In this lesson I discuss the two types of dominant chords we deal with in jazz tunes, resolving and non resolving. I keep the discussion two the modes of melodic minor but discuss various reharmonizations, and give you 7 pages of melodic and chordal examples. Another essential lesson for understa...

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 having the language ...

Dive into my latest lesson video, “The Anatomy of a Compelling Jazz Line," where I explore what makes a jazz line truly special from both linear and bebop perspectives. Delving into the essentials of interest, momentum, and meaning, this lesson breaks down the key ingredients that elevate jazz im...

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 and to appreciate ...

In this topic driven lesson I take the tune Stella by Starlight and break it down into 5 positions, including both voicing and lines. I have found this method of practicing incredibly helpful for gaining fretboard knowledge and at this stage in my guitar playing life, have equal comfort in any po...

In this video lesson I write two tunes in real time to demonstrate some of the methods I use for tune writing. This is an eye opening lesson that you will enjoy immensely. PDF of both tunes and backing tracks included. Thanks for watching!

I discovered this while practicing a bunch of Benny Golson tunes. He uses this progression in his tunes often but the one that got me thinking was Whisper Not. I decided to see what would happen if I took it through all keys and used it as a vehicle for practicing minor ii-V's. This has helped ev...

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!

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 ...

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 looking to modernize t...

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 and I have provide...

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🎸

Comping with a vocalist, a saxophone player, another guitarist or gulp, a piano player? This one hour video lesson discusses all of those scenarios and more. The included 18 page PDF gives examples of each and are presented in both notation and tab🎸 You will love this lesson👍

Spend an hour with me as I go through the standard tune the Days of Wine and Roses while discussing some of the things that Joe Pass routinely did on tunes. Dominant Approach, Chromatic Approach, diminished movement, and playing in time are just some of the topics covered. The 14 page PDF include...

By request, an hour long lesson on playing outside! The 23 page PDF is full of both melodic and chordal examples of some of my methods of playing outside. Those methods include reharmonization, intervallic playing and complete manipulation of the given harmony. For those of you interested in some...

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 theory is included in ...

In this lesson I systematically show you how to generate all of the inversions for any 4 part chord. Nothing has done more for my chordal fretboard knowledge and comping than this method has. I have also transcribed three choruses of comping on "The Days of Wine and Roses" and recorded the audio ...

In this lesson I discuss how to conceptualize ballads, and how to avoid the major pitfalls that frequently occur when playing at very slow tempos. I discuss the rhythmic components as well negotiating such a "large" quarter note. This lessons includes many examples in both notation and tab and fe...

I love this lesson. Great examples abound along with a 3 chorus etude that you can play along with. Topics include harmonizing ascending and descending bass lines, chromaticism, turnarounds, three note voicings and much more. These concepts are ideal for Sandu but will work on any blues!

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...

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 your chord progres...

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 30 minute lesson I show you several different methods I use to create walking bass lines while comping. The 5 page PDF contains 4 choruses of blues and 1 chorus of rhythm changes, completely transcribed in notation and tab. A great lesson on balance, swing and time feel!