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Tony DeCaprio will teach a class in his famous Strategic Picking and the Improvised Line. Tony combines the physics of the violin’s bowing technique with the strategy involved in executing advanced lines, which include piano-like arppegiations and horn-like phrasing. Make no mistake; this session is by no means mono-dimensional within the topic. Tony offers ways of developing very hip lines that show how you can develop your own mental faculties towards improvising; only with one more element added to the brew, and that is the all too often overlooked art of the plectrum. No sense plowing forward in your jazz guitar playing life utilizing mere one-dimensional chops. Tony keeps no secrets. Now there is a chance to cover it all! Come one; come all! 7 Pages of Musical Notation Included

Join Tony DeCaprio for a special master class on the blues; jazz/blues. Tony will reveal elements in jazz/blues playing that are often overlooked and sparsely taught; namely the V7 chord coming home to the I7 chord and the VI7 chord going into the secondary dominant before the turnaround. He will also address the turnarounds, offering the player ‘line savvy’ and a sense of cadence as opposed to no more playing stock licks that usually cover the chord changes in a superficial manner. In addition, Tony will show how to go about developing a ‘story’ in blues playing rather than relying on absolute mimicry or simply stringing licks together. Learn how to tell your own story within the blues, in any key desired, using his hands-on approach. Along with an after class video copy, you simply can’t miss! View clip from this class

Jazz Blues - Part II - Minor is a continuation of Tony's first Blues class, with a focus on Minor Blues. Join Tony DeCaprio for a special master class on the blues; jazz/blues. Tony will reveal elements in jazz/blues playing that are often overlooked and sparsely taught; namely the V7 chord coming home to the I7 chord and the VI7 chord going into the secondary dominant before the turnaround. He will also address the turnarounds, offering the player ‘line savvy’ and a sense of cadence as opposed to no more playing stock licks that usually cover the chord changes in a superficial manner. In addition, Tony will show how to go about developing a ‘story’ in blues playing rather than relying on absolute mimicry or simply stringing licks together. Learn how to tell your own story within the blues, in any key desired, using his hands-on approach. Along with an after class video copy, you simply can’t miss!

Tony DeCaprio will present an all new masterclass on the study of substitution chords and their parallel usage concerning comping and improvising. Various subtopics will be covered which include ii-V-I cadences, utilizing the cycle of fifths, thirds, and seconds, ii-V chaining, secondary dominants, diminished chord functions, back cycling dominants, and contiguous dominants, and modulation. Progressions will include Blues, Rhythm changes, Confirmation, Joy Spring, I Remember You, All The Things You Are, and Countdown. Tony will show you how to develop your own interesting lines through the above progressions, thus helping to eliminate any guesswork or the absolute need to rely on artificial devices.

Embark on a transformative journey with Tony DeCaprio's exclusive Master Class, where the art of jazz guitar is redefined through advanced chordal exploration and dynamic improvisation techniques. In this riveting 90-minute session, Tony unveils the secrets to mastering chord movement, delving into the intricate relationships of substitution, reharmonization, and beyond. Dive into the depths of tritone substitution, extended dominant seventh chords, and the iconic ii-V patterns, as Tony demonstrates the power of hybrid chords, chord quality alteration, and diminished chord intricacies. Navigate through the complexities of side-stepping, rhythm changes, and the legendary Coltrane substitutions, all tailored for their practical application in intros, turnarounds, and captivating modulatory interludes. But that's just the beginning. Tony's masterful approach will guide you from the vertical landscape of chord theory to the horizontal freedom of improvised lines, empowering you to weave through chord progressions with unparalleled insight and creativity. Experience the unique art of Droning, where sustained chords merge with vocal tones, enriching your aural skills and deepening your connection to the music's core. Prepare to be engulfed by Tony's instructional whirlwind, a "human hurricane" of knowledge, ensuring a fast-paced yet profoundly absorbing learning experience. This Master Class isn't just a lesson; it's an invitation to elevate your jazz guitar prowess to new heights, challenging you to think beyond conventional chord/scale paradigms and embrace the true aural essence of jazz. Get ready to rumble through this masterful exploration of jazz guitar, where every chord, every note, and every tonal relationship opens the door to endless musical possibilities. Join Tony DeCaprio and transform your approach to jazz guitar, one masterful chord movement at a time. View a clip from this class Listen to Tony solo on My Funny Valentine

Tony DeCaprio conducts a Master Class in the art of Solo Guitar playing. Tony presents his approach to this priceless art, which emanates from his early influences; Tal Farlow, Jimmy Raney, Jim Hall, Joe Pass, and Wes Montgomery. The chosen song as criteria is Polkadots & Moonbeams in F. Tony offers a mélange of interesting chord voicings, tenths, double stopping, slash chords, as well as very hip substitution chords, while displaying counter-point, burning runs, and finesse; that make one think of “Jim Hall meets McCoy Tyner.” In addition to the aforesaid, Tony offers a parallel view of single line, as well as chordal, improvising over the said tune. All of this is being offered inside of one master class session from no ordinary “teacher,” but from some one who has accompanied some of the most influential and long-familiar singers in music history. Tony draws from a rarely paralleled experience. See a clip from Tony's class ject>

Jazz Guitar Harmony Part 4 covers: • continuation of discussion of shell voicings, including further comping examples • tritone substitution and variations/elaborations • minor harmony • use of shell voicings for solo guitar playing (chord/melody style) • adding color tones to shell voicings • ear training–hearing/singing color tones • examples of shell voicings with color tones using major and minor II V I progressions as well as over a standard progression • examples with and without roots, with one and two color tones • incorporation of shell voicings with single note solos for self-comping • running time: 112 minutes • includes 11 pages of written examples and exercises

Jazz Guitar Harmony Part 3 covers: • diatonic cycles of triads within the major scale • diatonic voice leading with close position triads • ear training • melody harmonization with triads, simple and more complex • theoretical understanding of open position triads • applying open triads to the guitar including different practical fingerings and string sets • diatonic harmonized scales with open triads • contrapuntal voice movement between triads, both close and open • musical application of open triads • moving triad concepts to other keys • working with open and close triads outside the diatonic major scale • running time: 98 minutes • includes 10 pages of written examples and exercises

Jazz Guitar Harmony Part 2 covers: triads: clear and concise system for learning all close position major, minor, diminished, and augmented triads four important uses of triads diatonic harmonized major scales with triads shell voicings: 10 different practical chord shapes that can be used to comp through any tune in the the typical standard repertoire diatonic harmonized major scales with shell voicings, including variations with contrapuntal movement application of shell voicings to comping on tunes examples with comping rhythms, articulations, half step chord approaches, and discussion of swing feel chord symbol interpretation and guide to simplifying more complex chord symbols running time: 111 minutes includes 9 pages of written examples and exercises

