Stage IV Lesson Series

Navigating the Changes, Parts 1 & 2
A simple, straight-ahead, practice method for creating interesting lines that flow through the chord changes of tunes.

Through the Keys Part 3; ii-V by Any Name
Learn to identify the naturally occurring ii-V chord sequences found in major keys and tunes.

The Flat Nine
The chord changes from the standard, “I Could Write a Book,” are included to help expand your vocabulary to include these extensions of basic harmony.

Guiding the Harmony
Learn to use guide tones for navigating chord changes to standard tunes. Exercises are based on the changes to the standard, “There Will Never Be Another You.”

Through the Keys, Part 4: Tunes Through the Keys
Learn to transpose and practice standard chord changes in different keys using the Roman Numeral system.

Through the Keys, Part 5: The Shifting Tonal Center, Major-Minor
Launch the altissimo through the use of overtones, and a technique for approaching the particularly problematic tones from above. Fingering chart included.

The Bebop Series
This 4-part jazz improvisation lesson series on bebop takes you from an exercise using the dominant bebop scale to building enclosures and practicing the concepts on tunes.