Jazz Video Lessons Forum - Recent Topics

Giant Steps

Alex Terrier — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 16:52:27 +0000

Who would be interested in mastering "Giant Steps" together this September?

Giant Steps is one of those tunes that many jazz musicians admire... and avoid. 😄

In September I will post a course about that tune and I'm considering running a small online intensive workshop (10 participants) over four Saturdays in September. The idea would be to work through a series of progressive exercises together so that, by the end, the harmony feels much more natural and improvising becomes far less intimidating.

Before I organize everything, I'd love to hear from you.

Have you always wanted to learn Giant Steps?
What's your biggest challenge with the tune?
Would you be interested in joining a live intensive workshop?

🎷 Johnny Hodges: What Have You Learned from "The Rabbit"?

Alex Terrier — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 16:25:27 +0000

Today we're celebrating the birthday of one of the greatest alto saxophonists in jazz history: Johnny Hodges.

If you haven't read the article yet, I encourage you to start there:
"The Enduring Legacy of Johnny Hodges and His Timeless Elegance." Read the article

Johnny Hodges had one of the most recognizable sounds ever produced on the saxophone. His beautiful tone, expressive vibrato, elegant phrasing, and incredible sense of dynamics influenced generations of musicians—from Charlie Parker to Cannonball Adderley and John Coltrane.

I'd love to hear from you!

A few questions to get the discussion started:

When did you first discover Johnny Hodges?
Which recording of his would you recommend to every jazz musician?
What aspect of his playing has influenced you the most—tone, vibrato, phrasing, dynamics, blues feeling, or something else?
Have you ever transcribed one of his solos? If so, what surprised you?
What do you think modern jazz musicians can still learn from Johnny Hodges?

If you're a saxophonist, I'd also be curious to know:

What is the hardest part of capturing the "Johnny Hodges sound"?

Feel free to share recordings, videos, transcriptions, or practice tips. Let's celebrate one of the true masters of jazz and learn from each other's experiences.

Pianist Richie Beirach

Alex Terrier — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 20:34:10 +0000

I've just published an article about Richie Beirach because we are about to study one of his beautiful compositions in depth in the JVL Pro course.

After reading Richie Beirach's story, what strikes you most about his music?

Have you played any of his compositions?

Which recording do you recommend?

Saxophone Sound Development

Alex Terrier — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 10:51:09 +0000

Here I will share ideas and exercises about sound, more specific to the saxophone 🎷

John Coltrane / The Tiberi Tapes: A Preview of the Mythic Recordings

Alex Terrier — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 22:05:54 +0000

John Coltrane / The Tiberi Tapes: A Preview of the Mythic Recordings (Impulse! 2026) "Among the most fabled and mythologized recordings of the last 65 years, the private recordings of John Coltrane’s group made by musician Frank Tiberi in the early 1960s have long been the subject of jazz world rumor and intense speculation. Tiberi followed Coltrane and his Classic Quartet into clubs in New York and Philadelphia, capturing the otherworldly music being created nightly on his portable tape recorder. For the first time ever, these recordings will be made available in September 2026 as part of John Coltrane’s Centennial celebrations. For Record Store Day 2026, we’re offering a single LP preview of these historic recordings—a project that will undoubtedly grow and enhance the legend of John Coltrane."

Bass – Steve Davis Drums – Pete La Roca Piano – McCoy Tyner Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – John Coltrane Probably recorded at the Showboat, Philadelphia, PA in the early 1960's

I studied with Frank Tiberi only for one semester at Berklee and I cherished each weekly lesson! He mentioned his recordings of Coltrane, I'm glad the tapes are being released!

https://youtu.be/AJCAkZ2yUR4?si=-yEyBZt3if7ybMRn

Duke Ellington

Alex Terrier — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 18:31:42 +0000

I think this video is interesting because we can see Duke Ellington talking about his music. There are two moments that I find peculiar and I would love to know what you think.

First, when Duke is explaining that Jazz history is made of one name after the other, citing Buddy Bolden, Louis Armstrong, Fletcher Henderson etc... the host interrupts him and name Charlie Parker. Notice Duke's reaction. I can't decide if he's brushing off the comment because he doesn't agree, or he doesn't like Bird, or he's pissed the host interrupted him, or maybe it's nothing.

What do you think?

Second, the host is really pushing him to sing a song even though Duke repeatedly said he doesn't want to and he never sings. Will he sing in the end? Check it out.

Let me know below the video what you think!

https://vimeo.com/381130591?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci