Celebrating the Bird: Charlie Parker’s Enduring Legacy in Jazz
The world of music is filled with brilliant stars that have illuminated the artistic landscape, but few have shone as brightly and influentially as the legendary saxophonist, Charlie “Bird” Parker.
Pentatonic shape from Ravel
Pentatonic scales, cherished in jazz by artists like John Coltrane, trace their roots to ancient China and Greece. In this lesson we use a motif from a piece by French composer Maurice Ravel to practice in different transposing cycles.
The Enduring Legacy of Johnny Hodges and his Timeless Elegance
Who is Johnny Hodges? Welcome, fellow saxophonists and jazz enthusiasts, to another exciting article of our jazz education program! Today, in celebration of the birth of Johnny Hodges on July 25, 1907, we embark on a journey to explore the mesmerizing world of The Rabbit, a true icon whose music and influence have left an […]
Celebrating the Legendary Legacy of Tony Bennett: A Jazz Icon’s Journey
The extraordinary life and artistry of Tony Bennett, the magic behind his unforgettable voice and the indelible legacy he leaves behind.
3 tips for an efficient practice session
In this post I am sharing three essential tips for musicians to have an efficient practice session.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned musician, these tips will help you make the most of your practice time and maximize your progress. So, let’s dive in!
The Anatomy of a Saxophone Mouthpiece: A Comprehensive Guide
The saxophone is a beautiful and versatile instrument that produces a wide range of sounds. However, the true magic of the saxophone lies in its mouthpiece. The mouthpiece is the heart of the saxophone, and it is responsible for producing the sound that we all know and love. But have you ever wondered what goes […]
The top 5 easy jazz standards for beginners
Among all the standards, which ones are the best to start with, which ones you should avoid, and why? That’s what we are going to find out!
Michel Petrucciani
Here is a beautiful documentary about pianist Michel Petrucciani.
Valentine’s Day Playlist
Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and what better way to set the mood than with a playlist of love songs?
In this blog post, we’ve curated a playlist of vocal versions of classic love songs from the jazz standards repertoire.
10 tips to improve your playing
Improving as a musician takes time and dedication, but with the right approach and resources, it is possible to make significant progress in a short amount of time.
In this article, we will share 10 tips that can help you improve your jazz playing in 2023. These tips will provide a roadmap to help you reach your full potential as a jazz musician.
10 tips to master jazz improvisation
Improvisation is a crucial aspect of jazz music, and it can be intimidating for beginners to dive into. However, with consistent practice and a focus on the fundamentals, anyone can learn to improvise in this iconic American art form.
In this article, we will go over 10 tips that can help you master jazz improvisation and take your playing to the next level.
Examples of reharmonization
Reharmonization can be a complex and advanced technique, and it requires a deep understanding of music theory and harmony.
Let’s look at how we can reharmonize a melody originally based on I V7 V7 I.
Why the triads are so important and how to use them
In this series of short video lessons, you will learn why the triads in music are so important, how it has been used by masters improvisers through examples by pianists Bill Evans and Michel Petrucciani and how you can practice to be a better improviser.
3 levels of melodic phrases using major triads on a II V I progression
Jazz improvisation often revolves around navigating chord progressions with melodic and harmonic fluidity. One of the most common progressions in jazz is the 2-5-1 progression, which offers a rich playground for improvisers to express creativity. In this post, we will explore how to construct engaging 2-5-1 phrases using exclusively major triads, focusing on voice leading, […]
Take the A train: Billy Strayhorn (manuscript)
Videos: English Français English Français Resources: Log in or create your JVL profile now to download the PDFs. It’s free and you get access to a ton of great informative lessons! Manuscript Concert PDF PDF B-flat PDF E-flat Complete Lesson Get the full lesson today and all our Standards Studies! Did you enjoy this lesson […]