Jazz Theory Explained®
Chapter 1 : Building Blocks
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3:27 The Language of Jazz
Introduction and overview of the general topics that will be covered in this video series.
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6:25 Chord Functions and Voicings
Four note chords built on diatonic scale steps have the same qualities, or functions, regardless of the key they are in. Learn about the chord functions built on the diatonic notes of a major scale.
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6:51 Extensions
Explore which chord tones can be added onto which specific chord qualities as a means of adding color and spice to enhance basic diatonic harmony.
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11:03 Guide Tones
Learn a simple three note voicing using guide tones and step wise movement that works throughout the cycle of fourths with ii – V – l chord patterns.
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10:01 The Blues
Discover how the simple three-chord blues progression is enhanced using ii-V-l chord progressions and altered dominant chords.
Chapter 2 : Chords and Voicings
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7:46 System A and System B Voicings
Discover how to add color notes to guide tones and create rich sounding three note right hand chord voicings.
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10:22 Four Note Rootless Voicings
See how to expand the System A and System B voicings to a full four notes. By omitting the root and leaving it for the bass player, you can use two hands to enter these four note chords if necessary.
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10:28 Walking Bass Lines
Learn how to construct bass lines that support the underlying harmony when rootless voicings are being used.
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12:20 It Don't Mean a Thing...
Explore the way various parts of the drum kit in are used, in straight ahead jazz style, to keep time as well as propel the soloist forward.
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9:05 Comping Rhythms
Discover ways of “comping”, providing harmonic accompaniment on top of a walking bass line and drums, and how different rhythms and voicings are used to vary the texture and feel at different tempos.
Chapter 3 : Scales, Licks and Motifs
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7:19 Three to Nine
Learn the beginning ABCs of improvisation by practicing these exercises outlining “three to nine” arpeggios, four beats and two beats each, in all twelve keys.
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9:37 Pivot Exercises
Discover ways to give arpeggiated lines more varied shape by dropping the fifth degree of the chord down by an octave.
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11:04 Major Scale Harmony
Explore the various modes derived from each degree of the major scale, and what chord qualities they are used over.
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11:32 Melodic Minor Scale Harmony
Study the evolution and uses of the various minor scales, and the various modes derived from the “Jazz Minor” version.
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10:43 Mixolydian Altered Exercises
Learn how to use altered notes in the mixolydian scale and to begin and end on different scale degrees to ensure that chord tones land on string beats.
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9:44 Jazz Scales
Discover other commonly used jazz scales, and the type of chords and tonalities they are used over.
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10:33 Neighboring Tones
Explore how upper and lower neighboring tones are used as ornaments around chord tones.
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7:30 ii-V-l Licks
See some of the concepts we have been discussing in use in melodic lines; including mixolydian altered, upper and lower neighbors, and three to nine arpeggios.
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9:51 More Major ii-V-l Lines
More examples of how to construct melodic lines using previously discussed scales and devices.
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7:27 Minor ii-V-I Lines
See and hear some real world examples of minor ii-V cadences that are two beats each, and a full bar each; using the locrian, altered (super locrian), and harmonic minor of destination scales.
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7:49 Whole Tone Scale Patterns
Explore the use of patterns over the symmetrical whole tone scale, and how they differ from playing melodic 'lines'.
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7:56 Diminished Scale Patterns
Another 'symmetrical scale', the diminished scale lends itself to patterns that work nicely over diminished chords as well as related altered dominant chords.
Chapter 4 : Modal Approaches and Concepts
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7:12 Pentatonic Equivalences
Explore the use of pentatonic scales over various chord qualities and how the same pentatonic can be used over multiple underlying harmonies.
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13:34 Pentatonic Patterns
Take a wild ride using various pentatonic scales over related and unrelated chords, slide slipping along the way from the simple to the complex!
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8:39 The Kumoi Scale in Action
Discover how to create Kumoi patterns and string them together on top of several different underlying chords.
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8:15 Pentatonic, Dorian and Kumoi Voicings
Explore how spreading out the notes derived from the Pentatonic, Dorian, and Kumoi scales can create modern open sounding chord voicings.
Chapter 5 : Chord Substitutions
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4:59 Drop 2 Voicings
Learn how to create wider more open chord voicings by dropping the second voice down an octave.
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11:11 Tritone Substitutions
Discover ways of re-harmonizing standard chord progressions by replacing chords with alternates built on the root a tritone away.
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9:22 Chord Subs and Reharmonizations
Explore some of the tried and true devices and techniques used by jazz musicians over the decades to spice up ordinary sounding chord progressions and make them more interesting to improvise over.
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12:05 Blues and I Got Rhythm Chord Subs
Learn how some of the chord substitution techniques we have discussed are used over the most often used common chord progressions.
Chapter 6 : Putting It All Together
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6:49 Standard Endings
Learn some of the time honored conventions used to end jazz tunes.
