Genil Castro

Discover a world of chord melody ideas for the timeless jazz standard "Stella by Starlight" with Mike's Master Classes' online course. In "Chord Melody Ideas for Stella by Starlight: Thoughts on Stella", master jazz guitarist Genil Castro shares his expert insights and techniques to help you create your own stunning chord melody arrangements. In this course, Genil breaks down his approach to "Stella by Starlight" in detail, showing you step-by-step how to create rich harmonies and beautiful melodies on the guitar. You'll learn how to play the melody and harmony simultaneously, how to add chord substitutions and reharmonizations to your arrangements, and how to use various techniques such as harmonics, arpeggios, and chord inversions to create a captivating sound. In addition to the video lessons, the course includes downloadable PDFs of sheet music and tablature, as well as practice soundslice to help you perfect your playing. Including in this lesson: A complete arrangement transcription Harmonic examples of different options for harmonizing the melody with and without Harp Harmonics Technique Genil shows how he came up with ideas for the arrangement inspired on his influences (Gamela, Joe Diorio, Ted Greene and others) Five and six notes voicings from Melodic Minor scale Discussion on the context and origins of the tune Level: Intermediate/Advanced Running time: 41 minutes 7 Pages PDF Included

Genil Castro continues his deep dive into Beyond Melodic Minor in part II: Going Outside with the Melodic Minor #5. In this advanced jazz lesson, Genil discusses superimposing dominant scales over static minor chords. If you are looking for modern ways to add life to your guitar sound, look no further than Genil’s class. In this class, Genil discusses: Introduction to the Melodic Minor #5 scale and its dominant modes Lydian b7 (#9) and Altered (13): Definition and construction. Strategy for playing outside over static minor chord utilizing Dominant scales Chord-scale relationships: Discussion of the chords that can be derived from the Melodic Minor #5 scale and how they can be used in a Dominant chord progression. Soloing and improvisation: Explanation of how to use the Melodic Minor #5 scale in soloing and improvisation, including the use of enclosures, chromaticism, and approach notes. Applications in different musical genres: Examples of how the Melodic Minor #5 scale is used in different jazz and fusion. Practice techniques: Suggestions for how to practice the Melodic Minor #5 scale, including exercises for fingerings, scales, and phrases and examples. Advanced Running time: 39 minutes 8 Pages PDF & Audio Included

Beyond Melodic Minor ( introducing dominant modes of Melodic Minor (#5) and Harmonic Major (melodic minor #4) scales Part 01 Tonal Context Are you ready to take your jazz playing to the next level? Look no further than Beyond Melodic Minor, the comprehensive online course from Mike’s Master Classes. In this exciting program, you will learn from a world leading jazz musician Genil Castro and discover the secrets of the melodic minor scale. This course is designed for jazz guitarists, from intermediate to advanced. If you are looking to deepen your existing knowledge, Beyond Melodic Minor will provide you with the tools you need to take your playing to the next level. Genil Castro will guide you through every step of the process, demonstrating how to use the melodic minor scale in creative and innovative ways. In this program, you will learn: review of Plurality concept and dominant modes of melodic minor Vertical and Horizontal perspectives of scales Dominant Modes of Melodic Minor #4 Dominant Modes of Melodic Minor #5 Tonal application of the scales in II V context At Mike's Master Classes, we believe in a hands-on approach to learning. That's why Beyond Melodic Minor includes access to exclusive video lessons and sheet music. Our expert instructors will be there to answer your questions and provide personalized feedback, ensuring that you get the most out of your learning experience. So what are you waiting for? Join us today and unlock your creative potential with Beyond Melodic Minor. Sign up now and start your journey towards a deeper understanding of the melodic minor scale and jazz music. PDF Included: 9 Pages Skill Level: Advanced Duration: 43 Minutes

