Try This 3-6-2-5 Lick With Chromatic Passing Tones – TTT #9
The 3-6-2-5 progression appears very often, especially over common forms such as rhythm changes. Try playing this lick over the chord changes and transpose into all 12 keys! https://youtu.be/j58b-Pqatvg CLICK HERE FOR THE NOTATION If you have questions or suggestions for a Lick Of The Week you would like us to do, please leave them […]
Testify With these 3 Sets of Gospel Voicings – TTT #8
These voicings are authentic to the gospel style of piano. You’ll hear hard bop pianists like Bobby Timmons using these voicings all of the time. Try out these sets of I chord, 4 chord, and 5 chords in the key of F major to achieve a true gospel sound. https://youtu.be/mZIkId8L1uw CLICK HERE FOR THE NOTATION […]
Shred with this Diatonic 3rds Pattern – TTT #7
Here is a simply 3rds-based pattern you can use to shred in any key. It fits easily in the hand, and you can practice using it at faster tempos to blow your audiences away! Try it over various modes, such as dorian, mixolydian, and phrygian. https://youtu.be/YYrsAA5oKyw CLICK HERE FOR THE NOTATION If you have questions […]
Drop-2 Voicings in A-Flat Major – TTT #6
Drop-2 Voicings are an essential piano comping technique. You can make these voicings by playing a 4-part chord such as 1-3-5-6, and dropping the 5th down an octave. Try these “Drop-2” voicings next time you are comping in A-flat major! Enjoy! https://youtu.be/_Lo0VxxOpLc CLICK HERE FOR THE NOTATION If you have questions or suggestions for a […]
The “Oliver Nelson Lick” – TTT #5
The Oliver Nelson Lick is a pattern created by tenor saxophonist and arranger, Oliver Nelson. He is best known for his album “Blues and the Abstract Truth” (1961), and this pattern can be heard on the tune “Hoe-Down.” It is made up of triads moving down in a cycle of major thirds, each preceded by […]
Try This Bebop Lick in F-Major! – TTT #4
This bebop lick outlines the harmony of the key of F major. It includes some diminished 7th shapes moving through a 3-6-2-5-1 chord progression. Follow the chord changes and see where it takes you! Enjoy! https://youtu.be/nDR2Bl0RR3I CLICK HERE FOR THE NOTATION If you have questions or suggestions for a Lick Of The Week you would […]
This G Major Lick is Based on “Butch and Butch” – TTT #3
“Butch and Butch” is a 12-bar blues melody written by the great saxophonist and arranger Oliver Nelson. This G Major lick is based on the first few bars of that melody, and features an ascending chord progression using diminished chords. https://youtu.be/LbDZnjihxlM CLICK HERE FOR THE NOTATION If you have questions or suggestions for a Lick […]
These 4-Note Pentatonic Voicings Will Come in Handy! – TTT #2
These 4-note pentatonic voicings are made up of varying scale degrees from the C-minor pentatonic scale. Use them for comping over modal chord progressions, even over a 12-bar blues. https://youtu.be/1L-w1tN3MfE CLICK HERE FOR THE NOTATION If you have questions or suggestions for a Lick Of The Week you would like us to do, please leave […]
Use This Diminished Lick for ANY Occasion! – TTT #1
This pattern goes up and down through the diminished “half-whole” scale. Use it over dominant chords for a hip sound creating lots of tension. Then, transpose it to any key and listen to the resulting effect! https://youtu.be/BkpTP2EkEGY CLICK HERE FOR THE NOTATION If you have questions or suggestions for a Lick Of The Week you […]
Gonzalo Rubalcaba Goes Totally Wild on “Donna Lee” (LOTW #272)
Gonzala Rubalcaba can play incredible freely improvised solos, and also shred on jazz standards! Here is a lick he pulls out after 1 chorus of improvised melody accompanied by Ron Carter on Bass from his 1994 album “Diz….” Enjoy! https://youtu.be/_KaUUmM2Nt0 CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL LICK BOOK (UPDATED MONTHLY) If you have questions or suggestions […]
