I agree with what you say. Have been a fan of Barry Galbraith teaching methods, whom I know you like, and do sound a little like his chord concept in your chord melody improvs. Which I like.
I hear you about chords.I know quite a few and some inversions, extensions e.t.c. but when I try to read them from a chart I lose continuity. I feel that I need a regimen of simple jazz standards with the chords diagrammed as well as just noted. I have been led to believe that jazz is primarily derived from chords based on the notes of the melodic minor scale. I will probably never master many jazz standards although if I know the melody I can usually muddle through and harmonize it. Often the chord I think I am using has a "keynote" other than the lowest note and it wants to resolve to somewhere other than the next most likely chord in the progression. I study progressions mainly in "c" and once I get that down I can usually transpose it to other keys without much difficulty. My idioms lead me on but I never quite learn the name of the chord so that I can use it in another context. My main objective (and probably my best hope) is solo improv.
Glad you found something usefull! Try reading one standard lead sheet every day for a while and you'll see how the progressions repeat. Try of thinking about them in numbers, rather than notes. For example instead of Dm7, G7, Cmaj7, just think if it as iim7 V7 Imaj7, and associate the fingering to that progression.
I have a stack of 30 or so pages of chord diagrams that I am playing thru , so as to familiarize myself with. I’ve learned many scales up & down the neck and really just want to “blow” ( improvise with notes) over whatever the backing track dictates. However , I want to develop my chord knowledge to the point that I could improvise with consecutive chord shapes , over that backing track. Until I have that ability , I cant really call myself a jazz guitarist. Thank you, Marc , for the encouragement. 🙏🏻
Those Galbraith comping studies are SO useful for that, Brad. Learning how Galbraith chordally navigates a ii-V-I did more for me than memorizing dozens of chord shapes ever did!
6:04 I just basically can't. We're supposed to learn songs by ear but can't so what then? Just don't learn songs until my ear can pick out the chords? It's a catch-22.
Hello! It's ok if you can't transcribe songs by ear at this point, just keep working on the ear training side of things and it will become easier and easier. But in order to learn useful real life examples of chord voicings what you can do is search on youtube or the internet for transcriptions that other people have done of famous musicians playing standards. There are a bunch of examples, and just following along with the music and tabs provided can be a big help in figuring out how pros apply certain chord shapes.
You are describing "melodic comping" - the way that Ed Bickert played instead of fixed structure chords. Let the upper notes 'sing'. The art & science of harmony !
Cheers Mark. Points noted.
Welcome to the amazing journey that is parenthood - you’re such a nice guy I think you’ll be a great father 😀
Bravo Marc, très bon conseil, même pour les hyper pros !
Thanks Marc your blogs are worth watching because of the good down to earth advice and can be used by all levels.
I agree with what you say. Have been a fan of Barry Galbraith teaching methods, whom I know you like, and do sound a little like his chord concept in your chord melody improvs. Which I like.
This spontaneous format can only get better 👏👏👏👏👏 thank you
Thanks so much for your passionate perspectives! I agree that harmony is key... and that good chord voicings bring color and depth to music :)
I hear you about chords.I know quite a few and some inversions, extensions e.t.c. but when I try to read them from a chart I lose continuity. I feel that I need a regimen of simple jazz standards with the chords diagrammed as well as just noted. I have been led to believe that jazz is primarily derived from chords based on the notes of the melodic minor scale. I will probably never master many jazz standards although if I know the melody I can usually muddle through and harmonize it. Often the chord I think I am using has a "keynote" other than the lowest note and it wants to resolve to somewhere other than the next most likely chord in the progression. I study progressions mainly in "c" and once I get that down I can usually transpose it to other keys without much difficulty. My idioms lead me on but I never quite learn the name of the chord so that I can use it in another context. My main objective (and probably my best hope) is solo improv.
Glad you found something usefull! Try reading one standard lead sheet every day for a while and you'll see how the progressions repeat. Try of thinking about them in numbers, rather than notes. For example instead of Dm7, G7, Cmaj7, just think if it as iim7 V7 Imaj7, and associate the fingering to that progression.
Great advice. Incidentally, Drop 2 chords have just recently changed my life
I have a stack of 30 or so pages of chord diagrams that I am playing thru , so as to familiarize myself with. I’ve learned many scales up & down the neck and really just want to “blow” ( improvise with notes) over whatever the backing track dictates. However , I want to develop my chord knowledge to the point that I could improvise with consecutive chord shapes , over that backing track. Until I have that ability , I cant really call myself a jazz guitarist. Thank you, Marc , for the encouragement. 🙏🏻
Those Galbraith comping studies are SO useful for that, Brad. Learning how Galbraith chordally navigates a ii-V-I did more for me than memorizing dozens of chord shapes ever did!
After watching this video, I wish I could travel time and show it to the younger me! Great advice, Marc!
Really good lesson Mark 👏
Very useful, thank you
Something I really needed, thank you
Hey Marc good instruction. Something I can apply to my jazz piano playing. Thanks.
Blessings
Cynthia❤🎹😀🎼
Now the new song "Things I'd Wished I'd Knew" ?
6:04 I just basically can't. We're supposed to learn songs by ear but can't so what then? Just don't learn songs until my ear can pick out the chords? It's a catch-22.
Hello! It's ok if you can't transcribe songs by ear at this point, just keep working on the ear training side of things and it will become easier and easier. But in order to learn useful real life examples of chord voicings what you can do is search on youtube or the internet for transcriptions that other people have done of famous musicians playing standards. There are a bunch of examples, and just following along with the music and tabs provided can be a big help in figuring out how pros apply certain chord shapes.
Really nice video. I wish i also could understand it before. Anyways already subscribed.
1:18
4:33
6:44
You are describing "melodic comping" - the way that Ed Bickert played instead of fixed structure chords. Let the upper notes 'sing'. The art & science of harmony !
Calisse.
:-)
Jesus loves you. repent and be born again. He coming soon
He best get his swing on and get his bebop on and up his game then