How to Simplify Chord Changes for Better Soloing

[@SamChaneyProductions]

This is really blowing my mind. I get so hung up on using the perfect chord scale for every little passing chord and it makes learning new tunes a lot slower and more daunting at first. This is a great way to just get into it and start feeling and playing over the changes. Then later, I can incorporate more and more of the specific chord tensions if I want to. Thanks so much!

[@FinleyWheatback]

Great information here. I'd like to caution to please pay attention to what he said at about 6:00. Once you get the basic tonality down in a simple way, continue to work beyond that. The approach described in this video is sometimes called "Generalization". You just think in a very simple way about what key you are in and ignore the changes. It's basically a modal approach and a short cut. But it's only ONE approach to improvising, and players who only use one approach all the time are usually pretty boring to listen to after a while. If you are only kind of a part time, jazz player and only do it because you have to be able to play a solo here and there at a wedding gig once in a while, this is a fine approach. But it only gets you part way toward being playing jazz. There are no short cuts. Having said that, if you work hard on being able to play changes, eventually you can do it without thinking of every chord. You will automatically play lines that have cadences and melodic movement in them even if you are only thinking about the key and not every change.

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

Thanks for your comment. The idea here is not to never address being able to outline more complex harmony, I just want people to make sure they don’t put the cart before the horse. No point in trying to nail all the chords when you can’t even play over the main arrival points

[@FinleyWheatback]

Yes, that's why I started talking about paying attention to what you said at 6:00.

[@micheldindaine8403]

I Jeff, I am whatching your post from Paris right now, and I must confess that it is answering one of the main question I have been asking myself for long time now (to long ). I will now rewrite all the chord chart I have trouble improvising over. Many, Many thanks for that post.

[@Tsicky]

This video really clicked with me. I feel like I was only soloing in the broad stroke chords and I really felt over whelmed with the colorful chords. Now I see it’s really not too different and I can add the color every now again over the destination chords.

[@newmanana]

Hey Jeff! Long time viewer, first time commenter here. I often give the same advice about practicing just 5 minutes a day to beginning as well as advanced students. Just picking up the horn (or whatever they’re working on) for a few minutes a day is all it usually takes to start a great habit. It also helps with muscle memory and kills procrastination. Anyways, thanks for all of your great content here on the Tube. Cheers!

[@Josh729]

I appreciate the comment about practicing less. I’ve had to adopt this method as I’ve gotten older and more involved in other projects. I take the small practice time when I can get it and hope I can make it lead into a larger amount down the road.

[@justinlaboy6837]

gotta be the absolute best music instructional on youtube.

[@willeason1]

I agree!

[@heyhey-me7yq]

what about rick beato? he has a masters degree in jazz and co wrote carolina by parmalee. he wrote the beato book which is available in pdf and has the beato club bc patreon sucks dude.

[@justinlaboy6837]

never heard of him but ill definitely check him out! @@heyhey-me7yq

[@heyhey-me7yq]

@@justinlaboy6837 he's very different to jeff, he's not accomplished musically but he uses that as a strength bc he makes longer videos where he talks about concepts and his past as a punk guitarist in the 70's.

[@elbishop9087]

No doubt about it!

[@micheldindaine8403]

i HAD WATCHED THAT VID LAST YEAR AND IT ACTUALLY HELPED ME A LOT TO REWRITE CHORDS CHART IN ORDER TO IMPROVISE. PLUS THE EXPLAINATION MAKES A LOT OF SENSE.

[@jerometreadwell7269]

This helped me so much as a young high school jazz player! Side bar; Bob Reynolds has amazing vlogs on maximizing and taking advantage of all time for practicing!

[@quadracept576]

This is what all beginning jazz musicians need to focus on, thanks Jeff!!

[@blanecastle334]

Thank you so much for all of your videos! I have been playing sax for 3 years and watching your videos for a little over a year or so. I have used a lot of your advice and I appreciate your videos. I recently auditioned for a performing arts school and nailed the audition. Thank you

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

So glad to hear that, Blane! Congrats on the successful audition!

[@julianbradley9094]

Beautiful new production Jeff!!

[@colinogle9998]

Thanks Jeff, cutting to the basic key centres that a tune moves through is how I've been trying to improvise for quite some time. Good to have your confirmation that this is a good way to tackle it.

[@londondubplates]

after watching many of your videos i think youre one of the best musicians ive ever learned from. and one of the best people in general. thank you for all of these videos. youre super generous im definitely going to try to give back to your website asap.

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

Wow 😀 thank you so much for the kind words. Your comment really means a lot to me, I am so glad that you’ve found my videos useful.

