by Richie Zellon | Jazz Improvisation
The Bebop Anacrusis If you’re wondering what on earth anacrusis means, it’s simply the proper term in written music for what we otherwise would call a “pick up”. And in this lesson I am excited to demonstrate this seldom taught melodic and rhythmic device in the...
by Richie Zellon | Jazz Improvisation
Self Accompaniment-Major II-V-Is If you’re a jazz guitarist, at some point you’ve probably experienced what I like to call… pianist envy! This is the result of watching keyboard players use their left hand to comp with chords, while independently improvising...
by Richie Zellon | Jazz Improvisation
Major b6 Pentatonics: Coltrane Perspectives 3 This is the 3rd in a series of Coltrane Guitar Perspectives on using pentatonics. In the previous 2 installments, I showed you how the legendary John Coltrane pioneered the use of the common minor pentatonic and the kumoi...
by Richie Zellon | Jazz Improvisation
Harmonic Minor Modes Are you familiar with the modes of the harmonic minor? If you’re like the great majority of jazz guitarists, or musicians in general, the answer is probably “No”! When was the last time you used the Romanian scale or the Lydian #2 when...
by Richie Zellon | Jazz Improvisation
Kumoi Pentatonics: Coltrane Perspectives 2 This is the 2nd in a series of “Coltrane Guitar Perspectives” on using pentatonics. If you missed the first one be sure to check it out here. In it I show you how the legendary John Coltrane pioneered the use of...
by Richie Zellon | Jazz Improvisation
Minor Pentatonics: Coltrane Perspectives 1 If you’re a guitarist, I wouldn’t be surprised if the very first scale you ever learned is the minor pentatonic ! And most likely…you first learned it to solo either over the blues or your favorite rock tune. But if you’re...