The Soul of Jazz - Mark Whitfields - (Truefire)

Mark Whitfield's The Soul of Jazz - Interactive Video Masterclass on Soul Jazz Guitar (El alma del jazz - Mark Whitfields)

El alma del jazz - Mark Whitfields

The “soul” of jazz is a common thread that runs through virtually every style of contemporary music -- from neo-soul and modern funk to urban-driven-pop and R&B. While Mark Whitfield's roots and influences stem from what's considered straight-ahead traditional jazz, his interests lie in combining his early jazz influences with the innovations of today’s music.

In this course, you'll explore 10 musical “situations” that players may encounter today in a jam or in the studio on a recording project. Mark covers a variety of styles, tempos, and keys. For each situation, you'll start with just a rhythm track or particular groove that Mark has encountered himself in a performing or recording scenario.

Mark will explain what he's hearing and how that might trigger a creative approach. He’ll then demonstrate how he might complement that groove with a rhythm guitar part and solo -- both of which embrace what he calls the ‘soul’ of jazz. After the rhythm and soloing performances, Mark breaks them down emphasizing the techniques and creative approaches in play.

You'll play through situations incorporating minor one-six-two-five changes, Joe Henderson inspired major seven reharmonizations, a funky Curtis Mayfield inspired groove, summertime changes, bebop infused bossa nova, laid back ballads, and hip-hop inspired beats layered with arpeggiated motion and staccato straight/swing hybrids.

Mark will explain and demonstrate all of the key concepts and approaches along the way. You’ll get standard notation and tabs for all of the performance studies. Plus, you’ll be able to use TrueFire’s learning tools to sync the tab and notation to the video lesson. You can also loop or slow down the videos so that you can work with the lessons at your own pace. All of the backing tracks are included to work with on your own as well.

Grab your guitar and get into The Soul of Jazz with Mark Whitfield!

Contiene:

The Soul of Jazz - Introduction The Soul of Jazz Introduction Hi, I'm Mark Whitfield. Welcome to The Soul of Jazz.

The "soul" of jazz is a common thread that runs through virtually every style of contemporary music -- from neo-soul and modern funk to urban-driven-pop and R&B.

While my roots and influences stem from what's considered straight-ahead traditional jazz, my interests lie in combining my early jazz influences with the innovations of today's music.

In this course, we'll explore 10 musical "situations" that players may encounter today in a jam or in the studio on a recording project. We'll cover a variety of styles, tempos, and keys.

For each ‘situation', we'll start with just a rhythm track or particular groove that I've encountered myself in a performing or recording scenario.

I'll explain what I'm hearing and how that might trigger a creative approach for me. I'll then demonstrate how I might compliment that groove with a rhythm guitar part and solo - both of which embrace what I call the ‘soul' of jazz.

After the rhythm and soloing performances, I'll break them down emphasizing the techniques and creative approaches in play.

We'll play through situations incorporating minor one-six-two-five changes, joe henderson inspired major seven reharmonizations, a funky Curtis Mayfield-inspired groove, summertime changes, a bebop infused bossa nova, laid back ballads, and hip-hop inspired beats layered with arpeggiated motion and staccato straight/swing hybrids.

All of the performances are tabbed and notated and you'll be able to sync the tab and notation to the video using TrueFire's learning tools. I also include the backing tracks and you'll be able to loop or slow down the videos so you can work with the lessons at your own pace.Grab your guitar and let's get started.

Minor 1625 Sugar - Situation Study 1 Minor 1625 Sugar Situation Study 1 In my experience, the study of classic jazz chord progressions has proven to be invaluable both as a compositional tool and more importantly as a harmonic guide to lead me through melodic creation and harmonic-based improvisations.Here, in "Situation #1", I demonstrate how the use of the classic "minor 1-6-2-5" progression allows me to accomplish all of these tasks.You see that I chose the key of G minor because it's timbre matches that of the drum loop sound. Then follow along as I create a companion melody and construct a solo pulling all these elements together.

Miss It When Its Gone - Comping: Performance Miss It When Its Gone Comping: Performance It's easy to see right away that I like to employ the use of motifs in my comping approach. These additional melodic elements can turn ordinary comping into an essential part of the performance of a song that will absolutely be "missed when it's gone"!