[@anthonydemitre9392]

Amazing lesson, teachers have usually given me a version of a tune with someone else's chord embellishments in a fake book and teach you how to add subs, extensions, alterations, then you try to solo over it, this complicates the learning process, You learn from this but it makes you sound too technical as you have no time to assimilate, Simplify then add, I thought about this often, Thanks Jeff for validating this idea!

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

Absolutely. Got to start with the broad strokes before you get to the details. As they say, don’t put the cart before the horse.

[@espr7564]

Needless to say, making these videos also takes up your valuable time thanks Jeff & greetings from Germany. 🎷😎👍

[@type_5]

The legend is back!!! Happy New Year!!

[@ulusot]

Where have you been Frank?

[@benjaminrosenbohm8910]

its 5 am and I cant sleep. Cheers man, thanks for giving me smthn to do

[@benjaminmadsen358]

Great advice and demonstration. I noticed the more stylized visuals in this video, and that's neat.

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

Glad you noticed! I’ll try to keep that up

[@schiffwasright]

Jeff how does nobody teach like you. This is so hopeful for thinking about walking lines

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

Glad you’re enjoying my videos! Thanks!

[@olivieraleman]

Super dope...as a bass player I ignore a lot of changes because I don't want to hem the soloist in...and I'm lazy...great content.

[@huntermatthews3407]

Thanks Jeff! Your videos are great because you always talk about really concrete and actionable stuff that you can DO to get better.

[@kuyaadriann]

A refreshing kick in the arse for my lazy yet ‘sentimental’ holiday mood! Appreciate you man, have a blessed New Year

[@KristjanCocev]

Just wanted to say, you are making the world a better place! Thank you so much for all your work!

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

Thanks for the kind words! and thank you for watching :)

[@joelpierson2628]

Great to get some confirmation. Now I have some guidance in developing it.

[@zackguitar07]

Thanks for this video, Jeff! I’ve been stressing out over new tunes that my band is writing because I’m the only one who improvises the lead guitarist. This simplified approach with pentatonics, key areas, and destination notes is exactly what I needed!

[@Zakvasir]

"Sometimes the hardest part is just putting your saxophone together." I just got murdered

[@saxofonistacr]

Excelent! this point isn't very often explained. And it is the thing that will move you foward fast.

[@tonylancer7367]

I've always found improvising quite intimidating, confused as to whether I should use this scale or that scale. This is *EXTREMELY* helpful for me! Practice tips are always handy!!! Happy New Year Jeff!!! Make this year more Stanky (Wooooooo)!!!

[@NathanBird]

Thanks for this explanation! Very helpful for beginner soloists like myself to not get overwhelmed by all the fancy chord markings

[@Waldvogel45]

Thanks again Jeff ; super idea(s) for REAL situations, in shed and in rehearsal, and psychology too.

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

Glad it’s making sense!

[@jhnlk]

Jeff! Always appreciate your videos. Thank you!

[@digitalphreedom]

The sound that you’re using for those melodies makes it a little harder for me to understand. I can see the notes you’re hitting on the piano, but that wah-wah/bendy sound makes it sound like you’re bending a lot of those notes, which sounds cooler obviously, but it’s making it a little harder for me to learn, because on the screen it’s showing you hitting one note at a time, but I’m hearing the bends and trying to figure out which notes those are in the middle of it. Just my thoughts tho, tried to explain it as best I could. That being said: I LOVE your channel!! Keep up the great work! I’ve never met you, but you’re already one of the best music teachers I’ve ever had! The way you explain things works really well for me, and I’ve been able to learn and improve a lot from your videos, thank you!

[@rootblack8745]

JEFF !!! I'm a guitarist/songwriter and THAT BEAT IS SICK !! IT ---- IS ---- S I C K !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@NabilSioty]

I'm going to take your advice about practicing even if it's only for a few minutes. I thought I was doing too much trying to practice piano and singing while also trying to build my music production business. I thought it might be better to focus on one thing at a time and then practice for hours everyday when I find the time to do that. But in reality consistency will get me much further.

[@JeffWhiteMedia]

Fantastic lesson, all around! Good reminders a lot of us need, or, at least, I know I do!

[@ransomqhouhx7]

Happy new year Jeff ! Good to see you again

[@UBeesh10]

Love the boom bap feel to the beat u played. If i was a rapper, id purchase it.

[@kblu65]

OMG😍💯💯💯!!! Love the music you shared at the beginning

[@AudStudent03]

I've improved my flute playing a lot just practising 1/2 hour/day during breaks from work. If your time is limited like mine i recommend to practise only one or a few things like tone, scales etc for a period of time.

