JAZZ IMPROVISATION

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NOTE: Click on “Older Entries” at the bottom of this page for more lessons or see the complete list on the PREMIUM page.

Deconstructing Jim Hall

Deconstructing Jim Hall

In this lesson I explore the style of one of the most influential jazz guitarists of the latter half of the 20th century. And I’m referring to Jim Hall who has often been called "the father of modern jazz guitar". I started out listening to the likes of Wes, Barney...

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Vertical Triad Pairs

Vertical Triad Pairs

In this lesson I want to introduce you to a concept that you’ve most likely heard in the playing of many great post bop improvisers such as Herbie Hancock, John Scofield, Joe Henderson and countless more! You’ve probably heard about triad pairs. Simply put, they...

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Blue Bossa – George Benson Solo

Blue Bossa – George Benson Solo

Hope you had a chance to check out my recent lesson on harmonizing “Blue Bossa” using the 6th diminished concept associated with Barry Harris. As a follow up,  I decided to transcribe one of my favorite improvised solos over Blue Bossa. And it’s by the great George...

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The Bebop Anacrusis

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 unique context that it is...

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Self Accompaniment-Major II-V-Is

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 intricate lines with their right hand....

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Harmonic Minor Modes

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 improvising over a standard?...

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Kumoi Pentatonics: Coltrane Perspectives 2

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 the common minor pentatonic in jazz by super-imposing it...

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Minor Pentatonics: Coltrane Perspectives 1

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 like most guitarists who get into jazz, it’s...

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Major 9th Arpeggio Superimposition

Major 9th Arpeggio Superimposition

If you’re an intermediate to advanced player, do you ever get tired of hearing yourself play the same old lines when improvising? Maybe you’re just in need of expanding your vocabulary or simply exploring some new melodic perspectives. If so, in my newly posted video...

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Jazz Motifs with Common Tones

Jazz Motifs with Common Tones

An important resource that great jazz musicians use in order to tell a story when improvising, is the element of repetition. This is often done by stressing a note that is common to various consecutive chords in a progression. And it is effective because it creates a...

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Jazz Improvisation Over-Simplified

Jazz Improvisation Over-Simplified

If you’re starting out with jazz improvisation and you’re overwhelmed with the amount of chords in a 32 measure standard,  I think this lesson will be of utmost help. In it I show you how to improvise over almost any standard by reducing it down to its bare-bone...

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Bluesify your Bebop with Double Stops

Bluesify your Bebop with Double Stops

Do you employ double stops in your playing? In case you’re not familiar with the term, it was first devised by violinists to denote 2 notes played simultaneously. Nonetheless, it is applicable to any any polyphonic instrument! You’ve probably heard and identified the...

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The Most Useful Scale In Jazz

The Most Useful Scale In Jazz

If you had to pick just 1 scale to learn in order to use over most standards, what would it be? Some say the major scale or one of it modes such as the dorian or lydian. Others swear by the so called bebop scale. But if you had to use any of those scales exclusively...

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2 Steps To A Great Bebop Line

2 Steps To A Great Bebop Line

Every now and then, do you feel like you’re just incessantly playing the same licks, scales and arpeggios without saying anything? Furthermore, do you sometimes feel like they don't even sound jazzy? In this lesson I teach you a seldom taught line construction...

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Giant Steps using the Symmetrical Diminished

Giant Steps using the Symmetrical Diminished

I don’t know about you, but I’ve always been fascinated by the symmetrical diminished scale!  And I know that this is also the case with so many jazz musicians we all look up to. For example, the late Pat Martino used the symmetrical diminished as the source from...

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Joe Diorio Tribute Lesson

Joe Diorio Tribute Lesson

On February 2nd 2022, I was saddened to hear that we lost a great jazz guitar pioneer...Joe Diorio. As a result I have decided to dedicate this lesson to his memory and share with you a sample of his unique contribution to the ongoing evolution of jazz guitar. When I...

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