Jerry Bergonzi solo on "How High The Moon"

This is an improvised solo by the great saxophonist, Jerry Bergonzi on his composition "Between Worlds", which is based on the chord changes to the standard "How High The Moon". It was captured on one of Bergonzi's weekly sessions at The Lilypad, in Cambridge, MA, on June 27, 2016. Masterful lines, phrasing, rhythm & time feel by JB. Rhythm section is Greg Loughman on bass and Luther Gray on drums. Enjoy. Gustavo

Click on the link below to view/download the PDF of the transcription in both Concert & Bb versions:

Jerry Bergonzi solo on "How High The Moon" - Transcription (Concert & Bb)

John Coltrane's "Countdown" - Improv with Chord Tones, Scales and Four Note Groupings

I had a little practice time today at Berklee and was working on John Coltrane's classic composition "Countdown". My improv students and I have been working this week on improvising on this song focusing on several techniques including the use of Chord Tones, Scales and Four Note Groupings (1,2,3 and 5 for each chord). This tune is based upon the 16 bar jazz standard "Tune Up" which is basically a series of II-7 V7 I Maj's through various keys down in whole steps. Coltrane applied his 3 Tonic System (3 major keys a major 3rd apart) to each II-7 V7 I Maj. So for D-7/ G7/ C Maj7/ C Maj7/, we now have D-7 Eb7/Ab Maj7 B7/E Maj7 G7/ C Maj7/.

Jerry Bergonzi solo on "I Hear a Rhapsody"

This is an improvised solo by the great saxophonist, Jerry Bergonzi on his composition "Bafandine", which is based on the chord changes to the standard "I Hear a Rhapsody". It was captured on one of Bergonzi's weekly sessions at The Lilypad, in Cambridge, MA, on September 7, 2015. Masterful lines, phrasing, rhythm & time feel by JB. Rhythm section is Matt Stavrakas on bass and Luther Gray on drums. Enjoy. Gustavo

Click on the link below to view/download the PDF of the transcription in both Concert & Bb versions:

Jerry Bergonzi solo on "I Hear a Rhapsody" - Transcription (Concert & Bb)

Jerry Bergonzi solo on "Stella by Starlight"

This is a solo by the great saxophonist, Jerry Bergonzi on his composition "Creature Feature", which is based on the chord changes to the standard "Stella by Starlight". 
This was captured on one of Bergonzi's weekly sessions at The Lilypad, in Cambridge, MA, on April 18, 2016. Rhythm section is Bruce Gertz on bass and Luther Gray on drums. I had initially transcribed a few lines from this solo, but as I kept listening to it there were too many things I liked, so I did it all. I will be including an analysis soon. Enjoy. Gustavo

Click on the link below to view/download the PDF of the transcription:
Jerry Bergonzi solo on "Stella by Starlight" (Creature Feature) - concert & Bb

FNGs - On Green Dolphin Street

Here is Ed Saindon applying the improv concept of Four Note Groupings (FNGs) to the standard "On Green Dolphin Street". The first chorus in the clip is a written out solo. The following two choruses were improvised using the FNG concept. The written out solo along with the list of FNGs being applied, and the transcribed improvised choruses can be downloaded using the link below. 

FNGs is a chapter in the just released "The Complete Guide To Improvisation - Volume Two" by Ed Saindon.#TheCompleteGuideToImprovisation #AllThingsImprovisation

FNG Written Solo with Chart & Transcription

The Complete Guide To Improvisation - Table Of Contents

Four Note Groupings on "I Love You" & "Rhythm Changes"

This clip was taped in a recent improvisation class taught by Ed Saindon at Berklee College of Music. The class was working on applying the improvisational technique of "Four Note Groupings" to Cole Porter's composition "I Love You" and "Rhythm Changes". Here Ed is heard on piano as he demonstrates the technique, improvising primarily with FNGs. The attached PDF contains the FNG chart for "I Love You" used in this solo, as well as the "Rhythm Changes" progression along with some basic reharmonization. For further information on Four Note Groupings please refer to Ed's FNG Article. Four Note Groupings is one of the five topics extensively discussed in Volume Two of The Complete Guide To Improvisation by Ed Saindon soon to be released. 

