1 August 2016
1 June 2016
Improv Column: Out Playing by Wayne McConnell
Out playing is all about playing against the harmony. Its playing the 'wrong' notes at the right time. Out playing isn't just random, it still must have all of the melodic content of inside playing such as development of ideas, rhythmic interest, space etc. It must say something. So if out playing is not […]
1 April 2016
Improv Column: Wayne McConnell – Starting Out In Jazz
In order to play jazz, one has to master the basic elements of music. Apologies if that seems like a very basic statement. This article is aimed at those who are just starting out in jazz, or people who are thinking about starting. I strongly advise you to not invest in a pile of […]
1 January 2016
Improv Column: Terry Seabrook’s Jazz Tip of the Month No. 24
Terry Seabrook’s Jazz tip of the month No. 24 Some short cuts for scales and modes In order to improvise in jazz the subject of scales and modes as a tool is usually the first stop for study. It’s very obvious to think of all the modes in jazz as deriving from parent scales […]
1 October 2015
Improv Column: Wayne McConnell – Just Improvise!
Pianist Wayne McConnell urges people to Just Improvise! I genuinely believe everybody is able to improvise in one form or another. This basic ability is the very essence of how we get through life. Music aside, the ability to put together words and construct sentences is essential in everyday living. Free thinking is […]
1 September 2015
Improv Column: Terry Seabrook’s Jazz Tip of the Month No. 22
Pianist Terry Seabrook continues with his series of Jazz Tips with No. 22 Turnarounds and Substitutions (part 1) A turnaround is a sequence of chords which starts form the tonic (I) and moves through a short “progression” (mostly through the circle of 5ths) back to the tonic. This is typically as follows: […]
1 August 2015
Improv Column: Wayne McConnell on Four and More by Miles Davis
Pianist Wayne McConnell looks at Musical Interplay: Miles Davis’s Four and More album This album (the complete concert) by Miles Davis is fascinating for many reasons. First and foremost was the geniuses that he had in his band. Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, George Coleman and a very young Tony Williams. This rhythm section […]
1 July 2015
Improv Column: Terry Seabrook’s Jazz Tip of the Month No. 21
Pianist Terry Seabrook’s Jazz Tip of the Month No. 21: Phrasing in Improvisation A simple tip this week is this: Play less not more. It’s a common shortcoming of improvisers at all levels but particularly beginners that there are not enough spaces in the music. Simply put this means that while […]
1 June 2015
Improv Column: Pentatonic Scales by Wayne McConnell
Pentatonic Scales A Pentatonic Scale is simply any scale with 5 notes in. Pentatonic scales can be very simple sounding, they have an earthy, natural quality but they can also be used in a way that makes them harmonically rich and interesting. Most of you will be familiar with the basic pentatonic scales for […]