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So here is the second of three chord melodies. 

I have the pdf and I have the MalletKat version. You can hear basically what's happening with the sheet music. 

I think you can get a lot out of this. You have to know the chords and inversions really well. I think when I just play the lines it makes sense and you here the harmony. That's the goal right. I will post my own version of stella asap. 

Check out the attached PDF!

🎵 Harmony Without Chords – Pt. 7: Scale & Chord Outlining Combinations

In Part 7, we combine two essential approaches to line construction: scale-based motion and chord outlining. These exercises move through ii–V progressions in descending whole steps, blending linear scale passages with clear chord-tone targets to create lines that sound both melodic and harmonically grounded.

Lesson: Inverse Diminished Lines Over the Bridge of Rhythm Changes (Part 2)

In this second part of the lesson, we’re continuing to explore the bridge of rhythm changes with a new twist on the diminished pattern from the previous exercise. In this version, the diminished line is inverted, offering a fresh approach to navigating ii-V lines over the bridge.

🎵 Harmony Without Chords – Pt. 9: Adding Enclosures and Chromaticism

In Part 9, we take harmonic implication a step further by incorporating enclosures and chromatic passing tones into our line construction. Applied here to the chord progression of Minority by Gigi Gryce, this exercise demonstrates how carefully placed chromatic notes can add tension, sophistication, and forward motion while still clearly outlining the harmony.

A summary of my 9th lesson with Tony.

In a recent lesson, I worked with a student on applying modal concepts to one of my original compositions, Mindful Moments. As in our previous lesson, we focused on incorporating dominant bebop harmony within a modal framework. While understanding modes is essential, embellishing them with dominant bebop vocabulary adds depth and character to modal playing—something that can be heard in the improvisation of the jazz greats.

? 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:

This is another version of the etude that goes through the same chord changes as Blues for Alice. There's a few different approach notes in this version. Remember that when playing this etude with the additional ii-V-I's, figure out all the other tunes you can use these lines on and try it in different keys!

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