Subscribers

I think back now as an old man - as many do. I still have the flame burning strong inside of me that is as vibrant as the flame I kindled when I was a young man in search of music and all the important things in life. But it's more controlled with the experiences, memories, caution and courage of an older man. I don't see things that differently now, but I see them with a more "controlled passion" and what I see is very interesting, so I'm sharing.

Do people like us still make CD's? Is there a point to doing that? I'm curious because things have changed so much since I was active in it full time. What is the standard media product for artists like us? Recordings have pretty much become "business cards" and give-aways. I'd love to hear the full scope of what seems cool and purposeful to the upcoming class of musicians and the established ones.

Dan here's the etude I promised you.

It would be great if you recorded a version for the site.

Everyone else, maybe we should do this as our next TOTM. It's a GREAT tune.

Write the chords in. Learn the tune. Check out the etude. Check out the bass line. If you have a synth play the bass line on the synth. Do you understand it? See the notes, the upper partials I stick in because of the melody of the bass line?

This is an article about Teddy that was published in the November 1962 issue of Jazz Monthly magazine.

I posted a lesson recently where I posted the voicings and you guys supply the rhythms. Here is an etude of my rhythms and chords.

You put the chords in. It will help you memorize them. Note the upper partials and add them in as well. Play the etude!

I was jamming with some guys last night & "What Is This Thing Called Love?" was called. I had learned the tune a few years ago but didn't really remember it, & kinda picked it back up as we went along. Looking at it again briefly today I decided to try to use my ears rather than charts to clean it up again. Here's a rough recording from that process. Also posting before I'd call it ready because waiting until they're perfect tends to result in me never posting. :P

OK guide tones. I'll do a video and talk about them very soon to go along with this TOTM.

But they are super important. If you know your guide tones then you understand how the harmony works. If you can improvise guide tones, then you can make up accompaniment parts behind a singer. You can make up other parts with other musicians quickly. Guide tones are important!

Here's a two chorus line etude on Minority. Take notice of some of the diatonic phrases in the beginning. Remember that even simple ideas can really outline the chord if you end on 3rds and 7ths in the right way!