Dangit, I think this finally answers the question I asked my guitar teacher (a very good jazz player) many, many years ago about what "that sound" was I heard in jazz, and I don't think I ever got a straight answer. One word answer, chromaticism. Ever since, whenever I have (weakly) attempted jazz playing I have always had to fake it by ear by trying to emulate that sound, but never understood what that sound was. (I got to this video after leapfrogging from a few other YT videos.) Thanks.
Hello First of all, thank you for this great video; i had a question, and hope it is clear.....I thought chromaticisms had to be on the off beat, I read that ( if i correctly understood) in Fundamental changes, by Joseph Alexander
Hi Dominique, thanks for watching! I'd have to read that book to understand the context, but I'm not sure that I believe chromaticism has to be on the off beats. I can maybe see where that idea would come from, but I don't see why you couldn't have chromaticism on the downbeats in your lines. As long as the chromaticism eventually resolves I would say it doesn't matter. Just my opinion.
I understand the author meant that on the strong beat, if i am correct 1 and 3 , in order not to clash with the bass when it plays the fundamental notes of the chords, it was advised to play the diatonic notes, but anyway, when i hear your lines i really enjoy it
The problem with lessons like this is that they don’t teach how to add chromatic to your improvising. Analysing a simple progression, playing diatonic scales and adding notes in the spaces... all step by step and outside a musical situation doesn’t teach much about being able to play cool and interesting melodies over changes.
I like your method and you are an interesting teacher. But for somebody who doesn't read music like me your stuff is difficult to follow. I'm sure a lot of beginners to jazz are lost here because they can't listen and read music At the same time. Presenting the notes in a different way would be helpful