Are you confused and overwhelmed by books giving you "1001 and guitar chords"? Do you know some "jazz chords" but are sometimes unsure of where and how to use them? Do you have down the basic "jazz guitar" chord vocabulary but are looking for a way to bring your comping, chord/melody playing, and sense of harmony to the next level? Are you relatively new to playing jazz guitar and looking for a clear, logical, and thorough system for learning about chords and jazz harmony? Are you an intermediate or advanced player wanting to incorporate a more modern sound and/or a more pianistic approach into your chord playing? If your answer to any of the above questions is yes, I believe that this series of classes can help you achieve your goals. This multi-part series covers the application of jazz harmony to the guitar for comping, solo guitar arranging and improvising, and bringing harmonic ideas to soloing within a group context. The classes focus on a detailed and systematic step-by-step approach for building a strong foundation for chordal and contrapuntal playing and will cover everything from the essential basics to more advanced and modern concepts. Numerous musical examples are demonstrated as well as written in traditional notation, tablature, and/or chord grid form, but the material has been designed to be open-ended enough that you will be encouraged to find your own path and work toward developing your unique musical voice. Jazz Guitar Harmony Part 1 covers: basic music theory overview, including intervals and major scale construction learning/reinforcing note names up and down the guitar neck dual nature of the guitar fingerboard all diatonic harmonic (both notes at the same time) intervals up and down neck playing intervals on adjacent versus non-adjacent string sets compound intervals and interval inversions exploration of contrapuntal movement between two voices (melodic lines), including embellishing a melody with a second voice exercises and musical examples to build conceptual knowledge as well as improve technique laying a firm foundation for understanding and playing more complex harmonies, including triads and four-note chords covered in later classes running time: 114 minutes includes 5 pages of written examples and exercises

Modern Jazz Guitar Complete Series The twenty-first century has, so far, been an exciting time for jazz with a flurry of creativity and innovation energized by the newest generation of jazz musicians. The guitar has become a more important instrument in jazz than ever before, and jazz groups featuring guitarists are now the norm rather than the exception. Guitarists with unprecedented virtuosity and originality have driven the instrument’s rise in prominence and have established a new “modern sound” that is becoming part of the jazz vocabulary. Players such as Kurt Rosenwinkel, Ben Monder, Jonathan Kreisberg, John Stowell, Gilad Hekselman, Adam Rogers, Lage Lund, and Nir Felder are inventive, ingenious, and forward-thinking while still managing to maintain a strong connection to the tradition. If you have heard these and other modern jazz guitarists and wondered How do they get that sound?, then this series of classes is for you. The Modern Jazz Guitar series was created for the intermediate to advanced jazz guitarist who already has a basic command of traditional jazz vocabulary including the basics of improvising over chord changes, comping/chord vocabulary, and knowledge of standard chord progressions. This multi-part series examines the modern jazz guitar style in systematic detail and is divided into five classes that cover melody (single note improvisation), harmony (using chords for comping, chord soloing, and self-comping), rhythm, and tone/equipment. An informative introductory class examines the roots of the modern style and includes a discussion of the right and left hand techniques that many of the modern players use. Numerous musical examples, including specific licks, phrases, and chord voicings in the style of several modern jazz guitarists, are demonstrated during the classes and provided in the written materials in traditional notation, tablature, and/or chord grid form, but the lessons have been designed to be open-ended enough that you will be encouraged to find your own path and work toward developing your unique musical voice. Modern Jazz Guitar Part 1 covers: an overview of the roots of the modern jazz guitar style and a discussion of how modern players' styles evolved along a direct line from their predecessors brief surveys of the styles of Charlie Christian, Wes Montgomery, Grant Green, Jim Hall, Pat Metheny, John Scofield, and Bill Frisell analysis of specific elements of the styles of the above players that influenced the modern players discussion of use of single note lines as well as chords/harmony from each player, with examples discussion of technique with emphasis on achieving relaxed and fluid movement from note to note and efficient use of energy overview of the basics of alternate picking, economy picking, and fingerstyle, with examples of each suggestions for exercises using one, two, three, and four notes per string discussion of hammer-ons and pull-offs, with examples and suggestions for practice pick and fingers techniques for playing chords and single note lines backing MP3 play-along tracks used in the video for all examples available for free download at www.tomlippincott.com running time: 106 minutes includes 18 pages of written examples and exercises

Jazz Guitar Harmony Part 5 covers: review of close position seventh chords and tips for practical use explanation of the terms "drop 2" and "drop 3" as they apply to guitar chord voicings the "chord scale exercise" which is a logical and musical presentation of drop 2 and drop 3 voicings by inversion and string set, using the seventh chords diatonic to the major scale additional methods for developing mastery of drop 2 and drop 3 voicings including inversions, II V I progressions, and diatonic cycles applying the basic voicings to comping on tunes, with musical example hints and suggestions for making the learning of new chord voicings easier incorporation of contrapuntal movement and ear training additional 4-note chords and their typical usage applying color tones to the chords for comping on tunes, with musical example chord synonyms–getting more mileage out of the voicings you already know applying the voicings to solo guitar arrangements, with musical example including color tones and contrapuntal movement running time: 124 minutes includes 16 pages of written examples and exercises

In this advanced jazz guitar class, 4-part-4th, or quartal-based, chords and harmonies will be examined in detail. This interesting sound, which draws on harmonies explored by early twentieth century classical composers such as Debussy, Ravel, and Stravinsky, was introduced to the jazz world in the 1960s by such musicians as Miles Davis, Bill Evans, John Coltrane, and McCoy Tyner, and has ever since been an important part of the vocabulary of modern jazz players . A new generation of jazz musicians including guitarists such as Kurt Rosenwinkel, Ben Monder, Jonathan Kreisberg, Lage Lund, and many others, have begun to explore even more of the possibilities with these exciting sounds and are creating a new harmonic vocabulary with the 4-part-4th chords as a central component. The 4-part-4th sound was touched upon briefly in part 3 of my Modern Jazz Guitar series, but now we will delve into that sound in detail, leaving no stone unturned (or chord un-played). This new class provides a logical, systematic step-by-step approach for finding the 4-part-4th harmonies derived from the major and melodic minor scales using guitar-friendly drop 2 and drop 3 voicings . Numerous musical examples are demonstrated on the video as well as written out in traditional notation and chord grid form, but the material has been designed to be open-ended enough that you will be encouraged to find your own path and work toward developing your unique musical voice. Advanced Jazz Guitar Harmony, 4-part-4ths, covers: explanation of the difference between tertian and quartal harmony, and discussion of the modal approach versus the functional approach to harmony explanation and exploration of 3-part-4th chords, usually called suspended triads, including harmonization of the major scale with "sus chords." brief review of major and melodic minor scale seventh chord harmony, with example voicings in close root position explanation of the term 4-part-4th and its relation to suspended seventh chords, with examples applied to the major and melodic minor scales with close position voicings brief review of the terms "drop 2" and "drop 3" with example chord voicings using traditional seventh chords the "chord scale exercise" which is a logical and musical presentation of drop 2 and drop 3 voicings by inversion and string set, using the 4-part-4th chords diatonic to both the major scale and the melodic minor scale, with subtitles on the video that match each exercise to the written example additional methods for developing mastery of the above voicings including inversions and diatonic cycles (including a brief review of the diatonic cycle concept) examples of using 4-part-4ths for comping on II V I chord progressions, including varying degrees of "in" and "out" sounds, and melodic minor scale harmonies etude/chord-melody harmonization combining all of the 4-part-4th concepts in a musical context, using the standard tune "Invitation" running time: 128 minutes includes 22 pages of written examples and exercises

