Use coupon code “JLV5” for $5 off an instant download of the “Modern Phrases” PDF Package at: www.jazzlessonvideos.com/pdf-packages Mouthpiece: use coupon code CHADXSYOS for $10 off the Chad LB Signature SYOS mouthpiece at www.syos.co/en/shop/products/signature-saxophone-mouthpiece/chad-lefkowitz-brown-tenor Sign up for the waitlist to study with Chad through the Text Lessons studio membership subscription: www.jazzlessonvideos.com/text-lessons
1. Find content 2. Understand the composition of the phrase 3. Play it, sing it, play it again 4. Learn a phrase through all 12 keys 5. Improvising variations of the phrase Bonus advice: - Disciplined practice is the key - The more deliberately you learn the language, the more accurately you hear it
But then you are playing someone else's phrase.Slonimsky will teach you ALL the phrases, or just the CONCEPT and that's all you need. Practice other people's music for fingering and harmonic ideas, but work out your OWN lines in detail. (But WTF do I know, I've been more lucky than good.)
Not gonna lie this is a VERY specific topic and even though it was apparently asked about very often, the fact that it is so specific shows how much you care about teaching us. Thank you Chad. Also, thank you because this is a very infuriating topic!!!!
the first thing chad talks about here is super important and overlooked. hal galper talks about a similar thing; if you've listened to a song a ton of times and someone asks you to sing the solo from it, i'm willing to bet you wouldn't be able to sing the fast lines slow, because you probably don't remember the actual pitches. majority of playing what you're hearing is gaining clarity on what you're hearing to begin with, and im super glad to see chad talking about this
True. When I’m at work, I think of a line or phrase and scribble it down. When I get home, I try playing the line based on my notation but it just sounds so so.
I urge my students to record their practice, and then to listen to the recording two days later. They find both good and bad in the phrases they played. The good helps keep them motivated, and the bad is useful in understanding where they need to improve. Without going back to the recording, it is easy just to repeat the same mistakes every practice session without being fully aware of what is tripping them up.
I really admire just how well these videos are made and thought out. They're too the point, fun but never distracting, and they respect the viewer's time. Chad is all about thoroughness, and not only in his own amazing playing.
Practice improv BEFORE you practice scales and patterns, so you know what to practice today. That has worked for me for 65 years with virtually no training but a 1-minute description of what a chord is and three years of piano lessons from a local non-musician at age 4.5.
Fabulous approach to ear training. I’m 48 years old and played professionally for several years and toured and got a degree in performance and with that background, I’d say this is the best approach I’ve ever seen. So many talented artists utterly fail to enlighten their students. I slogged along in my playing for years trying traditional methods and then started really taking off when I tried similar ideas. Kudos for a tremendous approach that is easy to understand AND to apply.
Hi Chad! I just want to say a big THANK YOU for all your videos on this Chanel which has been so helpful to me since I'm unable with finance to join any courses but I try and practise my beautiful Tenor in a music studio near by me for about 5 to 6 hours a day 5 days a week and they give me 3 hours a day free of charge to help me out as I'm keen to learn, Yeah! A big shout out to The Sanctuary Studios (The Art Of The Sound) in north London, UK I have a tutor whom helps me out two to three times a year when I can afford him. By the way I did manage to save up and buy very few of your some PDF theory lessons which finance allowed me, but can't have them all at the moment and hope that I'll be in a situation to get more. I just want to say having a perfect instrument in your hands is a beautiful feeling and also inspirational. Chad LB ! I should like to THANK YOU again with Big Gratitude for all your videos which helps me to build on my passion. People like you makes this world a better place to live in! Love and Peace Kind regards Sweet Juju
Thank you Chad, you’re a great music teacher.. in my early times I learned from the great Hadley Caliman.. he told me a lot of similar things you’re saying. He said not practice makes perfect.. “perfect practice” makes perfect. That really stuck with me. Great video! 🔥
Chad - thank you for this clear and direct suggestion. I now realize that I am doing exactly what you said. I memorize using a combo of 1) muscle memory and 2) knowledge of the SHAPE of the phrase. That explains why I can only recall the first note of each phrase and also why I can't really sing it accurately. Your ideas should help me progress. Thank you!
