Technique Masterclass
Chroma Zone ( the chromatic world around the Life Vest Arpeggio) an Introduction to Bebop Scales
“the best course if you want to improvise fluently. great instructor! all examples are real, ready to be Incorporated in your playing”
About this masterclass
Jazz guitarist and educator Genil Castro introduces bebop scales through the lens of his Life Vest Arpeggio concept in this 38-minute masterclass — the third lesson in his improvisation series, following Life Vest Arpeggio I and II. The focus is the "chroma zone": the chromatic world that surrounds the arpeggios you already use for preparation and resolution.
What's covered
- Bebop dominant scales derived from Major, Harmonic Major, Harmonic Minor, and Melodic Minor scales
- Review of visualization strategies for applying arpeggios over II-V-I in major and minor keys
- Staying in one position so chords, scales, and arpeggios are seen as one complete picture
- Mixing arpeggios with bebop scales for chromatic lines over common progressions and static chords
- Why chromatic notes belong on the upbeat — and how placing them on the downbeat destabilizes the harmony
- Two ways of thinking about preparation: the Pat Martino "everything is minor" approach vs. the Joe Pass "everything is dominant" approach
- Tips for studying Linear Expressions by Pat Martino
A focused next step for improvisers who have the arpeggio framework down and want to add chromaticism and tension without losing the harmony.
Full class: 38 min — includes a 6-page PDF and a 3-minute audio track.
Lessons in this masterclass
Lessons
- 1Chroma Zone - Life Vest Arpeggio pt. 338m 24s
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yakov esterlis
"Chroma Zone"
the best course if you want to improvise fluently. great instructor! all examples are real, ready to be Incorporated in your playing
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About the instructor
Genil Castro →
Studies: Genil Castro started to play in 1981, he studied with the great Bossa Nova guitar player Sidney Barros ( Gamela). During the period of 1983/84 Genil enrolled Guitar Institute of Technology in Hollywood, California where he attended workshops and seminars by Lenny Breau, Howard Roberts, Mick Goodrick, Joe Diorio, Ron Eschete, Joe Pass, Tommy Tedesco, Larry Coryell and Moacir Santos. He also attended seminars by Joe Diorio in Brazil in 1985, 1989 and 1995. Licensed in music education by University of Brasília, Genil has a Masters Degree in Musicology, with the thesis: “What chord is that? Plurality: the creative process of resignification of melodic and harmonic structures” Performance: Influenced by Lenny Breau and Bill Evans Genil follows the tradition of the ‘electric lap piano” utilising artificial harmonics to expand the harmonic palette of the instrument. Genil played concerts, and/or recorded TV programs with João Donato, Hamilton de Holanda, Toninho Horta, Joe Diorio, Jeff Andrews, Don Burrows, Phil DeGreg, Lula Galvão, Nelson Faria and many others. He recorded the CD CircumAmbulation in 2009. Teaching: Genil teaches the following classes: guitar, history of the guitar and performance at CEP/EMB Escola de Música de Brasília since 1999. He gave seminars in various festivals across the country. Since 2006 he teaches online lessons to students from different continents. Genil Castro's approach to jazz is comfortable for any level of guitarist. He has a unique ability to teach difficult concepts in a simple way.