Tag Archives: Video Lesson

Modes – Part 2 (on piano)


This lesson is a follow-up lesson to Modes – Part 1 (on sax).  In this video I’m sat at the piano showing you how modes work in relation to C major, i.e. just the white notes on the keyboard.

Remember, PLEASE leave a comment in the forum with any questions – if you’re brave enough to leave a question you’ll help the probably about 10 others who aren’t. I WILL answer all your questions as best I can, or if necessary do another video.

Five Alternatives to Fifty Shades …


Are you off on holiday soon?

Not sure which books to take?

For me the summer holidays used to be a time for a good book and a chance to create space in which to come back refreshed with new ideas. Now I have two small children, that just doesn’t happen!

Anyway, here’s a short video of five books (I only have three of them on paper) for you to pack into your suitcase or put on to your iPad/Kindle etc. for the summer.

 

Riding along in my automobile (with Chris Potter beside me at the wheel) …

Well, Chris along with Paul Motion, Larry Grenadier and Rebecca Martin.

The most-often heard phrase I hear during my student consultations is ‘I just don’t have the time to practise …’

I feel your pain. It is difficult to find time. The secret is planning to practise and then doing your best to keep that date … Maybe that’s another video for me to do.

In the meantime here’s some practice you can do on the way to work, while travelling around or simply sat at home.

RICO Reeds Masterclass at Southport International Jazz Festival

Here’s a 10-minute video highlights package from my RICO masterclass at the 2013 Southport International Jazz festival.

Some of the questions are:

1. How can I follow the changes in a standard?

2. How do you improve playing by ear?

3. What is the best method to keep my reeds in working order?

and much more …

I hope you find this useful!

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Two Students Battling It Out Over Rhythm Changes

I thought I’d share this video of two of my students, Matthew (aged 16) and Rob (13), playing a Greg Fishman duet called ‘Lincoln Avenue’. Both Matt and Rob are sightreading, so you’ll have to forgive them some wrong notes.

 

Enjoy – and remember these guys can play like this because whatever scale I ask them, they can play it!

 

 

Getting (and Keeping) Gigs!

We all love to perform. Just last Sunday I had the pleasure of playing with the Tribe of Judah Gospel Choir in London.

My family came down for the service, which was held in a 3000-seater conference centre. My 1-year-old son loved listening to the music, but the highlight of the event (for me) was when he got on stage after most people had gone and I was jamming with the musicians – he just wanted to dance to the music, he just wanted to show people how inspired he was by the music. He wanted to perform something.

As adults (or teens) we can also want to get to that point where we get the chance to perform more often. Here’s some solid advice I’ve picked up after 15 years of playing – from musicians such as Branford Marsalis, Chris Potter, Eric Alexander, Eric Revis, Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts, Harry Connick Jnr, Courtney Pine and many, many more.