Miss It When Its Gone - Conceptual Analysis & Approach Miss It When Its Gone Conceptual Analysis & Approach It's easy to see right away that I like to employ the use of motifs in my comping approach. These additional melodic elements can turn ordinary comping into an essential part of the performance of a song that will absolutely be "missed when it's gone"!

Maximize the Changes - Improvisation: Performance Maximize the Changes Improvisation: Performance I "jump right in" to the track with a quick melodic statement. I repeat the first part of the melody then I allow the chord progression to lead me through an improvisational exploration that builds in intensity with every 4 bar section. This is a great formula to employ because I want my guitar solo to be interesting & exciting whether it's 8 bars or something much longer without becoming repetitive or anticlimactic.

Maximize the Changes - Conceptual Analysis & Approach Maximize the Changes Conceptual Analysis & Approach I "jump right in" to the track with a quick melodic statement. I repeat the first part of the melody then I allow the chord progression to lead me through an improvisational exploration that builds in intensity with every 4 bar section. This is a great formula to employ because I want my guitar solo to be interesting & exciting whether it's 8 bars or something much longer without becoming repetitive or anticlimactic.

Joe Hen's Major Seven Reharm - Situation Study 2 Joe Hen's Major Seven Reharm Situation Study 2 Here I illustrate how the use of a short chord progression can enhance the impact of a simpler rhythm track and how emphasizing the bass note of each can fill the space left by a missing bass drum creating and filling space in a cool and innovative way.

Creating Track Motion in Vamps - Comping: Performance Creating Track Motion in Vamps Comping: Performance Now watch as I use melodic motifs and chromatic approaches to create a cool comping pattern.

Creating Track Motion in Vamps - Conceptual Analysis & Approach Creating Track Motion in Vamps Conceptual Analysis & Approach Follow along as I demonstrate my process for building a comping pattern that is flexible and can be manipulated to be more complicated and intense or simplified and more supportive as needed according to the direction of the track and the trajectory of the corresponding solo.

Melody & the Arc of a Solo - Improvisation: Performance Melody & the Arc of a Solo Improvisation: Performance Here I'm quickly delving into a melodic-based guitar solo over the "Joe Hen" vamp.

Melody & the Arc of a Solo - Conceptual Analysis & Approach Melody & the Arc of a Solo Conceptual Analysis & Approach In this segment, we'll look at my approach to creating a melodic statement and a complex palette of improvisational ideas.

Funky Mayfield Minor Inversions - Situation Study 3 Funky Mayfield Minor Inversions Situation Study 3 Here I introduce the idea of playing ad-lib fills in the spaces that exists in an intricate rhythmic pattern. Then, we can reduce the guitar part to just playing the fills and leaving the other spaces open to filled by other musical elements.

Creating Stylistic Chordal Impact - Comping: Performance Creating Stylistic Chordal Impact Comping: Performance Here I'm playing a stylistically specific chordal pattern employing what I call the "modern-day Curtis Mayfield" approach.

Creating Stylistic Chordal Impact - Conceptual Analysis & Approach Creating Stylistic Chordal Impact Conceptual Analysis & Approach Here's my analytical breakdown and demonstration of my various approaches to capturing the feeling of my favorite classic "soul" rhythm guitar sounds and applying them to modern day musical situations!

Textural & Timbral Approaches - Improvisation: Performance Textural & Timbral Approaches Improvisation: Performance This is an example of how I would approach soloing over this type of groove using my traditional melodic and harmonic concepts with the addition of a classic envelope filter to alter the sound of the guitar.

Textural & Timbral Approaches - Conceptual Analysis & Approach Textural & Timbral Approaches Conceptual Analysis & Approach Let's take a look at my approach to using sound effects to alter the sound of my guitar and substitute or "alternate" harmony to employ during a standard progression. This allows for some variety in the scales I use in my solos, also helping to create drama, tension and excitement!

Bebop Bossa Changes - Situation Study 4 Bebop Bossa Changes Situation Study 4 Here's an overview of my concept for approaching when playing the much storied tradition of Brazilian-styled guitar playing from both a rhythmic and harmonic point of view.

Bossa Two Five Options - Comping: Performance Bossa Two Five Options Comping: Performance This is a demonstration of some of my favorite bossa nova guitar rhythms & progressions with slight variations taken from my own creative approach.

