Hanging onto chord tones on Joy Spring (Clifford Brown)
Published 15 days ago • 3 min read
|
Reader,
Joy Spring by Clifford Brown is one of those tunes that gets called at jam sessions all the time. We've got to know it.
Harold Land's tenor sax solo on the original Clifford Brown recording is a great solo to study as a beginner. If you've taken the 7-day soloing challenge you'll see all the ideas I taught you in this solo, transcribed below.
|
|
|
Join our workshop this Friday
This week we're continuing our journey to complete mastery of fundamental comping chords. Last week with 2 notes in our left hand, this week adding 2 more notes in our right.
On Zoom at 1pm Eastern, this Friday, Jan 17.
|
|
|
Today's 2-5-1
Each week I share 2 transcribed phrases, 5 ideas observed from 1 featured jazz recording.
|
|
|
|
|
Joy Spring
Recorded by the Clifford Brown with the Max Roach quartet in 1954. Clifford Brown (trumpet), Harold Land (tenor), Richie Powell (piano), George Morrow (bass) and Max Roach (drums).
|
|
|
|
Here are 5 observations I have about this great solo from the tenor player, Harold Land.
- There are chord tones everywhere. Essentially every phrase is based on an arpeggio of chord tones.
- Look at how each of the lines resolve a color tone. A common mistake I hear from new improvisors is ending their phrases on the root, which is pretty bland.
- Harold turns some arpeggio motion into scale motion by inserting passing tones between them including some chromatic ones. See the D# between the D and E a the start of the last line.
- Take a look at how the solo line guides you through changes in the chords. In every case above, the solo line plays the changes ahead of time. As if to lead the ear into the change.
- I would really encourage you to play along with this one. It fits really nicely under the hand.
New on the channel this week
Thanks to everyone who watched and commented on my video on Mister Rogers this week. The video is having a bit of a moment and really growing. I'm so glad, because it's one of my favorite videos recently. Thank you!
 Mr Rogers Piano Player Will Melt Your Face
|
|
|
|
|
Josh Walsh
Say hi 👋🏻 on YouTube or BlueSky.
Or, just reply to this email.
|
|
|
|
|
|
When you're ready, here are ways we could work together:
Join our online community of jazz players.
Take our free 7-day soloing challenge - Learn step-by-step how to invent simple but authentic solo phrases.
Or join our All-Access Pass, which includes our most comprehensive course, Jazz Fundamentals, and watch replays of each of our past live workshops.
The Jazz Piano comping course is a great way to learn rhythmic and melodic comping techniques.
Use code "newsletter" for 30% off these products.
|
|
|
|