Date and general directions here

TECHNIQUE
Give priority to learning a few scales well rather than everything in a precarious manner.  When improvising, your fingers will go to what feels solid.

Scales and modes. Basic

Example is in C Major. Transpose other keys.
scales_and_modes_for_practice._basic_routine_1.pdf
File Size: 120 kb
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Practice combinations. Basic

Example is in C Major. Transpose other keys.
technical_routine_scales_16th_basic.pdf
File Size: 28 kb
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The Major 2-5-1 Chord Progression
the_2-5-1_major_and_minor.pdf
File Size: 38 kb
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REPERTORY

C Major.  On Green Dolphin Street
Green Dolphin Street
File Size: 111 kb
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BLUES

Basic blues structure

BLUES simple
File Size: 45 kb
File Type: jpg
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More complex blues structure

BLUES with turnaround
File Size: 38 kb
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REHARMONIZATION

The goal is to expand your harmonic ear.  Eventually it would be nice if you can play it beginning to end, but if not, at least be able to play the chords and notice how they are created, linked, and placed in the context of the original chord progression.

On Green Dolphin Street. Reharmonized by Biff Smith
BIFF SMITH Green Dolphin St
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TRANSCRIPTION

The transcription doesn't need to be written out, it can be directly memorized.  Nevertheless, if that helps you memorize it and analyze it, go ahead and write it down.
The final goal is to be able to play the transcription along with the recording (hopefully not slower than 75%), and be able to explain as much as possible of what happens in the solo.

On Green Dolphin Street. Oscar Peterson Trio (Live at the London House, Chicago 1961)

This solo recording starts at timecode 02:18 from the original track
https://open.spotify.com/track/6LTyDzOwTQy7E4LpARAT9P?si=ddd8ad2ec2e648e3
Extracted solo for download
On Green Dolphin Street. Oscar Peterson Trio (Live at the London House, Chicago 1961)
File Size: 15291 kb
File Type: mp3
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(Second optional solo) On Green Dolphin Street. Oscar Peterson Trio (with Milt Jackson)

This solo recording starts at timecode 03:40 from the original track
https://open.spotify.com/track/4JNnMqFWiVQdNTgKi8v3aJ?si=b45232041b534648
Extracted solo for download
GREEN DOLPHIN STREET Oscar Peterson, Milt Jackson TRIMMED
File Size: 7064 kb
File Type: mp3
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"COMPOSED" IMPROVISATION

On Green Dolphin Street

  • Improv needs to be written out
  • Ideally, you should be able to explain what happens in the improvisation

PREPARATION FOR THE JURY. Spring semester.

Technical routine
It can be a classical routine, or a jazz routine, played fluently.

Transcription
You will play along the recording, unless you are playing the transcription.

On Green Dolphin Street
  1. Intro. Created by you
  2. Theme.  Accompanied by me at the bass
  3. Improv round 1: Your transcription (if ready)
  4. Improv round 2: Your composed improvisation
  5. Improv round 3: A totally improvised round
  6. Improv round 4: A totally improvised round
  7. If time allows and it doesn't feel too long, we may trade fours
  8. Theme and closing.

Tune number 2
Tune to be decided.