Harmony Masterclass
Making the Changes - Jamie Taylor's approach
About this masterclass
Jamie Taylor explains the simple, centuries-old harmonic infrastructure at work in jazz standards — and why a literal "match the scale to the chord symbol" approach can lead to poor note choices. Inspired by hearing a baroque recital, Jamie shows that the same harmonic principles behind classical music shaped the Great American Songbook, and that if you understand major and minor keys, you already know everything you need to get started.
In this class
- For the less experienced: how standard songs work, and how to quickly find effective note choices against changing chords — including why that textbook Mixolydian scale doesn't sound right over a dominant 7th
- For the experienced improviser: fresh perspectives and easier ways to think about the awkward harmonic corners in your favourite tunes
- Centuries-old harmonic concepts that explain why the chords in standards do what they do — an alternative to daunting topics like diminished scales and altered modes
- Analysis of two well-known standards, contrasting older and more recent ways of looking at the harmony
- Example lines notated and tabbed — Jamie's own, plus lines from great jazz recordings
Includes a detailed 22-page PDF booklet with analysis, chord symbols, standard notation, and TAB, plus synchronized on-screen captions. Running time: 1 hour 27 minutes.
Lessons in this masterclass
Lessons
- 1Making the Changes - Jamie Taylor's approach1h 27m
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About the instructor
Jamie Taylor →
Jamie Taylor is one of Great Britain's finest jazz guitarists. His clear methodology is highly unique and highly innovative; truly one of jazz's finest minds. Jamie’s playing has drawn praise from top critics like The Guardian’s John Fordham and Jazzwise’s Robert Shore, and he has been heard with leading jazz musicians from both sides of the Atlantic such as Sheryl Bailey, John Stowell, Roni Ben-Hur, Sebastiaan DeKrom, Wayne Escoffery, Dave O’Higgins, Baptiste Herbin, Bart DeFoort, Steve Fishwick, Jeremy Brown, Steve Watts, Kate Williams, Pete Whittaker, Laura Jurd, Tori Freestone, Alan Barnes, and Jim Mullen. He appears regularly at top London venues such as Ronnie Scott’s and The Troubadour, and has also been featured on recordings for the jazz labels Candid and GLP. Jamie is currently a Principal Lecturer in Jazz Guitar at Leeds Conservatoire, whose full-time jazz degree course is one of the oldest in Europe (having started in 1967). He also held the post of Course Leader for this program between 2007-2009. For more information about Jamie, visit http://www.jamie-taylor.com/ PRESS: “An uncanny ability…always grooving.” Matt Warnock, Just Jazz Guitar“ “Taylor is a name to watch out for.” Stephen Graham, Marlbank “An alternative perspective on the blues legacy, taking in elements of swing, bop, and funk. It’s clever, engaging stuff.” Robert Shore, Jazzwise “(Jamil Sheriff) gives the soloists in a fine northern orchestra their cues; Jamie Taylor’s edgy guitar burns through.” John Fordham, The Guardian