the piano. This is excellent training for the chords, and it will drastically improve your tone, pitch and time. Everything is played at a comfortable eighty-eight beats per quarter note, so it will not present a technical challenge. I have included full notation of the entire exercise for Concert, Eb Alto and Bb Tenor. To ensure your success as an improvising musician, it is absolutely essential that you learn these chords by memory and practice them daily. INTERMEDIATE LEVEL.

LESSON 5: Road Tips – The Db = ?
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 “Db” as different degrees of major scales. This note is a bit of a challenge, because it will sometimes be necessary to respell the scale to fit the note. For example, The key of Bb has “D” for the third note. So, that means that Bbb would have a “Db” for the third note. The problem is, that’s a “hypothetical” scale…it doesn’t really exist, because we can’t have double flats in the major scale system. So, it becomes necessary to respell the “Db” as a “C#,” which would give you that pitch acting as the third note in an A major scale. This can be confusing at first, but if you familiarize yourself with enharmonic spellings, it will get easier and easier for you to hear and place the Db (C#) as any degree of a major scale.

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.

LESSON 1: The Domino Theory (Chromatic Scale Exercise)
In this video, I share my system for practicing the chromatic scale the full range of the saxophone. This is a fun one, and it will give you very smooth technique, as long as you have the patience to follow step by step, adding one note at a time, as I describe in the lesson. INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED LEVEL.

LESSON 2: Diminished Scale in 3rds over a V7b9 Chord
In this video lesson, I show you how to take the diminished scale to the next level, playing it in 3rds over a V7b9 chord. This has a very cool, edgy sound which always reminds me of one of my old teachers, the great Joe Henderson. Although this may sound complex, I really break it down into simple steps in the video. The PDF lesson notes provide a very thorough practice guide for the lesson. INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED LEVEL

LESSON 3: Major 6th Intervals – Four Directions
In this video lesson, I work with lick #25 from Hip Licks for Saxophone. This is a very cool major 7th lick. I play the lick and then break it down into separate parts, making it very easy to understand. I also share a fun analogy about the importance of developing your musical memory, so that you can compare two musical phrases with very slight differences between the two versions. I also play the lick in twelve keys, descending in half-steps. At the end of the video, I share some advanced concepts for working with the lick. PDF dowload materials include detailed notes and the lick written in all twelve keys. INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED LEVEL

LESSSON 4: Hip Lick #25 Video Lesson
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 A = ?
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 “A” as different degrees of major scales.

LESSON 1: The Cycle – Red & Blue Card System by Greg Fishman
In this video lesson, I share my unique system for learning the cycle by combining two whole-tone scales. While I’ve shared this concept of using these scales in a previous video, I’ve had many requests to demonstrate my “shuffled cards” analogy on camera.

This lesson takes the cycle and puts it on a visual plane, making it very easy to remember. If you’ve ever had any difficulty with memorizing the cycle, this video will immediately clear things up! Be sure to have your instrument out so that you can play along as I hold up the cards and explain how the two decks will combine to form the cycle. INTERMEDIATE LEVEL.

LESSON 2: Speedbag with Major 2nds
Speedbag with Major 2nds
In this video lesson, I work with page 23 from my book, “Intervals in Action,” to show you how I use the “speedbag” technique with Major 2nd intervals to increase and improve the speed, accuracy and control of my technique on the saxophone. INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED LEVEL. Includes a PDF of the page from the book that was used in the video.

LESSON 3: Major 2nd Video Lesson – Intervals in Action
In this video lesson, I demonstrate many different practice strategies for working with Section 1 of the book “Intervals in Action.” Topics covered include: Creating new rhythms, playing the intervals in a 5/4 time, playing in retrograde (backwards), playing in tritone pairs, and more! Includes a PDF of the full page used in the video lesson. INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED.

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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.