• How Blues Influenced Jazz

    Thumbnail image for How Blues Influenced Jazz

    After getting an e-mail from a concerned student who bought Jazz 101 and was questioning why it focused primarily on the “12 bar blues” instead of “jazz,” I wanted to shed some light on blues’ connection to jazz and how there wouldn’t be jazz as we know it without blues. This article by the “Thelonius Monk Institute of Jazz” puts it perfectly.

    Read the full article →

    Ask Jermaine: “Why Some Chords Break The Rules”

    Thumbnail image for Ask Jermaine: “Why Some Chords Break The Rules”

    This question comes from Gospel Music Training Center member Larressa: “Hi Jermaine, my name is Larressa. I go by mrslsj in GMTC. I am a beginner. I am taking on the challenge of transforming the song “I Give Myself Away”-Take 1. However, after listening to JP I decided as a learning experience to transpose the chords to all 12 keys, which has been great. I have done this but I have a few questions…”

    Read the full article →

    Awesome Feedback From A Student

    Thumbnail image for Awesome Feedback From A Student

    If you haven’t signed up for the 4 free video lessons, I highly recommend it. Click here. After watching the 4 videos, student Tosyn Omojola had these touching words for me…

    Read the full article →

    Ask Jermaine: “How To Create Those Fancy Jazzy Chords”

    Thumbnail image for Ask Jermaine: “How To Create Those Fancy Jazzy Chords”

    This edition of “Ask Jermaine” was posted by Ronald Verwer in our Free Lessons area. He writes: Hi Jermaine, how fabulous the way you are explaining the composition of the various chords. Your flash cards are a great help. It becomes so easy to follow. By just sitting on the piano and practicing with the flashcards improves my playing tremendously. Even after 60 years of playing! You are a legend. The thing I want to know is how to create that Jazzy sound…

    Read the full article →

    Why The Number System Is So Important

    numbergame-small.jpgI find it surprising the number of musicians who don’t understand or haven’t mastered the number system.

    It is one of the single, most important elements of playing by ear.

    On a grander level, it allows musicians to speak on a “universal level.” We can describe what we’re doing in a song without relying solely on letters. It’s not, “D minor to G dominant 7 to C major 7” anymore. Now it’s, “2-5-1” in C!

    Read the full article →