LESSONS
BUY FULL SERIES - $ 29.99
Building The Minor Blues Series 2 - Lesson 1
This first lesson is called Introducing the Dorian Scale. The Dorian Scale is a continuing theme throughout Building the Minor Blues Series 2, and you'll learn about using this over the 12 bar minor blues that James uses in these lessons. James explains and demystifies what 'modes' are in music, so if you aren't familiar with these you'll be quickly boosting your musical knowledge as well as your ability to play fantastic saxophone licks. You'll quickly be playing up and down the Dorian Scale to become familiar with these notes in preparation for beginning to improvise later in the series.
Building The Minor Blues Series 2 - Lesson 2
Lesson 2, Implementing the Dorian Scale, takes the basics you have learned in the first lesson of the series and starts putting them into practice. James runs through playing the notes of the Dorian Scale once more, before putting on the brilliant minor blues backing track and playing the various notes over the minor chords on the track. This is a great lesson for playing along with James. Watch as James plays the notes over the backing track, then when James stops it's your turn to join in. By the end of this lesson you'll already have some terrific ideas for some additional minor blues improvisations.
Building The Minor Blues Series 2 - Lesson 3
Lesson 3 is called Extended Arpeggios, definitely more than a slight clue to what you'll be tackling here! You'll use arpeggios from the Dorian Scale, so if you've got all the notes from the first two lessons under your fingers you'll find this one a natural progression. James begins by explaining the influence arpeggios can have over your saxophone improvisations, essentially giving you a whole new range of licks to call on when you're playing your instrument. Play these arpeggios first up, then play along with James and the minor blues backing track towards the end of the lesson.
Building The Minor Blues Series 2 - Lesson 4
This lesson, called Licks and Language, helps you to build on all the knowledge you have picked up so far, and progress into playing different phrases that will help you to create a great sound either playing solo, along with the backing track, or with other instruments in a live situation. Throughout this lesson James will show you a series of riffs, from standard phrases to more complex and advanced sequences of notes. The backing track is not used in this lesson to help you get the hang of the various licks you can use.
Building The Minor Blues Series 2 - Lesson 5
This lesson, Introducing the Dominant 7b9, begins with James explaining the importance of this note and how it works within the 12 bar minor blues sequence we've been looking at throughout Building the Minor Blues Series 2. You'll then be straight into playing a variety of notes and licks, with James introducing a Flattened 9th for you to include as well as sharing some additional tips and tricks to make your saxophone improvisations sound second to none. This lesson builds predominantly on the earlier lesson in the series that looked at arpeggios, so be sure to have mastered that before moving onto this one.
Building The Minor Blues Series 2 - Lesson 6
The final lesson, appropriately titled Playtime, is where James brings together everything you have learned throughout Building the Minor Blues Series 2 and plays along with you to our excellent minor blues backing track. James briefly revisits the topics and techniques covered throughout the series so far for the first half of the lesson, before the backing track comes on and you get the opportunity to play along. Remember to check out the backing track so you can play your own improvisations and licks based on everything you've learned in Building the Minor Blues Series 2!
Building The Minor Blues Series 2 - Example Solo
This brilliant example solo provided by James will give you loads of ideas for how you can use the techniques and licks learned in Building the Minor Blues Series 2 to create great sounding saxophone improvisations of your own. Look to play along with James or simply take in the solo and enjoy watching him at full flow, before giving it a go yourself.
Building The Minor Blues Series 2 - Tone and Gear
In this additional video, James talks you through his saxophone set up, including the brand of instrument he uses, which type of mouthpiece and reed he prefers and why, and even which neck strap he uses. There are some great tips and ideas here if you're thinking of buying a new saxophone for yourself, but remember that your own instrument set up will be unique to you. Take note of James' tips then get yourself down to the music store to try some different instruments out for yourself!
Building The Minor Blues Series 2 - Backing Track Mp3
This brilliant backing track (mp3) was recorded live in the Pro Music Tutor studio. Recorded in the style of B.B.King's 'The Thrill is Gone,' this is the same backing track used for Building the Minor Blues Series 1, making it easy for you to combine all your learning across the two series and play whatever improvisations you wish.
Building The Minor Blues Series 2 - Backing Track Wav
This brilliant backing track (wav) was recorded live in the Pro Music Tutor studio. Recorded in the style of B.B.King's 'The Thrill is Gone,' this is the same backing track used for Building the Minor Blues Series 1, making it easy for you to combine all your learning across the two series and play whatever improvisations you wish.
