Category Archives: Swing Groove

Bass Lines for Piano

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[new_video_with_placeholder video_url=”http://jsfp.s3.amazonaws.com/BasslinesForPianoTPL.mp4″ + width=”720″ + height=”420″ + video_id=”video1″ + video_image=”http://jsfp.s3.amazonaws.com/BassLinesForPiano.png” + autoplay=”true”] [/new_video_with_placeholder]

 

 

This is an excellent exercise to help musicians develop bass lines for piano.  It uses the Cycle of Fourths with comping and soloing.  It’s not easy, but try it out!

Swing Groove Soloing through the Tune 16-7-8

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Swing Groove Soloing through the Tune 16-7-8

[features_box_yellow width=”75%” + border=”2px”]Level:  Advanced

After you have mastered the Swing Groove Comping w/Modes, start learning the Swing Groove Comping w/Modes.[/features_box_yellow]

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Steps to play on a tune:

  1. Learn all the chords, modes and form of the tune.
  2. Think in rhythmic figures.  Practice by playing one rhythmic figure through the entire tune.  Start slowly.  Analyze:  “How many ways can I play from any chord (or tonality) to any other chord (or tonality).   For instance:  play from E #2 Locrian to A Alt.   Play a single note in the bass.
  3. Always resolve ideas forward to a destination point.   You can also extend ideas over two or more chords.  It’s OK to play notes out of the mode.  Be careful how you resolve those notes.
  4. Develop continuity in your soloing.  Make your ideas follow logically.  Try repeating licks.  Seek for tension an the release of tension.JazzSwingTune1a JazzSwingTune1b JazzSwingTune1c[membership_download_item_pdf link=”http://jsfp.s3.amazonaws.com/JazzSwingTune1a.pdf” + target=”_self”]Swing Jazz Tune Page 1[/membership_download_item_pdf][membership_download_item_pdf link=”http://jsfp.s3.amazonaws.com/JazzSwingTune1b.pdf” + target=”_self”]Swing Jazz Tune Page 2[/membership_download_item_pdf][membership_download_item_pdf link=”http://jsfp.s3.amazonaws.com/JazzSwingTune1c.pdf” + target=”_self”]Swing Jazz Tune Page 3[/membership_download_item_pdf]

[features_box_blue width=”75%” + border=”2px”]Personal Evaluation

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  • I have learned all the chords, modes and form of the Jazz Swing Tune.
  • I always think in rhythmic figures.  I practice by playing one rhythmic figure through the entire tune, starting slowly.  I can analyze:  “How many ways can I play from any chord (or tonality) to any other chord (or tonality).   For instance:  play from E #2 Locrian to A Alt.   Play a single note in the bass.
  • I always resolve ideas forward to a destination point.   I can also extend ideas over two or more chords.  I am always careful how I resolve notes.
  • I always intend to develop continuity in my soloing.  I make my ideas follow logically.  I seek for tension an the release of tension.
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Swing Groove Comping w/Modes 16-7-7

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Swing Groove Comping w/Modes 16-7-7

[features_box_yellow width=”75%” + border=”2px”]Level:  Advanced

After you have mastered the Swing Groove Comping and Melody, start learning the Swing Groove Comping w/Modes.[/features_box_yellow]

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Studying the Modes for each chord in the “Jazz Swing Tune”:

  1. Take each chord in the “Jazz Swing Tune” and completely learn the scales which work with that chord.
  2. For instance:  the first chord in the tune is an Em7(b5).  You can use either the Locrian Mode (7-7) or the Sharp 2 Locrian (6-6 of the Melodic Minor).
  3. Take the #2 Locrian Mode and play it in Triads up the scale.  (See the example and video).
  4. Take the #2 Locrian Mode and play it in Sevenths up the scale.
  5. Make up chord structures using the E #2 Locrian Mode.  Play in 3-notes, 4-notes, 4-note open structures and 5-note open structures.

JSTModeStructEloc2JSTModeStructEloc2bJSTModeStructAalt

JazzSwingTunew-CMEQNJazzSwingTunew-CMEQTJazzSwingTunew-CMEENJazzSwingTunew-CMEET

[membership_download_item_pdf link=”http://jsfp.s3.amazonaws.com/JazzSwingTunew-CMEQN.pdf” + target=”_self”]Continuous Melody Exercise – Quarter Notes[/membership_download_item_pdf]

[membership_download_item_pdf link=”http://jsfp.s3.amazonaws.com/JazzSwingTunew-CMEQT.pdf” + target=”_self”]Continuous Melody Exercise – Quarter Note Triplets[/membership_download_item_pdf]

[membership_download_item_pdf link=”http://jsfp.s3.amazonaws.com/JazzSwingTunew-CMEEN.pdf” + target=”_self”]Continuous Melody Exercise – Eighth Notes[/membership_download_item_pdf]

[membership_download_item_pdf link=”http://jsfp.s3.amazonaws.com/JazzSwingTunew-CMEET.pdf” + target=”_self”]Continuous Melody Exercise – Eighth Note Triplets[/membership_download_item_pdf]