"I Love You" & "Rhythm Changes" FNG Chart

Major 7 #5 Superimposition on "Autumn Leaves"

This is an improv concept featured in Volume Two of The Complete Guide To Improvisation. The PDF presented here was used during a class at Berklee in order to introduce the technique and begin applying it. The concept involves outlining a superimposed Maj 7th #5 structure over any chord in the improv. The related Symmetrical Augmented scale can also be used, along with passing and approach notes to notes in the Maj 7 #5 structure. 

To view/download the article and music examples and transcription from the improvised solo in the clip below, please follow the link: 

Major 7 #5 Superimposition Article & Transcription

Joe Locke's Solo - "On A Misty Night"

Here is a transcription of Joe Locke's vibes solo on Tadd Dameron's tune, "On A Misty Night". This gorgeous duo session with the great Kenny Barron on piano features many great songs, and took place in August 1991. That's just short of 25 years ago. Joe's playing has never stopped evolving, but the musicianship documented on this album is of a stunningly high level. Yet, this solo, as well as the previously posted solo on "You Don't Know What Love Is" from Joe's 1994 trio album "Very Early", are great insights into the roots of Joe's much praised and admired musical vocabulary.  

Joe Locke's Solo Transcription - "On A Misty Night"

Vertical Improvisation

This is a past article from 2000 that addresses a variety of Tension Resolution techniques for jazz improvisation.

Vertical Improvisation (Article)

Motivic Development & Dynamics by Gary Burton

Here is the audio & transcription of an improv clinic by Gary Burton in Argentina in 1987 dealing with "Motivic Development & Dynamics" on the chord changes to the standard "On Green Dolphin Street".

It's great to hear/see how Gary manipulates three different motivic ideas on "letter A,B & C" of the transcription. The rest is a demonstration on the importance of dynamic contour in lines. I put in some dynamic markings. You may want to plug in the chord changes once you've downloaded the file. Gustavo

Go here to visualize/download the transcription:

Gary Burton - Motivic Development & Dynamics - "On Green Dolphin Street"

Upper Structure Triads on "Autumn Leaves"

Upper Structure Triads (USTs) is one of the chapters that will be addressed in Volume Two of The Complete Guide To Improvisation. Here is an example that illustrates the use of USTs on the first 8 measures of "Autumn Leaves".

Here's the link to download text & written music:

UST on Autumn Leaves

Altered Pentatonics on "On Green Dolphin Street"

Practicing improv and the application of Pentatonic scales (with one alteration) on Green Dolphin Street. The scales bring out unusual notes over the chords (#9 and #5 on Maj 7, natural 7 and #11 on Min 7 and the combination of natural/altered tensions on the Dom 7 chords).

Here is a sheet that lists the pentatonic choices that I'm referring to when soloing:

On Green Dolphin St. (Alt.Pentatonic Chart)

Pentatonics on "On Green Dolphin Street"

Here is Ed Saindon practicing improv over the chord progression to the standard "On Green Dolphin Street" before a class at Berklee a few months ago. 

"Pentatonics" is one of five chapters in Ed Saindon's "The Complete Guide To Improvisation - Volume Two", now available through Amazon, Ed Saindon's Online Store and The Berklee Bookstore.

The improvised solo in this clip was later transcribed by German vibist Volker Heuken. 

To view and download the Volker's transcription and the chart that lists the Pentatonics being used in this clip, go here: 

On Green Dolphin St. (Transcription & Pentatonics Chart)

FNGs, Pentatonics, USTs & US7th Chords on "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To"

Practicing improvisation on Cole Porter's "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To". Mixing up improvisational techniques including Four Note Groupings, Pentatonic Scales and Upper Structure Triads/7th chords.

Four Note Groupings on "Giant Steps"

Berklee Improv Class - Applying the improvisational concept of Four Note Groupings over John Coltrane's Giant Steps. In my 39th year of teaching and it continues to be a pleasure teaching these talented and motivated musicians. I feel fortunate to be able to pass on the information as well as learn and grow along with the students.