[@MrDragonslayer27]

video starts at 2:57

[@TheJigglicious]

MrDragonslayer27 are you kidding me. Video started at that dope beat 😎

[@toto-ok3yf]

Video starts at 0:27 You have to watch until 0:56 then you have to skip until 2:57

[@freshpansen6313]

Finally Jeff is back!

[@gabrielcsferreira]

These are really good tips. Thanks for sharing!

[@gabriellazaro1122]

Thank you so much for your content. You make me content.

[@ryrycal]

This is so useful! Thank you so much!

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

Glad to hear it! Thanks for watching

[@albeniz53]

Jeff, what a wonderful way to look at improvisation. I’m a frustrated classical trained musician trying to play jazz trying to sound like Oscar Peterson on a bad day. This tip might be just the breakthrough I need to advance my solos. I watch Kamuel Roig do all those runs on his solos and I wonder how to practice those in fast tunes. Can you talk about that? Thank you for your videos.

[@TheCommentator353]

Hey Jeff, have you ever thought about making a video on Opening licks? Licks that you would start a solo with to give it a really strong introduction? Just a thought

[@PabloTarantino]

Good tips! Great lesson, as usual! I don't know why we don't pay much attention to how we practice. I became aware of the huge impact it can make on your playing after I finished the conservatory (it's a shame). Happy new year!

[@genuinefreewilly5706]

hey great advice, make what time you have to practice and learn count.

[@eddiekent1997]

Thank you for sharing your Knowledge

[@Keithkp]

Thanks Jeff, that was really helpful.

[@nicolasvalencia503]

Great Video Jeff!

[@mfreeman313]

Nice, very useful concept. But within reason, right? I saw a guy years ago in a sort of journeyman jazz band who just noodled around in the general tonality, and on something like a Gershwin tune that doesn't really work : ) But when you're trying to play fluently through something like "Black Nile" this is a lifesaver. Thanks, will check out more.

[@HP-jz9jd]

0:26 that beat is my jam 🔥

[@jimb4547]

Excellent Jeff!

[@Str8representing]

wow that was the greatest youtube ad ever

[@emslira9955]

you are so inspiring! thank you so much for this info. I was wondering... what kind of tool do you use to get that keyboard on the screen. min 4:24-5:20. best regards

[@thormusique]

Excellent tips, thanks!

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

Glad to hear it. Thanks for watchin!

[@gustavhegandersen5720]

You're always on point! thanks!

[@Patrikc37]

Hey Jeff I was wondering what program you use to show the midi keyboard on screen! Thanks Love your videos!

[@sugarqueer8088]

super beautifull edition!

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

Thank you :)

[@ArgoBeats]

Love your videos, Jeff: short, essential and so effective. Thanks, man.

[@meninblak2354]

super helpful Jeff...thankyou........this is John using my wifes account lol

[@ethanmaruyama1149]

Super helpful. Thanks

[@timothysmallaxe]

Greatness bro ! !!!! Liked and subscribed

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

Welcome to the channel, Timo!

[@timothysmallaxe]

Thanks man I've gotten so much out if just watching a couple videos, I play mostly by ear chromatic steel pan

[@estudiohertz]

What was the sound you used on lead solo?

[@xXKIKOXx0]

please lmk if someone finds out

[@ulucavci6697]

+1 please!

[@TROGULAR10000]

to my ears it's a creamy Moog sound with automated filter modulation aka "auto wah". so it opens the filter and stays open until the end of each note. so if you have a synth you could try a triangle or square wave and try to use the filter envelope to open the filter in such a way on each note. maybe you can do with an LFO too but then probably the cycling nature of the LFO wouldn't be as appropriate for this exact sound or you would use that to your advantage depending

[@eddierocksteady]

Thanks! Great tips!

[@scottnanni7629]

Jeff-as always practical goodness as to the fundamentals of musical growth I try for a 1/2 hour practicing-1/2 recording my originals- the goal is consistency That adds up to almost 30 hours monthly (accounting for missed days)- progress at a slower pace, but progress none the less

[@greenflare3125]

the first one was like, dang that's pretty good! the second one, i had to sit back and absorb what i had heard!!! dang that was litt

which software do you use for the keyboard to show up on screen? great great job!!!

[@SteveSam66]

Jeff, Great content.

[@bertrandguigues111]

thanks a lot its more simply to analyse harmony

[@enjuro4315]

Ma best Jazz Sensei......

[@jasonocollier]

Excellent content! Thank you

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

Thanks for watching!

[@stasmaksimov9531]

Tnx Jeff! Great lesson! 👍

[@daffa9505]

Soo, can you play it fast if you can play it slow?

