Month: November 2009

Posted in The Jazzy stuff (but good for every style!)

Easy standard jazz song analyzed

by on

In this video I will show you how jazz standards are actually much easier that most people think. I bring as an example the famous standard ‘Autumn leaves’. You’ll notice right away that this is mostly made up by two 2-5-1 progressions one in major, the other one in minor. I have already show you previously how to approach those two progressions and what to use to solo over them. So now all you should do is learn the chords and record a backing track for yourself to solo over.

Printable PDF: Lead Sheet

Posted in The Jazzy stuff (but good for every style!)

Expand your vocabulary Pt2

by on

Expand your vocabulary Pt2

After I have learnt my phrase in every key I will now use it in context. Here I am using it on ‘autumn leaves’ every time there is a 2-5-1. of course I use it in the appropriate key, and I fill the rest of the tune with material stylistically similar. Here you’ll find the two files you’ll need to do this exercise:

Printable PDF: 2-5-1 Example Phrase Exercise

Printable PDF: Chords for Autumn Leaves

Posted in The Jazzy stuff (but good for every style!)

Connecting 7th arpeggios with scales

by on

This is a great exercise that not only will improve your articulation, but will better your understanding of 7th arpeggios and how to connect them in a musical manner. Watch the video and download the file, it is pretty much self explanatory. After you have learnt the exercise, there are two things you can do to take it to the next level: 1. transpose in all keys. 2. use a metronome to gradually increase the speed (like in the video).

Good luck!

Printable PDF: Connecting 7th arpeggios