To view and download the list of 4 Note Groupings that are being applied to Giant Steps, go here: 

Giant Steps (FNG Chart)

Take One:

Take Two:

Upper Structure Triads on "What Is This Thing Called Love"

Improvising with Upper Structure Triads (USTs) on What Is This Thing Called Love. The improvisational concept of USTs is the first of five chapters in The Complete Guide To Improvisation, Volume Two. Both Volume One & Two are available through Amazon and www.edsaindon.com.

In this clip, the first chorus is a written out solo. To view and download the first chorus as well a chart that lists the USTs applied in the solo and corresponding analysis, click on the link below: 

UST Chart/Solo/Analysis

Tension Resolution Technique on "Autumn Leaves"

Had a little time today before a class at Berklee. Practicing some improvisation with the concept of Tension Resolution on Autumn Leaves. With this concept I'm focusing on using one tension and chord tones for each chord change and making to sure to resolve the tension to the nearest chord tone. It is a simple but effective improv technique that sounds the changes with a melodic flow. I'm playing 8 measures out front to establish the context of the song. Please see attached PDF for more information.

The Tension Resolution concept is extensively addressed in a specific chapter in my improv book The Complete Guide To Improvisation. The book is available on Amazon and my website. More information is available on my website and FB page The Complete Guide To Improvisation.

Here is the Tension Chart, Transcription & Explanatory Notes: 

Autumn Leaves (Tension Chart & Transcription)

Joe Locke on "But Not For Me"

Here is a transcription of a solo by Joe Locke on the tune "But Not For Me" (Gershwin) with the reharmonized "Coltrane Chord Changes", which Coltrane originally recorded on the classic album "My Favorite Things".  The project and record date of "Five For John" was put together by renown italian pianist Dado Moroni, who assembled a great band to pay tribute to John Coltrane, with Joe Locke on vibraphone, Marco Panascia on bass, Alvin Queen on drums and guest Max Ionata on sax.  This is without a doubt Joe's territory and he is rightly backed up by a superb rhythm section, really embodying the spirit of Coltrane, McCoy Tyner, Elvin Jones & Steve Davis.  Joe's playing on the whole record is truly stunning.  It's great to follow the transcription along with the audio and analyze the lines.  I may attach my own analysis in the future.

The album is available through iTunes, Amazon & Google Play as mp3 downloads.  It was produced and released by the italian label "Via Veneto Jazz", in case you'd like to do some research. Gustavo.

But Not For Me (transcription)

The Language of Joe Locke

This is an article recently written for PAS. It addresses a transcribed solo on the standard "It Could Happen To You" performed by Joe Locke on vibes and Ed Saindon on piano. 

The playing took place during a long weekend that Joe Locke, Ed Saindon and I spent together at Ed's house in December 2009.  Joe and Ed picked each other's brains, shared improvisational concepts and played hours worth of improvised music.  This was one of the many instances Joe got carried away while demonstrating an improvisational idea to us.  

The article (transcription & analysis) was published in two parts.  Here is a PDF containing Part One & Part Two, as well as my original transcription (reads better). Hope you find this as inspiring as I do. Gustavo

Click the link below to visualize/download the PDF:

It Could Happen To You (Transcription)

Improv Concepts By Ed Saindon

This was a short clinic presentation at Berklee College of Music on Friday, July 8th. The clinic focused on improv concepts and was presented to the faculty of the Summer Performance Program. Topics covered in the clinic: Tension Resolution, Four Note Groupings and Major 7th #5 Superimposition.

Here Ed is playing three solos he wrote over the changes of three different standards. Each focuses on a specific improv technique. 

The first and second solos use Ed's "Tension Resolution" concept, and are based on the standards "All The Things You Are" & "Stella By Starlight". 

The third solo uses Ed's "Four Note Groupings" concept, and is based on the standard "I Love You".

The fourth solo uses Ed's "Major 7 #5 Superimposition" concept, and is based on the standard "Stella By Starlight".

Here are the written solos:

Improv Concepts