Learn The Versatile Crunch Chord and Its Many Applications (Ep:184)
Whenever we dedicate time to internalizing musical material, it is ideal to choose structures that are applicable to many common jazz situations. This lesson focuses on one such structure that I have affectionately labelled the crunch chord. There are two main reasons this voicing is so versatile. First, it contains 2 tritones, so it can be used on 4 different dominant chords. Second, it contains many different smaller chords within its overarching structure. The relationships between these chords within the voicing create a unique harmonic texture that is useful for harmonizing any melody of your choosing.
Cedar Walton “Clockwise” Riff (LOTW #173)
Check out the opening riff from Cedar Walton’s renowned composition,”Clockwise.” After ascending up an E major triad, he goes back down by way of a C major seventh sound. Dig this, and develop your own compositional ideas! CLICK HERE TO GET A TRANSCRIPTION OF THE LICK If you have questions or suggestions for a Lick […]
Use These 3 Scales to Shred on Any Modal Tune! (Ep:183)(pt. 2)
Continuing with last week’s episode, this time we will be reviewing an advanced modal tune. Kenny Baron’s “Voyage” has many twists and turns that will always leave the audience wanting more! Learn how to shred over this tune and more in this week’s podcast.
Oscar Plays the Blues On “Love For Sale” (LOTW #172)
We love Oscar Peterson for his ability to play beautiful lines over chord changes, but most of all for his bluesy solo ideas! Check out this passage from “Love For Sale” off of the album Oscar Peterson Plays the Cole Porter Songbook, it ain’t nothin’ but the blues!! CLICK HERE TO GET A TRANSCRIPTION OF […]
Use These 3 Scales to Shred on Any Modal Tune! (Ep:182)(pt. 1)
Have you ever wanted to be able to shred over the modal solo sections in your favorite tune? Look no further, because in this week’s podcast lesson, we will review the 3 scales you need to know to play over any modal tune. You will be shredding in no time!!
A Swinging Solo Break by Red Garland on “A Foggy Day” (LOTW #171)
Here is Red Garland’s solo break from a classic album of his, “A Garland of Red” (1957). There is some quintessential playing from Red on this record that is definitely worth checking out! https://youtu.be/9O5UwrR2Nt4 CLICK HERE TO GET A TRANSCRIPTION OF THE LICK If you have questions or suggestions for a Lick Of The Week […]
Jazz Composition: 5 Steps to Build Color Voicings (Ep:181)
Download: MP3 Audio51 MB Share on facebook Facebook Share on google Google+ Share on twitter Twitter Share on linkedin LinkedIn Composing jazz tunes can be extremely difficult. Where do we even start? Garreth Davis asked specifically how to build color voicings. In this podcast episode I’ll show you a very easy process and road map […]
Jazz Comping Strategies For Airegin (Ep:180)
Learning jazz comping can be a complicated process. You need rhythms, voicings, movements, registers and more. Even after all that, you have to go to an actual tune and start to implement the strategies you’ve learned. In this episode we show you some amazing comping strategies that you can easily use to sound great over the classic tune Airegin. You’re sure to love these after you hear the fantastic textures and atmospheres they produce! Enjoy!
Gerald Clayton Plays it Cool on Strasbourg St. Denis (LOTW #170)
Gerald Clayton lays down possibly one of the most grooving solos of all time over Roy Hargrove’s jam tune “Strasbourg St. Denis.” At the end of several choruses of pure groove, he plays it cool with a line which sidesteps its way outside of the changes. Follow along with the notation to see how he […]
Simple Jazz Piano: 3 Step Process (Ep:179)
Playing solo jazz piano is hard. I’ll admit it. Finding an EASY way to play solo jazz piano can be EVEN harder. But…thankfully I’ve created this very simple and clear, 3 step process to help you go about arranging tunes in a solo piano, 2 hand style that will sound beautiful and lush. And even if you’re an advanced player, I’ll show you how to take this easy process and tweak it to fit your advanced level. Enjoy!
