Melodic Embellishment in 13 minutes (Jazz piano)

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LESSON NOTES:
In this Jazz Hero Masterclass I explain several techniques you can use to embellish any melody.
Identify the resolution notes of the chord that you're playing - these will always be the root, the 3rd and the 5th (1 3 5) of whatever the chord is. Only these notes will sound resolved where they are. So if there's a C minor chord in the chord sheet, the notes that will sound resolved are C Eb G (1 3 5 of C minor). All other notes in the scale are tension notes - tension notes want to resolve by moving the nearest resolution note.
You can embellish any of these 3 resolution notes using a range of 'ornaments' (melodic decoration) borrowed from classical music:
1. The 'appoggiatura' - precede any resolution note with a dissonant tension note a step below or above the resolution note. Play the tension note on the down beat that the chord is played on, then immediately resolve that note to the resolution note on the next beat.
2. The 'turn' - play the resolution note - tension note above - repeat the resolution note - tension note below - end on resolution note. For example, over a C minor chord, you could decorate G with a turn - G Ab G F G.
3. The 'double appoggiature' - preceded any resolution note with a tension note below, then the tension note above, then the resolution note. So in C minor, you could apply a double appoggiatura to G, by playing F Ab G. Or you play the same shape upside down - Ab F G.
Practice using these types of embellishment over any chord. Play any chord, major minor or dominant - identify the 3 resolution notes (1 3 5) and practice embellishing those 3 notes with any of these ornaments.

[@pianobar1012]

That was a great tutorial for intermediate jazz piano players. Your patience on the keyboard for students to absorb is commendable. Not many videos out there like this.

[@jazztutorial]

Thanks so much PB, this means a lot to me.

[@PLanBBeaTZ]

+jazztutorial Great!!my favourite lesson!!so if you are still open for requests, it would be great to have an tutorial on musical phrases and how to build, vary , contarst it etc...!!!!or on how to create themes!!!

[@antmanmusic]

I'm not sure how many Contemporary gospel musician's are reading this, but I want to say you are an extraordinary teacher!!! Thanks so much for what you teach us!!! AntMAN, Birmingham, AL

[@martin32117]

i have learnt more from these videos in one hour than years of jazz books.....thank you....

[@jazztutorial]

You're welcome Martin, I'm really happy to hear this! Thank you for the inspiring comment :)

[@danielhicks8466]

This gent fills the gaps that jazz piano books cant seem to explain. Lovely lesson sir, this is the first of many videos of yours i will be watching

[@jazztutorial]

Thanks Daniel! Hope you continue to enjoy the material!

[@ossieclarke6207]

Great. Many thanks, so useful to the beginning improviser I cannot say how much

[@ronsonol04]

This stuff is useful for any kind of music nowadays, not even just jazz. As an electronic producer your your videos are a huge help! THANK YOU!!

[@ccal2284]

every so often you come across a concept that totally revolutionizes the way you look at your instrument, this is one of those moments!! YOU are incredible, thank you so much for this video

[@jazztutorial]

Most inspirational comment of the week! Thanks so much Ccal - I'm so happy to hear that this changed your perspective! Makes me love making videos :)

[@ChristineGPadua]

This was really helpful!! Thank you so much!

[@ioioio13]

I have been teaching myself piano for the last year or so after learning jazz tickled my brain and sent shivers down my spine. Slowly understanding these concepts more as time goes on and with subsequent viewings of your videos. I hope to find a teacher soon to speed things up a bit as it would be an honor to play music that gives someone else those warm euphoric head tingles that I so graciously have received from this art form. I just wanted to say thank you and that you continually inspire me to push me closer to this goal.

[@MrKennkenn]

julian's teaching is from his heart, so holding back, very compassionate .very unselfish person . you dont have to go winding thru hours of fundamentals .

[@jazztutorial]

Thanks so much Chong, really appreciate this lovely comment, and I'm so glad these lessons help you! Thank you

[@MrKennkenn]

Julian god bless you

[@stevenchin2111]

Your videos have been VERY HELPFUL! Thank you!

[@RikMaxSpeed]

Really useful video. Thanks!

[@stevebhowanee164]

Julian, thank you so much for these great lessons. Will buy your book soon.