Thanks so much for watching, Terry! Yes getting away from the muscle memory should definitely help. I'm glad you're enjoying the content and hope this process works for you!
Chad - This is really amazing that you describe how we can build this ability in a methodical way. There seem to be a lot areas like this that are understood as pretty vital by practicing musicians but seem to be overlooked by a lot of other instructional material and teachers. Anyway, I'm enjoying taking these concepts to another instrument and genre (guitar, blues/rock with a little jazz). Thanks, man!
Just found this. It's extremely helpful, Chad, something I've much needed, maybe even an "aha" moment to help me make sense of the cellular approach. Thanks so much!
Hi Chad, i'm in doubt if you are better as a musician or as a teacher, i want to thank you for your very productive lessons even if playing like you need 7 lives
Great ideas. Going to try applying the singing when transcribing more to get the lines under your fingers quicker. Never at a loss to practice new stuff after watching you, thanks!
Absolutely love this! Having been teaching myself jazz for a while now I feel personally attacked by alot of the out falls you point out! Really motivated me and shown me how I can continue to grow and learn this new language! Great stuff❤️
Great info Chad.... practicing using the Melodic Cell Package is really helping my playing. Usually at least one hour of my practicing session is devoted to this. Thanks man...
This is great stuff, thanks Chad! Keep 'em coming. Also, are you an assassin? Cause you be killin' them changes. Much love from Cape Town, South Africa.
Great video! I really learned a lot, thanks :-) I like that you are very focused, you explain well, you don't ramble on,..great stuff, much appreciated! Probably my favorite jazz educator on YT.
I have trouble finding the b13 in my mind. Trying to sing it is h it or miss before morning coffee. The figures you're singing at the beginning are pretty sophisticated and I'm gonna go ahead and tell you that I'm impressed with what is undoubtably sheer talent. Love this channel .....thx for the content.
Okay, I've been intimidated to watch your videos, because I'm a jazz beginner and listening to awesome people makes me feel like crap, but this was awesome. You don't talk down your nose like other jazz youtubers I've tried to get into. I am inspired to go practice now 🤓
I am a beginner (started around May) but I play other instruments and understand basic theory. I have taken the approach of only playing by ear and deliberately focusing on one key for a long time to really get it under my fingers, starting with the “hardest” keys (C#, B, F#) and their altered scales (C#m, C# Phrygian etc). Also doing lifts. I wanted to first be able to hear and play simple diatonic melodies and triads. I wonder how many people skip this first step? To me it’s so important to be able to play a simple voice-led line through chord changes. It seems to be working well except I do notice a few things: 1. Lack of new things to practice (too much repetition) 2. Tending to play the same simple melodies by default in the key I learned them (Rudolph, jingle bells, baby shark ;) I will branch out to your melodic cells method and also start transposing to 12 keys. Game on!!! Thanks Chad!!!! Here’s the rub: isn’t using a book of transcriptions with them written out in 12 keys actually the antithesis of getting them in your ear (hence my reluctance to work with any written music at the moment)?
Thanks, Craig! Memorization is the most important part of the process to internalization and improving your ear. I believe the most efficient process for memorization is best. To start, for most players, memorizing from the written material will be faster, and that will be the fastest way to improve your ears and understanding of the language. Then, as your skill improve from that process, you will be able to get away from the sheet music more and more and just do it on your own.
Chad LB thanks chad! I like how you say “for most players”. (You’re not prescriptive). I find from personal experience I memorize best when I lift something. That takes a bit more initial effort but puts it in my ear. Thanks again!!!!
@@craigiefconcert6493 Totally! For the transposition process of taking it through the keys, it may benefit you to have the phrase written in all 12 as you're getting the hang of memorizing something through the keys, even though you don't need it written to just memorize the phrase in one key.
