Ted Greene Baroque Improv - Part 1

Footage of Ted giving a guitar lesson (6/26/96) and the topics cover the Baroque period, Bach and guitar improv.
My Life with The Chord Chemist: A Memoir of Ted Greene, Apotheosis of Solo Guitar by Barbara Franklin - Available at amazon.com
www.amazon.com/My-Life-Chord-C...
Visit www.tedgreene.com for all things Ted

[@TedGreeneArchives]

Dedicated to all who studied with (or wished they had studied with) Ted.

[@Fantasized1]

TedGreeneArchives Thanks to you I actually do study with him now!

[@schach420]

and indirectly to all who studied with bach

[@juanbusquier8546]

Muchas gracias❤

[@michaelralte8195]

Imagine being this good and being largely unknown to the general public

[@Jeremythemarketer]

True, it hurts almost.

[@davidalkana2485]

that’s modern jazz for you

[@ziggybongwater7915]

yep, same with danny gatton

[@emerica703]

@@ziggybongwater7915 Roy Buchanon too, never got the wide recognition they deserved

[@ФаррухФазылджанов]

@@emerica703 do they need it?

[@Jarl.music1]

The fact that he can play that all improvised… WHILE having a conversation?!? Mind blowing!!

[@sitarnut]

E.M. he does the same thing, talking that is, whilst he's showing some cat LENNY BREAU'S complicated Bill Evans type voicings on an older blonde Guild axe.... and he's chiming the bass note #$%^&*( Ted was far and away the greatest mind for Harmony I've ever seen and I certainly think on a par with Lenny... just different... I'm still working with his book decades on..... how lucky are we!

[@kbkesq]

Big deal. I can talk while walking.

[@kipponi]

@@kbkesq Not same.

[@overtonesnteatime198]

@@kbkesq wow you have fun with that.

[@KrayKow]

@@kbkesq i can walk and talk and look and breathe and clap at the same time

[@RickGraham]

astounding.

[@dooboio7816]

When I see Rick Graham commenting on a video I know I'm onto something good.

[@jimhouse9961]

I thought the same thing...

[@Sandemose]

You are as well Rick.

[@jadeowenhamblyn4405]

I agree, Ted Greene is YOOJ.

[@DeanLamb]

I go back to this video series for inspiration when I'm stuck writing new music.

[@lolingermany]

no matter what genre u enjoy to play, hearing ted play inspires u to make music :)

[@_knitch]

Not surprised to see you here! I used to be a tech death junkie as a kid. So much to learn in every genre.

[@MrTommySullivan]

How completely beautiful. To have a modern-day musician break down Bach's style. Usually, it's about being able to 'play' Bach, but Ted actually understood where his mind was with the approach and style. This is the space of the master.

[@chrishaughey648]

Yeah he's speaking about him as a fellow musician

[@basicsforbaroqueimprovisation]

Hi PO G - I've made a playlist of transcribed Baroque Improv Excerpts on my channel. You might enjoy checking it out : kzbin.info/aero/PLoLOItWSclTUZ-IkiD3vKWWujieIOfFKY

[@mentoneman]

His classical improvisations are so beautiful. His accuracy and conviction seems highest when playing that style.

[@M.Alfonso]

So embarrassing for those classical musicians who play the sheet note by note, only to have a jazz guitarist improvise what they practice playing for weeks

[@ceili]

This is just crazy! To be able to improvise lines like that is astonishing. I don't think I've ever seen such a stunning display of virtuosity on the guitar. Ted Greene is an out and out genius!

[@matcoddy6097]

look into counter point, that's what he bases all his music on

[@bertochan4344]

"To be able to improvise lines like that is astonishing". You forgot, "... while holding a conversation"

[@WillKriski]

I tabbed out the progression in 6ths that Ted mentions if anyone's interested - from key of C to Am to F to Dm to Bb to Gm, etc it's IV V I in each key using first inversion (so 3rd in bass for IV and IV to root for I). Minor keys use melodic minor, so IV and V are major chords.

[@ziggybongwater7915]

the V isn't dominant? or do you mean its a triad? thanks great work transcribing this btw!

[@Cyprous]

why Bb and why Gm? why the scale changes?

[@ziggybongwater7915]

@@Cyprous cycle 6ths is modulating through the cycle of fourth except before you modulate a fourth you modulate to the sixth of the key center. so instead of going c-f-b flat-e flat you go to the relative minor which is a sixth away, eg g-e minor, then modulate up a 4th to c major- a minor. i'm not expert but i think it works best as ted described, using a iv v i progression. so, correct me if im wrong the chord progression in full is (from c): Fmaj-Gmaj-Cmajor>(6th of C is Aminor and there fore follows)Dmaj-Emaj-Amin then modulate a fourth down to Bbmaj-Cmaj-Fmaj>(6th of F is dminor)Gmajor-Amajor-Dminor and so on and so forth until you get to your chosen key.

