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Lean Years (Pat Martino) - Tune Based
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One of my all time favorite Pat tunes! In this lesson I discuss the different versions Pat has played this tune over the years and look at some interesting ways of approaching the static D-7 sound. I also discuss the ramifications of a modal approach versus a bebop approach. As ...
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Inner Urge - Tune Based
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A monster of a tune by Joe Henderson. In this lesson I talk about triad pairs, melodic minor, pentatonic b6 and the minor 6 pentatonic. The PDF contains great examples of all the topics mentioned. A really great lesson on a modern modal tune.
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Dolphin Dance - Tune Based
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One of the great Herbie Hancock tunes. In this 50 minute lesson, I take a detailed look at each segment of the harmony. This is a great chance to work on your modal playing as there isn't much in the way of traditional ii-V language. I discuss derived pentatonics, major triads f...
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Naima (John Coltrane) - Tune Based
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Naima is filled with interesting harmonic colors made even more compelling by the use of pedal points. I examine each and every chord and show you how to navigate through the harmony. It's not as hard as you may think🤪🎶
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Yardbird Suite - Tune Based
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Bebop time! If you've wanted to improve your bebop playing, this lesson is for you. I have come up with a method for navigating chord changes that has worked incredibly well for me. I share it with you in this lesson on Charlie Parker's Yardbird Suite. Let's get to work! PDF and...
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My One and Only Love - Chord Melody
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This lesson will describe every harmonic decision made for this arrangement. Counterpoint, voice leading, reharmonization and improvising, it's all here🎸
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Donna Lee - Tune Based
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In this lesson I take a close look at Charlie Parker's classic bebop head Donna Lee. I explore the ways that he would delay resolutions of his bebop lines in order to make them sound less "practiced". This lesson features 10 pages of notated examples featuring the augmented scal...
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Slash Chord Harmony - Topic Driven
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In this video, I discuss every possibility of major triads over alternate bass notes. Examples would be E/Bb or D/Bb. For those of you who have trouble understanding how to treat these types of chords, this lesson is for you. A great PDF with full explanations of all of the theo...
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Along Came Betty (Benny Golson) - Tune Based
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Man, chromatic II-V's, the "Benny Golson" progression, a beautiful melody and minor ii-V's! A challenging tune but I've broken it down for you! Many chordal and linear examples on the 15 page PDF.
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In Walked Bud - Tune Based
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Another great Tune Based lesson on Thelonius Monk's "In Walked Bud". I walk you through the tune from top to bottom giving you insight into ways of approaching the tune. Backing track and PDF included. The backing track features Ulysses Owens in drums. Enjoy!
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Joe Henderson's Invitation - Tune Based
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In this lesson I discuss a modal approach to playing these chord changes. I show you how to weave the the bridge section by connecting chord scales in a stepwise manner. Other topics include the diminished scale, tritone subs, triad pairs and voicings in 4ths. Included are 15 pa...
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Intros and Endings - Topic Driven
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In this lesson I discuss ways of creating intros and endings. Although I have provided plenty of transcribed examples, the main focus of the lesson is to teach you to be able to create interesting intros and endings on any tune. I also discuss some of the most common (quick and ...
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Somewhere - Chord Melody
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We all know "Somewhere" from the musical West Side Story. Leonard Bernstein has done such a clever job weaving through tonal centers and constantly lifting the composition through unexpected melodic statements. I had a great time working through this composition using some of my...
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On Green Dolphin Street - Tune Based
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I love this lesson! Great lines and chordal example as well as a very hip way of looking at the A section harmony. 10 pages of transcribed lines and ideas for you to study. I also discuss the "Benny Golson Progression" and the turnaround to the ii chord. Much more in this fantas...
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Corcovado - Tune Based
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Corcovado – Melodic Approaches & Diminished Clarity
In this new lesson, I take a close look at Jobim’s Corcovado, focusing on how to melodically address the diminished chords that so often confuse improvisers. We’ll clear up several common misconceptions about the tune’s progre...
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Witchcraft - Tune Based
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In this lesson I walk you through the tune and discuss all of the harmony as well as some potential reharmonizations. Topics include the biii diminished chord, the I diminished chord, chromatic II-V's, turnarounds and much more. The fully notated PDF comes with great chordal and...
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Moon River - Chord Melody
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In this lesson, I walk you through my full process for arranging Johnny Mercer’s Moon River for solo guitar. Rather than simply teaching a finished arrangement, the focus is on understanding the musical decisions behind each phrase—so you can begin to develop your own voice in s...
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Cantaloupe Island - Tune Based
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A simple tune for sure but a great way to develop your groove chops! I also find it interesting how the two minor key centers require a different way of conceptualizing based on the way Herbie voices the chords. A really fun to play! Great linear and chordal examples on the PDF!...
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Modal Comping - Topic Driven
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In this lesson, I explore techniques for using fourths to comp horizontally rather than vertically. By inverting fourth voicings, you can uncover unique and unexpected harmonic textures. I demonstrate how to apply these concepts to modal tunes and II-V progressions. A PDF is inc...
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Fretboard Mastery (Threading Positions) - Essential
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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...
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Stella By Starlight - Chord Melody
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I have taken a slightly different approach in this chord melody arrangement. As usual I discuss in great depth the harmonization choices I've made, but also present several options on the included PDF. As you've come to expect, I have provided a fully transcribed arrangement, bu...
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Jeannine - Tune Based
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In this lesson, we take a close look at Duke Pearson’s classic tune Jeannine. The piece presents a compelling opportunity to explore modal harmony and the expressive use of pentatonic scales, with special attention given to the unusual shift from Ab minor to Ab major. We also br...
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Prelude to a Kiss - Chord Melody
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Step into the smoky, dim-lit world of jazz guitar mastery as I delve into the art of arranging Duke Ellington's timeless piece, "Prelude to a Kiss." Join me as I unravel the nuances of my approach to crafting solo guitar renditions that not only sound nice but are also playable....
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Cisco (Pat Martino) - Tune Based
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This lesson has everything! Altered dominants, diminished lines, augmented scale lines and blues. I've also included the bebop scale and how to utilize the major triads in the diminished scale. 11 pages of transcribed examples in notation and tab!
