A Classic 2-5-1 Lick from Horace Silver (LOTW #194)

Listen to a classic 2-5-1 Lick from Horace Silver

Horace was not only a great composer, but could also play a mean jazz piano! Check out this classic lick from Hank Mobley’s recording of “Funk in Deep Freeze.” This one is worth taking through all 12 keys. CLICK HERE TO GET A TRANSCRIPTION OF THE LICK If you have questions or suggestions for a […]

Horace Silver’s Suave Bass-Line Groove from “Señor Blues” (LOTW #193)

Listen to Horace Silver's Suave Bass-Line Groove from "Señor Blues"

Horace Silver is one of jazz’s most beloved composers. As a member of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, he is responsible for creating many jazz standards that are still played to this day. When you hear this bass line groove from “Señor Blues,” you know it had to have come from him! https://youtu.be/nFK0TOVZqps CLICK HERE TO […]

Stevie Wonder’s Famous Line from “Sir Duke” Pt. 2 (LOTW #180)

Stevie Wonder's Famous Line from "Sir Duke"

“Sir Duke” is a tune off of Stevie Wonders iconic album, “Songs in the Key of Life” (1976). He wrote it in homage to one of his great jazz influences, Duke Ellington. This week’s LOTW features the second half of the line in its completion. Check it out! https://youtu.be/PmYX04TN6uE CLICK HERE TO GET A TRANSCRIPTION […]

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 […]

Beyond the Real Book: Checking out the “Folio”

Being able to show up to a jam and read tunes out of a real book can be very handy, but.. Have you ever wondered where some of those songs come from? As jazz musicians, we are fortunate to be able to draw from an endless fountain of repertoire from the 20th century. Today, this […]

JPS Ep:134 – Pentatonic Voicings Tutorial Part 2

Here we look at how to create more 4 and 5 note voicings in a modal setting. Today’s session explores a more flexible approach in D dorian by transposing shapes through the mode. To take it further, we look at a technique of chromatic transposition used by Herbie Hancock.

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