Modern Jazz Guitar Complete Series Modern Jazz Guitar Part 5, Rhythm 2 and Tone/Equipment, covers: exploration of rhythms used in modern jazz, continued from Part 4 examples of ideas for "breaking out of the clave prison" in 7/4 time in order to achieve freedom and rhythmic variety when soloing and comping in that time signature exploration of polyrhythms and odd groupings in 7/4 time, with examples and demonstrations discussion of converting songs written in common time signatures into 5/4 and 7/4, with examples of both short and long form for both meters chord changes to Ben Monder's unique arrangement of "All the Things You Are" with performance example explanation of true polyrhythms and their uses in metric modulations exercises for gaining facility with metric modulations between all different meters in two parts, first tapping out the rhythms, then playing them on the guitar examples of applying different metric modulations to single note lines and comping on a one-chord vamp, as well as on a standard chord progression suggestions for using the MP3 play-along 5/4 and 7/4 vamps for practice advice on playing at fast tempos, with demonstration discussion of equipment used by various modern jazz guitarists , including guitars, picks, amplifiers, and effects, with a guided tour of Tom's pedal board and demonstrations of effective use of each pedal list of suggested representative modern jazz recordings by various guitarists and non-guitarists backing MP3 play-along tracks used in the video for all examples and etudes, as well as 5/4 and 7/4 practice groove tracks running time: 73 minutes includes 6 pages of written examples, exercises, practice tips, and listening lists

Modern Jazz Guitar Complete Series Modern Jazz Guitar Part 4, Rhythm 1, covers: • exploration of rhythms used in modern jazz • discussion of odd groupings of notes in 4/4 time for polyrhythmic effects • examples of odd groupings by interval, by accent, and by articulation • application of odd groupings to melodic patterns from Modern Jazz Guitar Part 2, Melody • discussion of applying the odd grouping concept over chord changes and typical four-bar phrases • in-depth exploration of eighth-note, quarter-note, and half-note triplets, with both melodic and harmonic exercises for gaining proficiency with each of these rhythms • explanation of displaced quarter-note and half-note triplets, with examples and exercises • examples of melodic patterns from the Melody class applied to odd groupings of triplets and displacements for polyrhythmic effects • exploration of the three different combinations of two eighth-note triplets within one beat, with example • examples of odd rhythmic groupings of chords over a standard chord progression for applying the above concepts to comping and chordal phrases • explanation of the basic "claves" for 5/4 and 7/4 time • examples of ideas for "breaking out of the clave prison" in 5/4 time in order to achieve freedom and rhythmic variety when soloing and comping in that time signature • exploration of polyrhythms and odd groupings in 5/4 time, with examples and demonstrations • backing MP3 play-along tracks used in the video for all examples and etudes, as well as 5/4 and 7/4 practice groove tracks • running time: 104 minutes • includes 13 pages of written examples and exercises

Modern Jazz Guitar Complete Series Modern Jazz Guitar Part 3, Chord Voicing & Harmony, covers: survey of modern jazz guitar chord voicings and harmony discussion of three different approaches to harmony: tonal, modal, and polytonal ways to use some of the basic major-scale-derived voicings you may already know to get a more modern sound, with example voicings examples of melodic minor-derived drop 2 and drop 3 voicings and ideas for reharmonizing basic chord progressions with them, including a brief overview of the modes of melodic minor use of four-part-4th or 7sus4 chord structures for generating new harmonic material, either as substitute chords in a tonal context or in a modal context, with systematic presentation of voicings overview of the five possible four-note chord types contained within any seven-note scale, with an explanation and discussion of each, with examples examples of creating new voicings of the above chord types based on changing one or two notes of commonly known basic 7th chord shapes explanation of drop 2&4 and drop 2&3 voicings , with examples and discussions of each ideas for generating new voicings based on the above chords exploration of unusual, more dissonant, or "wrong" color tones added to basic shell voicings, with examples discussion of two- and three-note chords derived from four-note voicings, with examples using modern harmonic vocabulary for self-comping during a single note solo application of polytonality to playing over standard chord progressions, with both quartal and third-based chord voicings examples of chord voicings and chordal phrases in the style of several modern jazz guitarists including Kurt Rosenwinkel, Jonathan Kreisberg, Ben Monder, John Stowell , and Lage Lund backing MP3 play-along tracks used in the video for all examples and etudes running time: 107 minutes includes 18 pages of written examples and exercises Other videos from this Modern Jazz Guitar Instructional series : Modern Jazz Guitar part I: Overview and Roots Modern Jazz Guitar part II: In Depth Examination Modern Jazz Guitar part III: Chord Voicing & Harmony Modern Jazz Guitar part IV: Rhythm Exploration Modern Jazz Guitar part V: Rhythm Exploration Cont.

Modern Jazz Guitar Complete Series "Well-structured, detailed course with many inspiring examples. Lots of material to chew on, including many concepts I hadn’t seen covered in any other guitar instructional videos. I recommend it!" "These classes are loaded with useful concepts that can open up new doors in a musicians development." Modern Jazz Guitar Part 2, Melody, covers: in-depth analysis of modern jazz guitar single-note soloing techniques examination of a standard chord progression (chord changes from "All the Things You Are") and brief overview of basic chord/scale analysis techniques and common substitute sounds practical 2-notes-per-string arpeggio fingerings for increased range when outlining chord tones and substitute sounds use of three-part-4th or suspended triad structures for generating new melodic material, with exercises for gaining fluency use of four-part-4th or 7sus4 chord structures for generating new melodic material, with exercises for gaining fluency other multiple interval structures, with exercises applied to major, melodic minor, and diminished scales, plus ideas for generating your own licks and patterns from the material arpeggio and melodic patterns using odd-numbered groupings of notes, with exercises for gaining fluency taken diatonically through the major scale examples of triad pairs and discussion of uses in-depth exploration of the augmented scale, including scale fingerings and intervallic patterns for gaining fluency discussion of three-note and four-note chords contained within the augmented scale with examples of licks generated from these structures, as well as ideas for generating your own material in-depth discussion of the harmonic major scale , with examples of the basic harmonies with their upper extensions and the harmonies they create multiple exercises that take material from previous examples and convert them to harmonic major, with ideas and suggestions for musical application discussion of pentatonic scales, including major, minor (1,2,b3,5,6), and pentatonic b6, with suggestions for ways to use them multiple etudes using "All the Things" chord changes that demonstrate the musical application of all the material discussed examples of licks and patterns in the style of several modern jazz guitarists including Kurt Rosenwinkel, Jonathan Kreisberg, Ben Monder, and John Stowell backing MP3 play-along tracks used in the video for all examples and etudes included running time: 119 minutes includes 28 pages of written examples and exercises

