Jazz Theory
Having a grasp on some music theory concepts can be a great help when learning how to become a great jazz improviser. Below is a list of jazz theory lessons we've created. If you're looking for a place to start, definitely check out my Ultimate Guide to Jazz Theory. This is my most comprehensive jazz theory post that will get you started on the right foot!
Blog
Ultimate Guide to Jazz Theory
Let me tell you one of the biggest myths I hear about learning how to play jazz:
You need to know a ton of music...
Blog
The 16 Most Important Scales in Jazz [UPDATED]
Here is a list of the 16 most important scales for jazz improvisation and the harmonic contexts in which they can be used for...
Jazz Theory
9 Important Jazz Chord Progressions You Need to Master [UPDATED]
For some, learning jazz can be a daunting task. It's harmonically complex, and because of this, there is a demand for a certain level...
Jazz Theory
2 Jazz Improv Concepts and an Etude Over “Solar”
“Solar” is a jazz standard written by one of the most famous jazz musicians of all time, trumpeter Miles Davis. The best-known Miles recording...
Jazz Theory
Double Your Scale Practicing Efficiency with this Bebop-Diminished Pattern
All musicians must practice scales at some point in their musical development. Scales are some of the most fundamental building blocks of Western styles...
Jazz Theory
Hexatonic/Pentatonic Jazz Improvisation Workout
We’ve talked about pentatonics on LJS in the past both on
the blog
and on the podcast.
In this post, I...
Jazz Theory
How to Use Altered Pentatonics
I’ve discussed the major pentatonic scale here on LJS before and some of its uses. In this post I want to briefly review the...
Jazz Theory
How to Improvise Over “Inner Urge”
Joe Henderson’s “Inner Urge” from his iconic 1965 record also entitled Inner Urge is one of the most frequently called tunes at jam sessions...
Jazz Theory
Practicing Using Upper Structures on “Solar”
As jazz musicians, we’re always trying to find ways to hear and come up with different types of melodic lines while improvising.
One strategy that...
Jazz Theory
“There is No Greater Love” Workout
I’ve talked about voice leading with guide-tones and using chromatic surrounding/approach tones here on LJS before, and now I want to combine these two...
