Category Archives: Intermediate

What Michael Brecker Can Teach You About Dominant Chords

Michael Brecker is a star example on how to get everything out of dominant chords.
Looking at three concepts to dig deeper into playing dominant alterations and resolving to minor chords.

LINK TO VIDEO
DOWNLOAD PDF
LESSON TRANSCRIPTION CONTENT:
50+ pages full exercises and licks
-Lick based scale exercises
-Dexter Gordon, Sonny Rollins and Hank Mobley inspired licks
-all exercises and licks are transposed to all 12 keys
+ all lesson examples are transposed to the Tenor, Alto and Concert keys.

In this tutorial
00:00 How You Can Play Licks To Learn Jazz
00:23 Dexter Gordon on F major
01:06 Add Licks To Your Tunes
01:59 Hank Mobley On Dominant Chords
03:11 Sonny Rollins II-V-I lick
04:30 Pull Out Ideas From The Licks You Learn
05:04 Do you like my videos – support me on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/posts/75990751

Get the free E-book material on saxophone practice – sign up for my newsletter: https://bit.ly/subscribetomynewslettersorenballegaardsaxophonelessons

Video links:
The 5 ingredients of a Brecker Lick
https://youtu.be/1ZRFNXexRUo
https://www.patreon.com/posts/73585637
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/the-5-ingredients-of-a-brecker-lick/

The Saxophone Skills That Pay Off Forever
https://youtu.be/yUPHsKe4rok
https://www.patreon.com/posts/71005751
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/the-saxophone-skills-that-pay-off-forever/

Michael Brecker on Softly as In A Morning Sunrise
https://youtu.be/U_gNp5_ZZ4w

Rigotti reeds webshop
http://www.reedsonline.fr/boutique_reedsonline/en/accueil-gb/

Subscribe for more free saxophone videos and lessons: https://www.youtube.com/c/SørenBallegaard

Lesson tutorials and live online lessons – check my shop:
https://sorenballegaard.dk/shop

Contact me for video exchange lessons or live online lessons
https://sorenballegaard.dk/saxophonelessons/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sorenballegaardsaxophonelessons
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sorenballegaard
Website: https://sorenballegaard.dk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SorenBallegaard

My setup:
Tenor saxophone: Selmer MKVI 82xxx
mouthpiece is an old Otto Link Babbit – refaced from opening 6 to opening 8/8,5
Alto – The Martin Alto
Soprano – Yanagisawa Elimona

Coltrane’s Genius Blues Approach is Crazy simple

Coltranes blues sound is so powerful because of the simplicity and how Coltrane applies his lines to the blues.
Begin using these Coltrane short blues phrases to build your own blues phrases.

LINK TO VIDEO
DOWNLOAD PDF
LESSON TRANSCRIPTION CONTENT:
50+ pages full exercises and licks
-Coltrane short blues licks
-Short licks blues etudes
-all exercises and licks are transposed to all 12 keys
+ all lesson examples are transposed to the Tenor, Alto, Concert keys and bass clef.

In this tutorial
00:00 Coltrane’s Genius Blues Approach is Crazy simple
00:24 Simplicity and Clarity – only chord notes
01:44 Creativity – invert and mix up licks
03:16 Practice to play from all chord tones
03:11 Sonny Rollins II-V-I lick
03:50 Play musically – listen carefully
04:23 Do you like my videos – support me on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/posts/75402644

Get the free E-book material on saxophone practice – sign up for my newsletter: https://bit.ly/subscribetomynewslettersorenballegaardsaxophonelessons

Video links:
What Coltrane Can Teach You About Dominants https://youtu.be/4v_ny0Pu4iQ
https://www.patreon.com/posts/71686461
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/what-coltrane-can-teach-you-about-dominants/

What Coltrane Can Teach You About The Blues https://youtu.be/CXgWh64LkGw
https://www.patreon.com/posts/62100371
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/what-coltrane-can-teach-you-about-the-blues/