[@paulharris8551]

Super cool!!!

[@naamanm6038]

God bless you and your teaching! I've learned so much awesome theory from your videos. Thank you so much sir!

[@Norogoth]

This was so good! I have been looking for this for months and you made it so simple! Thank you.

[@jennbatey4961]

Thanks...super helpful.

[@gel1912]

Very good tutorial

[@liamzuid]

These tutorials are so helpfull! I don't even play piano nor play jazz but it helps my understanding of theory. So much better than boring text books on music theory. Keep up the great work!

[@SoegiHartono]

Thanks for the lesson

[@pragnyamadiraju1153]

very good lesson

[@25yoga1]

so great! thank you!

[@EricWattree]

You're a great teacher, Julian. I've been playing sax all of my life, but watching your videos help me to better understand the method behind the madness I've been indulging in for years. They also help me to plot new madness. Thank you so much.

[@LuisGarcia-in7vg]

Your book is fantastic Mr. Bradley, So far I've learned two songs, but the important thing is that I'm discovering new ways to improvise by breaking down those songs! Regards.

[@jazztutorial]

Thanks so much Luis - I'm so pleased you're enjoying the pieces! That was my goal with the book - to present the notes for you to dissect and reverse engineer. I could never find an authentic jazz performance in the books I used to buy, they were always simplified, so I'm really pleased you're learning from my pieces. Which 2 did you start with?

[@avantoneavantone5826]

excellent!

[@britesynth]

awesome!

[@edgargevorgyan4761]

Excellent explanation. Very good approach. Thank you for taking time and creating this videos.

[@jazztutorial]

Thank you Edgar - you're welcome and I really appreciate your comment. Glad these help you!

[@rothschildianum]

Wow...You are very smart in formulating this. It makes easy to understand.

[@laurielyon7740]

Excellent content………as usual!

[@CruciatusVXS]

Just... wow. You're one of the few online tutors who can explain things with such simplicity, using a proper language and leaving out unnecessary comments. Thank you and keep up the great work.

[@jazztutorial]

Such a lovely comment for me to read - thanks so much Cruciatus! Your encouragement really goes a long way and makes me love making videos. Lots more to come :)

[@pitullo70]

your Lesson was great! You're a genius! Thanks

[@jazztutorial]

Thanks so much Zichele! I'm so glad you enjoyed this one :)

[@nesschallis1909]

Thanks Julian - a very useful lesson and much appreciated! :)

[@lofi_Insomnia_]

this is EXTREMELY helpful omg

[@amos108SF]

Julian, these are great techniques you've taught us. Keep up the good work. Thanks!

[@jazztutorial]

Thank you John, I appreciate the comment. I'm really happy to know these help :)

[@rplayspiano]

Good job Mr. Bradley! I like to fill in the right hand in octave chords.

[@mtmals9786]

Hi Julian. Was studying your Jazz Theory eBook this afternoon at work and couldn't wait to check out this great lesson. Even as a beginner I can practice this. The elements lead to other theory element. I found several lessons helpful in trying to analyze the fine music track to the film The Firm. There are some great tracks, "Ray's Blues" among them that are right down your alley. Merry Christmas and best to you all for a great new year of music. Mike M.

[@joloyschannel2511]

it is so great! it really helps me in my music solo...specialy us beginners here ïn the Philippines.

[@kingusmcgee]

Thanks, enjoyed it. The first minute or two into the video, I was at the piano applying the ideas with neighboring tones, then resolving. Also c7 - left hand, and the various C Minor scales with right hand

[@laurielyon7740]

Mr. Bradley, your videos are marvellous. Always. I can’t say I’ve seen anything (pertaining to music) to equal them. And I’m not even a keyboard player. I’m a clarinet player..........but I’ve benefited very much from viewing your clips.

[@Riffs_and_lifts]

By the way; I'm a guitar player but even I learn and benefit a lot from your videos. You explain theory simply enough to understand, yet with enough detail that the importance of which is emphasized in just the right way to were I can incorporate the things you talk about and experiment with things on my own. Your technique is also very fluid and easy to follow, not bogged down with too much fancy shit like a lot of other "teachers" like to do. I guess what I'm trying to say is, you're the perfect teacher and thank you so much for sharing your knowledge in such a beautiful way lol

[@janisOMB]

Hey, awsome! Finaly something usefull (among all hard jazz stuff..)! Thank you so very much for what you are doing, greetings from little Slovenia!