Music consists of three elements: melody, harmony, and rhythm. Of those three, rhythm is the element generally accepted to be the most fundamental and important . Unfortunately, rhythm is also the element that the majority of developing jazz guitarists (and most other instrumentalists) explore the least. Many guitarists have spent years honing the craft of melodic and chordal playing but still have that elusive something missing: the glue that holds everything together as a compelling, coherent musical statement. For many of these players, that missing factor is rhythm. This class will explore rhythm in an in-depth and systematic way. Whether you are a beginning, intermediate, or advanced jazz guitarist, the concepts and exercises presented are designed to supercharge your rhythmic sense and show you how to start thinking about rhythm on the same level that you already think about melody and harmony. In recent years, with jazz musicians incorporating sophisticated polyrhythms , odd and changing meters, and metric modulations into their music, a solid sense of time and a deep understanding of rhythm has become more important than ever for all instrumentalists, not just drummers. While part 4 of my Modern Jazz Guitar series explored the application of some of these advanced rhythmic ideas to modern-style playing, this class starts with some basic but essential concepts that have always been a crucially important part of jazz and builds on those basics to more sophisticated rhythmic skills. Beginning and intermediate jazz guitarists will benefit from Rhythm Workshop, but advanced players and those who have already been through my MJG part 4 materials will also find new and challenging concepts here. Rhythm Workshop covers: Basics of jazz eighth note swing feel and why “eighth note triplets with the first two tied together” is only the tip of the iceberg Learning to hear and feel each downbeat and upbeat as a separate entity in a measure of 4/4 time 256 possible permutations of eighth notes and rests in one measure of 4/4 time, with exercises to get to know specific rhythms in an improvised context Discussion of the use of shading devices, phrasing, and variations in swing feel to bring single note lines to life Exploration of two well-known jazz blues melodies (written in standard notation and tablature with left-hand fingerings, slurs, and shading devices notated) for study of rhythmic motifs, swing feel, and swing feel variations at different tempos Challenging metronome exercises to build a stronger internal clock Explanation and exploration of triplets and triplet-based polyrhythms Polyrhythmic exercises that incorporate playing two rhythms simultaneously Technique-building exercises that address the connection between a strong rhythmic sense and good technique Running time: 138 minutes 14 pages of written examples and exercises with close-up views of the performances Each example performance is titled for easy navigation MP3 backing tracks of jazz blues and one-chord vamps at different tempos for practice of the rhythmic concepts

The Blues: A Modern Jazz Guitar Approach part II covers: Applying modern melodic vocabulary to the jazz blues progression , including 4-part-4ths and wide interval patterns and arpeggios Applying modern harmonic vocabulary, including 4-part-4th, Triad Over Bass I and Triad Over Bass II chord types Exploration of tertiary-based polytonal side-slipping Advanced polyrhythm applications for melodic and harmonic improvising including unusual groupings of eighth and quarter note triplets as well as groupings of five eighth notes Running time: 87 minutes 20 pages of written examples, exercises, solos, comping, and chord-solos, with close-up views of the performances each example performance is titled for easy navigation MP3 backing tracks for all written examples and solos (note: these tracks are the same as Part I, so if you already have them there is no need to download them again) Viewing Part I of The Blues: A Modern Jazz Guitar Approach first is highly recommended. Please see the description for that class

The Blues: A Modern Jazz Guitar Approach - Part I The twelve-bar blues progression has been a mainstay of the repertoire of every jazz musician since the birth of jazz in the early twentieth century. Over the years, as jazz evolved and sub-styles emerged, the blues form proved itself to be both quintessential and highly adaptable to the varied developments in jazz. In the early twenty-first century, a new generation of jazz musicians has reinvigorated the genre, but the blues continues to be an essential part of the modern style. If you're interested in learning more about how to incorporate modern elements while still maintaining a thread of the tradition when you play over the blues progression, then this class is for you. In this class, the blues form will be explored in detail with the goal of applying modern jazz melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic vocabulary to the progression. First will be a brief survey of the structure and history of the form along with exercises for gaining mastery over the basic harmonies . Then, common mainstream approaches for melodic and harmonic variations on the progression will be outlined. Finally, modern approaches to melody, harmony , and rhythm will be applied to the blues form. "Tom Lippincott is a masterful and innovative guitarist, educator, and performer. His classes are extremely well organized and full of great examples that can inspire players of all levels. These Modern Blues classes in particular are an amazing tool for the contemporary guitarist, even if you have a solid understanding and grasp of the blues. We are grateful that you offer this information at such a modest price Tom, and look forward to your future endeavors!" ~ Ben J. "Another outstanding video set from Tom Lippincott. I bought parts 1 and 2. I highly recommend them both! If you're looking for that elusive 'modern' sound, you'll love these videos. The information is presented in a very accessible manner. Easy to understand and apply. I also bought parts 1 thru 4 of his Modern Jazz Guitar series, which are all fantastic. Tom is an incredible guitarist and teacher. The most 'bang for the buck' you'll find in guitar education." ~ Franklin B. "The Blues Pt.I is another winner, I found it very easy to apply. Tom is a wonderful no-nonsense teacher. Be prepared to spend months utilizing all the material here!" ~ Michael J. The Blues: A Modern Jazz Guitar Approach - Part I covers: Basic jazz blues progressions defined and analyzed, including harmonic function and chord/scale chart Arpeggio and scale studies for Bb and F blues with emphasis on fingerboard mastery and voice leading Discussion of approach notes and target notes and the "bebop scale" with examples Discussion of mixing blues vocabulary with outlining chord changes in improvisations Tri-tone substitution Melodic minor mode substitution Diminished scale use Basic polyrhythm applications for melodic and harmonic improvising; groupings of three Modal approach to the blues, including polytonal side-slipping Applying 3-part-4ths to the blues Running time: 92 minutes 14 pages of written examples (including chord diagrams, standard notation and TAB), exercises, and example solos with close-up views of the performances Each example performance is titled for easy navigation MP3 backing tracks for all written examples and solos Also see part II of this blues jazz lesson . "Tom's classes are so comprehensive that you will never be short of interesting ideas to practice. Of course using the blues as a basis for demonstrating modern sounds means we can all join the party. Thanks Tom." ~ Ray B. "Very thorough and musical! Tom's teaching style is straight forward & easy to apply. The exercises are great etudes that can be applied to blues progressions all across the musical spectrum. There is plenty here to keep one busy--your playing will improve with this course. " ~ Jon E. "Some people are great players, and some are great teachers. Tom is an example of the rare combination of both. His material is presented in a very organized, step-by-step way, and he explains everything in a very clear, concise manner. This is very important for those of us who study independently, since no one is there to answer questions. What I really like in this lesson is that it Tom starts out with basic jazz blues and progresses to the modern style one concept at a time. This shows his deep knowledge, appreciation, and respect for what came before. His other lessons, especially Modern Jazz 1, are similar in that regard. The concept by concept approach helped me identify the things that I need to work on before working on the most modern sounds. For me, this was several lessons in one, as it encompasses so much that it inspired me to create my own exercises to fill in the gaps. I highly recommend this video, it will keep me busy for a very long time. " ~ Stephen B. "Absolutely awesome class, would highly recommend for anyone looking for new ways to approach the blues as well as brush up on some of the fundamentals if needed. This is the fifth class I believe that I have purchased from Tom after viewing some of his modern jazz guitar classes and they certainly do not disappoint. " ~ Anthony R.