Blues in Bb backing track
https://youtu.be/-ae_tBkCqeQ

Blues in Eb – backing track
https://youtu.be/eSI4AS_fBm8

Blues to Elvin
https://youtu.be/OYitm3eJqi8

Blues to Bechet
https://youtu.be/JN3CWowU95A

Blues to you
https://youtu.be/X0ZnxpPeeNk

Rigotti reeds webshop
http://www.reedsonline.fr/boutique_reedsonline/en/accueil-gb/

Subscribe for more free saxophone videos and lessons: https://www.youtube.com/c/SørenBallegaard

Lesson tutorials and live online lessons – check my shop:
https://sorenballegaard.dk/shop

Contact me for video exchange lessons or live online lessons
https://sorenballegaard.dk/saxophonelessons/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sorenballegaardsaxophonelessons
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sorenballegaard
Website: https://sorenballegaard.dk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SorenBallegaard

My setup:
Tenor saxophone: Selmer MKVI 82xxx
mouthpiece is an old Otto Link Babbit – refaced from opening 6 to opening 8/8,5
Alto – The Martin Alto
Soprano – Yanagisawa Elimona

Amazing Jazz Skill Boost with Melodic Shapes

The essence of playing music must be to play musical lines.
Knowing and being able to hear what sounds great and put this in a melodic context.
Using a few guidelines like thinking in melodic shapes will help you to always think and play musical lines.   

LINK TO VIDEO
DOWNLOAD PDF
LESSON TRANSCRIPTION CONTENT:
50+ pages full exercises and licks
-Melodic shape II-V-I licks 
-Scale exercises on melodic shapes
-all exercises and licks are transposed to all 12 keys
+ all lesson examples are transposed to the Tenor, Alto and Concert keys. 

In this tutorial
00:00 Amazing Jazz Skill Boost with Melodic Shapes
00:28 melodic shapes
01:18 Being with intervals
02:11 The Best Melodic Shapes
02:48 Arpeggios as melodic shapes
03:15 Melodic shape technique practice
04:22 Alterations and melodic shapes
05:29 Do you like my videos – support me on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/posts/75091393

Get the free E-book material on saxophone practice – sign up for my newsletter: https://bit.ly/subscribetomynewslettersorenballegaardsaxophonelessons

Video links:
Three Best Jazz Exercises For Learning Improvisation https://youtu.be/psmeyZ37fAQ
https://www.patreon.com/posts/67286957
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/coltranes-best-minor-licks-and-how-to-practice-them/

The Best Method To Master All Keys
https://youtu.be/KjCQKlYCDTw
https://www.patreon.com/posts/72993141
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/the-best-method-to-master-all-keys/

Stan Getz On Green Dolphin Street
https://youtu.be/qy_mlVmmVsQ

John Coltrane – Oleo
https://youtu.be/tKubzjQbq2o

Rigotti reeds webshop
http://www.reedsonline.fr/boutique_reedsonline/en/accueil-gb/

Subscribe for more free saxophone videos and lessons: https://www.youtube.com/c/SørenBallegaard

Lesson tutorials and live online lessons – check my shop:
https://sorenballegaard.dk/shop

Contact me for video exchange lessons or live online lessons
https://sorenballegaard.dk/saxophonelessons/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sorenballegaardsaxophonelessons
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sorenballegaard
Website: https://sorenballegaard.dk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SorenBallegaard

My setup:
Tenor saxophone: Selmer MKVI 82xxx
mouthpiece is an old Otto Link Babbit – refaced from opening 6 to opening 8/8,5
Alto – The Martin Alto
Soprano – Yanagisawa Elimona

How Triad Pairs Can Unlock An Amazing Modern Sound

Using triads gives you an amazing modern jazz sound.
Super hip sounding triad pairs can be used both playing inside and outside the key.
The simplicity of the triad pair and the extensive use makes this a jazz tool you do not want to miss out on.

