Bud Powell’s Whirlwind Signature Lick (LOTW #161)
Here is one of Bud Powell’s trade secrets for burning over fast tempos. This lick follows a pattern of major thirds going down in whole steps. The chromatic notes in between make it sound like a whirlwind all the way down! https://youtu.be/YiPCXIbQC6o CLICK HERE TO GET A TRANSCRIPTION OF THE LICK If you have questions […]
JPS Ep:165 – Mastering the Diatonic Circle of 5ths
What do Autumn Leaves, All the Things You Are, and Johann Sebastian Bach all have in common? They all use the diatonic circle of 5ths! This progression has been used for centuries, and in this week’s podcast lesson we will discuss how to use it seamlessly to improvise chords and melodies.
Bill Evans is a Master of Motivic Development (LOTW #160)
During his iconic recording “Sunday at the Village Vanguard,” Bill Evans develops some amazing motives over the tune “Solar.” He begins with a trademark triadic lick, then continues the idea of ascending chord motion. Follow this one until the very end! https://youtu.be/SLppKfFFR24 CLICK HERE TO GET A TRANSCRIPTION OF THE LICK If you have questions […]
3 Easy Ways to Start Composing Jazz Now!
As aspiring jazz musicians, we find ourselves mostly focused on the art of Improvisation, a paramount skill for playing jazz. Another less discussed but equally important skill is Composition. Composition is essentially the same as Improvisation, except instead of creating music spontaneously in the moment, one is creating music in a slower, more controlled process. […]
JPS Ep:164 – 3 Improvisation Strategies You Need For Ballads
Improvising over ballads is usually more difficult than improvisation over medium or fast tunes. Why is that? Because you’re EXPOSED. Everything is movving sooooo slowwwww. What do you do? How do you spice things up and creating interesting lines? In this episode I’m going to show you 3 strategies I use every-time I improvise over ballads that you absolutely have to integrate into your toolbox. Enjoy!
A Slippery Solo Break by Keith Jarrett (LOTW #159)
Here is a solo break Keith takes on the blues tune “Butch and Butch.” His line winds masterfully through a set of chord changes moving chromatically between sets of notes. The rest of this solo is certainly worth checking out, see what happens next! https://youtu.be/pr2HgzWIDwg CLICK HERE TO GET A TRANSCRIPTION OF THE LICK If […]
5 Insider Tips for a Successful Recording
Whether you’re making an audition recording or laying down some tracks for an album, recording can be quite an involved process. Being in the studio often comes with its own set of stressors when compared to a live performance. Here are some insider tips to help make the process go as smoothly as possible! 1) […]
JPS Ep:163 – What is “The Lady Bird Turnaround?”
If you have never encountered the Lady Bird turnaround or are looking for some new strategies with which to improvise over this device, search no further! In this podcast lesson, we’ll go over how Tadd Dameron came up with this trademark chord progression and how you can play over it with style and ease.
Jacob Collier’s Insane Melodica Solo on “Georgia on My Mind” Pt. 2 (LOTW #158)
You asked for it, and here it is! The second part of Jacob Collier’s famed solo on his arrangement of “Georgia on My Mind.” Watch out for the twists and turns he takes through the reharmonized chord changes, leading up to a sweet set of licks into the end of the phrase. https://youtu.be/jKqOSo3Kktg CLICK HERE […]
4 Guidelines for Pentatonic Improv
Don’t use pentatonics exclusively – This gets old fast. Pentatonics work best when they are mixed in with other harmonic language and textures. By combining pentatonics with chord-scale relationships, you can create countless paths to navigate changes. Start inside, take it out, then bring it back in – Pentatonics create tension. For this tension to […]
