As we wrap up Ottis’ rhythm changes solo, he hits on a great dominant cycle that Thelonious Monk used heavily. I also dig in more on using air and dynamics to turn what is a pile of great vocabulary into phrases that have more swing and impact.
Archives for May 2016
Player Problems (3 of 4): Sonny Stitt, V7b9, and Chromatic Turnarounds
As we continue combing through Ottis’ excellent solo, we’re uncovering some hip harmonic moves over Rhythm Changes. The next step is for you to try these out with a play-along and eventually on the gig.
Theory Analysis: Cannonball’s solo on “Straight, No Chaser”
Learn about motivic development, implied harmonic superimposition, and applying the altered scale in the blues, from 5 brilliant measures of Cannonball’s solo.
Player Problems (2 of 4): Dynamic Phrasing and Syncopation
Part 2 of a mini-series addressing some common issues we all face—articulation, phrasing, vocabulary—through a phrase-by-phrase review of a student’s performance.