Bossa Two Five Options - Conceptual Analysis & Approach Bossa Two Five Options Conceptual Analysis & Approach Here I offer an in-depth analysis of the rhythmic and harmonic variations I've demonstrated with respect to the bossa nova guitar tradition and some notable additions borrowed from American jazz.

Accentuate the Singing Quality - Improvisation: Performance Accentuate the Singing Quality Improvisation: Performance Here I'm using some melodic techniques that accentuate the singling quality of each chord, really drawing out that quality. Check out the performance, and then we'll break it down in the next lesson.

Accentuate the Singing Quality - Conceptual Analysis & Approach Accentuate the Singing Quality Conceptual Analysis & Approach Here, listen as I break down my approach to using a melodic approach to improvisation by accentuating the notes that highlight the singling quality of each chord.

Summertime Vamp - Situation Study 5 Summertime Vamp Situation Study 5 Here, I introduce my "less is more" concept for creating chord progressions and the corresponding rhythmic patterns.

Sometimes, Its About the Vibe - Comping: Performance Sometimes, Its About the Vibe Comping: Performance Watch and listen as I demonstrate some cool rhythmic variations on a basic 2 chord progression.

Sometimes, Its About the Vibe - Conceptual Analysis & Approach Sometimes, Its About the Vibe Conceptual Analysis & Approach Here I break down my approach making something special happen even with the simplest repetitive pattern by finding subtle ways to add flavor and personality to a track without overplaying or getting in the way of the other instruments.

Start & Finish with Intent - Improvisation: Performance Start & Finish with Intent Improvisation: Performance Here I demonstrate how I build a solo using familiar phrases and motifs and gradually building the intensity throughout.

Start & Finish with Intent - Conceptual Analysis & Approach Start & Finish with Intent Conceptual Analysis & Approach After playing all those notes, I now take some time to demonstrate why I play them and why they work for me. The art of a purposeful opening phrase and and a strong finish!

Voodoo Blues Turnaround - Situation Study 6 Voodoo Blues Turnaround Situation Study 6 Now I get to talk about the way I borrow cool riffs and concepts from traditional jazz and introduce them into more modern sounding rhythmic situations. For this "situation", we'll be checking out some voodoo blues!

Time-Feel, Funk & Simplified Parts - Comping: Performance Time-Feel, Funk & Simplified Parts Comping: Performance Now follow along as I play a cool "Jimmy Smith/Jack McDuff" inspired blues turnaround and use it as the blueprint for a whole new idea.

Time-Feel, Funk & Simplified Parts - Conceptual Analysis & Approach Time-Feel, Funk & Simplified Parts Conceptual Analysis & Approach Here, I break down exactly what I mean by "laying in the groove" and how playing simple ideas with the emphasis being on the laid back feel and exaggerated midtempos.

Spill Some Dirt on It - Improvisation: Performance Spill Some Dirt on It Improvisation: Performance Ok, let's get dirty!! Here I demonstrate the impact of adding some distortion (dirt) to my usually clean sound and playing more sustained notes so the dirt can shine through!

Spill Some Dirt on It - Conceptual Analysis & Approach Spill Some Dirt on It Conceptual Analysis & Approach Here I want to talk about how I came into my own playing with distortion. I wanted to "dirty" things up in my sound, but without losing my identity.

Laid Back Jazzy Ballad - Situation Study 7 Laid Back Jazzy Ballad Situation Study 7 Here I introduce the "art of accompaniment" and illustrate the various techniques I use to create an impactful accompaniment part.

Flowing Delicate Ballad Rhythm - Comping: Performance Flowing Delicate Ballad Rhythm Comping: Performance This is an example of how a typical vocal accompaniment would sound. We'll look at a gentle rhythm that ebbs and flows slightly out of time as I imagine accompanying a singer.

Flowing Delicate Ballad Rhythm - Conceptual Analysis & Approach Flowing Delicate Ballad Rhythm Conceptual Analysis & Approach Here I break down my complete approach to playing chords in a typical ballad tempo. I also illustrate how I use chord inversions to provide motion even though there's no actual tempo. This keeps the performance interesting!

