Most Popular Lessons

🚨 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.

Hello all,

Just a quick lesson on ending ballads (or any tune, really). I demonstrate a few different options for the final chords on a ballad so you don't always have to end on 1 or the b2. Let me know if there are any questions!

🚨 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.

Assignments Due

• Post your chord melody to Bossa
• Post 3 diminished open closed chords
• Friedman #5, 1st half - (in class)
• Post your chord melody to Blue Bossa, in time.
• Play the first 8 bars of Donna Lee - MEMORIZED
• Matchbook post thoughts on VW
  • Who is Ralph Towner?
  • What well known group was Ralph Towner in?
  • What is your favorite track?
  • What is the instrumentation of the whole cd?
  • Did they do a second album as a duo?

Check out the attached PDF!

I would see David performing this when we would play duo concerts. 

It's a cool improv that is also a great study.

Check out the attached PDF!

Check out the attached PDF!

Tune Study - The Jody Grind Pt. 1

🚨 New Tune Deep Dive Series! 🚨
Pt. 1: “Wave” – Establishing Form & Groove

We’re kicking off a brand-new Tune Deep Dive with Antônio Carlos Jobim’s Wave—a bossa nova classic that’s as groovy as it is deceptively tricky. This tune has a 44-bar form (A – A – B – A, with 12-bar A sections and an 8-bar bridge), so memorizing the structure is step one.