Category Archives: Technique

Advanced, Beginner, II-V-I, Intermediate, Learning methods/inspiration, Scales, SOUND/INTONATION/EMBOUCHURE/ARTICULATION, Technique, Tier 5, Timing

The 4 Rules of Getting Better At Jazz

15 July, 2022 Søren Ballegaard

When I began playing music and when I chose to continue, there are certain steps I would have liked to have practiced differently.
Putting attention on 4 of the very big aspects of saxophone playing and general music making.
Digging into technique, sound, listening and timing

LINK TO VIDEO
DOWNLOAD PDF
LESSON TRANSCRIPTION CONTENT:
50+ pages full exercises and licks
-II-V-I licks made from exercises
-Exercises made from 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 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/69074932

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

Video links:
What You Will Learn From Transcribing
https://youtu.be/F8mKCARhzIY
https://www.patreon.com/posts/61762240
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/what-you-will-learn-from-transcribing/

5 Tips To Speed Up Your Playing
https://youtu.be/MNolMUnjoKo
https://www.patreon.com/posts/56545571
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/5-tips-to-speed-up-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

Beginner, Chord note solos, Chords, Diatonic approach, II-V-I, Intermediate, Minor, Scales, Technique, Tier 5

The Scale Exercise You Need To Know

8 July, 2022 Søren Ballegaard

This scale exercise gets your scales and chords together.
Practicing this way enables you to immediately add your scales exercises to your music in a highly functional and musical way.

LINK TO VIDEO
DOWNLOAD PDF

LESSON TRANSCRIPTION CONTENT:
50+ pages full exercises and licks
-7th + 9th chord scale exercises added rhythmic and chromatic variations
-Major and Minor II-V-I licks using arpeggios
-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 Scale Exercise You Need To Know
00:42 Arpeggios – The Backbone of improvising
01:30 Advance on rhythm
02:00 Add the 9th
04:13 Chromatic approach notes
05:12Always combine technique with music
05:49 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:
8 chord patterns – you need to know these
https://youtu.be/oWV2LtH7GEw
https://www.patreon.com/posts/41196433
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/8-chord-patterns-you-need-to-know-these/

jazz chords – this is how to learn and remember
https://youtu.be/TMUDOBf5Bg0
https://www.patreon.com/posts/40697337
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/jazz-chords-this-is-how-to-learn-and-remember/

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/

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

Advanced, Chords, Intermediate, Minor, Scales, Technique, Tier 5, Timing, Triads

How To Sound Like Modern Jazz

1 July, 2022 Søren Ballegaard

Joe Henderson and Chris Potterhear the great similarities and how they each play their own licks, but so much inspiration overflow from Joe Henderson to Chris Potter.
These two masters of jazz have revolutionized modern jazz and defined how to play this amazing style.

LINK TO VIDEO
DOWNLOAD PDF

LESSON TRANSCRIPTION CONTENT:
50+ pages full exercises and licks
-enclosure and triad patterns on minor scales
-Minor chord extension licks using 9-11-13 extensions
-scale and triad patterns 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 To Sound Like Modern Jazz
00:32 Rhythm and enclosures
01:55 Chris Potter – less is more
02:54 Major 6 on minor
04:39 Groupings of 3 scale pattern
05:25 Triads in minor
06:23 Do you like my videos – support me on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/posts/68504512

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

Video links:
Chromatic Enclosures Teaching You Bebop
https://youtu.be/rlM54pjFhLk
https://www.patreon.com/posts/66370918
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/chromatic-enclosures-teaching-you-bebop

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/

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/

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

Alterations, Beginner, Chords, Diatonic approach, II-V-I, Intermediate, Technique, Tier 5, Timing

Save Your Jazz Solo With These Hacks

19 June, 2022 Søren Ballegaard

Playing inspired solos is the true art of jazz.
There are a few simple hacks that make your solos more attractive.
Getting into your phrasing, rhythm, choice of notes and how you place the notes in your solo.
Don’t play boring solos.

LINK TO VIDEO
DOWNLOAD PDF
LESSON TRANSCRIPTION CONTENT:
50+ pages full exercises and licks
-Chord and scale exercises for training rhythmic endings, articulation and rhythmic changing jazz lines
-II-V-I lines using rhythmic placement, clearly marked articulation and rhythmic speed ups
-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 THIS MADE MY SOLOS BORING
00:19 Do Not Play The 1
01:46 More Rhythm Play Fewer Notes
02:00 Play With Great Articulation
02:46 Train Your Articulation
03:22 Change The Rhythm
04:03 Speed Up
07:45 Do you like my videos – support me on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/posts/67893181

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

Video links:
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/

6 Double Time Licks to Expand Your Jazz Playing https://youtu.be/ncVXxo8erw4
https://www.patreon.com/posts/62376848
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/6-double-time-licks-to-expand-your-jazz-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/

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

Advanced, Bebop, Beginner, II-V-I, Intermediate, Scales, SOUND/INTONATION/EMBOUCHURE/ARTICULATION, Technique, Tier 5, Triads

3 Levels of Altissimo Practice and Playing

10 June, 2022 Søren Ballegaard

Through practicing these three steps you can open up the higher registers of the saxophone.
Beginning with how to hear notes and playing overtones.
Moving into playing in the altissimo register
And adding altissimo lines and exercises.