Singing Through the Instrument - Improvisation: Performance Singing Through the Instrument Improvisation: Performance Here I demonstrate my approach to playing an instrumental ballad by playing long sustained notes and phrases which allow me to "sing" with my guitar.

Singing Through the Instrument - Conceptual Analysis & Approach Singing Through the Instrument Conceptual Analysis & Approach Follow along as I describe in-depth how I actually create and execute a singable, melodic yet completely improvised passage.

The First & Last Word in Duos - Situation Study 8 The First & Last Word in Duos Situation Study 8 You only get 1 chance to play the 1st note of an introduction and the last note of the "outro" so we'll discuss the different ways I like to approach this very important topic!

Bringing in the Vocalist - Comping: Performance Bringing in the Vocalist Comping: Performance Here I give an example of an extended introduction designed to create an obvious entrance for the singer I'm accompanying.

Bringing in the Vocalist - Conceptual Analysis & Approach Bringing in the Vocalist Conceptual Analysis & Approach Here I take advantage of the long intro to illustrate a few of the many musical devices I like to use in these situations. Ultimately, the idea is to give the singer a lead-in and apparent place to come into the song.

Closing Out Gently - Improvisation: Performance Closing Out Gently Improvisation: Performance Now it's time to end the song, so here's an example of how I would approach getting to the very end of the accompaniment with deliberate intent and gentle execution.

Closing Out Gently - Conceptual Analysis & Approach Closing Out Gently Conceptual Analysis & Approach This is a pretty involved concept, so here's an in depth breakdown of the various harmonic and melodic concepts I used in the performance.

Arpeggiated Motion - Situation Study 9 Arpeggiated Motion Situation Study 9 Here we'll investigate my approach to using arpeggiated motion to create cool "vibey" guitar parts that draw from and accentuate the rhythm of a song or a simple drum track.

Smooth Arpeggiated Rhythm Beds - Comping: Performance Smooth Arpeggiated Rhythm Beds Comping: Performance I've introduced the concept, so here's a demonstration of the actual guitar part I've created for this situation.

Smooth Arpeggiated Rhythm Beds - Conceptual Analysis & Approach Smooth Arpeggiated Rhythm Beds Conceptual Analysis & Approach Here's my in depth breakdown of the technique I use to create this sound. I also talk about the origins of my style and this general approach.

Leveraging the Harmony in Your Solo - Improvisation: Performance Leveraging the Harmony in Your Solo Improvisation: Performance Here's an example of how I would approach playing a solo in this musical situation.

Leveraging the Harmony in Your Solo - Conceptual Analysis & Approach Leveraging the Harmony in Your Solo Conceptual Analysis & Approach This is the in depth breakdown of my conceptual approach to creating, building and executing the solo.

Staccato Swing & Straight Fusion - Situation Study 10 Staccato Swing & Straight Fusion Situation Study 10 Here I illustrate the various ways in which I vary my approach to a solo, always trying to create easily distinguishable parts and provide some variety for the listener.

Creativity Is a Muscle - Comping: Performance Creativity Is a Muscle Comping: Performance Here I'll demonstrate this chord progression and cool rhythmic pattern I've created as an example of "exercising my creative muscle".

Creativity Is a Muscle - Conceptual Analysis & Approach Creativity Is a Muscle Conceptual Analysis & Approach Let's look at how I might apply my creative impulses to a solo, while keeping in mind that it needs to always be tasteful and musically appropriate.

Never Stop Exploring - Improvisation: Performance Never Stop Exploring Improvisation: Performance Now for some fun! Follow along as I create a guitar solo to go along with my cool rhythm guitar part.

Never Stop Exploring - Conceptual Analysis & Approach Never Stop Exploring Conceptual Analysis & Approach Here I breakdown the way I construct a solo and I discuss the various ways I come up with notes, lines and phrases to play.

Sonic Considerations - The Hands & Gear Sonic Considerations The Hands & Gear Here I talk about the challenges we all face in achieving a tone we can be proud of, and the way I conquered this particular struggle both with my right and left hand technique. I'll also run down the gear I've grown to love and used on this course!

The Soul of Jazz - Conclusion The Soul of Jazz Conclusion I want to thank you all for hanging out with me and allowing me to share some of the things I love the most about playing the guitar and making music. Practice hard, you never know who's listening!