[@veganpianist22]

I really appreciate your videos! Also like the way you "talk" with your hands while explaining various concepts :)

[@jazztutorial]

Thanks veganman! When I get passionate about something I always start talking with my hands (my wife finds it annoying! but I think it helps rather than just looking at a keyboard. Glad these help!

[@alexhill147]

Man this is nice thnx for the lesson..kp bringing them because I'm learning

[@PhrygianPhrog]

+Alex Hill hail the Alex Hill brethren (give or take an 's')

[@slyme1711]

you are an amazing teacher, miles ahead of all the others I have watched. Thanks for making these available for free. Thankyou so much.

[@jazztutorial]

Thanks Slyme for your kind words, I really appreciate it and makes me love making them. You're welcome

[@YoonKyeongChoi]

감사합니다 최고에요

[@anthonyjo1035]

Very impressive!

[@jazztutorial]

Thanks Anthony - glad this helps! You'll start noticing the appoggiatura everywhere you go!

[@scottlewis3506]

This stuff is really fantastic.

[@jazztutorial]

Thanks so much Scott! Glad you enjoyed this

[@scottlewis3506]

jazztutorial I have watched this several times now. The concept of tension and resolution notes is new to me, but it really is powerful.

[@sergep7578]

Excellent ! As a self taught player, about 8 years, I'm always looking for techniques to improve my playing. This fits the bill nicely.

[@pyromusik92]

THANK YOU!!!

[@zu0832]

thanks!

[@abstraktdnr]

Thanks for all these vids. Gave a thumbs up and subbed!

[@jazztutorial]

Nice one thanks Artyone, glad you're enjoying the lessons!

[@abstraktdnr]

jazztutorial yeah man. It's funny because I write music a lot and I've been doing appoggiaturas but never knew it! Music is so wonderful

[@Lorenzzini]

Hi very good job man; congratulations for what you've done L.

[@jazztutorial]

Thanks Loren - really appreciate your encouragement, keeps me going

[@fkahs]

thank you so much! you´re a great pianist/teacher! greetings from Chile

[@jazztutorial]

Thanks so much Fernando! I appreciate it - really please this was helpful :)

[@motionPush]

Thank you. I love your channel. Can't wait for the ear training.

[@jazztutorial]

Thanks so much Motion! I can't wait either, sorry it's taken me longer than expected, but the ear training material I'm about to post is 10x better than what I ever thought it would be, it's really organized and refined, so I'm going to be posting a lot in 2014

[@jazztutorial]

Thanks so much Motion! I can't wait either, sorry it's taken me longer than expected, but the ear training material I'm about to post is 10x better than what I ever thought it would be, it's really organized and refined, so I'm going to be posting a lot in 2014

[@motionPush]

jazztutorial Thank you, sounds promising :)

[@coachwillridley1374]

awesome

[@alvisonhunter]

Sweet!

[@MendocinoCoastFilms2]

You really have a gift for teaching. This info is a stretch for me as a first year student, but I was able to follow your instructions quite well. Thank you so much and I look forward to seeing more of your excellent tutorial videos.

[@jazztutorial]

Thanks so much Mendocino! Really pleased these are helpful - make yourself at home :)

[@TeaxsT]

I find You to be a Wonderful Teacher or Instructor. I wish that I could get more of what skills that You have.

[@jazztutorial]

Thanks so much Teaxs! Your comment makes me want to make 100 videos. I've got so many more topics I want to cover, just need to speed up my video making process.

[@Momoisonline]

Great tips! Thank you for that! Reminds me Letter to Elise by Betthoven

[@jazztutorial]

Great example Brahim - Fur Elise uses a chromatic appoggiatura - the piece is in A minor and the melody starts with that D# - E - D# - E pattern. Excellent example demonstrating these concepts. Thanks for the comment!

[@JordonRenn93]

Subbed. Such an inspirational video.

