Recent articles
How Coltrane disguises repetition in "Moment's Notice"
Coltrane's solo on Moment's Notice is often labeled as a turning point for him as an improviser; breaking it down into it's core improvisational concepts can help reveal that it's ...
Published on April 30th, 2025
How to listen to jazz: Listening webs
If someone wants to excel at any activity, it is necessary for them to observe the greatest practitioners of the craft. This is especially true of jazz. By immersing themselves in ...
Published on August 3rd, 2020
Enclosures: The genius and simplicity of Clifford Brown
Learn how to use a fundamental part of the jazz language, enclosures, by referencing how Clifford Brown uses them in his solos.
Published on May 1st, 2020
I transcribed. Now what?
If you’re like me, then there always seems to be a gap between the time you spend transcribing and your growth as an improviser.
Published on May 1st, 2020
Principles for productive practicing
A very common trend that I’m seeing from people these days is the claim that they practice for hours on end without results.
Published on April 30th, 2020
Why starting improvisation in beginning band is a necessity
Improvisation is an essential skill in today’s musical landscape. Professional musicians of all kinds are often expected to improvise whether on a “classical”, “jazz”, or “commerci...
Published on April 29th, 2020
4 tactics to getting and keeping the gig
Getting and keeping a regular gig as a sideman is a skill that presents a myriad of challenges. "Learn the music and you'll be fine" only goes so far.
Published on April 21st, 2020
How to listen to jazz: Intro to deep listening
In this season of school closures and social distancing, many educators have been tasked with converting their classrooms into an online format. Listening assignments are incredibl...
Published on April 17th, 2020
The road to launching Downbeat Academy
What was the result the last time you searched for something music education-related on the web? If you’re like me and my confidants, the results were...less than fruitful.
Jory Tindall Greg Feingold Skyler Floe
Published on April 13th, 2020
How to shape your solos like Kurt Rosenwinkel
"Chords" is from Kurt Rosenwinkel's album The Remedy recorded live at the Village Vanguard in New York City. This solo encompasses a variety of pentatonic scale applications paired...
Published on February 20th, 2020