A "Cool" Minor Blues; Using Secondary Dominants, Jazz Tutorial.

A "Cool" Minor Blues; using Secondary Dominants, Jazz Tutorial.
An explanation of applying secondary dominate 7th chords to a minor blues progression. Two examples: a basic minor blues: "Equinox", by John Coltrane (allows for more pentatonic improvisation on one scale- inside and outside). 2. "C Minor Blues"- (by Kent Hewitt) -expanding a basic blues progression using secondary dominants. This creates a more complex and sophisticated chord progression for improvisation.
Explanation of the theory and application as relating to secondary dominant book lesson. Please go to website for free scores and to view Jazz Piano Book for Professional Playing. www.kenthewitt.com

[@tjbuege]

Kent, these tutorials are priceless! The more I sit down at my piano and just start improvising and playing through the chord progressions and techniques you teach, the more this all starts to gel and make sense. Tonight the term "secondary dominant" finally clicked. I mean, I knew what that means, how to figure out the chords, but I realized it's starting to become a part of what flows when I just let go and simply play what I feel. One of my favorite things to do right now is take the free sheet music you have on your website, and in your Jazz Piano books, and embellish, trying different chords and voicings, arpeggios and runs, even changing up the time signature, turning ballads in to a waltz, changing the key, and so on. I just keep repeating though a piece, trying different ideas each time through. The more I do that, the easier it becomes. Your tutorials are inspiring, I hope you realize that! I continue to look forward to each one.

[@AlMonzoEsq]

But why put the chords at the top of the screen and then obscure then with text? Seems rather odd and unnecessary.

[@KentHewittpiano88]

That's a great comment, Tim, and very helpful to me. You let me know I'm on the right track. A million thanks!

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Aldo....Some people like to follow along with the score. These are usually people who read music well. If it's not helpful to you just blank it out.

[@alexemhardt3762]

So true

[@ricardofranciszayas]

You are definitely “Professor Jazz” as far as I’m concerned. I’m as 70 year semi-retired keyboard player and composer and every time I watch one of your videos, I learn something new or learn how to see something I know from repetition, in a completely new light. You presented something on the circle of 5ths which blew my mind. And the series on modes totally opened the whole thing up for. You are an excellent teacher. And you play with such a command of the instrument and a commitment to the narrative in your improvising. Your books are a treasure. Swing peacefully, Maestro.

[@KentHewittpiano88]

That's about the best comment of the year. It's going into the archives. Thanks a million!

[@0lamalar0]

I love how much clearer your explanations got over time. I think "professor" would be appropriate not only for your amazing music knowledge but also for your teaching skills.

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Thanks so much!

[@davidmiller3652]

Jazz gem here from Professor Kent ! All players would be wise to take a secondary look.

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Thanks very much, David...wonderful comment!

[@daveadams5]

🎵 Kent, thankyou! At last I'm beginning to understand the concept of secondary dominants. I will echo a previous comment and say your videos remain absolutely priceless to anyone learning jazz or music theory. Thankyou so much for all the great KZbin content you post which are invaluable to us pupils out here from the master. Excellent! Cheers! DaveA 👍🎵

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Thanks for a great comment...very helpful to me!

[@frankcross7221]

Thank you Kent, your legacy will travel farther than you could imagine.

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Best comment of the month. You made my day, bro...swing loose!

[@feigao2596]

From Ireland to Khitan

[@brucejeric6701]

Yes. I listen to lesson again on don’t get around much anymore and I looked at comments on it. Found mine from 4 months ago and my mind was about in the same place as today. But what I realized as I listened and watched your solo, I figured this is up to me to listen and listen and listen and take inspiration from you and your playing and make it my own. So if you don’t get around (haha) to doing another tutorial on soloing techniques, so be it. I will be just fine. I will figure it all out. That’s what the work (practice) is for. Thanks for being here!!!

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Bruce, You can get ideas by imitation, but really a solo has to be exclusively from yourself, no matter what you try to be. I listen to myself, and I wish I could sound like Herbie Hancock, but I can't, so, I try to be satisfied with who I am.

[@brucejeric6701]

As you should be!! I love you soloing. It’s you. I love Herbie‘s to. Never compared the two of you. All you say is so true. Thank you.