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3:44 Necessary System
Discover an easy and simple system of voicings designed specifically for non piano players to be able to get through the outline of a tune and hear the chord changes and melody at the same time.
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4:35 Overview and Bass Part
Watch as I take an original composition and use a lead sheet to construct an arrangement for small ensemble. Here we’ll analyze the chords and lay down the primary bass part.
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10:31 Melody and Drums
Watch as the melody is recorded and doubled, and how the drums and piano are played to support the natural accents of the melody.
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10:32 Piano Solo
Watch as the left and right hand parts are conceptualized and recorded separately for this up tempo piano solo.
Product Overview
Presented by music theory master Eli Krantzberg, this collection of video tutorials focuses on all that is Jazz.
This information in this series is the "tried and true" jazz theory and methods taught in music schools and colleges around the world. The series was developed for beginners who want to get into Jazz music, and learn the necessary basics, as well as more advanced topics about this long standing art form.
First you'll be shown jazz theory basics such as how jazz chords and chord progressions are derived, and the foundation for constructing chord voicings. Then, Eli explores useful systems of chord voicings, and how to play and integrate them with bass and drums. Next, you'll see how to develop melodic sensibilities and approaches for improvising over standard chord progressions using the appropriate scales and motivic devices. Scales, licks and modes are then covered as well as modes and chord substitutions. Finally, Eli wraps it all up with a real world musical collaboration with jazz guitarist Doug Zangar.
If you're ready to get jazzed, get Jazz Theory Explained today.
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Reviews
Submitted 1 week ago
Insightful!
With a background in rock, I always wanted to understand jazz theory but struggled where to begin. This course is very neatly structured, perfectly paced and very directional. Now I'm totally aware of what I need to learn and where this journey in learning jazz theory is going.
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 5 months ago
Very well done!
A good way to study/refresh jazz theory. Complimenti! Marco Lorenzo Faustini, Rome
I am a: Semi-Pro, Musician, Cakewalk Sonar
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 2 years ago
Brilliant
A thorough introduction to the art and language of Jazz! There's a lot of material here that I will be returning to over and over again in the next few months until I've mastered it :) especially as a guitarist, it's inspired me to get my keyboard playing together more to approach things from a different perspective.
I am a: Semi-Pro, Musician, Sound for Film/TV, Cubase, Reason
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 2 years ago
Lots of useful info
As usual Eli does a great job. Looking forward to practice using some of the demonstrated concepts.
I am a: Semi-Pro, Musician
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 2 years ago
fanatastic !
right to the point - he focuses on the key, core principles to get you playing right away.
I am a: Musician
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 3 years ago
This is a great course for learning jazz
this course covers many of the basic principals of jazz and is a fantastic way into the genre
I am a: Hobbyist
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 3 years ago
Clear, concise, articulate...
In addition to my composing interests, I do a LOT of voiceover work (been in the entertainment business for 40+ years - film and television acting) so I know good work from bad work. This series is well produced and the narrator/tutor did a fine job...
I am a: Professional
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 3 years ago
Awesome!
I am not a beginner and I am a guitarist. He explains all the key concepts as a guitarist will understand and apply too.
I am a: Musician
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Reviews
Submitted 1 week ago
Insightful!
With a background in rock, I always wanted to understand jazz theory but struggled where to begin. This course is very neatly structured, perfectly paced and very directional. Now I'm totally aware of what I need to learn and where this journey in learning jazz theory is going.
Submitted 5 months ago
Very well done!
A good way to study/refresh jazz theory. Complimenti! Marco Lorenzo Faustini, Rome
I am a: Semi-Pro, Musician, Cakewalk Sonar
Submitted 2 years ago
Brilliant
A thorough introduction to the art and language of Jazz! There's a lot of material here that I will be returning to over and over again in the next few months until I've mastered it :) especially as a guitarist, it's inspired me to get my keyboard playing together more to approach things from a different perspective.
I am a: Semi-Pro, Musician, Sound for Film/TV, Cubase, Reason
Submitted 2 years ago
Lots of useful info
As usual Eli does a great job. Looking forward to practice using some of the demonstrated concepts.
I am a: Semi-Pro, Musician
Submitted 2 years ago
fanatastic !
right to the point - he focuses on the key, core principles to get you playing right away.
I am a: Musician
Submitted 3 years ago
This is a great course for learning jazz
this course covers many of the basic principals of jazz and is a fantastic way into the genre
I am a: Hobbyist
Submitted 3 years ago
Clear, concise, articulate...
In addition to my composing interests, I do a LOT of voiceover work (been in the entertainment business for 40+ years - film and television acting) so I know good work from bad work. This series is well produced and the narrator/tutor did a fine job...
I am a: Professional
Submitted 3 years ago
Awesome!
I am not a beginner and I am a guitarist. He explains all the key concepts as a guitarist will understand and apply too.
