Fly Me To The Moon
Good to see you ! Table of Contents Introduction “Fly Me to the Moon” has seen 2 major transformations since it was composed in 1954 by Bart Howard. Originally titled “In Other Words” and written as 3/4 ballad, you can hear it in the first recording by Kaye Ballard in 1954, Quincy Jones arranged it […]
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 […]
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 […]
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.
Tea For Two
Table of Contents Introduction Welcome to our lesson on the jazz standard “Tea for Two” which was written in 1924 by Vincent Youmans. It was introduced in May 1924 by Phyllis Cleveland and John Barker during the Chicago pre-Broadway run of the musical No, No, Nanette. In this class we listen and compare versions by Lester Young, Nicholas Payton, […]
The 4 levels of improvisation
In this series of short video lessons, I’ll guide you through a 4-step path to improvisation — four progressive levels designed to help you gain clarity and confidence as you build authentic bebop lines. By working through these stages, you’ll not only deepen your understanding of the jazz language, but also lay a solid foundation […]
Alone Together
Table of Contents Introduction Welcome to our lesson on the jazz standard “Alone Together”, a popular and influential song in the jazz repertoire that has been performed and recorded by many notable musicians over the years. In this lesson, we will explore the history and characteristics of “Alone Together,” we will study the key elements […]
About swing eighth notes
I received a message from Aingeru: “Hello Alex, Just want to ask you for some advice on how to lock in my swing eighth note feel when playing medium tempos. Sometimes I feel out of sync with my mates, or maybe unsure about my lines. I am going to record myself to analyze that but […]
Ear Training – Introduction
I looked in the dictionary for the definition of the verbs “to read” and “to hear”. I find it interesting to note the difference: – “to read: to have the ability to look at and comprehend the meaning of written or printed matter” – “to hear: to perceive with the ear the sound made by someone or something” While the act of reading implies that you actually understand the text, hearing […]