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You are here: Home / Jazz Lessons / The Blues / Guide Tone Blues Lesson
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Guide Tone Blues Lesson

Guide Tone Blues Lesson

Rated 5.00 out of 5 based on 2 customer ratings
(2 customer reviews)

$9.99

SKU: 400 Category: The Blues Tags: blues, guide tones, jazz improvisation, video lesson
  • Description
  • Reviews (2)
  • Lesson Sample

Description

Over the years, many of you have probably heard of the terms “guide tone lines” and “voice leading”.  In this lesson, I take you through an exercise to work on these resolutions without thinking about it too much. I never really worked on guide tones very much as a student but through the years I have worked a ton on this exercise that I am giving you in this lesson.  I not only use it on a blues but over every tune I work on.

Using the concept of “enclosures” to surround the target resolutions, you will become very familiar with the way notes want to resolve and move through a chord sequence.

This lesson comes with a PDF over a blues in C with 10 lines written across 3 pages.  I demonstrate all the examples on the tenor saxophone but you can apply these concepts to all instruments. (37 Minute Video Lesson & PDF)

 

2 reviews for Guide Tone Blues Lesson

  1. Avatar
    Rated 5 out of 5

    Matthew Staples (verified owner) – August 27, 2013

    Being able to navigate the guide tones over a blues is a good precursor to being able to play smoothly over the changes, and an essential tool for every blues/jazz musician. Steve has taken the time to prepare a PDF that outlines 10 different guide tone lines over a D Blues. This itself is worth its weight in gold, but he also takes the time to play through each guide tone line and explain the note choices and how they fit over the chord. Overall, this is an excellent lesson and one that I plan on learning in all 12 keys. Now, it’s off to the shed to work on these guide tone lines!

  2. Avatar
    Rated 5 out of 5

    John W (verified owner) – November 3, 2013

    This lesson provides a clear description of guide tones and how and when to use them. The information is presented in such a way that its applicability is not limited to just blues. Steve also explains how to encapsulate notes which, for me, was a key missing concept and one that will add agility to my playing. This lesson really cleared things up. Awesome value!

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Lesson Sample

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Your material is great! I got your New Altissimo Lesson 6 months ago and I have learned more from that than in all my 44 years of playing! I appreciate your down to earth teaching method and I really appreciate the heart that you teach with. I have been a subscriber to your lessons for the past 6 months and I have learned a great deal. Over that period of time I have had some questions and you have never failed to respond. Thanks! I have already recommended your lessons to a number of players in… Read more

Michael Byington
Steve’s monthly lessons are entirely valuable. Without brow beating, he tells you all the stuff you deep down know you really should be working on, instead of just relying on the same old patterns. In spite of the fact that you’re taking a video lesson, Steve’s presentation is comfortable and “real”. In a little more than a year, he’s developed a library of lessons that seem to offer any player a lifetime’s worth of practice material. I’m just glad I stumbled upon it.… Read more
Grant
Just wanted to send you a quick note to say thank you for being you, your playing, your website and your desire to help others. I’m a professional musician in the US Army and I’ve visited your website almost every day since discovering it a couple of months ago. Your lessons are profound and easy to use. I’ve purchased most of your PDF books and now am starting to delve more into the video and audio lessons.  Thank you for being a great resource!
James

Hello Steve, I’m getting so much out of your lessons and books, amazing how much one may think one knows, there is always a new frontier or new way to view something you think you had somewhat down. You have taken it all to a new level and am so grateful. Your lessons are so down to earth and understandable and clear!  Thanks so much Steve! Cheers, Eddie

Eddie Parente
I’ve been downloading your lessons for 4 months now (20 lesson) and I have noticed tremendous growth in my playing thus far! I’m so happy that I stumbled upon your site!
Bob
I can see from your instructional videos that you are a fantastic teacher – one that can truly relate to all ages – humble yet very positive in approach – never coming across as superior and yet so totally capable of demonstrating the principles and techniques that you seek to impart to the students. I have gained so much confidence in my playing from “pouring over” time and again these invaluable lessons. Invaluable not only in musical content, but also in human interaction content. I am absolu… Read more
Ron
First, I’m really excited about your materials! This site is a vast resource for any aspiring (and maybe already inspired) jazz musicians. I’m not a sax player, I play mandolin and fiddle, but have been learning jazz and playing weekly with a quintet for the past 6 months and have been struggling with all of the issues you get into in your lessons. I bought several books and lessons and plan to continue with some others as soon as I organize my practice routine. Thanks again for a great site … Read more
Tony Galfano
It is so refreshing to have a great player, who can provide lessons and examples in a manner which is understandable to most any enthusiastic saxophonist who is ready to improve. not just the, do this, do that, memorize this, memorize that… while all that is absolutely necessary, you go on to give reasons and examples to explain and validate why you have to do all of these things, the benefits, if you will… that is the key for me, you tell, explain, demonstrate, explain some more, you give perso… Read more
Cedric

I want to thank you again, because, not only are you an inspiration to listen to, you are a fine teacher!

I have been teaching sax and other winds for over 20 years, and you give me that “push” to give my students more!

Mark Peotter

Mark Peotter
I have found your videos and publications inspiring and your contribution to the world of saxophone playing is immense. Paul
Paul

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