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Soloing Using the Melody - Topic Driven
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Who needs chord scale relationships?! In this lesson I show you how to use the overall shape of the melody to create interesting improvisations on the standard On The Sunny Side of the Street. I also talk about guide tone lines as well as some eye opening tips on how to look at ...
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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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Body and Soul - Chord Melody
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Join me in this 45 minute lesson as I discuss all of the methods of harmonization used in the arrangement. I discuss each and every chord and also address chord scale relationships. Include on the PDF is the full arrangement and some practice exercises for generating reharmoniza...
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Theme From Mash (George Benson) - Topic Driven
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In this lesson I discuss George Benson's solo on the Theme From Mash. I consider this one of the best recorded guitar solos ever. It has something for everyone in it! Included is the full transcription and awesome backing track. Enjoy!
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In A Sentimental Mood - Chord Melody
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In this lesson I go through the arrangement from beginning to end, describing all of the techniques used. I also show you alternate techniques and how to utilize these chordal ideas any other tunes. I am teaching you how to create your own arrangements, not just memorize one fro...
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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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The Wes Montgomery Tritone Sub - Topic Driven
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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...
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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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Favorite Things - Tune Based
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In this lesson I discuss one of the most popular jazz waltzes. I cover modal playing and the use of pentatonics on both Major and Minor chords. Triad pairs are also discussed in regards to modal playing. Great linear and chordal examples in this 30 minute lesson. 10 page PDF inc...
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O Christmas Tree - Chord Melody
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As always, my goal is to make great sounding arrangements that are easy to play. I'd like to imagine that you will playing this for friends and family in a matter of weeks. The lesson contains a full walkthrough of every chord from the intro through the ending with every chord c...
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Jingles - Tune Based
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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...
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Stolen Moments - Tune Based
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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.
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My Romance - Chord Melody
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In this chord melody lesson you will be introduced to several methods of harmonization including the chromatic approach, constant structure and counterpoint. A beautiful, playable arrangement on one of my favorite Rogers and Hart compositions. Full arrangement included on the PD...
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Speak No Evil - Tune Based
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Wayne Shorter’s Speak No Evil is one of the great modern standards. In this lesson I show you how to disregard 7th to 3’s when dealing with II-V’s and how to deal with this tune in a “modal” fashion. Great lines and vocings included on the PDF.
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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!
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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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Chord Scale Relationships - Essential
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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.
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Line Connections (Moments Notice) - Essential
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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...
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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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Soloing Without Accompaniment (It Could Happen to You) - Topic Driven
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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.
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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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Autumn Leaves - Tune Based
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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!
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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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Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Chord Melody
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One of my favorite Christmas tunes. This is a wonderful arrangement that you can get under your fingers way before Christmas. Play it for friends and family. The lesson contains a full walkthrough of every chord from the intro through the ending with every chord choice explained...
