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You are here: Home / Jazz Lessons / Stylistic Lessons / The Style of Michael Brecker-Lesson 2
The Style of Michael Brecker-Lesson 2

The Style of Michael Brecker-Lesson 2

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

$9.99

SKU: 159 Category: Stylistic Lessons Tags: jazz sax, Michael Brecker, tenor saxophone, video lesson
  • Description
  • Reviews (2)
  • Lesson Sample

Description

In this lesson I talk about 7 Michael Brecker type lines that he would use on a minor chord.  I have taken the lines from different solos of his and transposed them to the key of E minor.  Michael Brecker had a playing style that was so hip.  He  would play these intense lines that would weave in and out of the tonality and really catch your attention.   These 7 lines are based off of the Dorian mode  but sound much hipper than typical dorian mode patterns.  As I play through these lines with a backing track I talk about how I think about the lines and the thought process I go through to try to learn from Brecker’s recording.  I show you what kind of things I do to figure out the thinking behind the lines and how I try to take that and then create my own lines.  I play the examples from the E minor PDF  on tenor sax.  I hope this lesson will help you get a little bit closer to playing those Brecker type lines that were and are so hip.  (32 minute video,audio and PDF)

2 reviews for The Style of Michael Brecker-Lesson 2

  1. Avatar
    Rated 5 out of 5

    Kride – November 11, 2009

    To be honest, I really was expecting something different than what this lesson outlined. I thought Steve would have four or five of Breckers greatest licks and then tell me to transpose them to all the keys. But what Steve did that I didn’t expect was to talk about how Brecker thought and and the harmonic implications of his lines. Good stuff, Steve. Lots to work on , thanks K

  2. Avatar
    Rated 5 out of 5

    jazzpsychic – November 12, 2009

    This is a great concept lesson that really opened doors for me; I’ll be working on this for some time. Funny thing is; I don’t sound much like Brecker when I work on this (that’s fine); too many cats sound like Brecker IMHO), but the stuff I’m getting is fresh. I love these kind of conceptual things Steve; I’m also playing the altered pentatonics all the time. Thanks!

    Peace,
    Mike
    jazzpsychic

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Lesson Sample

https://public.neffmusic.com/The%20Style%20of%20Michael%20Brecker-Lesson%202%20clip.mp4

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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 would like to say that in the last year my sax playing has progressed loads from your lessons. I have had a sax for about 20 years and dabbled with lessons from a few teachers and have learnt very little from them. As you have said in your lessons many teachers tell you to use the blues scale and leave it there, not even showing you the resolution points!!. I am now believing I can in time become a good improviser.
Thanks again,
Shane
Shane
Hi Steve, I live in a gorgeous but rural area of Oregon-no music store within 80 miles. Your lessons are my lifeline!  Truly the best there are anywhere online. Love your playing. Love your teaching.  Thanks again. Ed
Ed Woodmansee
Hey Steve! I hope you and your family are well.  I’m just writing to say thank you so much for all the resources you have made available to the saxophone community. I have been using your material for many years and I always come back to it… in fact I just took a break from practicing to write this…( reviewing “CreatingModern II-V-I Lines with simple pentatonics”.) I am, and continue to be, one of your raving fans! Blessings to you and your family this holiday season! Wishing… Read more
Gerry Aylward

Hello Steve,

I have not received my alto yet but have already gone through 14 lessons. I love your approach, style, knowledge and competence. I now regret so much to have stayed away from playing the sax for the past 45-50 years…(I am 65).  But It is never too late to get back to your first love. After 23 years in compuer sciences and 22 years in finances…I am now back to music for the rest of my life.

Doing some research on the net, I found this:

http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?1… Read more

Claude
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
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
Your lessons on playing the blues is so clear . I have been through many books on blues playing and not one of them explains as clear as your lessons . Most of them say “Play the same blues scale over all three chords of a 12 bar blues ” Its very misleading .     Thanks
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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
Steve- I joined your site this month and have downloaded 4 lessons and also purchased your new book and video on diatonic patterns. I just want to say I am very pleased with your approach and teaching techniques. I am getting back into playing after laying off for some time. The information you offer on your site is of great value and I am enjoying being a member. Thank you for what you are doing for the saxophone community.
Tony

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