LINK TO VIDEO
DOWNLOAD PDF

LESSON TRANSCRIPTION CONTENT:
50+ pages full altissimo exercises
-altissimo register fingering chart from high F to even higher E
-scale and chord exercises extending into altissimo range
-Jazz licks using altissimo register
+ not everything is transposed to the Tenor, Alto and Concert keys.

In this tutorial
00:00 ALTISSIMO RANGE WILL CHANGE YOUR PLAYING
00:38 Learn the overtones first
02:18 First three Altissimo tones
03:51 Train the Altissimo register
05:32 You Need The Speed
06:37 Train The Turn
06:54 Altissimo Jazz Licks
07:45 Do you like my videos – support me on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/posts/67596221

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

Video links:
OVERTONES – DO THIS AND GET THE BEST SOUND https://youtu.be/7AchOxuiDcE
https://www.patreon.com/posts/38916775
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/overtones-do-this-and-get-the-best-sound/

Three Best Sound Exercises – Your Sound Is Most Important https://youtu.be/azIKUfVtivM
https://www.patreon.com/posts/60853110
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/three-best-sound-exercises-your-sound-is-most-important/

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/

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

Beginner, Chord note solos, Chords, Diatonic approach, Intermediate, Scales, Standards, Technique, Tier 5, Timing

Three Best Jazz Exercises For Learning Improvisation

3 June, 2022 Søren Ballegaard

These three exercises will teach you the basics of playing jazz lines
Explaining simple chords and arpeggios, forward motion and guide tone lines. Adding scales and you have a great mix for playing great jazz solos.

LINK TO VIDEO
DOWNLOAD PDF
LESSON TRANSCRIPTION CONTENT:
50+ pages of enclosure exercises and licks
-Minor chords, minor and melodic minor scale exercises
-Coltranes licks and Coltrane inspired licks
Transcribed to all 12 keys.
+ all lesson examples transposed to alto and concert key

In this tutorial
00:00 Three Best Jazz Exercises For Learning Improvisation
00:26 The Most Important Jazz Tools
00:53 Learn The Chord Notes
01:44 Forward Motion And Guide Tone Lines
03:08 Rhythm Is Most Important
03:43 Add Scales Between The Chord Notes
05:24 Scales and Guide Tone Lines Come Together
06:09 Do you like my videos – support me on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/posts/67286957

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

Video links:
8 chord patterns – you need to know these
https://youtu.be/oWV2LtH7GEw
https://www.patreon.com/posts/41196433
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/8-chord-patterns-you-need-to-know-these/

Chord note solos – strong melodies with awesome rhythm
https://youtu.be/kDRytP4m7jY
https://www.patreon.com/posts/41967448
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/chord-note-solos-strong-jazz-lines-with-awesome-rhythm/

Blues For Alice Backing Track
https://youtu.be/YQ7bChfbDbA

It Could Happen To You Backing Track
https://youtu.be/tyGoZKNm8TY

Oleo/Rhythm changes Backing track
https://youtu.be/DsW51thvyWU

Blue Bossa backing track
https://youtu.be/6TvD3snfSig

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/

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

Advanced, Alterations, Coltrane, Intermediate, Scales, Technique, Tier 5, Triads

Chris Potter – Epic Dominant Licks

27 May, 2022 Søren Ballegaard

Chris Potter has such a refined link to the great heroes of jazz, John Coltrane, Michael Brecker, Charlie Parker and the likes.
How Chris Potter mixes the different inspirational streams into his own modern blues sound amazes me.
In this video I look at Chris Potter licks, break them down and dig into what Chris Potter actually plays, how to practice this and explains how you can add this to your playing.

