Mike's Master Classes

Melodic Embellishment 1

Steve Herberman·
5.0 (1 review)·BEGINNER·Soloing·2 lessons
$13.95
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Wes Montgomery, Johnny Hodges, Ben Webster, and Louis Armstrong were true masters of the art of melodic embellishment. In this class we’ll look at the techniques utilized by these jazz greats and others who excelled at melodic invention on the popular songs of the day. Developing strong skills in melodic embellishment is one of the most important ways to truly connect with a song. It is also very effective as a springboard for improvisation while still maintaining the essence of the song. Topics that will be addressed will be guide tone lines, countermelodies, leading improvised lines into melody notes or chord tones, approach note patterns with target tones and upper and lower neighbor tones, ornamentation, “musical asides”, rhythmic displacement, and more. Common standard tunes will be used with pages of written examples outlining different types of melodic embellishment principles. Many of the techniques discussed in the class are also applicable to improvised single note soloing where target tones or goal notes are employed. At the end of the class these principles will be demonstrated in a polyphonic manner using 2 and 3 note structures where melodic embellishment meets modern harmony.

Course Content

Lessons

  • Melodic Embellishment 15460
  • Will You Still Be Mine? - Soundslice112

Reviews & Ratings

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Dave Mosick
1/13/2009

Steve does a wonderful job of explaining and demonstrating the many facets of this very important and and rarely discussed topic. It is rare to find someone who can play as well as steve and also have the ability to really teach the material in an organized and analytical manner. His theoretical explanations are all clearly born out of years of transcribing and studying the great masters, and never over complicate the music.

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About the instructor

Steve Herberman →
Steve Herberman is an exceptional guitarist…known for his deft counterpoint" –Downbeat Magazine. "The clarity and balance Steve gets with his right hand is amazing". – Jim Hall. "Steve’s improvising is uniquely fresh with melodic ideas that twist and turn and perk your interest with occasional elements of humor as well. There is a constant groove in his solo lines. He shows prowess harmonically and linearly with an abundance of chops and with an exceptional clarity to it all." – Gene Bertoncini Steve Herberman taught jazz guitar on the faculty of Towson University near Baltimore MD for 14 years and is presently teaching guitar at Sidwell Friends School, Washington Conservatory and is an ensemble coach for the Jazz Band Masterclass. He has presented guitar masterclasses in Italy and the U.K. and at many universities across the U.S. Steve has written instructional material for Downbeat magazine, Mel Bay’s Guitar Sessions, Just Jazz Guitar, Fingerstyle Guitar Journal and Fingerstyle 360 webzines. Steve Herberman is a graduate of Berklee College Of Music and has performed with renowned musicians such as Keter Betts, Buster Williams, Gary Bartz, Drew Gress, Chuck Berghofer, Harvie S, Mark Ferber, Jim Snidero, Ali Ryerson, Steve Williams, Steve LaSpina, Jeff Hirshfield, John Pisano and many more. Steve Herberman has recorded three CDs as a leader; Thoughtlines (2001) Action:Reaction (2006) and Ideals (2008.) In 2014 Steve recorded a live duo album with fellow guitarist Steve Abshire titled "Between Friends.” In 2017 Steve recorded a duo CD with award-winning vocalist Lena Seikaly, set for a Feb. 2018 release.