Most Popular Lessons

I always try and play a version of the tune I'm doing a lesson on. My 2024 version of Israel is here.

Here's a lesson on Israel. I know I've put up lessons in the past. Well I didn't think of until I started doing the lessons. 

Maybe I cover some of the same stuff. However....

In this version I'm attaching a pdf of my arrangement of the head as well as some simple etudes based on the first few bars of the tune! 

? Working on Time Pt. 3: Simple Blues with Four-Note Voicings

Goal:
Play through a simple three-chord blues using four-note voicings, while locking in your time with the metronome on beats 2 and 4 at a medium tempo. This lesson builds on Part 2 by applying the foundational third and seventh movement into fuller voicings across an entire 12-bar form.

What you’ll practice:

You know what, to be very frank and mildly funny, the big boys and girls can play good 2 5 1 voicings.

Well rounded players can do all this stuff. You can tell how well rounded a player is by listening to them play a standard and comp. For whatever that is worth. I imagine if you are a blue grass vibe player and that's all you care about then you're not worrie about this etude. But if you want to be a decent jazz player this stuff I think is important. 

Check out the attached PDF!

Check out the attached PDF!

Practicing in Cycles by Behn Gillece

Check out the attached PDF!

Minor Vamps Pt. 1 by Behn Gillece

In this etude, the quarter note remains consistent like an actual walking bass line. The challenge in this exercise is to keep the pedal down and the dampening smooth, making sure no notes ring together. Work on getting a really nice legato sound!

Check out the attached PDF!