[@jazztutorial]

Thank you Jordon! Really pleased this helped

[@olorunlekemorakinyo5365]

Explained so simply..yet so effective

[@jazztutorial]

So pleased Olorunleke! Thank you!

[@olorunlekemorakinyo5365]

I'm using those methods already!

[@MrKouchner]

Hi Julian, I have just bought your book... Well, you are more than a hero but Christmas Dad for my son, Marvin who is 11 years old and cannot find any jazz teacher in the country we are now living... What you are doing is just fantastic! Many thanks for your generosity... Best wishes to you, and of course to your beautiful wife as well!.... Will post you a video of Marvin soon...

[@jazztutorial]

Thank you Vincent for this lovely comment. I'm really happy these videos help, and would love to see you or your son playing these pieces. Please let me know when you post a video! Julian

[@fiddlefolk]

beautiful concepts! I am a guitar player and violin player i believe everything is based on the piano because of it's inherent ability to identify the melody and the bass! Very good explanation of ideas my friend and it is greatly appreciated!

[@jazztutorial]

Thanks fiddlefolk! Glad these help - the piano really helps visualize these concepts, and see the relation between melody, chords, and bass. I'd have difficulty explaining these concepts on any other instrument. Really pleased this helped you!

[@adeGuitarMan]

jazztutorial Agreed...this gave me some ideas to think about...i currently feel like I am running scales when soloing....i want improve my phrasing...guitarist here. Thanks man!

[@gaston.barthelemy]

Excellent video! I'm a guitar player myself, but I found it really useful anyway ;-)

[@tylersage9566]

I believe the term you're looking for is encircling tones, rather than double appoggiatura. Like these Videos for jazz students!

[@PIANOSTYLE100]

Fur Elise those notes were also against an a minor but of course it was a totally different feel..but the eflat and b were tension notes

[@bernardclifford8708]

Awesome video.Wish you could tell us how to play those cool chords on the bossanova piece at the start of the video.Love the chromatic sound of those chords.

[@jazztutorial]

Thanks Bernard, I cover that chord progression in this video, 'The Blue Lotus chord progression': THE 'BLUE LOTUS' CHORD PROGRESSION

[@CASMANWHAT]

genius.

[@SendyTheEndless]

Great videos! Subscribed and bought your e-book. I picked up Jazzology by Robert Rawlings but alas, it was too advanced for me, moved too quickly, and was a bit formal for my liking. I think I will fare better with your book, but if I don't, consider it support for the videos.

[@Dar1F15h]

7:03 "enclosure"? :) Really loving this series mate!

[@LeavesLullaby]

Great vid! Hardest thing to learn (I think) is placing the tension note on the downbeat every time like you must be very, very aware if on what beat you are.. (down or up). For the 1st of the beat it's not that hard.. but in the middle of a phrase/bar... any tips? ;)

[@improvementTime10.3.17]

2:54 appoggiatura is hitting the first beat/down beat/ initial stronger stroke As the tension note, then return to resolved note on second stroke To produce the tension notes as tension notes you need to create the environment or scale with the left hand So in his case he plays the a minor chord (which creates the a minor scale environment) with left hand so that the f# he hits first with appoggiatura technique sounds like a tension note

[@improvementTime10.3.17]

4:56 The resolving note can be either above or below the tension notes

[@boazmanyara4263]

Awesome lessons tho

[@improvementTime10.3.17]

5:53 you can use notes in the scale or out of scale for the appoggiatura

[@mtmals9786]

Check out the songs in The Firm sound track by David Grusin on You Tube. Two in particular are 'Death of Love and Trust' and 'How Could You Lose Me' each seem to have the appoggiatura as the actual one note melodies can be found and seem to be 'embelished' by Mr. Grusin. Could be wrong though.

[@improvementTime10.3.17]

5:15 Turn, another for, of appoggiatura but now it is resolution note-T note (either side)- R note- T note on the opposite side(of Tension note b4)- back to resolution note 7:16 Double Appoggiatura is aim for tension note blow-T note above-Resolve note in between

[@TheRealisticNihilist]

If I could subscribe and like your videos more than once, believe me I would.

[@jazztutorial]

Thanks so much Nihilist, this really means a lot and inspires me to keep making videos and to raise the bar.