LINK TO VIDEO
DOWNLOAD PDF
LESSON TRANSCRIPTION CONTENT:
50+ pages of enclosure exercises and licks
-Minor chords, minor and melodic minor scale exercises
-Coltranes licks and Coltrane inspired licks
Transcribed to all 12 keys.
+ all lesson examples transposed to alto and concert key

In this tutorial
00:00 CHRIS POTTER – EPIC DOMINANT LICKS
00:18 Potter and Coltrane jazz lick
02:23 The Upper Structure Lick
03:28 Epic Modern Chris Potter Lick
05:05 Move Into All 12 Keys
05:29 Do you like my videos – support me on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/posts/66960080

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

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/

Blues on Db
https://youtu.be/f4FPGn2fjmQ

Blues in C
https://youtu.be/3ErBZxNItpo

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/

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

Advanced, Alterations, Beginner, Coltrane, Intermediate, Minor, Scales, Technique, Tier 5

Coltrane’s Best Minor Licks And How to Practice

20 May, 2022 Søren Ballegaard

The way Coltrane plays on minor chords should inspire us all.
I show you how Coltrane uses enclosures and really nice sounding extensions on minor chords.
I get around how Coltrane plays the melodic minor scale when playing in minor.
Learn making the licks and learn the exercises behind.

LINK TO VIDEO
DOWNLOAD PDF

LESSON TRANSCRIPTION CONTENT:
50+ pages of enclosure exercises and licks
-Minor chords, minor and melodic minor scale exercises
-Coltranes licks and Coltrane inspired licks
Transcribed to all 12 keys.
+ all lesson examples transposed to alto and concert key

In this tutorial
00:00 COLTRANE MINOR LICKS FROM THE MASTER
00:25 Minor chord lick – add enclosures
01:30 Construct minor licks – Use building blocks
02:41 Minor extensions
03:20 Melodic minor
04:17 Technical exercises
05:11 Minor licks in major
05:29 Do you like my videos – support me on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/posts/66659489

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

Video links:
Chromatic Enclosures Teaching You Bebop
https://youtu.be/rlM54pjFhLk
https://www.patreon.com/posts/66370918
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/chromatic-enclosures-teaching-you-bebop

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/

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

Advanced, Alterations, Bebop, II-V-I, Intermediate, Music theory, Technique, Tier 5

Chromatic Enclosures Teaching You Bebop

13 May, 2022 Søren Ballegaard

Chromatic Enclosures are a huge part of the jazz language.
Barry Harris teaches us bebop chromatic enclosures.
Chris Cheek is going all in on chromatic enclosures.
Learn the technical exercises behind enclosures and learn to build amazing lines using the enclosure language.
Lets get inspired by the masters.

LINK TO VIDEO
DOWNLOAD PDF
LESSON TRANSCRIPTION CONTENT:
20+ pages of enclosure exercises and licks
-Bebop enclosure licks and exercises
-Chromatic enclosures licks and exercises
Transcribed to all 12 keys.
+ all lesson examples transposed to Alto key

In this tutorial
00:00 Barry Harris Teaching Bebop
00:24 Enclosures = forward motion
01:25 The bebop enclosure
02:10 Chromatic enclosures
04:20 Practice enclosure exercises
04:53 Build lines using enclosures
05:43 Do you like my videos – support me on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/posts/66370918

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

Video links:
What The Bebop Scale Can Do For Your Playing
https://youtu.be/U5h_4um0jmM
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/turn-these-3-levels-of-ii-v-i-licks-into-solos/
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/turn-these-3-levels-of-ii-v-i-licks-into-solos/

Coltrane Parker Must Have Bebop Licks
https://youtu.be/zaR9Qw4J8Cg
https://www.patreon.com/posts/59470219
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/saxophone-reeds-how-to-choose-the-right-reed/

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/

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

Beginner, Blues, Pentatonic scales, Scales, Technique, Tier 5, Timing

Pentatonic Scales Will Teach You Jazz Improvisation

6 May, 2022 Søren Ballegaard

Learn all basics of jazz improvisation by playing this simple pentatonic scale concept.
From simple 2-3 note figures to 8th note lines
Learn how to change chords – plan and play forward motion.
Dig into playing over the bar lines and using encirclings.

LINK TO VIDEO
DOWNLOAD PDF
LESSON TRANSCRIPTION CONTENT:
100+ pages of exercises and licks
– Jazz 8th notes rhythm exercises
– Written out practice solos using encirlings in the pentatonic scale
– Forward motion and encircling written out patterns and solos
Transcribed to all 12 keys.
+ all lesson examples transposed to Alto key

In this tutorial
00:00 One Pentatonic Scale Will Teach You Jazz Improvisation
00:43 What we know – the root
01:52 Dig the Rhythm
02:10 Add More Notes
02:40 Practice Tips
03:39 MORE NOTES
04:51 FORWARD MOTION
06:27 Use Full Pentatonic Scale
06:44 Do you like my videos – support me on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/posts/66075659
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 – THREE LEVELS OF SUPER ALTERATIONS
https://youtu.be/P77dfMc8ZXI
https://www.patreon.com/posts/50024592
https://sorenballegaard.dk/product/pentatonic-scales-three-levels-of-super-alterations/

Jens Larsen Guitar – Blues In Concert F
https://youtu.be/Z3ZF80Z1Oq8

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/

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

Saxophone-inspiration-motivation