Jazz Guitar: Introduction to Bird Blues (aka Charlie Parker Blues) - Nine Steps to Mastery

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  • Опубліковано 31 лип 2024
  • Take your jazz chops to the next level
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    Jazz Guitar - Introduction to Bird Blues
    In this video, we explore nine straightforward steps to mastering comping and improvisation on the bird blues progression.
    This "bird blues" (aka parker blues, aka "New York Changes"...) was first recorded during the bebop era. Great examples of jazz tunes featuring bird blues progressions are Blues for Alice, Chi Chi, and Freight Trane!
    In this lesson, we'll use (and abuse!) the Freight Trane song to demonstrate ways to tackle this challenging chord progression for jazz guitar improvisers.
    Nine Steps to Mastery:
    2:25 Step 1 - Learn the Freight Trane melody (bebop head)
    4:24 Step 2 - Comping with Basic CHORDS on the bird blues in Ab
    5:45 Step 3 - Chords with top-string inversions (drop 2) and voice leading
    8:10 Step 4 - Improvise on bird blues with JUST pentatonic
    10:30 Step 5 - Use the last II-V-I cadence to "make the changes"
    13:10 Step 6 - Target the IV chord with the Ab7alt chord
    16:07 Step 7 - Go to the relative minor (Fm chord) with the C7b9 chord
    19:19 Step 8 - Use the middle section: same line descending chromatic II-V's
    Check this affiliated blog post (includes PDF): www.jazzguitarlessons.net/blo...
    Enjoy!
    --
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 75

  • @arvh1952
    @arvh1952 3 роки тому +2

    What a fabulous and generous lesson from a really modest Jazz guitarist. Thank you so much.

  • @paaung1
    @paaung1 Рік тому +1

    Thank you for teaching I’m learning from you 🎉 may God bless you.

  • @konshak78
    @konshak78 8 років тому +8

    This is an incredible lesson. The way you break down the tune is beautifully laid out. Thanks for providing such a great resource!

    • @jazzguitar
      @jazzguitar  8 років тому

      Thanks to you! :-) Glad you like it.

  • @JontCarr
    @JontCarr 6 років тому +1

    Well, I've finally found the only teacher I need! I love the tips like where to play the 251s. It's these details that make all the difference. Just need to give up my job now and become a full time student. Thanks Marc

    • @jazzguitar
      @jazzguitar  6 років тому

      Hahaha thanks, Jon! We're always so happy to hear this. Do let us know if we can help in any way.

  • @tomrafferty2367
    @tomrafferty2367 4 роки тому +2

    really helpful lesson - thanks very much!

  • @vincentchen5341
    @vincentchen5341 3 роки тому +2

    I really learn to play it wow! Amazing lesson I don’t know the harmonic minor part for parallel minor, and I learned the 4 3 b3 part. Lovely!

  • @ebrahimalfardan8823
    @ebrahimalfardan8823 6 років тому +1

    This is the best jazz blues lesson there is on youtube. Plus your lines are really sweet.

    • @jazzguitar
      @jazzguitar  6 років тому

      High praise! Thanks, Ebrahim! :) We hope we can keep bringing you content that you enjoy.

  • @smf961
    @smf961 8 років тому +2

    what a lesson !

  • @PeterGuyMyrand1
    @PeterGuyMyrand1 Рік тому

    Thanks for tour work. Very enlightening.

  • @olymoon2008
    @olymoon2008 6 років тому

    MARC !!! Merci, la lesson est géniale .....

  • @MorganLock
    @MorganLock 8 років тому +1

    waooo thank you thank you , i like the differents steps in the lesson !

  • @BELRUE
    @BELRUE 4 роки тому

    Bravo Marc-André, cette leçon "nec plus ultra" sur le blues dit aussi suédois : seven steps to heaven i

  • @RM-gm7lu
    @RM-gm7lu 6 років тому +1

    Superb lesson. A wealth of knowledge indeed. Thanks a lot.

    • @jazzguitar
      @jazzguitar  6 років тому +1

      Hey Rich, Thank you so much for your words. I'm glad to hear you're getting so much out of the course!

  • @BorgSoundlab
    @BorgSoundlab 3 роки тому

    Top lesson!

  • @MrDotneck
    @MrDotneck 6 років тому +1

    Excellent tutorial - Thanks for sharing!

    • @jazzguitar
      @jazzguitar  6 років тому

      Thanks so much for watching! We're glad you enjoyed it :)

  • @jeffreymatz
    @jeffreymatz 7 років тому +1

    this is really nicely done...like the "additive" method of starting simple and then becoming more "specific" to some of the key movements in the form.

    • @jazzguitar
      @jazzguitar  7 років тому

      Thanks jeffreymatz! I found as a beginner that it was helpful to have a "general" approach to start with and fall back on as I was learning more "specific" techniques. It made playing fun!

  • @charlesblagrove8977
    @charlesblagrove8977 7 років тому +1

    great video

  • @Gminor7
    @Gminor7 7 років тому +1

    Truly excellent lesson!