George Garzone is also a big proponent of melodic cells and using permutations. Also there are some clips of a Half Galper masterclass where he discusses playing what you hear in your head. Very cool but more of an overview of the idea. What's posts doesn't show a step by step method for achieving the skill the way you are, Chad.
Hi Chad, As always thank you for the video. Chad, if you are looking to sing precisely what's in your head dont you need relative pitch, interval ear training, etc? Thanks! EWS
Hey Chad! Been really loving digging through all of your videos on your channel (performances included too!), I previously had studied jazz in college but ended up burning out, and now I wanted to start playing again. Everything has been great to help me focus my practice and help me improve! I know this topic is kind of specific, and not necessarily saxophone related, but I was wondering how you train your ears to be responsive during playing? To explain, I mean being able to hear the voicing/alteration a pianist might play underneath you improvising, and being able to respond/play off of it. Thanks again for all the content!
I admirer your talent from watching this video. Let some it up (U are brilliant as a player & tutor) It's a shame I am not good on the PC because I am a beginner but using a yani 992 curve sop but have a new Ref54 which I don't play and love small metal M/P size 3reed Van pls advice?
Use coupon code “JLV5” for $5 off an instant download of the “Modern Phrases” PDF Package at: www.jazzlessonvideos.com/pdf-packages
Mouthpiece: use coupon code CHADXSYOS for $10 off the Chad LB Signature SYOS mouthpiece at www.syos.co/en/shop/products/signature-saxophone-mouthpiece/chad-lefkowitz-brown-tenor
Sign up for the waitlist to study with Chad through the Text Lessons studio membership subscription: www.jazzlessonvideos.com/text-lessons
1. Find content
2. Understand the composition of the phrase
3. Play it, sing it, play it again
4. Learn a phrase through all 12 keys
5. Improvising variations of the phrase
Bonus advice:
- Disciplined practice is the key
- The more deliberately you learn the language, the more accurately you hear it
But then you are playing someone else's phrase.Slonimsky will teach you ALL the phrases, or just the CONCEPT and that's all you need. Practice other people's music for fingering and harmonic ideas, but work out your OWN lines in detail. (But WTF do I know, I've been more lucky than good.)
Not gonna lie this is a VERY specific topic and even though it was apparently asked about very often, the fact that it is so specific shows how much you care about teaching us. Thank you Chad. Also, thank you because this is a very infuriating topic!!!!
Thanks for watching and happy to help!!
How is playing what you hear a specific topic?? That is litterly what it's all about!
Every developing saxophonist should watch your channel. This is a gold mine. Thanks for sharing your wisdom :)
Thanks so much for the kind words, Mario! Just trying to pass on what I’ve learned :)
Any instrument. This isn't sax specific stuff.
Hell yeah, any melodic instrument can benefit from this
I heard Chad singing and I knew I had to stay
I heard Chad singing and subscribed immediately
Love it thank you 🙏
I’ve never heard of this “Cell” concept before. It’s crazy what you can learn from Sax players as a pianist
I immediately thought Hey! maybe I can compose in spreadsheet cells?
the first thing chad talks about here is super important and overlooked. hal galper talks about a similar thing; if you've listened to a song a ton of times and someone asks you to sing the solo from it, i'm willing to bet you wouldn't be able to sing the fast lines slow, because you probably don't remember the actual pitches. majority of playing what you're hearing is gaining clarity on what you're hearing to begin with, and im super glad to see chad talking about this
yeah man
Hal Galper's the shit. If you can't hear it you can't play it.
True. When I’m at work, I think of a line or phrase and scribble it down. When I get home, I try playing the line based on my notation but it just sounds so so.
I urge my students to record their practice, and then to listen to the recording two days later. They find both good and bad in the phrases they played. The good helps keep them motivated, and the bad is useful in understanding where they need to improve. Without going back to the recording, it is easy just to repeat the same mistakes every practice session without being fully aware of what is tripping them up.
I really admire just how well these videos are made and thought out. They're too the point, fun but never distracting, and they respect the viewer's time. Chad is all about thoroughness, and not only in his own amazing playing.
