How to learn a new piece of vocabulary, apply it, and mix it in with your own improvisations.
Members Play Harold Land’s Solo On “Joy Spring” (Bebop)
Feedback on members’ submissions for this challenge.
Getting Away from Root-Based Improvising: A Simple Trick to Add Color to Chord Progressions (“Joy Spring”)
Tired of always playing chords from the root? This exercise will help you develop the skill of seeing a set of chord changes and replacing them with a close cousin.
Practicing Into a Problem
Get creative and focused in a short amount of practice time.
A study in bluesy triplet-based playing: Stanley Turrentine’s solo on “Sugar”
This solo is FULL of great information on playing in a laid-back, blues-y, triplet feel kind of way.
Make It FEEL Good: Do This to Get Better at Keeping Your Place and Landing Your Phrases in the Pocket
Pat Metheny and Eric Clapton have it. Charlie Parker did, too. Regardless of where you are on your journey as an improviser, understanding this feel will make you sound better. Quickly. This simple exercise will help.
Avoiding Common Problems: Pinched Tone, Jerky Time-Feel, & Wandering Scale-Based Improv
A few suggestions for getting past these common issues.
Modal Melodies: How to Find the Right Notes (and Play Them Creatively)
Using the Joe Henderson song “Black Narcissus” as an example, I cover practice strategies for mastering each chord, scale, and the tune as a whole.
Build Your Technique Through Tunes, Triads & Triplets (1 of 2)
Your assignment after watching this: Go experiment with it today, on this tune or any tune you’re working on.