LESSONS
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Building The Minor Blues Series 3 - Lesson 1
In this Saxophone lesson James explains what the harmonic minor scale is to tries to de-mystify its purpose and how it is used over this minor 12 bar blues. This is a great sounding scale that has a Latino almost Middle Eastern quality about it. James goes through each scale in detail, so you can easily get them under your fingers, to enable you to be able to 'call on' the scale when ever you like and use it in your playing.
Building The Minor Blues Series 3 - Lesson 2
In this lesson James moves on to teaching the Harmonic Minor arpeggios. Having these arpeggios to hand will give you a vertical approach to playing the harmonic minor over this 12 bar minor blues in Concert C or A for Alto key. James explains in detail and demonstrates these arpeggios to enable you to be able to learn them as quickly, accurately and efficiently as possible. As always with James this saxophone lesson is fun, informative and interactive . Enjoy
Building The Minor Blues Series 3 - Lesson 3
In this lesson James uses this great backing track interactively. This lesson is ideal for putting the things you have learned in the previous 2 lessons into context and practise. James demonstrates and explains what he is doing whilst the backing track is playing. This enables you to 'follow his lead' and get to grips with what he is teaching you more quickly and efficiently. This teaching technique is fun and informative at the same time. You will be improvising using this harmonic minor scale in no time.
Building The Minor Blues Series 3 - Lesson 4
Music is a language and musical licks and phrases can be thought of as words. So in this lessons James teaches you some musical vocabulary. One phrase is so famous that it has its own name "I've got a banana", strange but true. James also teaches you some cool Sonny Rollins type licks that sound great over this 'live' backing track. Learn these licks and incorporate them into your own playing, or use them as inspiration to create you own individual licks and phrases.
Building The Minor Blues Series 3 - Lesson 5
This is the 'Other Cool Notes' lesson. This is where James shows you other cools notes that can be played in conjunction with this Harmonic Minor Scale. By adding these notes you can create a different atmosphere and feel and thus adding a new dimension to your playing. This again increases your choices of how 'you decide' to improvise over this Minor Blues chord progression.
Building The Minor Blues Series 3 - Lesson 6
This lesson 'Putting It All Together' is all about having a jam with James. James puts the backing track on and demonstrates some of the concepts and ideas that have been used in this Series. He leaves space whilst the backing track is playing and gives you 'queues' to play along with him. These lessons are designed for you to learn whilst having fun at the same time. In our view this is a very effective and painless way of learning, and will ultimately give you tools and ability to Solo like a Pro. We hope you enjoy the Series.
Building The Minor Blues Series 3 - Example Solo
This brilliantly crafted example solo provided by James will gives you loads of ideas for how you can use the techniques and licks learned in Building the Minor Blues Series 3 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. There are plenty of great harmonic minor ideas, licks and phrases within this solo that you can learn from. Enjoy
Building The Blues Series 3 - 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 3 - 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 and 2 , making it easy for you to combine all your learning across the three Series and play whatever improvisations you wish. This "live" backing track will sound great played over a PA or stereo system. The only requirement is for you to 'turn up the volume' and jam.
Building The Minor Blues Series 3 - 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 and 2 , making it easy for you to combine all your learning across the three Series and play whatever improvisations you wish. This "live" backing track will sound great played over a PA or stereo system. The only requirement is for you to 'turn up the volume' and jam.
