Grant Green’s Secret to Unlock Rhythmic Mastery

[@pickinstone]

Now THIS is the video I've been waiting for from you, Nathan! Polyrhythms, rhythmic feel, phrasing--all from one of the masters of single line playing. Another player on that shortlist is Jimmy Raney. Please check out Jon Raney's landmark book THE JIMMY RANEY BOOK. You spoke about Jimmy Raney's melodic innovation, but his rhythmic innovation goes even deeper. Videos like these challenge the jazz pedagogy paradigm--we gotta stop prioritizing harmony and scales at the cost of rhythm. Harmony and scales are the raw materials. Rhythm is the organization, synthesis, and creation of music using the raw materials. If we ignore rhythm, we can't play music!

[@SuperXtoon]

It's great to see that you talked about that polyrhythm. I've played it during my solos but I usually get lost when the drummer does it too. This video helped me to identify it. I will practice it.

[@NathanBortonMusic]

Yes! I feel like a lot of players use it, but don’t know how to control it (myself included) Glad this video helped!

[@marcwhy]

Excellent lesson - thanks, Nathan! Rhythm, rhythm, rhythm!!

[@NathanBortonMusic]

Thanks mark! Appreciate it :)

[@rogerhaase4651]

Great stuff! These exercises make our phrasing better. More of that is much appreciated!

[@lucdeiss9144]

Excellent❤

[@JazzStrat781]

Wonderful video and lesson Nathan 🎸🙏 best to you brother, hope you have a great weekend

[@NathanBortonMusic]

Thanks so much JazzStrat! Always happy to help and to see you in the comments! Happy practicing :)

[@nathanbouton6700]

Great lesson. Thanks.

[@NathanBortonMusic]

No problem! Appreciate you watching and hope these concepts help your playing! (Also looks like we almost have the same name?!)

[@nathanbouton6700]

@@NathanBortonMusic I sold an Eastman Archtop on Reverb. The buyer asked if I was you. Lol. This is how I found your channel. 😉 😜

[@steveprager7862]

Great lesson!

[@NathanBortonMusic]

Thanks Steve! Always happy to help. Appreciate your support!

[@alfredromero4784]

But one Question do they ALL have to start with the Same note Pattern that's what I'm trying to break away from for it becomes Boring slug and Monotonous.

[@NathanBortonMusic]

I would not suggest it. However isolating these rhythmic phrases (as per video) will help internalize these rhythms (just like Jazz language) and help you implement it into your playing

[@joeknipes9567]

More lessons like this please!

[@charlesenglebert8226]

over the first bars of the solo you play Bb major over Bb7. The lines are beautiful but they do not fit the chord. I am confused.

[@charlesenglebert8226]

ans exemple 7 does not flollow the chord either ...

[@NathanBortonMusic]

In jazz music often times, especially on a blues type of form, players will use major 7ths over the first couple bars of the I7 chord then towards the end hit the b7 which makes it pull towards the IV7 chord more. Great examples of this are or course grant’s first four bars of his kicker solo (which I borrow from here) or Charlie Parker on cool blues, or Louis Smith on Au Privave. It’s a great way to add more tension and release into your lines in a big picture way

[@charlesenglebert8226]

@@NathanBortonMusic ok thank you for your work

[@alvarolblanco]

Grant is so motherfuckingly based

[@kenster3554]

Not sure what you mean by “based”, but sure.

[@alvarolblanco]

@@kenster3554 he is the Goat

[@kenster3554]

@ He’s one the greats undoubtedly, but one among many. My discovery of Wes was pivotal in my metamorphosis from rock and blues. Too many great players to designate any one in particular as “the GOAT” IMHO. Well except for Tom Brady, he’s the GOAT! 🤣

[@alvarolblanco]

@@kenster3554 it’s just a saying, both Wes and Grant are great, but Benson, Martino, Pass, Metheny… too, all of them are awesome

[@kenster3554]

@ Amen! Lots of young guys coming up that are kickin’ it too!

[@andreasfetzer7559]

Excuse me, either your audio is getting it wrong, or your playing is not correct. This has nothing to do with real swing feeling, and your right hand is executing very poorely. Sorry man, but i have to tell you. I play professionally since 40 years, teaching too. Your intensions might be right, but you sound like a beginner.

[@NathanBortonMusic]

A lot of this lesson is based on what grant is playing AND what Elvin Jones is feeding him rhythmically. Elvin is a great example of the underlining African rhythmic roots in jazz music. I would highly encourage you to listen to just Elvin from this track (the kicker) and hear the rhythmic ideas from this lesson. Internalizing these concepts will greatly improve your flexibility as a soloist and an accompanist!

[@andreasfetzer7559]

@@NathanBortonMusic The way , you play that, has nothing to do with these great musicians.

[@NathanBortonMusic]

@ not to be rude, but I’m literally playing grants lines from his solo over the same drum track Elvin is playing with grant. This have everything to do with these musicians. This lesson gives people a way to practice rhythm and isolate it in their practice. If it doesn’t work for you and your style, cool, but saying it has nothing to do with Jazz or musicians I mentioned, is simply not true

[@andreasfetzer7559]

@NathanBortonMusic OK man.

[@fabrizioramones6771]

@@NathanBortonMusic it’s always the “less prepared” people that feel the most entitled to have an opinion on everything. 🤷🏻‍♂️ I love your videos and your playing on this one is great and sounds super interesting!