Most Popular Lessons

So, we're starting a trumpet site, just like this site featuring Joe Magnarelli and Matt Gallagher. That means I'm hanging out with trumpet players these days. That's cool when you hang out with trumpet or sax players, because you're talking to musicians who ONLY play lines. In other words they have to use lines to make harmony. We can hit a C chord and then play a G and the world knows what's happening! Trumpet players have to hit the G and then fill in. This is a real learning opportunity hanging with trumpet players.

Great vid!

(This is a piece I wrote and have named it after the great composer Vince Guaraldi. The lead sheet is here, as well as an etude where you can work on different aspects of solo playing.)

Here's part 2 of this lesson. Go to the lesson listed above for more info.

Try not to look at this pdf until you've done part one of this lesson. That was to take the lead sheet and try and figure out the chords to the tune.

When you're ready look here and if you got it.

In part 3 of this etude, I'll talk about the etude and play the tune for you.

QDV = Quick and Dirty Video
SOC = Stream of Conciousness

I like thinking on the fly and talking about stuff. Hope it's helpful.

Here's a vid from an online workshop that we did recently. It's with Steve Giordano and John Swana. We talk about learning tunes, playing without a bass and practicing.

I didn't put this up already did I?

Here's a tune list that was compiled by a fellow teacher at Univ of the Arts. Might be of use to some of you. Also see the 'Check this out link' for the Short Tunes List.

VW Lesson: Check out Open and Closed Voicings” by Tony Miceli“

In addition make sure you can play the following:
Scales: Lydian Scales (4th mode of major) in all 12 keys.

Tunes: Someday My Prince Will Come, Soul Eyes, Minority, Recordame, Softly as in a Morning Sunrise.

Assignment: (record and post the following IN THE COMMENT SECTION BELOW)

Most of us voice from the bottom up, right? C maj 7, we hit the C and build up from there.

Try voicing from the top down. See the B or the D and then fill in the rest of the chord. It's not easy to switch, but it will REALLY help your playing..