Over the years, Mike’s Master Classes have accumulated a lot of reviews. We want to thank all those that have taken the time to write out thoughtful responses upon completing the classes. We hope your responses will help others find a new class to expand their studies.
Course Reviews
- Going Outside with the Melodic Minor #5
Going Outside with the Melodic Minor #5 5
Very interesting and useful way of thinking about playing outside. Moving between two key centers plus the diminished quality of the lines gives lots of options. Now to get it under my fingers!Dane Clarke
Anatomy of a MelodyThe finer Points 5
In this class, Tom explores the finer points of playing a head. It helped to firmly crystallise the concept in my mind of what I have suspected Master improvisers were doing. Further, Tom shows how to use motifs drawn from the melody to improvise a solo. This adds relevance to the song. These are the finer details that take your playing from good to great. Thanks again Tom for another great lesson.Pat Lajoie
Anatomy of a MelodyWell done 5
I was okay with the first 3/4 of the course - it was good, but it's the last 1/4 that involves what I've been working on, and it was very good. I could see more courses on just this portion about improvising based on the given melody. I would have liked more info on the transposition part, but otherwise great ideas. Well explained.James Kangas
The Improv Style of Cannonball Adderley for Guitar5
good stuffKarel Vijfschaft
The Improv Style of Cannonball Adderley for GuitarIncredible amount of information! 5
Mike is not only an incredible musician but has a down to earth and very direct way of explaining these examples so people can understand them. I purchased this lesson and have been learning a tremendous amount with these licks from the master Cannonball.David Livolsi
The Improv Style of Cannonball Adderley for GuitarThis is incredible stuff. 5
Wow! This is certainly incredible. Many jazz lovers agree that Cannonball Adderley was one of the great alto players. I know that some folks prefer bebop over the "hard bop" that happened in the 1960; however, Cannonball really does extend, amend, and carry on the bebop contribution that began with Charlie Parker. Mike has obviously studied Cannonball's music in great detail. One can really sense Mike's love for and devotion to this music in this video. In "The Inprov Style of Cannonball Adderley for Guitar" Mike shows all of the details of a faithful guitar version of 12 licks from Cannonball's music. This is just over one hour of intense instruction. Some students might absorb all of this material quickly, but, I must admit, that it is going to take me many hours of study to get all of the amazing details of a few of these licks under my fingers. I highly recommend this instructional video. Thank you, Mike.Duncan Herring
Unorthodox 7th Chords (Part I)Mike Godette's courses 5
Mike's courses contain excellent content that is delivered in a very clear and concise manner. This isn't "run of the mill" information and will open doors to new and beautiful sounds. Highly recommended!James Martin
C Minor Blues – Solo and TechniquesC minor blues - solo and techniques 5
Excellent lesson! Clearly presented and explained. Warrenwarren greig
Walking Bass and Comping5
Steve hits it out of the ballpark once again! I have listened to the video a couple times at work getting an overview, and I'm finally getting a chance to begin working with it. As we know, everything Steve teaches is pretty high-level, so it takes full concentration and time to do proper study. It's a very different than learning landslide or My Creole bell. But what a fabulous lesson! Steve has this uniquely clear, concise and practical way of explaining things. As well as clearly demonstrating things that makes him one of the best instructors I have ever encountered. Explaining things in a way that makes sense, in a very logical sequential manner , it comes so naturally to Steve. That clarity means a lot. I have been working with and collecting VHS and DVDs since the mid-90s. Literally dozens and dozens and dozens of instructors. Give or take a few.. This review does not discuss the lesson with any specifics, as I work with the material I will try to post another review that talks about the lesson with some detail. But just from reviewing the material a couple times, I am confident that this presentation is going to unlock a lot of Doors for a lot of people. It's just a question of putting the time and effort into the study. Thank you so much. Rob.rob steinhardt
Walking Bass and CompingA unique approach to walking bass on guitar 5
The way walking bass is taught and played by guitarists is usually limited to having chord stabs played only on the first beat of each bar, along with the root of each chord. Steve teaches us how we can break away from this pattern by exploring how chords can be placed on different beats, as well as how to harmonize every note in the bass line. Since chords are being added to notes other than the root, this approach brings about the use of inversions and substitutions -- which adds harmonic and rhythmic depth to the lines. Studying this material should benefit both the comping and solo guitar aspects of your playing. Highly recommended.Artur Cardoso
Mobile Rhythm GuitarMobile Rhythm 5
I found this video to be very informative. He breaks down a couple of different approaches. He answered many questions I had about playing rhythm guitar.Matthew Adams
Unorthodox 7th Chords (Part I)Unorthodox 7th chords 5