LINK TO VIDEO
DOWNLOAD PDF

LESSON TRANSCRIPTION CONTENT:
50+ pages full exercises and licks
-triad pair exercises
-modal + functional licks using triad pairs
-all exercises and licks are transposed to all 12 keys
+ all lesson examples are transposed to the Tenor, Alto and Concert keys. 

In this tutorial
00:00 How Triad Pairs Can Unlock An Amazing Modern Sound
00:16 The Triad Is A Very Strong Musical Structure
01:47 Triad Upper Structures
02:49 Triad Exercises
02:35 Triad Pairs in Minor
03:59 Altered Dominant Triad Pairs
04:46 Do you like my videos – support me on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/posts/74806504

Get the free E-book material on saxophone practice – sign up for my newsletter: https://bit.ly/subscribetomynewslettersorenballegaardsaxophonelessons

Video links:
Using Triads Can Change Your Playing
https://youtu.be/QhHfecd5Tis
https://www.patreon.com/posts/63664297
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/using-triads-can-change-your-playing/

Triads – A Massive Boost To Your Solos
https://youtu.be/94yeMwGrU3g
https://www.patreon.com/posts/56268516
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/triads-a-massive-boost-to-your-solos/

Rigotti reeds webshop
http://www.reedsonline.fr/boutique_reedsonline/en/accueil-gb/

Subscribe for more free saxophone videos and lessons: https://www.youtube.com/c/SørenBallegaard

Lesson tutorials and live online lessons – check my shop:
https://sorenballegaard.dk/shop

Contact me for video exchange lessons or live online lessons
https://sorenballegaard.dk/saxophonelessons/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sorenballegaardsaxophonelessons
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sorenballegaard
Website: https://sorenballegaard.dk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SorenBallegaard

My setup:
Tenor saxophone: Selmer MKVI 82xxx
mouthpiece is an old Otto Link Babbit – refaced from opening 6 to opening 8/8,5
Alto – The Martin Alto
Soprano – Yanagisawa Elimona

How Coltrane Double Time Licks Work

John Coltrane can teach us how to play great 16th notes lines. 
Get inspired on how to play double time. How to keep inventing new jazz lines on the same chords.
Learn to fill out the bars by adding nifty chords and enclosures to the progression.

LINK TO VIDEO
DOWNLOAD PDF
LESSON TRANSCRIPTION CONTENT:
50+ pages full exercises and licks
-double time pattern scale exercises
-short lines using Coltrane 4 note patterns
-II-V-I licks using Coltrane double time strategies  
-all exercises and licks are transposed to all 12 keys
+ all lesson examples are transposed to the Tenor, Alto and Concert keys.

In this tutorial
00:00 How Coltrane Double Time Licks Work
00:27 Double The Amount Of Notes
00:56 The Backdoor Dominant
02:10 Coltrane Enclosures
03:17 4 note short lines
03:57 Do you like my videos – support me on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/posts/74513388

Get the free E-book material on saxophone practice – sign up for my newsletter: https://bit.ly/subscribetomynewslettersorenballegaardsaxophonelessons

Video links:
3 Licks That Will Teach You The Coltrane Sound
https://youtu.be/reZSYdC9yLM
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/practice-arpeggios-like-chris-potter-and-sound-amazing/
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/practice-arpeggios-like-chris-potter-and-sound-amazing/

3 Coltrane Bebop Licks Explained
https://youtu.be/c8TmL_AO1Jw
https://www.patreon.com/posts/56850554
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/3-coltrane-bebop-licks-explained/

Rigotti reeds webshop
http://www.reedsonline.fr/boutique_reedsonline/en/accueil-gb/

Subscribe for more free saxophone videos and lessons: https://www.youtube.com/c/SørenBallegaard

Lesson tutorials and live online lessons – check my shop:
https://sorenballegaard.dk/shop

