Is Jazz the Classical Music of the 21st Century? Reflections on 1959, Debussy, and Ravel
Listening to modern players reminds me of classical impressionists like Debussy." This observation opens the door to the "Classicalization" of Jazz. We explore how the year 1959 changed the genre forever, transforming it from functional dance music into a sophisticated art form that mirrors the harmonic depth of Ravel and Debussy, all while maintaining the vital spark of improvisation.
Why Connecting Scale Shapes Won’t Help You Play Jazz Changes
Scales are just the alphabet, but they are not the story. Learn why voice leading and shell voicings are the true key to navigating chord progressions.
Diagonal Shapes: The Difference Between Wes Lines and Django Lines
Why play diagonally? Learn how Tonic and Non-Tonic functions determine whether you play a Wes Line or a Django Line.
The Pianistic Guitar: Expanding Shell Voicings into Upper Structures
Guitarists often feel limited compared to pianists who can comp and solo simultaneously. The solution? Stop playing the root. By using Shell Voicings and Upper Structures, you can stack arpeggios to create 3D harmonic lines. Discover the "pianistic" approach used by Charlie Parker and Wes Montgomery.