How to use Chromatics in Jazz improvisation

www.jazzeveryone.com/freelesson Willie strikes again! The Chromatic Drills are about a lot more than just building FINGER CHOPS. Playing them everyday is a sure-fire way to train your fingers to respond to the music you hear in your mind and try to play. Chromatics are the glue that ties the Pentatonic Pairs together into longer and more interesting lines. If you make these drills a part of your daily routine, youʼll soon find that a lot of the mistakes you always make disappear. Adjusting the chromatics in descending scales to fit any chord was a Charlie Parkerʼs trademarks. I canʼt promise that hours of practicing these Chromatic Drills will make you play like Bird. But hey, I can guarantee that youʼll be playing a lot better sooner than later.

[@claragary]

RIP Willie, thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@confoozled3737]

Thank you for these lessons! I'm a university student studying music, but was previously self-taught in jazz, and am a bit behind compared to most of the other students that were able to afford private lessons. Your lessons are helping me fill in the gaps in my fundamental understanding of jazz that I wasn't able to grasp myself. I will be forever grateful to you, and will do my best to use this information to the best of my ability. Thank you, Uncle Willie.

[@TheJofrica]

This guy is the Bob Ross of jazz instruction

[@chrispotter3190]

TheJofrica I think he has one eye. Wouldn’t he look sick with an eye patch?

[@ricaard]

Rest in Peace, Willie; thanks for all the help...

[@hotclubofthemountains3591]

Probably one of the best jazz teachers in the world.

[@fredjacksonjr.4422]

Nicely put together segments. Man you are a great teacher. Everybody has a purpose (purposes) teaching the truth about jazz improvisation is definitely one of yours. The musical universe thanks you and so do I. Fred Jackson Jr.

[@dominant4230]

5:40 it's so beautiful

[@alb2507]

Great musician and instructor. Thank you

[@doubleking7087]

Wow! Love from Sierra Leone

[@57dogsbody]

Your hats are like your lessons: they ROCK!

[@dandeloth]

OMG, justo lo que necesitaba!!!! thank you...

[@MrRawdoc]

very clear, very logical...made me me realise I didn't know I already knew the things I didn't know I was doing...

[@DGreenjazz]

God Bless U Uncle Willie, I can now start on a new journey with my music

[@jules74386]

great stuff willie and enjoy your playing keep up the good work

[@tomoped]

Right on Willie! you da man!

[@julie4377]

You are fantastic SIR!!!!!!!! Thank You!!!!!

[@Johncowk]

thank you for this very usefull lesson !

[@Schmidt-Sax]

I really like your sound and performance style💪👍🏻

[@TANGOMANification]

Wow that's what i'm talking about!!!!!! This is a brilliant tutorial!!!!!!My hat is off to you Sir!! Regards TANGOMANification!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@coreXjazz]

great lesson, thanks

[@Schmidt-Sax]

I am interested in this sequence. Thank you very much 👍🏻

[@FACUNDOTROMPETA]

MAESTRO!!! Con todas las letras

[@ByCiceroAudoPoetryandMusic]

Bom demais!!!!

[@DGreenjazz]

God Bless U Uncle Willie, I can now start on a new journey with my music, By the way You are on "HEAVY CAT". Smile

[@saxfish]

Your videos have brought clarity...and chromatism to my Life ! ThankxXx, much appreciated ! ! SALUD -- OS !

[@gregtheodoran6642]

thats a nice horn.its look like the one dizzy gillespie played on

[@rhythm144]

awesome!

[@timeisnow7676]

Nice, thanx.

[@porkyo123]

Thanks!

[@raefblack7906]

5:18 go Willie!

[@footrane]

Genius

[@MrRawdoc]

you understand!

[@girlinagale]

Is that poster the famous alto saxophonist James Brown?

[@kyleciantar307]

Hey man I love your stuff! Sort of off topic question, but the angle of your horn got me wondering if it's like that for your own personal preference. Like do you naturally play angled downwards, and is the horn angle like that so the sound travels out and not into the ground?

[@joeschmo1332]

What a nice old dude, I´ve never seen a Hillbilly play the trumpet :-)

[@zyruemusic]

WILLIE THOMAS IS THE TRUTH!!!!!! FO SHO!!!!!

[@hectorguerra3972]

I like the videos.How can I get the sheet music

[@ryanflashback5790]

Coool

[@sjorsjcbs]

ofcourse you can ;) i think with a guitar and bass guitar its even easier, but i think thats a matter of experience as i play bass guitar myself

[@JazzEveryone]

Gary, I would suggest taking a look at the Free Lesson in the Player's Corner on my website. That should clarify some things. jazzeveryone(dot)com (You'll need to register to access the free lesson)

[@lewisharvey96]

Hmm when I play using the pairs, say just going from the 1st to the 2nd, then the 4th to 5th, its doesn't sound particularly jazz or like your playing. Even when using the half step between pairs. Am I missing something?

[@TheGuitargary]

how are you pairing them....are you paring c and f...or c and d.....

[@flamencostu]

Do you think this would work with other instruments? I play guitar for example.

[@MusicTeacherGuyNorristown]

So... when it's a C7 chord, you use the C and the D pentatonic scales? Major pentatonic, right? Not minor?

[@michaelfoxbrass]

Right. The D7 pentatonic gives you the #11 (F#} of the C7 - a "tasty" note indeed!

[@TheGuitargary]

i know most theory, but i am a little lost...are you playing c pent. to f pent. to b flat pent. etc...over the whole progression....i been playing 40 years and study jazz but a little lost. i i know how to take d and e pent. and play over c major...but not sure whats going on.

[@arjunatirtawinata6484]

Buhun ieu mh edaaannn

[@josefinigo7100]

What are pentat. pairs Willy?

[@JazzEveryone]

+Josef Inigo kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4iop4aCn9VpmNE

[@porkyo123]

Can you apply this to Bass?

[@pleximanic]

No it is impossible, your bass will explode :)

[@aadrianogamino]

pleximanic Jajajajajajaja

[@cnrbsmth]

I want to download the relevant lesson for these exercises. Where can I find it?

[@JazzEveryone]

you can find them on the website... in the player's corner/chromatic drills... you'll need a full membership though. We've got a special 30 days for $1 deal out there. Search for Jazz Everyone 30 days.

[@cnrbsmth]

Excellent thanks man.

[@KarmaKonnect]

you sound like Chong from "cheech & chong" ! great lesson on trumpet.. thanks:)

[@travelingman9763]

Is he still around?

[@omarihoard]

Holy Dear Mother

[@row0111]

I have no idea

[@DancingSpiderman]

Willie, I would like to see you wearing a hat... made of hair.

[@JazzEveryone]

Dancing Spiderman If you make it, I will wear it :)

[@ReginaldPlop]

JazzEveryone I've got a hat made out of marbles that you could wear then if you lose it you can say I lost my marbles

[@ibogerede6919]

what is this

[@Cristhycaceres]

this you don't must to do....hihihh

[@Cristhycaceres]

the pervertion of jazz is so borried

[@Nick-up4mr]

I've never seen a gay old guy.