I am a: Musician
1. When did you start dabbling in music?
I started playing drums in high school at age fourteen. Like most kids my age around then, I was into progressive rock. Genesis, Emerson Lake and Palmer, and Yes. They rocked my world. A few short years later though, my musical life changed. While studying music in college I discovered Charlie Parker, Milt Jackson, Sonny Stitt, and John Coltrane. Milt Jackson spoke to me in such a profound way that it left me no choice but to take up vibraphone.
These great players, along with drummers like Philly Joe Jones, Max Roach, Art Blakey, and Elvin Jones changed not only the way I thought about drumming, but also music - and by extension, life - as a whole. I realized life was meant to be a creative endeavor. The idea of improvising based on a loose set of guidelines and rules permeated into my psyche even when I wasn't holding a pair of drumsticks or mallets. But if I am going to be perfectly truthful, I have to hold Henry Miller and Woody Allen equally responsible for shaping the way I view and experience the world around me.
2. What training have you had?
I am currently an Apple certified Logic Pro. Young and cocky, and armed with only a partial University degree, I dropped out of school and began playing steady commercial hotel engagements and jazz gigs when I could. This went on for many years until I decided it was time to complete my degree - which I ultimately did with a major in Political Science and a minor in music.
It was at this point that I formed my current band Nightshift. We are going in to our twenty third year now - playing commercial one nighters like weddings, corporate events, etc. Don't turn your nose up at it though - it has allowed me a wonderful quality of life. It gave me the freedom to go back to school and complete a post graduate degree in Communications Studies - all the while supporting myself by playing weddings.
3. When did you get into recording?
It was in this graduate program - in the early nineties - that I found myself drawn to the fledgling emerging universe of hard disc recording and midi sequencing. Based on nothing more than the recommendation of one of my band mates who had an old Atari, I jumped in head first and bought a Mac LC ll, along with a version 1.1 of what was then Notator Logic. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. But, in hindsight, it was a decision of epic importance in my life - shaping my future as much as the music of Milt Jackson and Charlie Parker did fifteen years prior.
I opened up my own commercial home studio in 1998 and began doing a variety of projects, working on radio jingles, artist CD projects, and whatever came my way. A couple of years later a colleague called me up - desperate. He was working at a post production house and one of the editors had just quit. They were doing audio post for a weekly TV series and needed a Pro Tools editor - and fast! And so, once again, I jumped in head first into what would ultimately open up my world even more - the world of Pro Tools.
4. People you have worked with/for?
Focusing on Logic, I built up a small but loyal client base and my phone kept ringing for Logic tech support and instruction. Film composers and studio owners all over the city were calling me. Even the music stores were giving out my phone number at this point! This kind of stuff becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. The more of it you do, the more calls you get to keep doing it. At least that's the way it should be!
As my Logic chops kept growing, I was hired by an old buddy of mine, Len Sasso, who was then an associate editor at Electronic Musician magazine, and began writing some columns for them. I had a blast doing them - and really learned to focus and express my thoughts in a concise and clear manner. This lead to a collaboration with LA based composer Terry Michael Huud on the 2006 film called Civic Duty - which was certainly one of the highlights of my professional life as a composer.
5. Why are you so good at training people?
I wake up every day excited to boot up, and create. Whether it's instructional videos, creating music, working with a studio client, performing with my band, or teaching at the schools - my days are filled with what I love doing. Enriched by the stimulation and creative freedom this modern music making software brings to my life. I bring that excitement and passion to each and every training product I create. My years of experience both using and teaching these programs has taught me the best way to make the user comfortable with these complex programs.
Products by Eli
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tutorial videoAAS Chromaphone Explained
Eli Krantzberg returns, this time showing you the incredible AAS Chromaphone creative percussive synthesizer. This synth is capable of creating incredibly expressive drum, percussion, string, and synth-like instruments, so hold the phone and check it out!
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tutorial videoAAS Strum GS-2 Explained
In this FREE series commissioned by Applied Acoustic Systems, Eli Krantzberg covers the expansive performance library of electric and acoustic guitar strumming inside and out, and shows you how to make Strum GS-2 your new favorite session guitarist!
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tutorial videoAirEQ Explained
Eli Krantzberg returns with an in-depth series on the amazing AirEQ by Eiosis, which was designed with a vision of achieving musical, technical and sonic excellence in equalization. This just might become your to go-to EQ!
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tutorial videoAlchemy 2 Explained
Logic Pro X 10.2 integrated Alchemy 2, one of the most powerful virtual instruments ever made. In this three-hour video training tutorial series, Eli Krantzberg teaches you how to become a Alchemy wizard and unleash all of its power on your music!
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tutorial videoAmple Sound Super Jumbo Explained
Eli Krantzberg presents a detailed series of Super Jumbo tutorials! Learn Super Jumbo, Ample Sounds’s incredibly realistic virtual acoustic guitar instrument inside and out, as well as how to use it creatively.
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