[@improvementTime10.3.17]

1:35 resolution notes are r,3,5th (all chord notes that produce the harmonic environment of that chord/ scale)

[@andrewlamarmusic]

How can I apply scales to embellishing a melody? Such as diminished, blues, etc.

[@Eru87]

I take that this technics will work on any scale, any set of chords by the least starting half a note lower from the chord one would like? For example, you started with G sharp, which is half a step lower key for A, am thinking should work the same for F, that is a step lower key for D and so one. Hope I got it right.

[@vspatmx7458]

3:41 first 3 notes reminds me of The Simp Sons

[@ignobooboo]

In the first example of the 'appoggiatura' When you say to resolve on the next beat, are you talking about literally resolving on beat 2 or the "and" of beat one

[@jazztutorial]

Hi Shawn, you don't have to resolve specifically on the 2nd beat, I should have just said resolve on the 'next note'. You can sustain that tension as long as you like - just a short time, or a longer time.

[@ignobooboo]

jazztutorial Thanks, that's what I thought but just wanted to make sure.

[@improvementTime10.3.17]

7:40 examples over diff chords

[@JohnStraussmusic]

I don't know about how anyone else feels but every time I watch one of his videos I get the strange feeling hes like a magician telling everyone what actually happens behind the curtains . lol Almost like when Bruce Lee started bring sacred forms Karate to the USA and his people would get pissed off that he was teaching them there secretes.

[@JohnStraussmusic]

***** of course he trying to gain a following to sell. That's obvious . My point was he's always showing stuff that just comes so easy to him as if it were magical because when I get home and play or try it is so difficult. Lol

[@Riffs_and_lifts]

7:03 would that be an "enclosure?" I'm just guess but I know that's another name for an embellishment, it may just be a synonym for an appoggiatura

[@raedsaeed4394]

hi, I have this question? One of the ways to embellish (add extra notes) to a melody is by using a musical device called_______. Is any one have answers? thanks

[@improvementTime10.3.17]

2:51 embellishment = teasing listener by using tension and resolved notes

[@TheRealisticNihilist]

I noticed that you avoided Bb over that A- chord. Why is that? Was it because the minor second is too dissonant?

[@jazztutorial]

Hey Nihilist, Bb will work great if you like its sound, it would create a slightly phrygian / eastern sound. You can either keep your surrounding notes within the scale you're in, or get exotic and play notes outside - nothing is too dissonant as long as it resolves :)

[@dividedwords]

Is this exactly the same as the jazz-theory concept of 'enclosure', or somewhat different?

[@TheRealisticNihilist]

I think what he was calling double appogiatura is what you're calling enclosure! Or it could be the one in the video he said slipped his mind. and the double appoggiatura is the one where you start on the consonant and ascend and descend the scale.

[@dushdy7160]

"the.. SIM-psooons" :)

[@JordanU94]

Mordent? I think a double appoggiatura is a mordent

[@DrUkeMusic]

I'm curious why you "wiggle" your finger that's playing the melody as if you're going to hear some vibrato. Yes your keyboard may have after touch but I didn't hear any change when you did that. Habit maybe?

[@Mastragat]

He once said in the comments that he does that in his videos so that we can see which notes he's talking about. Emphasizing them, as it were.

[@fitforsoccer000]

Why is there even a thumbs down button on this video?

[@vmdp8790]

maybe not clear enough or too long for them. maybe too boring

[@Ysspiano]

Just realized that this technique is used in the Beginning of Beethoven's Für Elise

[@jazztutorial]

Great example! Fur Elise is in A minor, and starts with a repeating appoggiatura (D# E D# E D# E), then goes into a double-appoggiatura (B D C).

[@woofelator]

lol you ended on the lick

[@wasabionalemon2721]

I listen to too much EDM so I can't think of a jazz melody now I regret

[@easyvivo]

I am sorry... for not having the staying focus on the tutorial. My suggestion- Why not show the end product and go back and reconstruct it at different stages of easy jazz piano. This video should just show the easy jazz piano level. Another video should show the advance jazz piano and so on. Again, I am sorry for not having attention-concentration to your tutorial videos. thx Ed