This is a great pair of classes!!!! Such unique material; it all seems kind of obvious when you hear and play them...."why didn't I think of these??", but they are all fresh ideas, well presented.james seaberry
The Chromatic Concepttruly transformative 5
This is one of Juampy's best courses. Intermediate and advanced players will find a wealth of concepts and ideas to practice.George K
Chord Melody ideas for Stella by Starlight, Thoughts on StellaAmazing Course! 5
This course is so deep and interesting! One should definitely have at least some understanding of modal harmony and know Stella already to get the most out of Genil's lesson. He's an amazing player. Like Genil, I was also impacted deeply by Joe Diorio and Lenny Breau when I attended GIT in 1980. I was always drawn to Joe's comping work and solo guitar playing. Lots of work ahead but your knowledge and discovery will be expanded by the things Genil discusses. Highly recommeded!Ronald Thompson
Developing Jazz EarsDeveloping Jazz ears 5
What a wonderful class!, a must for understanding tonality and chord functions' relationships, diatonic harmony in general, chord colors ect. To me this is a must, and is based in an invaluable personal expirenceJulio Sánchez
Anatomy of a MelodyThank you Tom 5
Thank you Tom, and the entire site team for so much precious content. Isaac NegreneIsaac Negrene
Diatonic Triads Complete pt. 4 – 7th no 3rdThank you Tom 5
Thank you Tom, and the entire site team for so much precious content.Isaac Negrene
Diatonic Triads Complete pt. 5 – ClustersThank you Tom 5
Thank you Tom, and the entire site team for so much precious content. Isaac NegreneIsaac Negrene
II-V-I Motivic PhrasesGreat presentation - extremely helpful 5
Steve is an outstanding teacher. This class is full of examples that you can use on your own or use as a springboard to come up with your own ideas. I know I will be coming back to this class again and again for ideas and inspiration.DAVID TARDIO
Modes of the Melodic Minor as Applied to Major and Minor Chords (#2)Modes of the Melodic Minor as Applied to Major and Minor Chords (#2) Profile Photo John Stowell 5
Neat discussion and great ideas, I would love a pdf or set of pdf's (and would pay extra) for examples written down from the material.Mike Ranfft
Bebop Flow: Connecting Harmonic Concepts with the Family of 4Outstanding Classic 5
Sheryl is a superlative instructor and a fabulous Jazz guitarist. This lesson captures her charisma and her knowledge and her style of instruction and even voice is well suited to Jazz instruction. She is an old soul and I keep coming back to this lesson series for its well paced atmosphere and review the material every once in a while. Top notch!Gigi
Mastering Fast Moving Changes: Techniques for Soloing on ‘Confirmation’Not just how but when. 5
This is really working for me. Randy nails it down so that the techniques can be applied and replicated.Ray Bartlet
Mastering Fast Moving Changes: Techniques for Soloing on ‘Confirmation’Mastering fast moving changes 5
Randy hits another one outta da park. I never miss an opportunity to learn from this master. Teaches with a conversational style. Check out Randy's Confirmation solo on the recording "Remembering Eddie Jefferson." Among other elements touched on in this lesson, the first two notes illustrate his "one can eliminate the ii chord" perfectly. So musical. Simply great, lyrical bebop.Philip Wolok
Mastering Fast Moving Changes: Techniques for Soloing on ‘Confirmation’Mastering fast moving changes 5
As always Randy is very clear and concise in his lessons. The material is logically presented and demonstrated.warren greig
Mastering Fast Moving Changes: Techniques for Soloing on ‘Confirmation’Mastering fast moving changes 5
As always Randy is very clear and concise in his lessons. The material is logically presented and demonstrated. The fact Randy is one of the best jazz guitarists out there ensures that all of his lessons and performances are of superior quality.warren greig
Jazz Guitar Harmony Part Ijust what I needed 5
This is a great course and fills in some of the gaps of things I had forgotten and many that I needed to review in my musical knowledge. Also a lot of really great exercises for becoming very familiar with the fretboard.DavidTH
Chord Melody ideas for Stella by Starlight, Thoughts on StellaIncredible arrangement 5
I have several videos about Stella by starlight Genil's options to harmonize the melody are brilliant I like that he shows so many different options in detail including his own arrangement You will definitely learn a lot of cool voicings and ideas from this lessons For advanced and flexible playersDavid HERZHAFT
Pathways To Baroque Improvisation: Part I5
Simply incredible course. I saw Ted Greene lesson with Steve on youtube a year ago. I didnt know who the student was. When I saw it I wanted to learn how to think and shoot for 1% bach to be humble in the face of his genius. I found myself listening to Steve and then pausing and applying the clear way Steve lays it out. Simply incredible course. It changes the way I think harmonically and helps me get out of standard guitar boxes that are static. Much appreciation to Steve. Highly recommended. I am off to course 2!douglas robin
Chord Melody ideas for Stella by Starlight, Thoughts on Stellastella by starlight 5
I like all his classes, but this is one of the best.james seaberry
The Harmony of Ravel & Debussy For Guitarharmony of ravel and debussy 5
Excellent class; some new chord voicings and new context for their use. Well explained, well researched.james seaberry
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