Unlock the secrets of harmony and take your music to the next level with 'An Introduction to Voice Leading and Plurality: Insights and Tips on Harmony II' – a course designed to transform your understanding of music theory. In this class, you will learn how to use 3 and 4-note rootless extended chords for comping and chord melody. Learn principles of voice leading and plurality utilizing the Major scale chords as the basis for understanding 3 and 4-note rootless extended voicings and their common uses and also utilize chord voice leading to produce melodic lines. Led by acclaimed music educator Genil Castro, this masterclass offers an insightful dive into the art of voice leading, exploring how different voices interact and interconnect to create rich, nuanced harmonies. With Genil's expert guidance, you'll learn how to master the following unique principles of voice leading, from chord inversions and melodic motion to the use of dissonance and consonance. Sub-topic 1 Comping with 3 and 4-note rootless voicings Sub-topic 2 Chord Melody (Satin Doll) utilizing 4-note rootless voicings and voice leading Sub-topic 3 Cycle of 4ths in the Major Scale using voice leading Categories: Chord Melody Chord Voicings Comping Harmony Standards Theory Skill Level: Intermediate Advanced

Master Jazz Guitar Harmony with Genil Castro's Anchor Chord Forms Course Are you looking to deepen your understanding of jazz guitar harmony? Look no further than the Anchor Chord Forms: Smile, Insights and Tips on Harmony course with Genil Castro. In this comprehensive course, you'll learn from renowned jazz guitarist Genil Castro as he shares his expertise on the fundamental concept of anchor chord forms and how to use them to create rich harmonies in your playing. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, this course will give you the skills and knowledge you need to take your playing to the next level. Here's what you'll learn in the Anchor Chord Forms: Smile, Insights and Tips on Harmony course: The basics of anchor chord forms and how to apply them to your playing starting with the jazz standard Tune Smile ( Chaplin) Advanced concepts and techniques for creating complex harmonies and sophisticated chord voicings How to use anchor chord forms to add depth and texture to your solos Practice exercises and performance tips to help you integrate anchor chord forms into your comping, Chord Soloing, and Chord Melody You will learn a chord melody version of the Tune Smile by Chaplin utilizing the techniques discussed in the lesson. This course is taught by Genil Castro, one of the most talented and respected jazz guitarists in the world. With his clear and concise teaching style, he'll guide you step-by-step through the world of anchor chord forms, helping you master this powerful tool and take your playing to new heights. Don't miss this opportunity to deepen your understanding of jazz guitar harmony. Enroll in the Anchor Chord Forms: Smile, Insights and Tips on Harmony course today and start your journey to becoming a master jazz guitarist.

How to practice the solo strategies described in the two previous lessons through harmonic and melodic mapping of the tune Days of Wine and Roses ( Mancini) Complete harmonic and melodic mapping of the tune in five positions (PDF and audio materials included) Tips on practicing, melodic playing, harmonic awareness. Expected Outcome: Ability to play melodically over chord changes utilizing the "life-vest" arpeggio and its variations Sub-topics Include: Single note soloing utilizing arpeggios Harmonic visualization around melodic sources Tips on practicing Categories: Harmony Practicing Soloing Standards Skill Level: Intermediate Advanced

Discover the Power of Bebop Scales with Mapping a Tune Are you looking to elevate your jazz playing skills to the next level? Mapping a Tune with Bebop Scales is the perfect course for you! In this comprehensive program, you will learn from top jazz guitarist Genil Castro and discover the secrets of using bebop scales to map out a tune. Designed for intermediate to advanced jazz guitarists, Mapping a Tune with Bebop Scales will help you expand your knowledge and techniques in no time. Our expert instructor Genil Castro will guide you through each step, showing you how to use bebop scales to bring your playing to life. It is a study on exploring Bebop Scales through mapping harmonically and scale-wise a tune, in this case, the standard Stella by Starlight, following up on the first Chroma Zone lesson that was an introduction to bebop scales, this one is a study on how to practice and integrate bebop scales into one`s playing by visualizing the harmonic and melodic content of a tune in specific areas on the guitar. In this program, you will learn: Visualizing the melody and harmony of the tune in one area as two sides of the same coin. Mapping out the tune with Bebop scales Dominant(Mixolydian and Myxolidian B9B13) Bebop Scales shapes in 4 positions Practicing Bebop scales starting from the root, third, fifth and flat seventh Technical tips ( sweep picking and legato) on how to play the triplet An introduction to the concepts of syntactical and non-syntactical aspects of music. Why do I call a note Cb? At Mike's Master Classes, we believe in an interactive learning experience. That's why Mapping a Tune with Bebop Scales includes access to an exclusive video lesson & sheet music. Our instructor Genil will be there to answer your questions and provide personalized feedback, ensuring that you get the most out of your learning experience. Join us today and discover the power of bebop scales with Mapping a Tune. Enroll now and start your journey towards a deeper understanding of jazz music and bebop scales. Your musical skills will thank you! Sub-topic 1 Bebop Scales Sub-topic 2 Sweep and Legato for triplets Sub-topic 3 Harmonic Mapping and Melodic Visualization of Stella Class Categories: Practicing Soloing Technique Theory INTERMEDIATE / ADVANCED

