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BG's Favorite Chordal Movements - Topic Driven
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In this lesson, I share 20 of my favorite chordal movements drawn from both major and minor ii–V progressions. Each example is demonstrated and discussed in depth, with a focus on how to bring out the musicality behind the changes.
We’ll explore essential concepts such as chrom...
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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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The Diminshed Scale - Topic Driven
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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...
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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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Turnaround Chordal Approaches - Topic Driven
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Taking inspiration from a recent Instagram video that I did, this lesson explores the strategy of turnarounds, enhancing your understanding of this widely-used chord progression. The detailed lesson offers clear explanations, applicable advice, and is accompanied by a thorough P...
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Dominant Chord Study - Essential
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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 l...
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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... -
The Anatomy of a Compelling Jazz Line
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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 th...
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Playing With a Bass Player (Very Early) - Topic Driven
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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 ...
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Five Position Study (Stella by Starlight) - Topic Driven
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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...
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How I Write Tunes - Topic Driven
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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!
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The Benny Golson Progression - Topic Driven
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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. ...
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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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The Pat Martino Lesson - Topic Driven
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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 ...
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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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Modernizing II-V's - Topic Driven
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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...
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Playing Outside II (ATTYA) - Topic Driven
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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 ...
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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🎸
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Situational Comping - Topic Driven
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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👍
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Joe Pass Solo Guitar Style ( Days of Wine and Roses) - Topic Driven
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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 1...
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Playing Outside - Topic Driven
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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 ...
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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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An Insiders Look at Voicings and Comping (Days of Wine and Roses) - Topic Driven
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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 r...
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How to Play Ballads (Misty) - Topic Driven
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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 notat...
