The Oliver Nelson Lick (LOTW #145)
This week’s lick comes to you from an Oliver Nelson record called “More Blues and the Abstract Truth.” It is an iconic pattern from Oliver Nelson’s tune called “Hoe-Down.” Oliver was known for his affinity for using patterns, and this one is no exception. The lick traces a set of major triads descending in major […]
Some Burning Modal Melodic Action by David Kikoski on Charlie Parker’s “Cardboard” (LOTW #144)
This week we’re coming at you with a burning post-bop solo by David Kikoski on his tune “Cardboard,” off of a 2009 album with Jeff “Tain” Watts on drums and James Genus on bass. He repurposes a Charlie Parker Composition to use as a vehicle for some intense modal jazz. Listen as he sequences a […]
How to Prepare for Auditions
With performance examinations coming up in many music schools across the country, I thought I’d address a question I’ve often heard, which is: How do I prepare for my performance jury? Whether you have an audition or a jury coming up for school, we’ll be discussing some best kept secrets for how to prepare! Know […]
Bill Evans Rips Through Solo Breaks on “Night and Day” (LOTW #143)
On his record with Stan Getz in 1973, Bill Evans rips through some solo breaks over the tune “Night and Day.” Check out the way he navigates these chord changes with bebop vocab and throws in a triplety sequence in the middle! https://youtu.be/DXjNLVu0GNk CLICK HERE TO GET A TRANSCRIPTION OF THE LICK If you have […]
JPS Ep:150 – This Chord Will Instantly Make You Sound Like 70’s Herbie!
Here is a quick way to achieve a 70’s funk sound, straight out of Herbie Hancock’s Head Hunters record! Follow along as we explore the use of this chord from “Watermelon Man.”
JPS Ep:149 – Rhythm Changes Bridge Improvisation: Use This Today!
We continue our rhythm changes series and approach these refreshing new ways to improvise over the 4 dominant chords in the bridge of rhythm changes. If you thought the bridge didn’t provide much harmonic content to improvise over…think again! Let’s get to it!
Insane Brad Mehldau Line from Art of the Trio (LOTW #142)
Have you ever wondered what’s going on when Brad Mehldau goes off into one of his virtuosic solos? Take a closer look at this line from Art of the Trio Vol. 2 Live at the Village Vanguard (1998). https://youtu.be/AQrfq0jM7gs CLICK HERE TO GET A TRANSCRIPTION OF THE LICK If you have questions or suggestions for […]
Developing Modern Repertoire
As Sterling mentioned in his last post, jazz music was built on the popular songs of the day, using them as vehicles for improvisation. There is no reason it should be any different today. There is music being created all around us just begging to be improvised on, but sometimes we get stuck in the […]
JPS Ep:148 – 4 Secrets To Improvising Over Rhythm Changes
Rhythm changes can seriously screw you up. Once you attempted and failed, you probably don’t want to try again. BUT…with these 4 secrets that will allow you to easily improvise over rhythm changes, you’ll be loving this form and itching to play it as much as possible! Here we go!
Greasy Benny Green Triplet Line (LOTW #141)
Listen to Benny Green swing his butt off with the Ray Brown Trio on the album Live at Scullers in 1996. He digs into the triplet feel with drummer Greg Hutchinson. Check this out to get more grease in your playing! https://youtu.be/Ajx0j0wHVJ0 CLICK HERE TO GET A TRANSCRIPTION OF THE LICK If you have questions […]