The lesson is the third on improvisation, following the Life Vest Arpeggio I and II. "Chroma Zone: The Chromatic World Around the Life Vest Arpeggio" is a masterclass designed to introduce students to the rich and complex world of bebop scales. Led by acclaimed jazz guitarist and educator Genil Castro, this course explores the theory and practice of bebop scales through the lens of the "life vest" arpeggio, a fundamental bebop concept that will serve as the basis for the course. Throughout the course, students will learn how to apply bebop scales to a variety of chord progressions, as well as how to use chromaticism and tension to create melodic interest and complexity. In this course, you can expect to: Explore Bebop Dominant scales derived from Major, Harmonic Major. Harmonic Minor and Melodic Minor scales. Review of visualization strategies for arpeggios application on II V I in Major and Minor Keys. Mix Arpeggios with Bebop Scales for chromatic melodic lines that work over common chord progressions and static chords. Acquire Tips to study Linear Expressions by Pat Martino With 38 minutes of instructional content, this masterclass is designed to help students advance dramatically with a simple yet complex approach to bebop dominant scales. Ready to be blown away with this approach by Genil? Full Class: 38 min 6 Pages PDF 3 min Audio track

Do you ever get bored playing the same jazz licks over and over? Does changing chord scales stress you out? What if there was a better (and simpler) way to improvise beautiful jazz guitar lines? Many legendary guitarists often use simple ways to think about what they’re playing. These personal harmonic concepts enable them to play strong melodic phrases over complex chord progressions. Genil Castro has distilled his years of experience so that you can improvise more confidently through complex chord progressions. Life Vest Arpeggio Part II is a follow up to Genil Castro’s popular ‘The Life Vest Arpeggio for Jazzers’ masterclass. This video will: show you give you powerful & simple ways to play over min7b5, dominant 7th (for both altered & Lydianb7 sounds), tonic minor and minor II-V-I progressions. allow you to solo more confidently (and create extended harmonic sounds) over the bossa nova classic ‘The Girl From Ipanema’ reveal Genil’s personal 911 strategies for improvising unleash Genil’s Pandora Box of Transformations which form the basis for his jazz soloing style Discover this harmonic tapestry on six strings that makes your playing even more colorful today! Full video is 37 minutes 9 Pages PDF

Do you want to be an even better solo jazz guitarist? Today, you’re in luck because Genil Castro has finally decided to share more of his personal tips and arranging techniques with all of us! Genil shows you how to play a beautiful solo guitar version of A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square. This was one of the first YouTube videos Genil posted in 2006 which has now reached 119,684 views on YouTube. In addition to learning the solo arrangement, you will discover: Flowing harp harmonic technique Genil’s personal right hand fingerstyle technique tips (with close ups) George Shearing style reharmonizations applied to guitar How to play chords with artificial harmonics This master class is great for players of all level from beginners to advanced guitarists. For beginners to chord melody, you get a chance to get inside Genil’s mind & have a feel for the musical way to approach chord melody. For the more advanced guitarist, you will have the chance to examine and steal some beautiful ways to enrich your current solo guitar playing. Fragile, delicate and flowing -- Genil’s playing & insights takes you to the next level. Own this now & sound better today! 7 Pages of PDF materials in standard notation and TAB Full video is 45 minutes

Have you ever been overwhelmed with having to memorize too many arpeggios? Have you ever wondered about a simpler way to navigate through jazz compositions? Well, you’re in luck as Genil Castro has decided to share his personal approach to simplifying jazz chord progressions. He will show how he uses one arpeggio shape as a life vest to float and survive through the treacherous jazzy sea! In this master class you will discover: The Life Vest Arpeggio (and how it helped simplify his playing) How to maximize this arpeggio over both major & minor II-V-I progressions (and altered chords too) Musical applications of this concept so that you can apply it in your own playing If you’ve been stuck not being able to smoothly connect lines in your jazz improvisation, this might be the gateway to help you level up today. Full video is 39 minutes 18 Pages PDF