Contact me for video exchange lessons or live online lessons
https://sorenballegaard.dk/saxophonelessons/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sorenballegaardsaxophonelessons
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sorenballegaard
Website: https://sorenballegaard.dk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SorenBallegaard

My setup:
Tenor saxophone: Selmer MKVI 82xxx
mouthpiece is an old Otto Link Babbit – refaced from opening 6 to opening 8/8,5
Alto – The Martin Alto
Soprano – Yanagisawa Elimona

Pentatonic Scales – 3 Amazing Ways To Use In Jazz

A major jazz hack is to use simple pentatonic scales to play very hip sounds. 
Get inspired and play 3 different altered dominants with these pentatonic scale jazz hack’s.

LINK TO VIDEO
DOWNLOAD PDF

LESSON TRANSCRIPTION CONTENT:
50+ pages full exercises and licks
-pentatonic scale pattern exercises
-licks using pentatonic scales as altered dominant
-all exercises and licks are transposed to all 12 keys
+ all lesson examples are transposed to the Tenor, Alto and Concert keys. 

In this tutorial
00:00 Pentatonic Scales – 3 Amazing Ways To Use In Jazz
00:33 Backdoor dominant pentatonic scale
01:10 Pentatonic scale patterns
01:54 Altered dominant
02:23 Combine pentatonic scale with other material
02:55 Different levels of alterations with pentatonic scales
03:14 All in Altered Pentatonic scale
03:40 Pentatonic scale displacement
04:05 Do you like my videos – support me on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/posts/73884644

Get the free E-book material on saxophone practice – sign up for my newsletter: https://bit.ly/subscribetomynewslettersorenballegaardsaxophonelessons

Video links:
5 levels of Pentatonic Scales for Jazz
https://youtu.be/FS5-XICP4U
https://www.patreon.com/posts/65164089
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/5-levels-of-pentatonic-scales-for-jazz 

Pentatonic Scales Will Teach You Jazz Improvisation https://youtu.be/-A92QzlJwGg
https://www.patreon.com/posts/66075659
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/pentatonic-scales-will-teach-you-jazz-improvisation/

Rigotti reeds webshop
http://www.reedsonline.fr/boutique_reedsonline/en/accueil-gb/

Subscribe for more free saxophone videos and lessons: https://www.youtube.com/c/SørenBallegaard

Lesson tutorials and live online lessons – check my shop:
https://sorenballegaard.dk/shop

Contact me for video exchange lessons or live online lessons
https://sorenballegaard.dk/saxophonelessons/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sorenballegaardsaxophonelessons
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sorenballegaard
Website: https://sorenballegaard.dk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SorenBallegaard

My setup:
Tenor saxophone: Selmer MKVI 82xxx
mouthpiece is an old Otto Link Babbit – refaced from opening 6 to opening 8/8,5
Alto – The Martin Alto
Soprano – Yanagisawa Elimona

The 5 ingredients of a Brecker Lick

Michael Brecker was and is still one of the best saxophonists in the world, no doubt.
Get an inside look in his amazing world of patterns and lines.

LINK TO VIDEO
DOWNLOAD PDF

LESSON TRANSCRIPTION CONTENT:
50+ pages full exercises and licks
-pentatonic, octatonic scale and altered licks and exercises
-Michael Brecker inspired material
-all exercises and licks are transposed to all 12 keys
+ all lesson examples are transposed to the Tenor, Alto and Concert keys.