[membership_download_item_pdf link=”http://jsfp.s3.amazonaws.com/JSTModeStructEloc2.pdf” + target=”_self”]E Locrian Mode Chord Structures Page 1[/membership_download_item_pdf]

[membership_download_item_pdf link=”http://jsfp.s3.amazonaws.com/JSTModeStructEloc2b.pdf” + target=”_self”]E Locrian Mode Chord Structures Page 2[/membership_download_item_pdf]

[membership_download_item_pdf link=”http://jsfp.s3.amazonaws.com/JSTModeStructAalt.pdf + target=”_self”]A Alt Chord Structures[/membership_download_item_pdf]

[features_box_blue width=”75%” + border=”2px”]Personal Evaluation

[green_tick_2_list width=”100%”]

  • I have studied the first chord in the tune is an Em7(b5) and used either the Locrian Mode (7-7) or the Sharp 2 Locrian (6-6 of the Melodic Minor).
  • I can take the #2 Locrian Mode and play it in Triads up the scale.  (See the example and video).
  • I can take the #2 Locrian Mode and play it in Sevenths up the scale.  (See the example and video).
  • I can make up chord structures using the E #2 Locrian Mode.  Play in 3-notes, 4-notes, 4-note open structures and 5-note open structures.
  • I can take all of the chords of the “Jazz Swing Tune” and play the above.
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Swing Groove Continuous Melody Exercise 16-7-5

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Swing Groove Continuous Melody Exercise 16-7-5

[features_box_yellow width=”75%” + border=”2px”]Level:  Advanced

After you have mastered the Swing Groove Chord Inversions and Bass Lines, start learning the Swing Groove Continuous Melody Exercise.[/features_box_yellow]

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Developing the Continuous Melody Exercise playing through the “Jazz Swing Tune”:

Play through the tune very slowly with Quarter Notes, Eighth Notes, Quarter-note Triplets and Eighth-note Triplets.  Always think forward to the first beat of the next measure.  Put the metronome on 2 & 4.

JazzSwingTunew-CMEQN

JazzSwingTunew-CMEEN

 

JazzSwingTunew-CMEQTJazzSwingTunew-CMEET[membership_download_item_pdf link=”http://jsfp.s3.amazonaws.com/JazzSwingTunew-CMEQN.pdf” + target=”_self”]Continuous Melody Exercise – Quarter Notes[/membership_download_item_pdf]

[membership_download_item_pdf link=”http://jsfp.s3.amazonaws.com/JazzSwingTunew-CMEQT.pdf” + target=”_self”]Continuous Melody Exercise – Quarter Note Triplets[/membership_download_item_pdf]

[membership_download_item_pdf link=”http://jsfp.s3.amazonaws.com/JazzSwingTunew-CMEEN.pdf” + target=”_self”]Continuous Melody Exercise – Eighth Notes[/membership_download_item_pdf]

[membership_download_item_pdf link=”http://jsfp.s3.amazonaws.com/JazzSwingTunew-CMEET.pdf” + target=”_self”]Continuous Melody Exercise – Eighth Note Triplets[/membership_download_item_pdf]

[features_box_blue width=”75%” + border=”2px”]Personal Evaluation

[green_tick_2_list width=”100%”]

  • I can play through the tune very slowly with Quarter Notes, Eighth Notes, Quarter-note Triplets and Eighth-note Triplets.  I always think forward to the first beat of the next measure.
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Swing Groove Chord Inversions and Bass Lines 16-7-4

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Swing Groove Chord Inversions and Bass Lines 16-7-4

[features_box_yellow width=”75%” + border=”2px”]Level:  Advanced

After you have mastered the Swing Groove Swing Groove Chord Inversions, start learning the Swing Groove Chord Inversions and Bass Lines.[/features_box_yellow]

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Developing Bass Lines while playing Chord Inversions:

  1. Practice playing bass lines slowly through the tune while comping with the chord inversions (bouncing).
  2. Play bass lines faster with the metronome on 2 & 4 and comp with the chord inversions.  (This will take awhile to master).

JazzSwingTune1a JazzSwingTune1b JazzSwingTune1c

[membership_download_item_pdf link=”http://jsfp.s3.amazonaws.com/JazzSwingTune1a.pdf” + target=”_self”]Swing Jazz Tune Page 1[/membership_download_item_pdf]

[membership_download_item_pdf link=”http://jsfp.s3.amazonaws.com/JazzSwingTune1b.pdf” + target=”_self”]Swing Jazz Tune Page 2[/membership_download_item_pdf]

[membership_download_item_pdf link=”http://jsfp.s3.amazonaws.com/JazzSwingTune1c.pdf” + target=”_self”]Swing Jazz Tune Page 3[/membership_download_item_pdf]

[features_box_blue width=”75%” + border=”2px”]Personal Evaluation

[green_tick_2_list width=”100%”]

  • I have practiced playing bass lines slowly through the tune while comping with the chord inversions (bouncing).
  • I can easily play bass lines faster with the metronome on 2 & 4 and comp with the chord inversions.  (This will take awhile to master).[/green_tick_2_list]
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Swing Groove Swing Groove Chord Inversions 16-7-3