  • @giannibonafedi8113
    @giannibonafedi8113 7 років тому

    Bravissimo Marc! Very good tips and explanation as always!

    • @jazzguitar
      @jazzguitar  7 років тому

      Thank you, Gianni. It is a pleasure to do these videos!

  • @guillermor.r4831
    @guillermor.r4831 3 роки тому +3

    3:30

  • @derNasenmann
    @derNasenmann 6 років тому

    Great Job!!!

  • @vinnieluis2379
    @vinnieluis2379 8 років тому +4

    You're the man !!! your lessons are really helping me out ....... as a blues guitarist Im finding the tools to spice it up ..... Thanks a Lot !!!

    • @jazzguitar
      @jazzguitar  8 років тому +1

      Glad you like it! :-) The "spicing up" parts are especially practical for blues improvisers.

  • @dogukansezgin4417
    @dogukansezgin4417 8 років тому +8

    Hey Marc. Man you always say this is not rocket science. I think this is harder. You can learn all the theory everything but in the end its all about hearing. There is a some kind of third dimension to it. A rocket scientist might or might not do this shit man :) hahaha cheers :)

    • @jazzguitar
      @jazzguitar  8 років тому +1

      LMAO Thanks. But *I am* a rocket scientist (well ... as a matter of fact, a statistician, for realz)

    • @dogukansezgin4417
      @dogukansezgin4417 8 років тому

      You are an interesting person :) continue with jazz guitar man ;)

    • @jazzguitar
      @jazzguitar  8 років тому +1

      Thank you a lot! This is pleasant to read!

    • @dogukansezgin4417
      @dogukansezgin4417 8 років тому

      My pleasure :)

    • @DucksDeLucks
      @DucksDeLucks 6 років тому

      Not only is it rocket science but it doesn't pay squat! Jazz- the music of the unemployed (Frank Zappa)

  • @AustenBallard
    @AustenBallard 7 років тому +1

    Appreciate you uploading this! Really helped me figure out what the hell is going on with Bird chords. But I wish you'd done Blues for Alice...

    • @jazzguitar
      @jazzguitar  7 років тому

      Always happy to help. Maybe Blues for Alice could be done soon, you never know ;-)

  • @lushkordz6643
    @lushkordz6643 4 роки тому +1

    WoOw m@n I didn't know you were working on such advanced bebop stuffs ...this is the Real Deal ^^
    This lesson is going to become a big contribution to Jazz History N Education IMHO !!!!! Mark on Steroids !!!!!

  • @RickDanner
    @RickDanner 6 років тому

    Mark I remember when you were just learning jazz ! You were quoting lines from some book , you've done well . I just watched a video with Martin Miller and burned my guitars

    • @jazzguitar
      @jazzguitar  6 років тому

      Hahaha. He is some player! :)

  • @chikung
    @chikung 6 років тому +1

    Your lessons are amazing. Everything is boiled down to the essential. Es-tu de Montréal?

    • @jazzguitar
      @jazzguitar  6 років тому

      Merci :-) Je suis francophone de l'Outaouais. J'ai habité à Montréal pendant plusieurs années, mais je suis maintenant de retour dans mon patelin.

  • @shurmeisha
    @shurmeisha 6 років тому +3

    Your comping in these examples stands out to me, do you have a video exploring the comping concepts you're using here?

    • @jazzguitar
      @jazzguitar  6 років тому

      Thanks! I'm certain I have something, but what specifically caught your ear?

    • @shurmeisha
      @shurmeisha 6 років тому

      Looks like there's actually a bit more info in the video than I thought, but how about the chorus at 21:50? I know basic inversions on the high strings, and I'm working on rootless voicings with extensions on the high strings. Does that cover it?

    • @jazzguitar
      @jazzguitar  6 років тому +1

      The chorus just after 21:50 is all about taking a repeated idea and moving it down a half-step during the descending chord progression during bars 6-9. Do you have it?

    • @shurmeisha
      @shurmeisha 6 років тому +1

      yes! I think I do, thanks man. Your videos are great.

    • @jazzguitar
      @jazzguitar  6 років тому

      You're welcome! I'm glad this worked for you!

  • @moisestsuzuki
    @moisestsuzuki Рік тому

    Great video! This song starts with an Ab major chord, but it sounds to me like ChiChi starts with an Ab7. Is this right, or am I hearing it wrong?

  • @rodgerclemons9847
    @rodgerclemons9847 5 років тому +1

    Not to be picky, and I apologize if it's already been pointed out, but the pdf of the rootless drop twos, shouldn't the last chord be an Eb7 instead of an E 7? Love this lesson, so much great learning material. Can never thank you enough!

    • @jazzguitar
      @jazzguitar  5 років тому

      Yes that's right, Eb7! Not sure what happened there... I'll blame those pesky notation programs :)

  • @joemulhern
    @joemulhern 2 роки тому

    Hi, do you have an updated link for the pdf? I'd love to check it out. Or, a link to a book of yours with associated topics would be nice.