[@danielsheltraw8773]

Just what I was looking for. Thanks.

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Glad I could help!

[@brendaboykin7150]

Yes,Professor Jazz!!!🌹🍀🌹

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Thank you, Brenda. PJ

[@PlumeMusique]

Hello Kent, your solos are always a gold mine. Great to see the chords at the same time, this helps on following you. And it's so cool to see a real human being on the other side... You are funny and smart. What a pleasure to follow your courses. Huge THANKS. You help a lot. Love from France.

[@KentHewittpiano88]

France, is the best. So your comment is very helpful to me....you are a cat!

[@ChoBee333]

It’s so beautiful the way u play that minor blues!

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Thanks so much. Please subscribe!.

[@mamikyogyakarta9837]

I love Jazz and thanks for lesson.🎼🎷

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Thanks for watching!

[@gaugeonesteam]

Lot of secondary dominants in 'Pop' music too. Often in the final verse or chorus. Gives more tension/resolution as the song comes to an end. Didn't realise there was a name for this. Now I understand how they work. Great stuff Kent.

[@KentHewittpiano88]

That's a great comment. Exactly right, thanks!

[@jackmeginniss6327]

Thanks Kent. Another informative and enjoyable tutorial.

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Much appreciated!

[@JOUA1400]

SUPA - COOL!!!!!! Amazing how Dominant/2nd Dom. principle never fails to be.. Provocative. Thank you for YOUR keen insights PROFESSOR Kent!

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Provocative....got to love that word...thanks!

[@richardallen1961]

Yes awesome to see you...Professor. This vid is making me put on my thinking cap !

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Thinking is always good...when you are in the mood!

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Thinking is important to being sane!

[@rickrocketts183]

Cool video Kent.

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Thank you!

[@p1anosteve]

Great explanation of using secondary dominants. The secondary dominant always reminds me of using a dominant chord a semitone below the 4 chord in "Happy Birthday" it just sounds better!

[@KentHewittpiano88]

I dig you, man. Absolutely!

[@phyllishesford7236]

Always in awe of your knowledge of music & these valuable videos..Pro.of jazz you are indeed!! Great video Kent...😙😚💗

[@KentHewittpiano88]

There you go, Phyllis, always the best comments. Thanks and stay cool!

[@vansullivan236]

This is great! Thanks

[@KentHewittpiano88]

You're welcome!

[@georgedennis2112]

Great lesson on secondary Dominant chords. Definitely will try to get your book. Thks "Always keep it swinging."

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Keep swinging and always swing loose!

[@alexemhardt3762]

Take care if you and stay in good health, Kent, I love you

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Love to you, too Alex and stay well!

[@garyhillman4993]

Yow proffessor jazz. Nice one 👍

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Thanks so much!

[@Vojajazz]

This is beautiful, thank you! Also for Victor's quote...

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Thanks for the comment and acknowledging the quote!

[@jackmeginniss6327]

More great stuff from a great guy

[@KentHewittpiano88]

If I knew you, I'm sure I'd feel the same way. thanks!

[@dkwvt13]

Great breakdown of the secondary dominant, I've been bouncing off this application recently and your lesson really helps. Your minor blues is wonderful, Thank You...! 😎

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Love the comment, Donald, a million thanks!

[@ryanmccord3716]

Professor Jazz!

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Signing in, TL!

[@robinmarwick1982]

Thanks Kent great video... as always very inspirational

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Wonderful comment, thanks!

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Best comment, Robin, thanks!

[@macky-HomelikeMusic]

So cool performance and kind tutorial!😌🌻✨Thank you for sharing!!!😄🌹🎶

[@KentHewittpiano88]

I'm still waiting to hear you play, Macky...thanks soooo much!

[@KentHewittpiano88]

You are so cool to tell me, and I'm still waiting to hear you play, Macky.

[@macky-HomelikeMusic]

@@KentHewittpiano88 Wow!Very honored!😆🎶✨Thank you so much!

[@daviudd1251]

Cool Daddy!!! Im buying the BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Thank you!!

[@DonyaLane]

I was digging your solo!

[@KentHewittpiano88]

I'm digging your comment...but solos are always never repeated...but my humble thanks!

[@michaelsclafanimd1844]

Great great lesson Thank you professor

[@KentHewittpiano88]

You can now call me "Prof."

