In this lesson I describe how the jazz blues differs from traditional blues and show you the methods used to create the ii-V's that give jazz blues it's definitive sound. This is designed as a beginner lesson but even intermediate to advanced guitarists will find something useful in it. This is a...

In this essential lesson, I discuss the major II-V utilizing both chordal and linear examples. I have provided the exercises that gave me a great foundation during my earlier years. This material became apparent to me during the period of my life when I was transcribing a lot of Charlie Parker so...

In this lesson, I systematically go through the modes I use most often when improvising. They would include major, dorian, mixolydian, locrian, locrian#2, phrygian augmented, diminished, lydian b7 and the altered scale. There is much more in the 45 minute lesson. Includes 12 pages of musical exam...

In this fantastic lesson I discuss the major and minor II-V as well as Lydian b7, the tritone substitution, chromatic II-V's, and provide a fully transcribed chorus of comping. The total PDF size is 13 pages in both notation and tab!

In this lesson I discuss the way I approach the minor II-V. I use Dizzy Gillespie's tune Woody'n You as a vehicle for all of the demonstrations. Topics include thinking of the -7b5 chord a s a minor 6, and the usage of pentatonics and the melodic minor scale. This is an eye opening lesson, the ma...

In this lesson, I show you the modes of melodic minor I use most often. These modes unlock some of the most common chords we find in traditional and modern harmony. There are many transcribed lines in both notation and tab as well as some insight as to how to use the triad pairs derived from thes...

One of my favorite Pat Martino tracks! This lesson is all about 16th notes and the challenge of creating lengthy compelling lines on a very basic chord progression. Included are fantastic notated examples for you to practice and learn from. I describe how guitarists like Pat and Joe Pass see the ...

This entire 40 minute lesson deals with some of my methods for creating interesting comping on the blues. I discuss tritones, back-cycling voicings in 4ths, countdown changes and using melody as the most important feature of a well played accompaniment.

There is an abundance of Pat Martino lesson material to be found on the internet. This lesson is not about me presenting Pat's material in the way that he did, rather, I am showing you how I adapted his methods into my playing. My goal when I began to understand Pat's method of re-envisioning har...

It's in so many of his tunes and all over his solos. Wes's ingenious way of simply adding the II chord to the tritone changes the whole approach to this common substitution. Great examples on the PDF using Autumn Leaves, Another You, Blues and Rhythm Changes. This lesson is so important and will ...

Grab a cup of coffee and begin a journey into the depths of the diminished scale! This lesson has everything, analysis, chords, scales, triads, lines, different methods of usage and most importantly, how to use the diminished scale melodically rather than with patterns. The most information packe...

This lesson is all about chords and comping! The 15 page PDF contains many examples and also includes a 2 chorus etude that you can play along with me. I cover many techniques of substitution as well as show you efficient ways of using chromaticism, pedal points, the tritone sub and the I diminis...

This lessons covers one of the most important song forms in jazz, Along with the blues, rhythm changes is a necessity in any jazz musicians repertoire. I treat this lesson in a fundamental manner, breaking the tune down into its major components. Turnarounds, ii-v to the IV with variations and th...

In this lesson, I discuss in great length the primary chord scales I use when dissecting tunes for analysis. This lesson contains almost 8 pages of transcribed material with time stamps to help you navigate the lesson. PDF in both Notation and Tab.

In this lesson I discuss my methods of connecting lines through chord changes. I show you how I visualize the linear material over chord forms and how I see the connections from one position to another. After laying the groundwork for these concepts, I use the John Coltrane tune “Moments Notice” ...

In this lesson I use the tune It Could Happen to You to demonstrate how to solo when you are the only instrument. This happens all of the time when accompanying a singer or horn player in a duet situation. A great lesson with a fully transcribed two chorus example.

In this essential lesson I show how I use small melodic patterns to allow me to weave through the five positions I always use. The best part of this is that in every position, the fingerings remain the same. It's simple but mind blowing when you realize what this can do for your fretboard knowled...

In this lesson I go through ways of dealing with this amazing tune. Topics include reharmonization, chromatic substitution, the Major7#5 chord, hip voicings and the diminished scale. Much more included in the fully transcribed PDF in notation and tab. This is one of best PDF's I've put together t...

This is another very oftren requested tune👍 I present this lesson with the beginner to intermediate jazz guitar player in mind. As usual, I go through the tune from beginning to end and discuss minor ii-V's, the dominant approach, changing chord function and much more.

In this 30 minute lesson I break down Just Friends chord by chord while paying special attention to the bIII diminished chord. Most of us use the Ab-7 Db7 change, but the diminished can be a lot of fun. Tons of chordal and linear examples including a 9 page PDF in notation and tab.

Here we take a deep dive into what makes the harmonic minor scale such an important part of the jazz language, particularly in regard to bebop musicians like Charlie Parker, Clifford Brown and a host of others. A very important lesson on how to use this sound on dominant chords utilizing the Cole...

In this lesson of Miles iconic tune, I discuss chromatic ii-V's, re-tartgeting ii-V's and how to recognize the two ways dominant chords function in a jazz tune. The PDF is filled with linear and chordal examples in both notation and tab. A great lesson on an a very important tune!

A fantastic lessons for jazz guitarists of all levels. I take you through Bird's chord progression and then show you how to utilize melodic fragments from the melody to build vocabulary. I fully discuss retargeting II-V material on the last 4 measures of the blues, this is sure to inspire you to ...

In this 45 minute lesson, I go through the entire form of rhythm changes and discuss ways of creating interesting voicings and drastically improve your comping. I've included a 5 page PDF and a midi file that you can use to practice the one chorus etude I have provided. A really fantastic lesson ...