-
Polka Dots and Moonbeams - Chord Melody
Download the PDF
In this video lesson, I present my chord melody arrangement of Jimmy Van Heusen’s “Polka Dots and Moonbeams.” We will explore the harmonic choices behind the arrangement, designed to be both accessible and musically captivating. A PDF of the complete arrangement is included for ...
-
Punjab - Tune Based
Download the PDF
In this lesson I discuss some of the more modern aspects of jazz playing. This tune is a perfect vehicle for studying pentatonics, voicings in 4ths, triad pairs, weaving lines through unrelated key centers and of course playing over Major7 chords, Joe loved the Major7 chord:)
-
Cisco (Pat Martino) - Tune Based
Download the PDF
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!
-
Jeannine - Tune Based
Download the PDF
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...
-
Road Song - Tune Based
Download the PDF
This lesson is based on several requests to do more of a funky, groove based tune. Lot's of blues, a discussion about octaves, and some thoughts on NOT playing the changes.... Great backing track and PDF included.
-
Nica's Dream - Tune Based
Download the PDF
Advanced players will love this lesson. Nica's Dream is filled with opportunities for the use of some exciting harmonic devices. Topics include derived pentatonics from melodic minor, the augmented scale, triad pairs, and much more. Join me for this one hour lesson and expand yo...
-
You Don't Know Lesson What Love Is - Tune Based
Download the PDF
One of my favorite tunes to play. In this lesson, I take an in depth look at the tune from beginning to end discuss topics like the tritone substitution, the I diminished chord, chromaticism, chord scale relationships and much more. I also have notated many comping ideas in the ...
-
Old Folks - Tune Based
Download the PDF
A wonderful lesson based on the Pat Metheny recording from Question and Answer. Pat handles this tune expertly. His ballad playing in a trio is exceptional. This lesson focuses on some of his methods for playing in a trio as well as some slick harmonization techniques. Backing t...
-
Playing With a Bass Player (Very Early) - Topic Driven
Download the PDF
One of the most challenging musical situations a guitarist finds himself in is a duo with a bass player. There is a level of intimacy and musical conversation that can't be replicated while playing with a drummer. In this lesson I discuss how to get comfortable with this format ...
-
Sunny (Pat Martino) - Tune Based
Download the PDF
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...
-
This I Dig of You (Hank Mobley) - Tune Based
Download the PDF
One of my favorite tunes to play! It's a relatively easy tune but the deceptively simple first 8 measures are a gold mine of awesome reharmonization techniques. I'll walk you through the whole tune but the most interesting stuff happens in the front section. A 14 page PDF and ba...
-
Impressions (Coltrane) - Tune Based
Download the PDF
In this lesson I lay the groundwork for learning how to improvise on modal tunes such as So What or Impressions. Topics include the dorian mode, triad pairs pentatonics and 4ths. This is intended to be a beginner lesson on modal harmony with some great methods on how to create i...
-
Jingles - Tune Based
Download the PDF
Check out this amazing new lesson on Wes Montgomery's Jingles. In this comprehensive session, I look into every aspect of the song, guiding you through its structure and nuances. I explore essential topics such as improvising over static minor chords and navigating II-V progress...
-
Playing Outside II (ATTYA) - Topic Driven
Download the PDF
By request, Playing Outside II 🎸This time I focus on the application of outside techniques to a standard tune. "All The Things You Are" offers ample opportunity for both harmonic and intervalic outside playing. It's all here in this one hour lesson. The PDF has amazing examples ...
-
Inner Urge - Tune Based
Download the PDF
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.
-
Stolen Moments - Tune Based
Download the PDF
In this lesson I discuss the specifics of Oliver Nelson's arrangement and how to apply them to the guitar. I also discuss time feel at slow swing tempos and how to navigate the C minor blues. Tons of great information included on the 8 page PDF.
-
Four on Six - Tune Based
Download the PDF
A great lesson on the classic Wes Montgomery tune Four on Six. 13 pages of transcribed chordal and linear examples. I walk you through the entire tune from beginning to end. PDF in notation and tab.
-
The Wes Montgomery Tritone Sub - Topic Driven
Download the PDF
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 i...
-
Weekend In LA - Tune Based
Download the PDF
This is an amazing lesson! I cover a huge amount of material all transcribed in notation and tab. Subjects include playing melodically, playing over static harmony ie: A-7/D, and also, some great chordal examples. I teach you how to anticipate chord changes to give your ideas a ...
-
Modernizing II-V's - Topic Driven
Download the PDF
In this lesson I describe my method of sounding immediately modern by looking at any chord as slash chord harmony. It may sound difficult but in fact it's very simple. All it requires is an adjustment in the way you look at harmony that you are already familiar with. Anyone look...
-
Pent-Up House - Tune Based
Download the PDF
In this lesson, I'm deconstructing the iconic jazz gem by Sonny Rollins, "Pent-Up House." While it maintains a simple structure of major II-V progressions, Clifford Brown's solo adds subtle nuances of alternate changes not present in the original score. And that's not all – you'...
-
In Your Own Sweet Way - Tune Based
Download the PDF
This is one of my favorite tunes to play! I love the wide open modal section and the contrast it creates with the chord changes throughout the tune. There is so much to learn from here, secondary dominants, modal playing, voicings in 4ths and lot's more:)
-
Killer' Comping - Topic Driven
Download the PDF
I received a great email from a fellow guitar player who thought that the comping I was doing with Larry Coryell on the Have You Met Miss Jones video was killer! In this lesson I go through some of the techniques that I use when accompanying one person. Lots of information that ...
-
Like Someone in Love - Tune Based
Download the PDF
Great combination chord melody and comping/improvising lesson. I show you numerous ways of navigating the tune as well as provide fantastic examples on the included PDF.