[@marcosquito]

Great video Mr Hewitt !! I do and don't understand. The concept is ok. I simply didn't understand in the music (Equinox). But I'll try to hear again

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Marcos, I tried to explain and apply the principles of secondary dominants to a minor blues, by using the first example, being a simple 4 chord blues (Equinox), and then a more complex blues progression...using secondary dominants, to show how they are used and function to give the player more improvisation challenges. This is definitely an intermediate level or advanced. Thanks for the comment!

[@Paul_demian]

Great Quote , Im gonna copy it, cool vid by the way , just thinking of these things while playing blues. Great:

[@KentHewittpiano88]

That's so kind of you...a great comment, Paul.

[@brucejeric6701]

Thanks Kent!!! Great quote! Great blues lesson. I like how you explained and used secondary dominants in your embellishment if that C minor blues. The A chord had the diminished sound and functions as I think. Moving a half step down to the Tritone sub of the ii chord.

[@brucejeric6701]

This is one of the Ways diminished chords are used so often in jazz. And of course YOU are a jazz player!!! Nice job. Always look forward to everything you share. Hope you and Herb are enjoying the nice fall weather break we are getting? At least it’s thstwayin Ohio.

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Thanks, Bruce. I appreciate the yours being the first comment. There's a lot of work that I put into these videos, so the comments are needed, in order for me to remain sane. Love ya, brother!

[@brucejeric6701]

I love it !!! You make me laugh out loud. That means do much to me.

[@brucejeric6701]

I would like to make a request. But only if it doesn’t drive you nuts!! A while ago you gave us your arrangement of don’t get around much anymore. I really liked it and added it to my repertoire. My question is, when you take a solo on it, how do you think harmonically? I’m having a little difficulty with it. Could you break it down to its simplest form. I hope I’m making myself clear enough? Also I hope it’s alright and appropriate to ask you here? Thanks

[@KentHewittpiano88]

That's a good request Bruce. Remind me. I always create my videos on impulse. meaning... what I'm feeling, and remember that I like about certain requests....so it's hit or miss.

[@wolfgangkleiber4425]

Hello and thanks for great tutorial. This blues of yours would be easier for me to study with your backing track. Is there any chance for u to provide this?

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Write to me at my email and I will try to send the backing track to you.

[@wolfgangkleiber4425]

@@KentHewittpiano88 thanks for replying. Unfortunately i cant find your email on rhe web. Pls help

[@jazzpianosheet]

Hi, Kent-san I have your book"Jazz Piano Methods and Songbook Vol. I & II". It's a great text.

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Hiroshi, your comment means a lot to me, and very helpful,... to have positive feedback about my book. Thank you!

[@stefanogrumi]

Thank you for your lessor Master but i have a question . Which is a cool chords progression on an advanced Blues? For example, how can i change the basic progression I7 IV7 V7 ?

[@KentHewittpiano88]

There's so many variations on the standard blues progression, I could do a lesson on that subject alone. This video is showing how to take a simple minor blues progression and make it more complex and challenging (and cool) by adding secondary dominants.

[@garyhillman4993]

Professor jazz is great

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Much apprecaited...thanks from the Prof!

[@marilynharris4118]

YAY!!! You're BA-A-A-A-CK!!!! ♬ ♬ Missed you, KH!! XOXO - M

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Backkkkk….Professor Jazz. xoxox!

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Thank you, soooo much! xoxox

[@humblemai2211]

Love you much

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Thank you!

[@richardolson8651]

Nice, very helpful

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Thank you!

[@dannuttle9005]

Now I want a CD of you playing Coltrane. No, I take that back. I want TEN CDs.

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Check out my Coltrane videos. 2 on Giant Steps, and one on My Favorite Things. On You Tube just Google the titles and my name.

[@Citizen110]

Kent Hewitt is more than Prof. Jazz - he’s Prof. Music! Ask me and I’d tell anyone, if you want to gain understanding of jazz as a genre, AND learn how music works, check out Kent Hewitt - no matter what instrument you play. I say that as a guitarist who occasionally tries to learn to play the piano. He breaks down complex musical concepts and demonstrates how to apply them in practical ways. On top of that, he’s a great jazz performer, who’s sound and technique are nothing short of inspirational.