Modern Jazz Improvisation Part 2 Part 2 of Modern Jazz Improvisation examines, in depth, three chord progressions similar to those in tunes by Kurt Rosenwinkel, Ari Hoenig, and Jonathan Kreisberg. Like Joe Henderson's "Inner Urge" (explored in Part 1 of Modern Jazz Improvisation ), these chord progressions include both plateau and vertical modal styles, but unlike their predecessor, they feature new challenges typical of many modern jazz compositions: extended harmonies, odd meters, meter changes, and unusual phrase lengths. Modern Jazz Improvisation part 2 covers: Brief recap of the concepts covered in Modern Jazz Improvisation part 1 (viewing part 1 first is highly recommended) Detailed harmonic analysis of three modern jazz chord progressions based on compositions by Kurt Rosenwinkel, Ari Hoenig, and Jonathan Kreisberg Exercises to gain fluency through quickly-moving harmonically unrelated chord changes using various techniques: scale tone voice leading in seconds and thirds, voice-led arpeggios through chord changes, wide interval patterns, triad pairs, odd note groupings, and polyrhythmic note groupings Discussion of soloing on chord progressions with odd phrase lengths, with written example Discussion of soloing on chord progressions with changing time signatures, with suggestions for practice and example backing track Suggested strategies for gaining fluency with soloing on tunes with odd meters and changing meters, with numerous written examples Three full-length example solos: "Sight from St. Petersburg," "Rogue Bovines," and "Blackjack," based on the above three chord progressions, and demonstrating all of the concepts covered in parts 1 and 2 in a musical context Running time: 112 minutes 20 pages of written examples, exercises, and solo etudes, in standard notation and tablature, with close-up views of the demonstrations MP3 backing tracks for all written examples and solos, including full-length track for improvisation practice

Modern Jazz Improvisation is a two-part class that applies modern jazz melodic vocabulary to modern-style compositions and explores more contemporary chord progressions. Both parts 1 and 2 offer numerous examples, exercises, and etudes written in standard notation and tablature to increase fluency when playing over the often challenging tunes of today’s composers. Suggested prequels A suggested prequel for these classes is Part 2 of the Modern Jazz Guitar series (Melody) which covered using modern vocabulary on standard chord progressions. While the 5-part Modern Jazz Guitar series included in-depth discussions on the roots of the modern style, technique, melody, harmony, rhythm, sound, and equipment, and addressed improvising on standards, which form the backbone of jazz language, the Modern Jazz Improvisation classes will focus on improvising on contemporary-style tunes. Exploring Chord Progressions Anyone who hears jazz musicians performing today will notice that, in addition to standards, they often play their own original compositions as well as those of their contemporaries and recent predecessors. These tunes, while often derived from or inspired by the old standards, are significantly different in several ways. Current jazz composers have been greatly influenced by the modal movement that began in jazz in the late 1950s and early 1960s, and most of the modern tunes have their roots in compositions by Miles Davis, Bill Evans, John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson, and others in that time period. 2-Part Series on Modern Jazz Improvisation Part 1 of Modern Jazz Improvisation thoroughly explores the chord progression from Joe Henderson’s classic tune “Inner Urge” which has, over the years, become what could be considered a “new standard” since so many jazz musicians have worked on mastering it. “Inner Urge” is a perfect model to introduce modern jazz progressions as it contains chord movement in both the plateau modal and vertical modal styles and is a direct predecessor to many current jazz compositions. Part 2 of Modern Jazz Improvisation examines, in depth, three chord progressions similar to those in tunes by Kurt Rosenwinkel, Ari Hoenig, and Jonathan Kreisberg. Like Joe Henderson’s “Inner Urge” (explored in Part 1), these chord progressions include both plateau and vertical modal styles, but unlike their predecessor, they feature new challenges typical of many modern jazz compositions: extended harmonies, odd meters, meter changes, and unusual phrase lengths. Modern Jazz Improvisation part 1 covers: In-depth discussion of tonal versus modal styles of approach to harmony Explanation of the terms “plateau modal” and “vertical modal” and the differences in approach to both Detailed harmonic analysis of the chord progression for the Joe Henderson tune “Inner Urge” Basic example exercise for gaining fluency with finding the chord tones for the above progression Examples of numerous techniques for using motivic development to make logical, musical lines: rhythmic displacement, rhythmic and intervalic expansion and contraction, and intervalic inversion Exercises on improvisation techniques to gain fluency through quickly-moving harmonically unrelated chord changes using techniques such as scale tone voice leading; diatonic 7th arpeggio voice leading; major, minor, and major b6 pentatonic scales; parallel moving chord shapes; triad pairs; and odd note groupings Two examples solos on the “Inner Urge” chord progression incorporating all of the above techniques in a musical context, one designed to be played at a medium tempo, and the other designed to be played at a medium-up tempo Running time: 114 minutes 13 pages of written examples, exercises, and solo etudes, in standard notation and tablature, with close-up views of the demonstrations MP3 backing tracks for all written examples and solos, including full-length track for improvisation practice