  • @DizzyKrissi
    @DizzyKrissi 7 років тому +1

    One question: do you ignore the min7b5 chord leading to C7b9 and just play F harmonic minor on both? What is your thinking?

    • @jazzguitar
      @jazzguitar  7 років тому

      Hi Dizzy, that's definitely a way to go about it. It simplifies the fast changes that way. An extra step is to try to target the chord tones of either the Gm7b5 chord OR the C7b9 on important beats. This approach gives you a strong grounding in the harmony without trying too hard to make those fast changes.

    • @DizzyKrissi
      @DizzyKrissi 7 років тому

      I have read about harmonic generalization from Joe Pass - I guess. I try different approaches prefering the harmonic strength of b7-3 resolutions with arpeggiation, but even at medium tempos I struggle. I think i need more practice but it feels quite difficult. Furthermore I tend to play too much of the same patterns.

    • @jazzguitar
      @jazzguitar  7 років тому

      I find that trying to improve a specific improv technique is a lot like drilling anything athletic. You have to coach yourself (or have someone coach you) to gradually improve the technique and push just a little bit at a time beyond your current limit. Gradually marking up a metronome the moment you get comfortable with a tempo is an effective way to do this and one you've probably already heard, but there are other ways too if you get creative.

    • @DizzyKrissi
      @DizzyKrissi 7 років тому

      thanx for your insights.

    • @jazzguitar
      @jazzguitar  7 років тому

      Great! Glad you like the stuff.

  • @afterrockradio1328
    @afterrockradio1328 8 років тому +2

    Hey Marc , if you don`t consider yourself a bebop guitarist , what kind of jazz guitarist would you be ?

    • @jazzguitar
      @jazzguitar  8 років тому +2

      LOL, I don't know. Post-modern? Or perhaps "Post-Metheny" is a better term? I mean, my mom and I would be listening to Celine Dion and the Ghostbusters soundtrack in the car on my way to school when I was 8. I'm certainly not from that "bebop era". I mean ... you can't un-hear Metallica, right?!? My playing is influenced by all music since Bach (I think).

    • @afterrockradio1328
      @afterrockradio1328 8 років тому

      I didn`t mean bebop as in ''the bebop era'' , more as bebop style , but I think I get what you are saying . Thanks for the response !

  • @DucksDeLucks
    @DucksDeLucks 6 років тому

    I'm with Joe Pass: you don't want a lot of theory cluttering up your mind when you're trying to play.

    • @jazzguitar
      @jazzguitar  6 років тому

      Absolutely!

    • @DucksDeLucks
      @DucksDeLucks 6 років тому

      Here's what I want to know. What's so special about ii-V-I? Why are most jazz tunes ii-V-I with 7th chords? Is there a theory somewhere?

    • @jazzguitar
      @jazzguitar  6 років тому +1

      Much like IV-V-I the voice-leading involved stems back hundreds of years and has given us much of the music we enjoy today in one way or another. With regard to 7th chords, I think the question is, why not? Haha. Jazzers throughout time have always sought to employ more colors in harmony, rhythm, and melody!

    • @DucksDeLucks
      @DucksDeLucks 6 років тому

      Thank you for your reply. So a minor ii 7 chord contains the first note of the scale as its seventh. Is that what you mean by voice leading? By playing the ii you indirectly play the I or at least its root?

    • @jazzguitar
      @jazzguitar  6 років тому

      The IIm7 has a certain pull to the notes in the V7 chord. If we're in C, the II chord is Dm7. The b7 of that chord is C which wants to pull down to B. B is the 3rd of the V chord, G7. Dm7 also has an F which is the 7th of the G7 chord. That G7 then has a similar function in setting up the C major chord. Hope this helps :)

  • @michaelm7826
    @michaelm7826 7 років тому

    Hello Mr Marc Very nice introduction altho i dont agree Blues For Alice its too hard :) You cant copy Bird ! You see I play that tune very often and i don copy his articulation its useless you cant do that especialy on guitar :) I play that tune my own way and i guess it works it is wrong idea to copy Bird ! :) You can play his licks i mean his notes but never copy useless ! Freight Train is a nice tune but that record Kenny Burrel with Coltrane its pretty said just a blow ing session that go nowere. But i only want to say i DISAGREE Blues For ALice is TOO HARD it is not !!!!!!!!!!!! since you find yr own way to play that head ! and yes you are not a bop guitarist you are past Metheny and its funny to hear post Metheny guitarist play Parker tunes lol Good luck man ! :)

    • @marcuscorneliusaurelius6534
      @marcuscorneliusaurelius6534 6 років тому +1

      I tried pretty hard, but still I failed to understand this comment. I understood individual words and sentence fragments within the comment; but when trying to understand the comment as a complete entity, it feels like word salad.

  • @RealDiaz
    @RealDiaz 5 років тому

    Too much talking