Mike's Master Classes

The Diminished Chord - How to Alter and Apply

Roni Ben-Hur·
5.0 (1 review)·INTERMEDIATE·Chord Voicings·2 lessons
$29.95
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Master the sophisticated art of the diminished chord with renowned jazz guitarist Roni Ben-Hur in this essential masterclass that transforms a simple passing chord into a powerful harmonic tool. This course reveals the professional secrets behind using diminished chords not just as transitions, but as colorful harmonic devices that add depth and sophistication to your playing. You'll discover the critical relationship between diminished chords and dominant 7th chords, learning how to seamlessly convert between them using Ben-Hur's half-step technique. Through practical demonstrations using jazz standards like "What's New" and "Spring is Here," you'll understand exactly when and how to apply these voicings in real performance situations. Ben-Hur breaks down the mathematical elegance of the diminished structure—its cycle of minor thirds—and shows you how this knowledge translates into instant chord inversions and substitutions on the fretboard. Most importantly, you'll learn to add colors and tensions that move beyond the basic diminished sound, incorporating flat 9 extensions and understanding which progressions welcome these sophisticated harmonies. Ben-Hur addresses the crucial exceptions—when not to use diminished substitutions over IV and II dominants—ensuring you apply these techniques tastefully. Whether you're looking to enhance your comping vocabulary or add harmonic sophistication to your chord-melody arrangements, this course provides immediately applicable techniques that separate professional players from intermediate guitarists. Perfect for experienced players ready to elevate their harmonic understanding beyond basic chord progressions.

Course Content

Lessons

  • The Diminished Chord - How to Alter and Apply4740
  • Using Diminished with One Note Borrowed - Soundslice30

Reviews & Ratings

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CHRIS
1/21/2010

Great lesson on diminished, very detailed. Maybe sometimes a bit too repetitious. It would be even better if there was a backing track. But overall an indepth analysis of the use of the functional diminished chord.

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About the instructor

Roni Ben-Hur →
Jazz guitarist Roni Ben-Hur has earned a sterling reputation as a musician and educator, renowned for his golden tone, improvisational brilliance, compositional lyricism and ability to charm peers, students and listeners alike. Eminent jazz critic Gary Giddins wrote in the Village Voice: "A limber and inventive guitarist, Ben-Hur keeps the modernist flame alive and pure, with a low flame burning in every note ... [He's] a guitarist who knows the changes and his own mind." Roni - born in Israel in 1962 but a longtime American citizen, based in New York City - has recorded a dozen albums as leader or co-leader, with The New York Times praising his "crisp, fluid style" and Time Out New York calling him "a formidable and consummately lyrical guitarist." He has developed a rare facility in both straight-ahead jazz and Brazilian styles, evidenced by his work with masters in both fields, from pianist Benny Harris and saxophonist/ flautist Frank Wess to vocalist Leny Andrade. The Star-Ledger of New Jersey summed up Roni this way: "A deep musician, a storyteller, Ben-Hur works with a warm, glowing sound and has an alluring way of combining engaging notes with supple rhythm." Along with releasing acclaimed educational products - such as the instructional DVD Chordability and method book Talk Jazz: Guitar - Roni has directed international jazz camps for some 15 years. Jazz guitar star Russell Malone got it right when he said: "Everything Roni does is beautiful. He has the magic touch."