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Swing Groove Swing Groove Chord Inversions 16-7-3

[features_box_yellow width=”75%” + border=”2px”]Level:  Advanced

After you have mastered the Swing Groove Bass Lines and Melody, start learning the Swing Groove Swing Groove Chord Inversions.[/features_box_yellow]

video
play-sharp-fill

Learning the “Jazz Swing Tune”:

  1. Make a chart.  Include the chord changes, chord inversions and scale choices.
  2. Study each chord and it’s scale (modes).
  3. Play chords in inversions in both the right hand and left hand.  Bounce around.  (See example and video)

 

JazzSwingTune1a JazzSwingTune1b JazzSwingTune1c

[membership_download_item_pdf link=”http://jsfp.s3.amazonaws.com/JazzSwingTune1a.pdf” + target=”_self”]Swing Jazz Tune Page 1[/membership_download_item_pdf]

[membership_download_item_pdf link=”http://jsfp.s3.amazonaws.com/JazzSwingTune1b.pdf” + target=”_self”]Swing Jazz Tune Page 2[/membership_download_item_pdf]

[membership_download_item_pdf link=”http://jsfp.s3.amazonaws.com/JazzSwingTune1c.pdf” + target=”_self”]Swing Jazz Tune Page 3[/membership_download_item_pdf]

[features_box_blue width=”75%” + border=”2px”]Personal Evaluation

[green_tick_2_list width=”100%”]

  • I have made a chart – including the chord changes, chord inversions and scale choices.
  • I have studied each chord and it’s scale (modes).
  • I can play chords in inversions in both the right hand and left hand while bouncing around.
[/green_tick_2_list]

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Swing Groove Bass Lines and Melody 16-7-2

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Swing Groove Bass Lines and Melody 16-7-2

[features_box_yellow width=”75%” + border=”2px”]Level:  Advanced

After you have mastered the Swing Groove Cycle of Fourths Bass Lines, start learning the Swing Groove Bass Lines and Melody.[/features_box_yellow]

video
play-sharp-fill

Developing Melody over Bass Lines:

  1. Practice on melodic rhythmic lick at a time.  Clap out one rhythm.  Play from chord to chord (over and over).  Ask yourself:  “How many ways can I play melodic notes over this rhythmic lick”?
  2. Play that rhythmic lick slowly around the Cycle of Fourths with different melodies.
  3. Play faster around the Cycle with the metronome on 2 & 4.  This time, use different rhythmic time values as you play.  Play until this is effortless.

 

 

 

CycleMel2a

 

[membership_download_item_pdf link=”http://jsfp.s3.amazonaws.com/CycleMel2a.pdf” + target=”_self”]Cycle of Fourths Bass Lines with Melody[/membership_download_item_pdf]

[features_box_blue width=”75%” + border=”2px”]Personal Evaluation

[green_tick_2_list width=”100%”]

Practice on melodic rhythmic lick at a time.  Clap out one rhythm.  Play from chord to chord (over and over).  Ask yourself:  “How many ways can I play melodic notes over this rhythmic lick”?

  • I can play that rhythmic lick slowly around the Cycle of Fourths with different melodies.
  • I can play effortlessly, faster around the Cycle with the metronome on 2 & 4.  This time, using different rhythmic time values.
[/green_tick_2_list]

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Swing Groove Cycle of Fourths Bass Lines 16-7-1

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Swing Groove Cycle of Fourths Bass Lines 16-7-1

[features_box_yellow width=”75%” + border=”2px”]Level:  Advanced

After you have mastered the Jazz Waltz Groove w/Modal Soloing, start learning the Swing Groove Cycle of Fourths Bass Lines.[/features_box_yellow]

video
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Cycle of Fourths with Bass Lines:

  1. It’s very helpful to learn how to play bass lines through tunes.  Study how a bass player thinks.
  2. Play the Cycle of Fourths with a single note in the left hand and the 3 & b7 in the right hand.  Ask yourself:  How many ways can I move from C to F?  (see example and video)
  3. Play bass lines (and comp with 3 & b7) slowly around the Cycle with metronome.  This will take awhile to master.

 

 

Cycle4thsw-7ths

Cycleof4ths4beats

[membership_download_item_pdf link=”http://jsfp.s3.amazonaws.com/Cycle4thsw-7ths.pdf” + target=”_self”]Cycle of Fourths Bass Lines Page 1[/membership_download_item_pdf]

[membership_download_item_pdf link=”http://jsfp.s3.amazonaws.com/Cycleof4ths4beats.pdf” + target=”_self”]Cycle of Fourths Bass Lines Page 2[/membership_download_item_pdf]

[features_box_blue width=”75%” + border=”2px”]Personal Evaluation

[green_tick_2_list width=”100%”]

  • I have practiced playing from chord to chord around the Cycle of Fourths with a single note in the left hand and the 3 & b7 in the right hand asking:  How many way.
  • I can play bass lines (and comp with 3 & b7) slowly around the Cycle with metronome.  This will take awhile to master.
[/green_tick_2_list]

[/features_box_blue]