You know the scales. So why don't your solos groove?

Reader,

"I'm pretty sure that with the right rhythm, I could make people dance to random notes."

That's what Joe Alterman told me yesterday as we prepared for this Friday's workshop.

Here's what he means:

The notes matter. But what you do with them matters more.

The right rhythm, phrasing, and groove can make even the simplest notes sound incredible. And when you understand that, you'll be able to create great solos with simple notes.

I know this sounds backwards. You've spent years learning fancy scales and how to pair them with each chord.

So why don't your solos groove?

Because rhythm is the language your audience understands.

Friday Masterclass: Joe Alterman joins us to chat about rhythm, articulation, phrasing and how to have the courage to actually "say" something meaningful in your solos.

You are already on the list.

See you Friday, Jan 9, at 1:00 Eastern.

Listen to "Burnin' Coal" by Les McCann.

This entire song is a perfect example. It's just one chord (G7). He solos using simple, bluesy notes. But what Les does with those notes is what makes it groove so hard.

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Take Your Own Rhythmic Solo

As prep for our discussion with Joe, try this exercise at your piano.

Below are 3 hand shapes. Each of these shapes is played with your right hand in a static position, using the fingering I provided.

Pick one shape and, with the Burnin' Coal track playing, practice making hip rhythmic phrases using only the notes of that shape.

• Focus on groove, articulation, and rhythm.
• Creating ascending and descending phrases, long and short phrases.
• Try repeating or emphasizing certain notes.

Then try another shape.

Finally, experiment with switching between shapes, phrase by phrase, for variety between your lines.

You'll be amazed at how musical you can sound with just three simple shapes when you focus on what you do with them rhythmically.

See you Friday. Happy Practicing.