I remember a sax player in college that could tell you the hertz of any note or chord. Was so easy for him to transcribe anything in minutes.
@SinisterMinister Well I reckon it's more about the fine tuning of the guy's perfect pitch (I assume)
@SinisterMinister how would that not help? Knowing what notes you’re hearing is like 90% of transcribing something
Practice improv BEFORE you practice scales and patterns, so you know what to practice today. That has worked for me for 65 years with virtually no training but a 1-minute description of what a chord is and three years of piano lessons from a local non-musician at age 4.5.
Some people say that those topics are written in all jazz books, but the way you explain those topics is gold!
Fabulous approach to ear training. I’m 48 years old and played professionally for several years and toured and got a degree in performance and with that background, I’d say this is the best approach I’ve ever seen. So many talented artists utterly fail to enlighten their students. I slogged along in my playing for years trying traditional methods and then started really taking off when I tried similar ideas. Kudos for a tremendous approach that is easy to understand AND to apply.
I'm learning upright bass and these videos are very helpful, thank you!
Connecting with the instrument. That's what it's all about. A simple but profound statement.
Chad that was epic singing sir
What impresses me most is how SPECIFIC you are in your instruction Chad. Oh, to have had a teacher like you 30 years ago. Thank you!
Hi Chad!
I just want to say a big THANK YOU for all your videos on this Chanel which has been so helpful to me
since I'm unable with finance to join any courses but I try and practise my beautiful Tenor in a music studio
near by me for about 5 to 6 hours a day 5 days a week and they give me 3 hours a day free of charge to help me out as
I'm keen to learn, Yeah! A big shout out to The Sanctuary Studios (The Art Of The Sound) in north London, UK
I have a tutor whom helps me out two to three times a year when I can afford him.
By the way I did manage to save up and buy very few of your some PDF theory lessons which finance allowed me, but can't have them all
at the moment and hope that I'll be in a situation to get more.
I just want to say having a perfect instrument in your hands is a beautiful feeling and also inspirational.
Chad LB ! I should like to THANK YOU again with Big Gratitude for all your videos which helps me to build on my passion.
People like you makes this world a better place to live in!
Love and Peace
Kind regards
Sweet Juju
Thank you Chad, you’re a great music teacher.. in my early times I learned from the great Hadley Caliman.. he told me a lot of similar things you’re saying. He said not practice makes perfect.. “perfect practice” makes perfect. That really stuck with me. Great video! 🔥
Chad - thank you for this clear and direct suggestion. I now realize that I am doing exactly what you said. I memorize using a combo of 1) muscle memory and 2) knowledge of the SHAPE of the phrase. That explains why I can only recall the first note of each phrase and also why I can't really sing it accurately. Your ideas should help me progress. Thank you!
Thanks so much for watching, Terry! Yes getting away from the muscle memory should definitely help. I'm glad you're enjoying the content and hope this process works for you!
Chad - This is really amazing that you describe how we can build this ability in a methodical way. There seem to be a lot areas like this that are understood as pretty vital by practicing musicians but seem to be overlooked by a lot of other instructional material and teachers. Anyway, I'm enjoying taking these concepts to another instrument and genre (guitar, blues/rock with a little jazz). Thanks, man!
Thanks for watching! Glad you’re enjoying the content!
My english is poor,but I see you video in recommendation and try to watch it.Ty!Very important information for me!Grats from Russia.
One of the most useful video I have ever seen around. Explained so well and simply. You are awesome Chad!
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it!
This content is just ridiculously good
Just found this. It's extremely helpful, Chad, something I've much needed, maybe even an "aha" moment to help me make sense of the cellular approach. Thanks so much!
Thank you, these videos help out so much!
Thanks for watching, Jared! So glad you’re enjoying the content!
Thank you so much Chad! I’ve had this question for a while and this video helped me take a huge step in improvising!
So glad it helped! Thanks for watching!
Hi Chad, i'm in doubt if you are better as a musician or as a teacher, i want to thank you for your very productive lessons even if playing like you need 7 lives
always nice stuff to improve our playing thanks..
