Improv

🚨 Soloing Through the Changes Pt. 6 – Bebop Scale Variants on the Blues

In Part 6, we continue exploring scale-based soloing over the blues in F, this time using bebop dominant scale variants enriched with added chromatic passing tones. This lesson focuses on creating longer, more fluid lines that still clearly outline the changes—using the dominant bebop scale as a flexible framework, not a strict formula.

🚨 Soloing Through the Changes Pt. 5 – Scale-Based Soloing: Bebop Dominant & Diminished Scales

In Part 5, we shift our focus from arpeggios to scale-based soloing, using the bebop dominant scale as a framework for outlining harmony with a smoother, more linear flow. This scale includes a chromatic passing tone (usually the natural 7th in a dominant scale), allowing you to maintain a strong rhythmic flow while still landing chord tones on downbeats.

🚨 Soloing Through the Changes Pt. 4 – 7th Chord Outlinings with 9ths & Alterations

In Part 4, we take the 7th chord outlines from the previous lesson and extend them into 9ths, while also adding alterations and inversions on dominant chords. The result is a more melodic, colorful, and expressive soloing vocabulary—still grounded in chord structure, but reaching toward the sound of bebop and beyond.

🚨 Soloing Through the Changes Pt. 3 – Diatonic 7th Chord Outlinings on “Minority”

In Part 3, we take our soloing a step further by outlining each chord using full 7th chord arpeggios, adding more shape and melodic possibility to our lines. Still working with Minority, this lesson is about expanding from guide tones to complete harmonic outlines—while keeping strong voice leading in mind.

I just love this stuff! 

🚨 Soloing Through the Changes Pt. 2 – Guide Tones in a Standard: “Minority”

In Part 2 of the series, we move beyond the blues and apply our guide tone approach to a jazz standard. This time, we’re using Gigi Gryce’s Minority—a minor-key tune with rich harmonic movement and ii–V progressions that challenge your voice leading.

New Lesson Series Alert: Soloing Through the Changes 

Starting today, we’re launching an 8-part lesson series focused on helping you build clear, confident solos that outline harmony and stay rooted in the form. 

Pt. 1 – Guide Tones Over the Blues

In this first lesson, we zero in on guide tones—the essential 3rds and 7ths that define each chord’s identity. Using a 12-bar blues in F, we’ll build strong, simple melodic lines that move smoothly through the changes. No flashy licks—just solid, musical fundamentals.

? Lesson 2: Building Time Through 3rds and 7ths – Intro to the Blues
Goal: Develop internal time and harmonic awareness by isolating key movements within the blues progression.

In this lesson, we’ll begin working with small sections of a blues form using dominant chords. The focus is on identifying and connecting 3rds and 7ths—especially how they voice-lead smoothly when chords move by fourths.

? Lesson 1: Building a Solid Time Foundation With a Metronome

? Goals:

In this section, we continue with the F#7–B7–E7–A7–D7–G7–C7–F7 progression in measures 1-4, but with a simplified rhythmic approach. Rather than relying on continuous eighth-note lines, this version demonstrates how to outline the changes effectively with more space and varied rhythmic phrasing.