The Advanced Jazz Guitar Harmony series begins where the Jazz Guitar Harmony series left off. Unlike the first series , which consisted of parts 1-5, and was designed primarily to be worked with in sequential order, each class in the Advanced Jazz Guitar Harmony series is complete unto itself and explores one specific subject in depth. Classes in this series are intended for the intermediate to advanced jazz guitarist who has either completed the five classes of the Jazz Guitar Harmony series or who already has a working command of the basics of typical jazz guitar harmonic vocabulary. The Drop 2&4 and Drop 2&3 Chord Voicings In this class, two specific types of chord voicings, drop 2&4 and drop 2&3 will be examined in detail. The term “voicing” refers to how the notes are arranged in a chord. Many of the typical stock jazz guitar chords are shell voicings, close voicings, drop 2, and drop 3, all of which are explored in clear, systematic detail in the Jazz Guitar Harmony series. Drop 2&4 and drop 2&3 are two other possible chord voicings which are a little more off the beaten track for most jazz guitarists. These voicings have a unique and intriguing sound due to their relatively large spans and, in some cases, unusual intervallic combinations, and yet most of them are just as playable and practical for every day use as the more mainstream types. Usage In Modern Jazz Guitar Until recently, few, if any, of these voicings were in common use among jazz guitarists. Even though the latest generation of modern jazz guitar masters in the early 21st century have begun to make use of them more often, both the drop 2 and 4 and the drop 2 and 3 voicings on guitar remain less utilized than other voicing types. This means that these voicings contain a wealth of new, unexplored possibilities for guitarists looking for fresh sounds to add to their harmonic vocabulary. The basics of drop 2&4 and drop 2&3 voicings were touched upon briefly in part 3 of my Modern Jazz Guitar series , but now we will delve into that sound in detail. This new class provides a logical, systematic step-by-step approach for finding the drop 2&4 and drop 2&3 seventh chord voicings derived from the major scale, the seventh chords unique to the harmonic and melodic minor scales , and the embellishment of these voicings with color tones. Numerous musical examples are demonstrated on the video as well as written out in traditional notation and chord grid form, but the material has been designed to be open-ended enough that you will be encouraged to find your own path and work toward developing your unique musical voice If you are looking for a free download to this course, check out the complete advanced guitar video found here on the Mike's Master Classes youtube channel. Advanced Jazz Guitar Harmony, Drop 2&4, Drop 2&3, covers: review of the basics of the drop system for voicing 7th chords, including examples of conversion of close position chords to commonly played drop 2, drop 3 voicings explanation and demonstration of drop 2&4 and drop 2&3 voicings in depth discussion of the concept of chord inversion, including both “piano” and “choir” methods, and their application to drop 2&4 and drop 2&3 voicings hints to make learning the new voicings easier demonstration with written examples and close-up fingerboard view of all inversions and string sets for drop 2&4 and drop 2&3 voicings discussion of right hand techniques for chordal playing, including pick, pick and fingers combined, and finger style drop 2&4 and drop 2&3 version of the “chord scale exercise” which is a logical and musical presentation of voicings by inversion and string set, covering all the 7th chords diatonic to the major scale, with subtitles on the video that match each exercise to the written example development of additional fluidity with the voicings is explored by taking the voicings through diatonic cycles similar to those included in the Jazz Guitar Harmony series (includes a brief review of the diatonic cycle concept) discussion of method for finding the drop 2&4 and drop 2&3 voicings for harmonies unique to the harmonic and melodic minor scales, with examples and suggestions for practice techniques for adding color tones to the voicings with examples, along with the “color tone replacement chart” from the Jazz Guitar Harmony 5 class comping etude written on the chord changes to the standard tune “The Will Never Be Another You” utilizing the drop 2&4 and drop 2&3 voicings in a musical context, with notated comping rhythms, demonstration of use of color tones, contrapuntal movement, and use of diatonic and melodic minor reharmonization techniques running time: 128 minutes includes 18 pages of written examples and exercises provided in standard notation, tablature, and chord grids Jazz Guitar Harmony Series: Jazz Guitar Harmony Part V Jazz Guitar Harmony Part IV Jazz Guitar Harmony Part III Jazz Guitar Harmony Part II Jazz Guitar Harmony Part I

The Diminished Scale: A Modern Jazz Guitar Approach part 3 covers: An introduction to the 20 four-note chords and an explanation of how they were derived Introduction to the system for exploring the four-note chords as a primary chord paired with a sibling or secondary chord Names for each four-note chord based on traditional names or variations thereof Exploration of the 24 different versions of each four-note chord Numerous musical examples for applying each pair of four-note chords both harmonically as chords and melodically as arpeggios Examples using many different ideas for creative application of the material, including various string sets, combinations of chords/arpeggios, and varied melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic permutations Discussion of adding a fifth note to four-note chords for a more dense texture Mixture of open strings with fretted notes for more textural options, with examples from each diminished scale Sample single-note and chord-based lines from standard chord progressions that give real-world examples of integrating these diminished sounds into improvisations in an organic, flowing manner Bonus content written materials including a suggested system for learning and practicing the various four-note chords as they relate to the more familiar diminished seventh chord and a table comparing the 20 four-note chords in this class with the those in the set class list compiled by music theoretician Allen Forte, used by many contemporary classical composers and theoreticians. Running time: 105 minutes Includes 36 pages of written examples and exercises All musical examples from the video are provided in music notation, tablature, and chord grid form. Each example performance in the video is titled and numbered for easy navigation. MP3 backing tracks for written examples, including full-length track for improvisation practice 3-Part Series Class one of this series concentrates on the basics of the diminished scale, how and when to use it, and how to weave it organically into single-note improvisations. Class two covers all 14 triads and/or three-note structures within the diminished scale, how to find them and voice them on the guitar, and how to use them for comping and soloing. Class three locates and investigates all 20 four-note chords or structures from the diminished scale and presents them in a guitar-friendly context that will make them easy to implement for comping and soloing.

The Diminished Scale: A Modern Jazz Guitar Approach part 2 covers: An introduction to the 14 triads and an explanation of how they were derived Introduction to the system for exploring the triads as a primary chord paired with a sibling or secondary chord Names for each triad based on traditional names or variations thereof Exploration of six different versions of each triad: three inversions of close position, three inversions of open positio Numerous musical examples for applying each pair of triads both harmonically as chords and melodically as arpeggios Examples using many different ideas for creative application of the material, including various string sets, combinations of chords/arpeggios, and varied melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic permutations Sample single-note and chord-based lines from standard chord progressions that give real-world examples of integrating these diminished sounds into improvisations in an organic, flowing manner Running time: 90 minutes Includes 19 pages of written examples and exercises All musical examples from the video are provided in music notation, tablature, and chord grid form. Each example performance in the video is titled and numbered for easy navigation. MP3 backing tracks for written examples 3-Part Series Class one of this series concentrates on the basics of the diminished scale, how and when to use it, and how to weave it organically into single-note improvisations. Class two covers all 14 triads and/or three-note structures within the diminished scale, how to find them and voice them on the guitar, and how to use them for comping and soloing. Class three locates and investigates all 20 four-note chords or structures from the diminished scale and presents them in a guitar-friendly context that will make them easy to implement for comping and soloing.