Thanks for watching!
i like the words and sentences analogy
Thank you very much. i will apply that. on samba jazz
Damn Chad, you're so awesome.
It’s weird how entertaining the melodic cells pdf is to work on for hours on end
I agree!! So glad you’re digging it :)
Amazing explanation. You are incredibly smart. Your dedication is really admirable.
Great lesson, Thanks Chad
Nice video, it was able to help me a little
Great ideas. Going to try applying the singing when transcribing more to get the lines under your fingers quicker. Never at a loss to practice new stuff after watching you, thanks!
Absolutely love this! Having been teaching myself jazz for a while now I feel personally attacked by alot of the out falls you point out! Really motivated me and shown me how I can continue to grow and learn this new language! Great stuff❤️
Great info Chad.... practicing using the Melodic Cell Package is really helping my playing. Usually at least one hour of my practicing session is devoted to this. Thanks man...
Such an amazing and very instructional video, thank you Chad !!!
You are growing saxophone ideas all saxophone
One of your best video is my only comment. Thank you ❤
Your content and methodology are simply amazing!! Thank you so much!
Yeah man. I'm working on being consistent with my approach. thanks for this Vid. It's like I can't make up my mind on which way to go.
Thanks for watching and I hope this process helps!
This is great educational material. Thanks Chad LB.
Excellent insights, thank you! Not enough teachers or student focus on singing phrases and lines. I do it with transcribing too.
The most epic start to a video ever.
This is great stuff, thanks Chad! Keep 'em coming. Also, are you an assassin? Cause you be killin' them changes. Much love from Cape Town, South Africa.
Haha thanks man! Love Cape Town and I hope to be back there soon!
Thanks amazing
Wow! I’ve been looking for videos like this. Thanks a heap!
Great video! I really learned a lot, thanks :-)
I like that you are very focused, you explain well, you don't ramble on,..great stuff, much appreciated!
Probably my favorite jazz educator on YT.
You should play the channel one suite tenor solo
This video is simply amazing.
Thank you!! Glad you dig it!!
GREAT LESSON ! PLEASE DO ONE ON MODAL INTERCHANGE. THANKS !
Awesome 👏🏽
Took me waaay too long to know what I didn’t clearly hear and understand!
Very clearly stated...Very!
Keep putting up great content!
Thanks for sharing this! Great lesson!
I have trouble finding the b13 in my mind. Trying to sing it is h it or miss before morning coffee. The figures you're singing at the beginning are pretty sophisticated and I'm gonna go ahead and tell you that I'm impressed with what is undoubtably sheer talent. Love this channel .....thx for the content.
Thanks Chad!!!! Great information
Your videos are the best! Life-changing content, thanks a lot!
Dude literally just flexed so hard right in the beginning
Toda Chad, once again
Great video. Clear, concise, and you earned a sub.
Great as always
Thanks, Tamir!
Fantastic.
32nd note melodic cells 😎👌
This is amazing. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching!
For guitar: Step 3.
Play it, sing it, play and sing it at the same time, then play it again.
So nice to have a set of lips free! ;)
Excellent video
A great cumulous of knowledge...
Thank you dude.. !
Thank you!!
Merci beaucoup l'Ami !!!
Okay, I've been intimidated to watch your videos, because I'm a jazz beginner and listening to awesome people makes me feel like crap, but this was awesome. You don't talk down your nose like other jazz youtubers I've tried to get into. I am inspired to go practice now 🤓
Great topic
Love it!
Thank you sir!
Thanks for watching!
Thank you my teacher🎶
Thank you! 😍
Great advice! Now I just need the discipline!
Eric Clapton said pretty much the same as your 'consecutive melodic cells'
in talking about blues riffs. They are a phrasal vocabulary.
Gracias 🧡
Chad, I haven't found a video specifically on chord changes, it would be nice... 😬😉
Thanks!
For sure I'll make sure to do one soon! In the meantime, check out my video on The 4 Best Ways to Practice Standards!
Would you be open to discussing how you were able to record the Virtual Big Band album with everybody playing on their own?
