Category Archives: Free lessons

Here are some of the mantras I live by: • Don’t underestimate the fundamentals. • Don’t overestimate your mastery of the fundamentals. • There is fun in fundamentals! • Keep swinging! Watch the video and download the PDF! English Français English Français Resources: Jazz Map Triads & voice-leading Why triads are important Black Orpheus Stella […]

In this short video (Tetrads in tonal harmony) I want to introduce or clarify some of the most foundational elements we need to understand and hear in order to play music in a tonal context. In classical harmony as well as in pop music, the chords are mainly triads (except the dominant 7th chord). However, […]

Native American Jazz Musicians – Adobe 2023 Jazz, with its rich history and diverse influences, has been a genre that transcends boundaries and embraces cultural pluralism. While created by the African American community, jazz has also been embraced by musicians from various backgrounds, including Native Americans. In this blog post, we celebrate the Native American […]

“On Green Dolphin Street” (originally titled “Green Dolphin Street”) is a 1947 popular song composed by Bronisław Kaper with lyrics by Ned Washington. The song was composed for the film Green Dolphin Street, which was based on a 1944 novel of the same name by Elizabeth Goudge, and became a jazz standard in the 1950s. In this clip from the full course, we focus on the […]

Kenny Garrett Today, we gather to celebrate the birthday of a true jazz icon, saxophonist Kenny Garrett. Born on October 9th, this musical genius has been gracing us with his exceptional talent, innovation, and soulful melodies for decades. As we commemorate this special day, let’s take a journey through Kenny Garrett’s remarkable career, his influence […]

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 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.

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 […]

The extraordinary life and artistry of Tony Bennett, the magic behind his unforgettable voice and the indelible legacy he leaves behind.

Regardless of your level, learn Sam Dillon’s creative-process and concepts with this outstanding and FREE lesson!