Genil is a gifted Brazilian guitarist who demonstrates comping with the use of artificial harmonics. He uses Miles Davis’ composition “Blue on Green” to demonstrate different approaches in this half-hour video. Genil refers to playing with harmonics as ‘diving into the electric lap piano realm of pianistic voicings’. He shows that different effects on any chord can using harmonics. He cites some of the main benefits of working on harmonics including: using harmonics can extend any chord into additional chord voicings, like fractals of itself; The usage of artificial harmonics enable to play on the guitar pianistic voicings (inversions) that would be impossible to do otherwise harmonics allows the guitarist to create a cool Fender Rhodes-type sound. Early in the video Genil explains the advantage of harmonics as "expanding the harmonic possibilities of the guitar through the use of artificial harmonics." Genil has a vast range of influences and plays with a range of influences from classical composers such as Chopin, Scriabin and Tchaikovsky to jazz guitarists such as Lenny Breau, Jim Hall and Joe Diorio. Genil’s intelligent course provides a fantastic introduction to expanding your note choices through the use of harmonics.

Brazilian jazz guitarist Genil Castro continues his exploration of artificial harmonics (inspired by the beautiful playing of guitar legend Lenny Breau) in this master class. In Part I, Genil taught us the most important aspects of this technique and the musical applications for it. Now in Part II, we get into the finer aspects of what Genil calls ‘electric lap piano’. Part of the Lenny Breau style artificial harmonics technique is the ability to play close voicings that would be usually almost impossible. The added challenge is to really understand the concept of plurality (how different voicings can have multiple applications) and the actual voicings that are created by adding an artificial harmonic as part of the chord. In this master class, find out: 1) Pluralities as applied in this context 2) Bill Evans type of voicings that you can use 3) Major and minor II-V-I voiceled voicings examples 4) How to put everything together into music If you’ve checked Part I of this series, Part II is an essential continuation for the serious jazz guitarist. Together, both videos will give you a unique look into Genil’s take on these concepts and help you achieve these sounds on your guitar today! This masterclass includes Soundslice enhanced notation of all written examples so you can can loop, slowdown and study each example as you go through the video. 17 Pages of PDF materials in standard notation and TAB Soundsliced versions of the transcription (standard notation with adjustable tempo, looping for effective practice and study) Full video is 31 minutes

The beautiful sound of Lenny Breau style harp harmonics has mesmerized generations of guitarists. From fingerstyle legends like Chet Atkins to guitar gurus like Ted Greene, Lenny’s influence is undeniable. Even in the younger generation of YouTuber guitarists covering fingerstyle arrangements by Tommy Emmanuel, you can hear these harp harmonics everywhere! Dreamy, atmospheric and sometimes impressionistic - this technique along with the use of colorful jazz chord voicings enables guitarist to get out from typical ‘drop voicing’ sounds. Brazilian jazz guitarist Genil Castro, a master at this style makes his Mike’s Master Classes debut with the first of two videos guiding us through this technique. The focus in these videos is not just on how play artificial harmonics (you can find those kind of videos online) but how to MUSICALLY apply the technique and expand your harmonic vocabulary. It’s not enough to be technically proficient - you have to be harmonically aware to really maximise this sound. In this master class, you will discover: The two essential aspects of playing artificial harmonics How to play the scale runs using this technique The orthodox Lenny Breau technique (Genil shares details of how Lenny does it differently) Musical applications of the technique on Stella By Starlight and the Ivan Lins song, Septembro. If you’d like to really gain control of this technique and incorporate it smoothly into your playing, this master class is for you. Get it now and expand your guitar’s harmonic vocabulary today. This masterclass includes Soundslice enhanced notation of all written examples so you can can loop, slowdown and study each example as you go through the video. 17 Pages of PDF materials in standard notation and TAB Soundsliced versions of the transcription (standard notation with adjustable tempo, looping for effective practice and study) Full video is 30 minutes