The Wes Montgomery Tritone Substitution - Jazz Break
Jazz Breaks with Barry Greene
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3m 4s
In this lesson, you’ll learn how to apply Wes Montgomery’s approach to tritone substitutions by replacing a standard II-V-I with one a tritone away. For example, instead of D–7 → G7 → Cmaj7, try Ab–7 → Db7 → Cmaj7. This simple shift adds rich altered tones and creates the sophisticated harmonic color characteristic of Wes’s sound.
Up Next in Jazz Breaks with Barry Greene
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Triad Pairs - Jazz Break
Triad Pairs
This lesson explores improvising with triads instead of traditional linear lines. By pairing two triads—like F and G major over a D–7 chord—you’ll discover fresh intervallic textures and melodic shapes that break you out of scalar playing and add a modern edge to your solos. -
Retargeting II-V's - Jazz Break
In this lesson, you’ll learn how to create fresh harmonic colors by redirecting II-V progressions to new destinations. Instead of resolving every D–7 → G7 to Cmaj7, try substituting F–7 → Bb7 → Cmaj7 or even Ab–7 → Db7 → Cmaj7. Re-targeting opens up new melodic pathways and adds sophistication to...
