Hey Jazz Guy

Hey Jazz Guy, I’m tired of the same old 7th chord voicings, can you show me something different and new? –Tired in Toronto Dear Tired, One of the best signs you are improving is when you become frustrated with what you know and start looking for something else. Two voicing concepts that have a modern […]

Hey Jazz Guy, Whats the difference between a guide tone and a leading tone? –Unguided Dear Unguided A LEADING TONE is a half-step away from the tonic note in any key. This is more of a classical music term. For example in C Major the leading tone is B. In A minor, the leading tone […]

Hey Jazz Guy My beef concerns diminished chords. Most teachings I have encountered on diminished harmony improvisation consist in playing playing patterns and arps. But how do we make “diminished” sound musical while outlining the harmony? Take for example “Quiet Nights” (A- to Ab dim), the bridge in “Air mail special”, “All of me” turnaround […]

Hey Jazz Guy, Once I’ve mastered the “jazz power chords” how can I better understand Upper Structures and incorporate them into my playing? – Basic in Boise Dear Basic, This is a way of exploring upper structure harmony using triads on the guitar that I find quite sonically delightful. Triads are easy to play and […]

Hey Jazz Guy, I want to expand my use of jazz harmony and I was wondering how you would recommend going about learning different chord voicings and putting them into practice? — Simple in San Diego Dear Simple, There are many voicing types and systems for this, so there is no one right answer, but […]

Hey Jazz Guy… What’s the difference between a diatonic key and a mode like super locrian or lydian?—Moded out in Manhattan Dear Moded:Great Question! This is where some of the terminology of music theory becomes confusing. So you’re not alone in trying to figure this out, to make it worse, many of these words are […]

Hey Jazz Guy… What can you explain tri-tone subs, and minor third substitutions? Im trying to make my chord melodies more interesting, and what’s the purpose of this technique? — Sub-Par in Salt Lake Dear Sub-Par:Well, the purpose of the tri-tone sub, or any reharm technique, is to create the un-expected for the listener. We […]

Hey Jazz Guy… Can you explain the basic concept of a ii-V progression and why it’s so important? —Chordless in Cleveland Dear Chordless: A two five or (ii-V) in roman numerals, is a basic progression that is taken from the cycle of 5ths. Root motion in 4ths or 5ths is motion around the circle and […]

Can you talk about Drop 2 Voicings? I’ve heard of them, but what are they and how can I use them in my playing? — Dropped out in Denver Dear Dropped Out: Drop 2 voicings are simply re-arranging the order of notes in a chord, to make the structure wider (so the chord spans more […]