The diminished scale is a musical structure that was used extensively in early twentieth-century classical music in the works of such composers as Stravinsky, Debussy, Ravel, Scriabin, and Bartok. Jazz musicians eventually began to use the scale as well, to the extent that it has become a staple of the modern jazz musician's vocabulary. Despite how common this sound has become, it is frequently misunderstood and not studied as thoroughly as other often-used structures like the major, harmonic minor, and melodic minor scales. This three-part series of classes will attempt to remedy this situation by exploring in systematic detail the use of the diminished scale for melodic improvisation and by finding all of the three- and four-note structures available in the scale. We will discuss the use of these structures as chords for comping and for harmonized melodies as well as arpeggios for single-note playing, and all will be broken down in a logical and guitar-friendly manner. Although the diminished scale in and of itself may not necessarily be a "modern" sound in jazz, many in the modern school of jazz guitarists like Kurt Rosenwinkel, Jonathan Kreisberg, and Mike Moreno have begun to use diminished sounds in new and exciting ways in their playing and original compositions. This series explains and implements the traditional uses of the diminished scale, but many of the sounds go beyond the typical and into uncharted territory. And though this class provides numerous examples of interesting ways to make use of these sounds, the material presented here could easily be a springboard for each individual to forge a unique and personal vocabulary. This series could be helpful to jazz guitarists of any level (or any musician who wants to learn more about the diminished scale), but it is mainly geared toward intermediate to advanced players who already have command of some of the fundamentals of guitar playing and of the jazz language . The Diminished Scale: A Modern Jazz Guitar Approach - Part 1 covers: Basic structure of the scale and its relation to the fully diminished seventh chord All voicings on the guitar of the diminished seventh chord Diminished seventh arpeggio fingerings A breakdown of all the notes in the whole-half and half-whole versions The three groups of four interrelated diminished scale “keys” which facilitate easier learning, especially for guitarists A thorough explanation of how and when to use both versions of the scale, with examples Suggested scale fingerings Numerous exercises for gaining melodic fluency with the scale including intervallic patterns and permutations, as well as rhythmic variations, both across the strings in one position and up and down the guitar neck Exercises for achieving an organic flow in and out of diminished sounds when improvising melodic lines Sample lines from standard chord progressions that give real-world examples of integrating diminished sounds into improvisations Exploration of using the half-whole, or auxiliary, diminished scale to generate different sounds on dominant chords in situations such as one-chord vamps and blues Original tune using diminished scale material on a jazz blues with diminished scale-based reharmonization Running time: 100 minutes Includes 23 pages of written examples and exercises All musical examples from the video are provided in music notation, tablature, and chord grid form. Each example performance in the video is titled and numbered for easy navigation. MP3 backing tracks for written examples, including full-length track for improvisation practice

"Practice makes perfect," so the saying goes. However, many musicians view practice as a necessary but tedious and grueling task that's full of drudgery. Or even worse, some musicians approach practicing with a sense of fearful urgency, feeling overwhelmed by the amount of work that they must complete in order to reach their goal of being a "great" player. These same people are often uncertain how to organize their practice time, not sure what they should practice, or how much time they should to devote to each subject. Even accomplished musicians can sometimes experience a lack of inspiration or feel unsure about how to structure a practice session. If any of this sounds familiar, then this class can help get your practicing back on track and assist you with achieving more fulfillment from your guitar practice sessions. Practicing should be approached with joyful anticipation and savored instead of undertaken with reluctance or dread. The Joy of Practicing explores ideas and recommendations with an eye toward making practice enjoyable and productive rather than tiresome and dull. The class covers a suggested practice routine broken down into nine categories with examples from each. While the list of items presented may not be perfect for everyone, students can use the guide as a starting point to build a custom practice plan tailored specifically for their own needs and goals. The Joy of Practicing covers: Ideas for making practice sessions more fun and approaching music and musical development with a positive attitude Breakdown of three types of musicians with a discussion of the differences in goals for each Discussion of technique practice with examples of right and left hand exercises, as well as scale and chord exercises to improve technical proficiency Note-recognition exercises for help with learning note names on the neck, as well as reading notation and rhythmic notation reading exercises Devoting separate practice time to rhythmic development, with multiple examples Discussion of listening to music, both "actively" and "passively," and its importance in a musician's development Step-by-step breakdown of suggested routine for learning a new tune accurately and thoroughly Concise but complete list of what to practice to develop harmony, chords, and comping, with multiple examples Exploration of single-note improvisation with examples of applying concepts of voice leading, guide tones, approach and target notes, chord tone versus chord scale approach, development of intervallic patterns, reharmonization techniques, and motivic development Discussion of composition and its importance to musical development, with suggestions and tips Running time: 126 minutes Includes 25 pages of written examples and exercises All musical examples from the video are provided in music notation, tablature, and chord grid form. Each example performance in the video is titled and numbered for easy navigation. MP3 backing tracks for written examples and solos

For decades, jazz musicians have been utilizing harmonies and sounds from the major, harmonic minor, and melodic minor scales, as well as symmetrical scales like whole tone, diminished, and augmented. Another scale, named by Rimsky-Korsakov in 1885, hasn’t been implemented nearly as much: the harmonic major scale. In recent years, some innovative jazz musicians have begun to explore this scale’s harmonies in depth, but plenty of unexplored ground with unique and beautiful sonic possibilities still exists. This class is intended for intermediate to advanced level jazz guitarists who already have a strong grasp of the traditional jazz guitar vocabulary and who are interested in injecting some new life and fresh, modern sounds into their playing. This class first explores the basic structure of the harmonic major scale, as well as the harmonies generated by the scale. Next, a clear and systematic way to map out the scale’s location on the guitar fingerboard is presented, along with many different exercises and patterns to help the student develop melodic flexibility with the scale. The class also explores, in depth, the diatonic harmonic major triads and seventh chords, including the drop 2 and drop 3 chord scale exercise similar to that used in the Jazz Guitar Harmony series but applied to the harmonic major scale. Then, a complete guide is presented for using all seven modes of the scale in improvised situations, both harmonic (comping) and melodic (soloing), with examples for each sound. Finally, two etudes, one harmonic and one melodic, are demonstrated and analyzed using the chord changes from the popular standard “Stella By Starlight” in order to give a concrete example of how the sounds from this structure can be used by the jazz guitarist. This class provides a logical, systematic step-by-step approach for developing fluency with the harmonic major scale and attaining mastery of its melodic and harmonic possibilities. The Harmonic Major Scale covers: basic structure of the scale, including diatonic triads, seventh chords, and upper extensions for each chord/mode system for scale fingerings in all areas of the neck, along with an alternate scale fingering that presents a symmetrical, easy-to-remember fretboard shape numerous exercises for gaining melodic fluency with the scale including intervallic patterns, rhythmic variations, and triad, seventh chord, and extended arpeggios fingerings for close position seventh chords and 4-part-4th chords that can be played as chords or arpeggios in-depth exploration of triads diatonic to harmonic major, including diatonic cycles (with an explanation of the cycle concept) brief review of the terms "drop 2" and "drop 3" with example chord voicings the "chord scale exercise" which is a logical and musical presentation of drop 2 and drop 3 voicings by inversion and string set, using the seventh chords diatonic to the harmonic major scale, with subtitles on the video that match each exercise to the written example additional methods for developing mastery of the above voicings including inversions and diatonic cycles outline of the uses for each of the seven modes of harmonic major with musical examples traditional analysis of the chord progression for “Stella” with the typical scales and modes as a basis for comparison, followed by an analysis that uses harmonic major sounds on every chord of the tune two etudes on the “Stella” changes, one single-note and one chordal/comping, demonstrating real world applications of the harmonic major concepts running time: 113 minutes includes 28 pages of written examples and exercises All musical examples from the video are provided in music notation, tablature, and chord grid form. Each example performance in the video is titled and numbered for easy navigation. MP3 backing tracks for written examples and solos, including full-length track for improvisation