Hey Lucas, thanks man you can actually check out my video editor Austin Kruczek’s behind the scenes video on UA-cam for more info on that!
Cool, make a video on developing a great saxophone sound please 😇
Thanks, David! Yes I hope to do this very soon!
Great stuff!
Subbed, great video man
I’m finding the melodic cells idea really useful. They kind of remind me of how a Bach fugue is put together as well.
Absolutely, and really great melodies in all genres.
I am a beginner (started around May) but I play other instruments and understand basic theory. I have taken the approach of only playing by ear and deliberately focusing on one key for a long time to really get it under my fingers, starting with the “hardest” keys (C#, B, F#) and their altered scales (C#m, C# Phrygian etc). Also doing lifts.
I wanted to first be able to hear and play simple diatonic melodies and triads. I wonder how many people skip this first step? To me it’s so important to be able to play a simple voice-led line through chord changes.
It seems to be working well except I do notice a few things:
1. Lack of new things to practice (too much repetition)
2. Tending to play the same simple melodies by default in the key I learned them (Rudolph, jingle bells, baby shark ;)
I will branch out to your melodic cells method and also start transposing to 12 keys. Game on!!! Thanks Chad!!!!
Here’s the rub: isn’t using a book of transcriptions with them written out in 12 keys actually the antithesis of getting them in your ear (hence my reluctance to work with any written music at the moment)?
Thanks, Craig! Memorization is the most important part of the process to internalization and improving your ear. I believe the most efficient process for memorization is best. To start, for most players, memorizing from the written material will be faster, and that will be the fastest way to improve your ears and understanding of the language. Then, as your skill improve from that process, you will be able to get away from the sheet music more and more and just do it on your own.
Chad LB thanks chad! I like how you say “for most players”. (You’re not prescriptive). I find from personal experience I memorize best when I lift something. That takes a bit more initial effort but puts it in my ear. Thanks again!!!!
@@craigiefconcert6493 Totally! For the transposition process of taking it through the keys, it may benefit you to have the phrase written in all 12 as you're getting the hang of memorizing something through the keys, even though you don't need it written to just memorize the phrase in one key.
George Garzone is also a big proponent of melodic cells and using permutations.
Also there are some clips of a Half Galper masterclass where he discusses playing what you hear in your head. Very cool but more of an overview of the idea. What's posts doesn't show a step by step method for achieving the skill the way you are, Chad.
just brought the combo pack, hopefully will understand how to substitute different chords over a static C7. hahahah. thanks for the great lesson!
God bless for this video. It really help.
Great, as usual!
Would you do a pdf/video about rythm practice? Thanks!
Would you say writting these lines out and shedding them that way would help the application process of learning new bebop lines
man, thank you!!
Thanks for watching!!
Great video! I think that Melodic cell 3 fits inside of Mixolidian bebop scale, isn't it? Big hug from Spain :)
Hey Chad, thanks so much for this video! What's the best way to support you?
Man, great explanation! Thank you! 🎷
Hi Chad,
As always thank you for the video. Chad, if you are looking to sing precisely what's in your head dont you need relative pitch, interval ear training, etc?
Thanks!
EWS
Brillant as usual 😆👌🏻
Hey Chad! Been really loving digging through all of your videos on your channel (performances included too!), I previously had studied jazz in college but ended up burning out, and now I wanted to start playing again. Everything has been great to help me focus my practice and help me improve! I know this topic is kind of specific, and not necessarily saxophone related, but I was wondering how you train your ears to be responsive during playing? To explain, I mean being able to hear the voicing/alteration a pianist might play underneath you improvising, and being able to respond/play off of it. Thanks again for all the content!
I admirer your talent from watching this video. Let some it up (U are brilliant as a player & tutor) It's a shame I am not good on the PC because I am a beginner but using a yani 992 curve sop but have a new Ref54 which I don't play and love small metal M/P size 3reed Van pls advice?
I started when I was 10 or 11 with simple tunes, "Mary Had a Little Lamb" and the like.