[@JJ95JP]

Awesome! Is the part B simplificable too??

[@JasperEenhoorn]

That solooooo

[@marselmusic]

Thanks! also I really agree with you, epsecially using the ear

[@kenmurphi]

nice one jeff

[@practice_Chinese_yoga]

Like it...the info & the solo too

[@composer7325]

Excellent, thank you.

[@Gman44044]

Hi Jeff, great video. Ive been a guitar player for 19 years as a hobbyist. Watching these awesome neo soul videos on keyboards is discouraging to see as a guitarist, haha. Do you think guitars have the same versatility when it comes to composing and developing musical ideas as keyboards? For starters, it seems like keyboards lets you explore Bach style counterpoints more efficiently than guitars. Your thoughts on this?

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

The same? No. The guitar has many advantages the keyboard does not. That’s said, I think the piano keyboard is a slightly better vehicle for learning theory since it is so linear and easy to understand on a visual level.

[@jackleadbitter1434]

What synth is this your playing over the top of the chords?

[@lim7lim]

You're brilliant.

[@donl9571]

Jeff, how about doing a part 2 of this using the horrific Christmas Real Book for examples. The songs we all want to play and hear, but written out by the Real Book editors with a chord change every beat.

[@richardsorice4509]

Yeah, The Christmas Real Book is about most useless book, ever.

[@bobbywjamc]

Sage advice 🙏

[@2005rosebud]

makes sense to me. thanks for posting

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

Glad to hear it! Thanks for watching

[@Centrista1]

Excellent video thanks a lot🙏🙏🙏

[@frankpike3684]

Great video thanks very much!

[@kendallburks]

Any tips or past videos on getting maximum “value” out of those pentatonic scales? I imagine a lot of it comes down to learning a lot of licks to get a feel for different combos/phrases etc... thoughts?

[@joelpierson2628]

I hope I'm not stepping on Jeff's toes here but, (Jeff delete this if it's out of line) there is a pay course called Pentatonic Foundation at BetterSax.com that is worth the $ if you want to get command and understanding of Pentatonic scales. I'm a student there so, nothing to gain if you do or don't.

[@tuomas3964]

Think minor pentatonic as a dorian or aiolian sound. Then think about relative major (lydian for dorian, ionian for aiolian). You notice that one pentatonic forms 2 different pentatonics. Then you might find that you can play a minor pentatonic from different places in relatioin to a major or minor chord and it brings out a different sound while still remaining pentatonic sounding. The you should improvise with the scale thinking about different starting points for major/minor pentatonic (from the 3rd, 7th, root). You shouldn't learn licks. Just try to copy what people do on recordings...

[@russtaccone3517]

PTuomas

[@jihadiscottie2388]

I want to buy all the Pentatonic solos over In a Sentimental Mood! Is that available? Prefer it to be in B flat Tenor Sax?

[@FacePomagranate]

Hey Jeff, if you've got a really short chunk of practice time, what do you recommend practicing? Should you skip long tones and scales and go straight to songs?

[@Tanglangfa]

How does one identify transition chords versus target chords? I understand and like the concepts, but unless you explain that part, this is going to be difficult.

[@HerroVincey]

Late reply, but target chords will usually land on the 1 or 3 beats of a measure (especially the 1) and sometimes even go for multiple measures. Most often, they will be in the tonic key. Any chords you see that only quickly sound for one beat is likely to be a secondary chord of some sort, which are common transition chords. (Secondary dominants and fully diminished seventh chords are most always transition chords).

[@codylaurie96]

Can you make a vid on how to form good melodies over songs like take the a train for example im a alto saxophone player who wants to get really good at soloing and cant find any good vids on it so far thanks

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

Melodic development is one of my favorite topics to cover. You can definitely expect it in a future video

[@jiujitsucolumbus4622]

Great advice!

[@seiph80]

Thanks for giving me that uncontrollable stank face at work.

[@justincarrasco3680]

You have desecrated the holy shock mount. This offense must be paid for with blood.

[@IFeeeeelGood]

Is the first solo example a Micheal Brecker homage?

[@arthursantiago100]

Jeff , u helped me a lot in my jazz journey over the past 2 years .... when u simplify the changes , do u return to the original changes in the left hand ( keyboards) after your lines are developed in the right hand , or do u simply continue playing for instance 1 chord during an original 2-5-1 ? Thanks again.

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

If you are playing with a band, I would recommend keeping the chords in your left hand aligned with what is written on the lead sheet. Your right hand can use the simplified approach described in this video. If you are practicing or playing a solo gig, I think it’s fine to try the broad strokes with both hands. Good luck!