In this tutorial
00:00 The 5 ingredients of a Brecker Lick
00:12 Overtones And False Fingerings
00:40 Do As Brecker – Master Pentatonic Scales
01:16 Always Work On Creativity
02:52 Michael Brecker Octatonic licks
03:51 Bebop and Chromatic Encirclings
04:30 Do you like my videos – support me on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/posts/68814395

Get the free E-book material on saxophone practice – sign up for my newsletter: https://bit.ly/subscribetomynewslettersorenballegaardsaxophonelessons

Video links:
5 levels of Pentatonic Scales for Jazz
https://youtu.be/FS5-XICP4U
https://www.patreon.com/posts/65164089
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/5-levels-of-pentatonic-scales-for-jazz/

Play Outside Using This simple Minor Chord Method https://www.patreon.com/posts/61147968
https://youtu.be/DqXv8vXbK_s
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/play-outside-using-this-simple-minor-chord-method/

LEARN OVERTONES
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uQjYLp2ixM&t=10s

Rigotti reeds webshop
http://www.reedsonline.fr/boutique_reedsonline/en/accueil-gb/

Subscribe for more free saxophone videos and lessons: https://www.youtube.com/c/SørenBallegaard

Lesson tutorials and live online lessons – check my shop:
https://sorenballegaard.dk/shop

Contact me for video exchange lessons or live online lessons
https://sorenballegaard.dk/saxophonelessons/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sorenballegaardsaxophonelessons
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sorenballegaard
Website: https://sorenballegaard.dk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SorenBallegaard

My setup:
Tenor saxophone: Selmer MKVI 82xxx
mouthpiece is an old Otto Link Babbit – refaced from opening 6 to opening 8/8,5
Alto – The Martin Alto
Soprano – Yanagisawa Elimona

How Only Two Alterations Can Change Your Playing

By playing simple chord extensions your playing can lift to a whole new level.
Showing you these dominant chord extensions and easily play and  voice lead these into beautiful jazz lines.

LINK TO VIDEO
DOWNLOAD PDF
LESSON TRANSCRIPTION CONTENT:
50+ pages full exercises and licks
-Altered II-V-I Licks using b9, #5, Coltrane whole tone and augmented scale
-all exercises and licks are transposed to all 12 keys
+ all lesson examples are transposed to the Tenor, Alto and Concert keys.

In this tutorial
00:00 How Only Two Alterations Can Change Your Playing00:34 Add The b9
00:54 Bebop and b9
01:54 The Diminished Arpeggio
02:41 #5 Augmented
03:20 Augmented Triad
03:50 Augmented Scale
04:54 Do you like my videos – support me on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/posts/73288153

Get the free E-book material on saxophone practice – sign up for my newsletter: https://bit.ly/subscribetomynewslettersorenballegaardsaxophonelessons

Video links:
How To Sound Like Modern Jazz
https://youtu.be/0uFN_-KZscc
https://www.patreon.com/posts/68504512
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/how-to-sound-like-modern-jazz/

Using Triads Can Change Your Playing
https://youtu.be/QhHfecd5Tis
https://www.patreon.com/posts/63664297
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/using-triads-can-change-your-playing/

Rigotti reeds webshop
http://www.reedsonline.fr/boutique_reedsonline/en/accueil-gb/

Subscribe for more free saxophone videos and lessons: https://www.youtube.com/c/SørenBallegaard

Lesson tutorials and live online lessons – check my shop:
https://sorenballegaard.dk/shop

Contact me for video exchange lessons or live online lessons
https://sorenballegaard.dk/saxophonelessons/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sorenballegaardsaxophonelessons
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sorenballegaard
Website: https://sorenballegaard.dk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SorenBallegaard

My setup:
Tenor saxophone: Selmer MKVI 82xxx
mouthpiece is an old Otto Link Babbit – refaced from opening 6 to opening 8/8,5
Alto – The Martin Alto
Soprano – Yanagisawa Elimona

The Best Method To Master All Keys

Mastering all 12 keys is like a super power in music.
This will open up your playing, your creativity and your inspiration. 
All your playing will immediately get easier, because of the perspective towards the other keys. 

LINK TO VIDEO
DOWNLOAD PDF

LESSON TRANSCRIPTION CONTENT:
50+ pages full exercises and licks
-scale and chord exercises 
-Major, dominant and II-V licks
-all exercises and licks are transposed to all 12 keys through the circle of 5th or chromatically up or down
+ all lesson examples are transposed to the Tenor, Alto and Concert keys. 

