Bud Powell – “All of God’s Chillun Got Rhythm” Bebop Analysis
Bud Powell was a bebop genius and in this podcast I analyze a part of his solo and explain the simple elements he’s using over and over and over again. After learning these elements, I guarantee you’ll have a much better understanding of how to play bebop, and will be able to play it yourself with a lot more ease.
A Hard-Hitting Block Chord Intro by Oscar Peterson (LOTW #250)
Oscar Peterson’s trio was known not only for their fantastic swing feel and burning tempos, but also for their knockout arrangements! Here is an intro Oscar plays on “You Stepped Out of a Dream” from the album Tristeza (1993) which features 4 and 5-note block chords. For a tutorial on these type of chords, check […]
List of Over 50 Jazz Blues Tunes to Know
When learning jazz music, it is important to remember that “the blues” is not just simply a scale… “The blues” is a style, a feeling, a whole genre unto itself. The best way to learn about the blues (without your wife leaving you, your dog running away, or losing your trusty pickup truck) is […]
Bebop Enclosures and Approach Notes; Exercise to Music
There comes a time for exercises and a time to transform exercises into music. But what is the process? How do we go from bebop approach note improvisation exercises to USING bebop approaches in an actual musical solo? Find out in this episode!
Thelonious Monk’s intro to “Brilliant Corners” (LOTW #249)
Here is an intro to one of Monk’s signature tunes “Brilliant Corners.” It features some dissonant intervals over a series of dominant chords, which stay true to form for Monk’s unique pianistic style. Enjoy! https://youtu.be/404W2hP5XaM CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL LICK BOOK (UPDATED MONTHLY) If you have questions or suggestions for a Lick Of The […]
Bebop Enclosures and Bebop Approach Notes Through a 2-5-1 (Part 4)
Learning you bebop approaches is one thing…connecting them through 2-5-1’s is the next step. That’s exactly what I’ll be showing you in this episode as well as how to spontaneously improvise with them as well.
A Minor Solo from Kenny Barron on “Beautiful Love” (LOTW #248)
Minor language is essential for every jazz pianist’s complete toolkit. Listen how jazz master Kenny Barron plays over the minor chord changes here in the first few bars of “Beautiful Love.” Enjoy! https://youtu.be/7MPEFFUCUO4 CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL LICK BOOK (UPDATED MONTHLY) If you have questions or suggestions for a Lick Of The Week you […]
Making Friends with your Left Hand in 3 Easy Steps
If you feel like your LH has been fighting you while improvising or just want to improve your LH approach, this video is for you! Follow along with these 3 easy steps to improve your left hand comping.
A Signature Lick by Mulgrew Miller on “Up Jumped Spring” (LOTW #247)
Spring is on it’s way! Let’s celebrate with a signature lick by Mulgrew from a recording with vibraphonist Steve Nelson on the jazz standard tune “Up Jumped Spring” on his album Sound Effect (2007). Enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mk_BLuSeXUY CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL LICK BOOK (UPDATED MONTHLY) If you have questions or suggestions for a Lick Of […]
How to Comp Using 5-note “So What” Chord Voicings
In this podcast lesson we will explore various 5-note combinations of pentatonic voicings as seen in the classic modal jazz tune “So What.” There are many variations on how to use these chords, and by the end of this lesson you will have several new ways of playing them which will give a fresh sound to your comping in minor keys!
