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Pot Luck!

Pot Luck!

Not sure what to watch? Let BGVL choose for you.

Discover something you may have missed with a random selection of lessons that changes every day.

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Pot Luck!
  • 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...

  • Creating Double Time Jazz Lines - Topic Driven

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    Ready to take your improvisation to the next level? Join me for an exciting new video lesson where I dive deep into the art of creating lengthy 16th note double time lines.
    In this lesson, I unveil the secret to mastering double time: it's not just about technique, it's about ha...

  • Stella by Starlight - Tune Based

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    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...

  • Minor League (Grant Green) - Tune Based

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    In this lesson I take a look at Duke Pearson's tune Minor League. I love this tune, the melody is so well constructed! The lesson features 12 pages of amazing hard bop language with a fully transcribed 6 chorus solo! Great comping examples as well in this amazing PDF document. T...

  • 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...

  • 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...

  • A Night in Tunisia - Tune Based

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    In this video lesson, I guide you through Dizzy Gillespie’s “A Night in Tunisia,” using it as a framework to explore the Lydian ♭7 scale and triad pairs. We’ll analyze the tune in detail, covering the harmonic choices throughout. The lesson includes a PDF and a backing track fea...

  • Developing Vocabulary - Essential

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    In this lesson, I share my approach to internalizing the musical language found in bebop standards by Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. While memorizing solos is key to deepening your jazz musicianship, extracting phrases from tunes like "Donna Lee" and "Groovin' High" can off...

  • A Study in Minor II-Vs - Essential

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    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 open...

  • Punjab - Tune Based

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    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:)

  • Comping on the Blues - Topic Driven

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    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.

  • Triad Pairs - Topic Driven

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    You'll love this lesson! Step away from purely linear improvisations and implement the sounds of triads on all kinds of jazz harmony. PDF in tab and notation included🎸

  • 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...

  • Mimosa (George Benson) - Tune Based

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    Without question, George Benson is one of the most important figures in the history of jazz guitar. His ability to weave brilliant technical lines as well as play in the most sultry, soulful manner is still unsurpassed. He truly is a giant and we all owe him a debt of gratitude ...

  • 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...

  • Question and Answer - Tune Based

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    This is such an amazing tune by Pat Metheny, it has elements of minor blues, some Bach inspired chord motion and John Coltrane's countdown progression. Deceptively simple until the countdown changes sneak up on you... As usual, I walk you through the tune from top to bottom and ...

  • 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...

  • Lots of Rhythm Changes and Survey Questions Answered - Topic Driven

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    I think you're going to enjoy this lesson very much! What started out as a response to a recent survey turned into a great lesson on rhythm changes. I have included seven transcribed choruses at various tempos and styles. On the earlier choruses I stick to the common chord chang...

  • How to Play BeBop - Essential

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    Where did the language of bebop really come from? In this lesson, I explore the fascinating possibility that Charlie Parker drew inspiration from the contrapuntal writing of Johann Sebastian Bach—particularly the logic and motion found in Bach’s inventions. By looking at bebop t...

  • Blue n Green - Tune Based

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    This lesson covers all of the harmony from top to bottom as well as triad pairs, the secret jazz chord, what went wrong with the real book and much more. PDF and backing track included.

  • We All Remember Wes - Tune Based

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    This was a fun lesson to create. I discuss George's superior sense of phrasing and his uncanny ability to create lyrical melodic statements along with chop filled 16th note lines. I had no idea this was a Stevie Wonder tune but have always loved it. Great written examples on the...

  • Black Orpheus - Tune Based

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    Black Orpheus: A Guitarist’s Guide to Harmonic Minor 🎸

    Luiz Bonfá’s Black Orpheus is a beautifully simple tune that serves as a perfect introduction to the harmonic minor scale in jazz. This lesson explores how the tune’s changes highlight ii-V progressions in both major and mi...

  • 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!...

  • Chelsea Bridge - Chord Melody

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    Dive into the alluring world of solo jazz guitar with my latest lesson on the timeless Billy Strayhorn tune, "Chelsea Bridge." In this comprehensive tutorial, I'll guide you through a captivating chord melody arrangement that showcases the beauty of this classic jazz composition...