Dive into the heart of hard bop with my lesson on Clifford Brown's classic tune, "Daahoud." This video focuses on unraveling the language of jazz, with a spotlight on this tune's unusual turnaround. Grammy award-winning drummer Ulysses Owens provides a stellar backing track, ensuring a hands-on e...

This lesson is all about chords and comping! The 15 page PDF contains many examples and also includes a 2 chorus etude that you can play along with me. I cover many techniques of substitution as well as show you efficient ways of using chromaticism, pedal points, the tritone sub and the I diminis...

In my latest video lesson, I delve into the standard jazz composition "I Remember You," The lesson covers topics such as the use of secondary dominants, and emphasizing a departure from conventional chord scales to foster a more nuanced approach to improvisation.

Enhancing the learning experienc...

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 included in both nota...

Dive into the world of Bossa Nova with my latest lesson, meticulously crafted around the timeless classic, "Triste" by the legendary Antonio Carlos Jobim. In this comprehensive video, I delve deep into the heart of the original composition, using it's original key and chord changes, while emphasi...

In this lesson I discuss one of the most common standard standard tunes "Summertime". I walk you through many interesting substitutions and have include the most exhaustive pdf material to date. Enjoy the lesson!

In this video lesson, I guide you through the renowned composition "The Great Stream" by Pat Martino. While it may seem harmonically straightforward, Pat's remarkable talent in seamlessly crafting endless musical phrases is truly exceptional, forming the core of this video. The main theme present...

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'll also receive an...

This is one of my favorite Wes Montgomery tunes! The A sections are fairly easy, but so much fun to play. I show you how Wes would use the G-7 sound on top of the F dorian sound - it's classic! The bridge of this tune takes listeners on an exciting musical journey, exploring a series of II-V pro...

In this tune based lesson I discuss Kenny Barron's composition Voyage. It's comprised of a small modal section followed by some fairly common bebop harmony. The bridge is a bit tricky... ascending chromatic ii-V's that will keep you on your toes! The included PDF contains pages of comping and sol...

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!

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 give many examples...

This tune is another great example of a pop tune with the chord changes of an American Songbook Standard. There is however a big difference in the rhythmic aspect of approaching this tune as it has a contemporary groove with a bit of swing feel. I walk you through the two approaches I usually tak...

From the Kenny Burrell and John Coltrane album. This Tommy Flanagan tune is a 12 bar Bird blues in Ab. The head is great and the changes are so much fun to play over. I use this chord progression as a substitution on regular blues all of the time. Great lines and chords on the 15 page PDF. Backin...

What a beautiful tune! An absolute must for your bossa nova repertoire. I explore the tune from top to bottom and show you several ways of approaching the chord changes. Topics include secondary dominants, the diminished scale and much more. Fully notated PDF and backing track featuring Ulysses O...

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 PDF as well as a ...

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:)

I've borrowed the intro and tempo from the Diana Krall version of this tune. So swingin! I walk you through the whole tune and discuss some of my favorite substitutions. Topics include soloing on Maj7 chords, the Io7 chord and soloing on the V7/Vi chord. Great examples on the PDF. Backing track i...

Of course this is a chord melody lesson but it's much more than that! As usual I walk you through every melody and explain the decisions made in creating the arrangement. I also take a look at this tune from a ballad playing perspective concentrating on phrasing and the significance of the triple...

An excellent lesson on both modal and ii-V playing. Both sections present challenges, in this video, I address ways of overcoming them. Includes 10 pages of examples and a backing track featuring Ulysses Owens on drums!

I didn't know you could squeeze so many ii-V's into one tune! Wes Montgomery's Twisted Blues presents two challenges, the key of Db and a relentless stream of short ii-v's. This is a great study on how to navigate short ii-V's and to appreciate the way Wes treated the tritone substitution. Backin...

Bebop time! If you've wanted to improve your bebop playing, this lesson is for you. I have come up with a method for navigating chord changes that has worked incredibly well for me. I share it with you in this lesson on Charlie Parker's Yardbird Suite. Let's get to work! PDF and backing track wit...

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 always, great line...

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:)