In this tutorial
00:00 Learn This – Listening, Technique, Sound, Timing
00:32 Listen and get inspired
01:16 Keep your fingers on your instrument
02:49 Technique must enable your music
04:30 Work on your timing
05:49 Do you like my videos – support me on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/posts/72993141

Get the free E-book material on saxophone practice – sign up for my newsletter: https://bit.ly/subscribetomynewslettersorenballegaardsaxophonelessons

Video links:
3 Coltrane Bebop Licks Explained
https://youtu.be/c8TmL_AO1Jw
https://www.patreon.com/posts/56850554
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/3-coltrane-bebop-licks-explained/

Practice Arpeggios Like Chris Potter and Sound Amazing
https://youtu.be/pMp5iJMlKT4
https://www.patreon.com/posts/64249214
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/practice-arpeggios-like-chris-potter-and-sound-amazing/

Rigotti reeds webshop
http://www.reedsonline.fr/boutique_reedsonline/en/accueil-gb/

Subscribe for more free saxophone videos and lessons: https://www.youtube.com/c/SørenBallegaard

Lesson tutorials and live online lessons – check my shop:
https://sorenballegaard.dk/shop

Contact me for video exchange lessons or live online lessons
https://sorenballegaard.dk/saxophonelessons/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sorenballegaardsaxophonelessons
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sorenballegaard
Website: https://sorenballegaard.dk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SorenBallegaard

My setup:
Tenor saxophone: Selmer MKVI 82xxx
mouthpiece is an old Otto Link Babbit – refaced from opening 6 to opening 8/8,5
Alto – The Martin Alto
Soprano – Yanagisawa Elimona

What Outside Sounds Can Do For You Playing

From light alterations to full blown outside playing.
What tricks, scale patterns and arpeggios sound amazing when you want to play outside the key.
Working through a few standard progressions playing outside the box.

LINK TO VIDEO
DOWNLOAD PDF

LESSON TRANSCRIPTION CONTENT:
50+ pages full exercises and licks
-Chromatic embellishment and chord exercises in the scale-Altered dominant and shape shifting II-V-I licks
-all exercises and licks are transposed to all 12 keys
+ all lesson examples are transposed to the Tenor, Alto and Concert keys. 

In this tutorial
00:00 What Outside Sounds Can Do For You Playing
00:20 Bebop lines a half step up
01:29 Move licks to the tritone
02:12 Play the major 7 chord below the tonic
03:33 Amazing pattern displacement
04:43 Do you like my videos – support me on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/posts/72321478

Get the free E-book material on saxophone practice – sign up for my newsletter: https://bit.ly/subscribetomynewslettersorenballegaardsaxophonelessons

Video links:
Chris Potter – Epic Dominant Licks
https://youtu.be/bezOVWU1Ibc
https://www.patreon.com/posts/66960080
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/coltranes-best-minor-licks-and-how-to-practice-them

What Coltrane Can Teach You About Dominants
https://youtu.be/4v_ny0Pu4iQ
https://www.patreon.com/posts/71686461
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/what-coltrane-can-teach-you-about-dominants/

Rigotti reeds webshop
http://www.reedsonline.fr/boutique_reedsonline/en/accueil-gb/

Subscribe for more free saxophone videos and lessons: https://www.youtube.com/c/SørenBallegaard

Lesson tutorials and live online lessons – check my shop:
https://sorenballegaard.dk/shop

Contact me for video exchange lessons or live online lessons
https://sorenballegaard.dk/saxophonelessons/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sorenballegaardsaxophonelessons
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sorenballegaard
Website: https://sorenballegaard.dk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SorenBallegaard

My setup:
Tenor saxophone: Selmer MKVI 82xxx
mouthpiece is an old Otto Link Babbit – refaced from opening 6 to opening 8/8,5
Alto – The Martin Alto
Soprano – Yanagisawa Elimona