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Citizen110...what can I say, but eternal thanks for an awesome comment...perhaps the best of this year. You, brother, keep me going. Many blessings!

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Best comment of the year...your are the man!

[@dominic4019]

I’ve come to realise the altered dominant ego man looks a lot like the KH. I bet his chops aren’t as slick though. Stay groovy Professor Jazz!

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Well... he looks like me, because he's my alter ego.....yours looks like you too, but thinks differently! Swing loose!

[@davidgroth26]

Professor Jazz is good!

[@KentHewittpiano88]

I dig you, man!!

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Cool dad!

[@marctino703]

Thanks Professor

[@KentHewittpiano88]

You like my new title!?

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Professor Jazz here!

[@ront2457]

I hear a little monkish moans and grunts going on Kent....great stuff!!

[@KentHewittpiano88]

It might have come from Erroll Garner or Oscar...2 more of my heroes.

[@Gusrikh1]

Very interesting and helpful...thank you.

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Thanks!

[@samuelfadzi7472]

Thanks man

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Swing loose, brother!

[@samuelfadzi7472]

@@KentHewittpiano88 youre agood jazz teacher ..

[@dannuttle9005]

Professor? How about Professor Emeritus! With a doctorate in Altered Dominance. Summa Cum Ego! Anyway, another fascinating video, although too advanced for me at this point. I will loop back to this later. I sure like the song.

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Thanks for the acknowledgement, Dan. I'm sure ADEM would appreciate the suggestion. Watch my video on special tips including how to slow down the video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5Wcm3eaZ6mqqsU

[@johnnymisbegotten]

Hearing some nice chord progressions and a little music theory behind it is a refreshing break from the BS coming out of the cable networks and the WH tweets.

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Kudos to you... bro, for telling it real. Thanks so much and swing loose!

[@vanguard4065]

John Reynolds the obama tweets are equally pathetic

[@johnnyblue1101]

What’s the title of the intro tune? Thanks

[@KentHewittpiano88]

That's "Ahmad's Blues" by Ahmad Jamal. That's my trio playing. All my intro and exit music is from my CDs.

[@johnnyblue1101]

Much appreciated

[@johnnyblue1101]

Where can I get a decent chart?

[@gaugeonesteam]

NOT SURE ABOUT PROFESSOR? a lot of dodgy street fortune tellers use the term Professor. At least they do in Europe! To me you're the KH. It's your initials. More personal to you. Anyway, another great video in my opinion. I've always like minor blues. Often used in Spy movie themes and similar style TV shows. Very cool.

[@KentHewittpiano88]

I'm glad you like the video. If you like the initials you could call me KH aka PJ.

[@gaugeonesteam]

Hehehe!! very good. (some of the street fortune tellers in the EU actually call themselves 'Grand professors'!!) Anyway, I'm learning more about piano that I have done for many years by watching your videos and I am sure many of your subscribers think the same. please keep going. Great stuff. KH aka PJ. Very good! (Still think a 'Stan Tracey' special would be very interesting. His chord voicings seem so unique and interesting.) Or maybe some other pianist specific videos. Tricks of Dave Brubeck, Oscar Peterson, etc. I learned one Dave Brubeck tune where he does a fast run up the keyboard- g, c,d,e g, x 3 octaves. Easy on the fingers and a big chord and the end. Kathy's Waltz I think!? Great Stuff KH.

[@joemeyer6876]

PJ

[@jwsuicides8095]

Shit! I'm such an arse I don't even understand the title.

[@KentHewittpiano88]

Are you say a cool minor blues is not cool?

[@KentHewittpiano88]

A minor blues can be cool or dark.

[@jwsuicides8095]

@@KentHewittpiano88 sorry. Wasn't disagreeing or anything. My musical ignorance is so bad I couldn't even keep up with the title. Have pity on mere mortals like myself. I can sing stuff but I can't play it, not even with disciplined application - hence being here hoping that something will seep in. ;) Cheers!!

[@flober1970]

McCoy, get off KH's body !

[@KentHewittpiano88]

If I could have 1% of McCoys talent, I would be 1000% better. Oh well, thanks for the awesome compliment!

[@KentHewittpiano88]

If I had 1% I'd be 1000% better!