After the blues, probably the most played and most essential chord progression/song form in jazz is the famous “rhythm changes.” This chord progression, originally derived from George and Ira Gershwin’s classic “I Got Rhythm,” written in 1930, has been performed or recorded by countless jazz musicians. The simple elegance of the song’s architecture became a favorite vehicle for improvisation and inspired many musicians to build their own compositions with all new melodies around the borrowed chord structure. At the same time, and especially during the bebop era in the 1940s, harmonic variations were woven into the song’s basic form. Because of its historical significance and classification as a standard, any aspiring jazz musician will need to be familiar with rhythm changes and should work toward mastering its many variations. Rhythm changes is considered to be something of a proving ground for young up-and-coming players due to the harmonic complexity of many of the versions and the fast tempo at which the form is often played. A new generation of musicians has reinvigorated jazz with fresh and innovative sounds and approaches, but rhythm changes continues to be an essential part of the modern style. If you are interested in learning rhythm changes in a complete, logical, and thorough manner, incorporating modern elements while still maintaining a thread of the tradition when you play over the form, or gaining proficiency with playing this progression or others at up-tempos, then this class is for you. In this class, the rhythm changes form will be explored in detail with the goal of applying modern jazz melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic vocabulary to the progression. First will be a brief survey of the structure and history of the form along with exercises for gaining mastery over the basic harmonies. Then, common mainstream approaches for melodic and harmonic variations on the progression will be outlined. Finally, modern approaches to melody, harmony, and rhythm will be applied to the rhythm changes progression. Rhythm changes: A Modern Jazz Guitar Approach - Part II covers: Discussion of tonal, modal, and polytonal approaches to harmony Examples of plateau modal approaches to the A section using such sounds as diminished, diminished dominant, lydian dominant, mixture of blues and mixolydian, and altered Applying modern melodic vocabulary to the rhythm changes form, including 3-part-4ths, 4-part-4ths, and wide interval patterns and arpeggios McCoy Tyner-style example using quartal harmony and polytonal side-slipping Basic polyrhythm applications for melodic and harmonic improvising, groupings of three Applying modern harmonic vocabulary, 4-part-4th, Triad over Bass I, and Triad over Bass II chord types using the “replacement” concept Discussion of using the augmented scale to generate melodic and harmonic ideas with examples Exploration of tertiary-based polytonal side-slipping Advanced polyrhythm applications for melodic and harmonic improvising including half-note and displaced half-note triplets, unusual groupings of eighth- and quarter-note triplets, and groupings of five and seven eighth-notes List of suggested rhythm changes tunes Running time: 113 minutes 29 pages of written examples (including chord diagrams, standard notation, and TAB), exercises, and example solos with close-up views of the performances Each example performance is titled and numbered for easy navigation 24 MP3 backing tracks for written examples and solos

After the blues, probably the most played and most essential chord progression/song form in jazz is the famous “rhythm changes.” This chord progression, originally derived from George and Ira Gershwin’s classic “I Got Rhythm,” written in 1930, has been performed or recorded by countless jazz musicians. The simple elegance of the song’s architecture became a favorite vehicle for improvisation and inspired many musicians to build their own compositions with all new melodies around the borrowed chord structure. At the same time, and especially during the bebop era in the 1940s, harmonic variations were woven into the song’s basic form. Because of its historical significance and classification as a standard, any aspiring jazz musician will need to be familiar with rhythm changes and should work toward mastering its many variations. Rhythm changes is considered to be something of a proving ground for young up-and-coming players due to the harmonic complexity of many of the versions and the fast tempo at which the form is often played. A new generation of musicians has reinvigorated jazz with fresh and innovative sounds and approaches, but rhythm changes continues to be an essential part of the modern style. If you are interested in learning rhythm changes in a complete, logical, and thorough manner, incorporating modern elements while still maintaining a thread of the tradition when you play over the form, or gaining proficiency with playing this progression or others at up-tempos, then this class is for you. In this class, the rhythm changes form will be explored in detail with the goal of applying modern jazz melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic vocabulary to the progression. First will be a brief survey of the structure and history of the form along with exercises for gaining mastery over the basic harmonies. Then, common mainstream approaches for melodic and harmonic variations on the progression will be outlined. Finally, modern approaches to melody, harmony, and rhythm will be applied to the rhythm changes progression. Rhythm changes: A Modern Jazz Guitar Approach - Part I covers: A brief history of rhythm changes and its importance in jazz Basic rhythm changes progression defined and analyzed, including harmonic function analysis and discussion Typical bebop style harmonic variations on rhythm changes defined and analyzed, including harmonic function chart Tri-tone substitution Melodic minor mode substitution, including the use of augmented major seven and minor major seven arpeggios and chords for implying melodic minor sound Detailed chord/scale analysis for three different variations of the A section Arpeggio and scale studies for rhythm changes, including typical substitute sounds, with emphasis on fingerboard mastery and voice leading Discussion of guide tones, approach notes, and target notes with examples, including excerpts from several master improvisors’ solos Discussion of “the big three progressions” and using them interchangeably for substitute sounds, with multiple examples Discussion of other typical bebop devices such as chromatically descending minor seventh chord, “Ladybird,” and cycle of dominant substitutions Diminished scale use for both diminished and dominant sounds Discussion of simplifying the harmony on the A sections using such devices as blues, I diminished, diminished dominant, and altered dominant sounds Discussion of soloing on the bridge or middle section including the use of typical bebop vocabulary, as well as diminished dominant, altered dominant, and lydian dominant sounds Extensive discussion on playing at fast tempos, including various suggestions and exercises, as well as a transcribed solo of Tom’s improvisation with a step-by-step analysis of the improvisor’s thought process while soloing Running time: 138 minutes 23 pages of written examples (including chord diagrams, standard notation, and TAB), exercises, and example solos with close-up views of the performances Each example performance is titled and numbered for easy navigation 40 MP3 backing tracks for written examples and solos