[@Cyprous]

@@ziggybongwater7915 i understand better now, i really need improve my english to get these musical teory treaseures :(

[@basicsforbaroqueimprovisation]

Hi Will - I've made a playlist of transcribed Baroque Improv Excerpts on my channel. You might enjoy checking it out : kzbin.info/aero/PLoLOItWSclTUZ-IkiD3vKWWujieIOfFKY

[@imranchaudhary3776]

recorded june 26,1996 and i happen to find this on 26june2021 so happy this was captured

[@Batsinthebelltower]

this is the first time ive seen this guy and ive been playing for 23 years, mind = blown

[@user-dj6mj5ck6s]

he talks like the guitar playing is out of his control... he surrendered himself to the whims of the instrument, its character, and its manifold possibilities. a true genius of music

[@leswhitetrash697]

Ted made Lenny Breau laugh while playing the Baroque stuff.... there's an eight CD set out there of Ted and Lenny hanging out all day, playing for each other, talking and finally playing together... Epic.

[@richardhoran6360]

Are the cd’s available?

[@eastonpeter1242]

Where? , please

[@Lavignesean]

Anyone find this cd set?

[@jaconova]

My kidney for that 8-cd set!!!

[@davewhitehill3602]

I was taught in music school that Bach was a master improviser, not unlike Ted...what a genius!!!

[@rhmayer1]

Mozart, too.

[@phillynn79]

Never heard someone talk so naturally about music. Pure gold.

[@nickyVshellpink]

This video and the Universal Mind of Bill Evans video, pure youtube gold. I watch once a month religiously.

[@grenciamars4876]

Ha! We must have similar brains 😊

[@TropicIslandMusic]

In an age before the guitar - this what lutenists did. Check out Silvius Leopold Weiss - Bach admired him enough to travel to hear him perform. Bach never wrote for guitar but wrote 4 stunning lute suites probably thanks to knowing Weiss.

[@ThePmfan]

supposedly they would improvise together.

[@AndreaMercurioMusic]

This is simply.....unbelievable. Thank you so much for sharing this precious videos. This is gold.

[@eelamite]

one of a kind. i remember when i saw this in like highschool year 10 or sum, still blows my mind years later

[@hotrodius]

As a classical guitarist, all I can say is holy crap, how can anyone IMPROVISE that stuff?

[@joshuacastillo1969]

Practice 40 hours a day

[@sarge7string232]

Be Ted Greene

[@Ayo.Ajisafe]

It's the Jazz way. By that I mean, to a jazz player, a concept isn't useful if you don't know how to use it for improv. Anything Ted was interested in he would have come at it from an improvisational perspective. I'm learning 4 part harmony and I've also trying to come at it from the same perspective. How can I extrapolate this information so it's immediately accessible to me? You could work out a counterpoint for the major scale. Once you can play something in a scalar manner you can improvise with it. Over different progressions, in different keys. It's just a mentality you have to adopt if you want to play Jazz.

[@eelamite]

bro did the best of both worlds

[@jaconova]

Jazz is posterior to baroque improvisation. So you are wrong about pretty much all the pedant blabbery you said, lol. @@Ayo.Ajisafe

[@nitroxsam66]

Ted is amazing in so many ways. Incredible teacher and musician, and is so humble, warm and willing to share what he knows in an open and non condescending way.

[@nickcherry275]

You hear him and think he's a master, then you see how he cranks it out off hand and casually while holding a convo. It's maddening, in the best way. Ted is the embodiment of practice makes perfect. Seems like he was such a nice guy too. Thanks for sharing!

[@jmbelkadi]

He is giving a Baroque Harmony Lesson. while is answering questions and improvising counter point lines....ALL AT THE SAME TIME...!!!

[@jscordoba3]

In a dream world I'd love to hear Ted and Glen Gould discuss bach.

[@Istari_01]

Wow, he is so free on his instrument, it’s amazing. Very humbling, very inspirational.

[@GuitarlosCarlos]

ALL THE MUSICAL IDEAS THAT PASS THROUGH YOU JUST FLY OUT OF TED GREENS MIND AS HE LISTENS TO THE MUSIC / MOVEMENT THAT'S ALL AROUND US... IN FACT WE ARE ALL IN THE MIDDLE OF IT...

[@st.fiacre6685]

This guy is taking Bach's music apart and dissecting like a mechanic does with components of an engine,and then putting it back together again.

[@BrianHardoin]

Except, in real time, while playing it. It's like a racecar driver replacing a steering linkage while he drives.

[@paulgibby6932]

and talking about what he's thinking at the same time. Unbelievable

[@TheJofrica]

And listening to and responding to the interviewer. Mr. Steve Herberman I believe, an excellent guitarist in his own right.

[@paulgibby6932]

@Ken Allday heya. welcome to Ted, the Master's, House.

[@jaconova]

Imagine Ted and Bach meeting in heaven! Guitar for Ted, Bach with harpsichord. These lines are so hauntingly beautiful The core of the baroque exploration of harmony was really a journey inside the human soul and their relationship with GOD.

[@italiannameportugueseguy5400]

I've never seen this level of playing, passion and knowledge during a conversation perhaps I never will see another person like him (hope not though)

[@camillobenso3202]

perhaps ??? for sure :-)

[@deepspacetheater]

"Of course, they tell you not to do either of those. Tell that to Bach!" EXACTLY.

[@jefferylord3068]

whenever i watch someone of genius level, at anything, i’m struck by their intensity and how animated they are while doing what they love. listening to this man play is amazing, he achieved freedom totally on the fretboard!

[@teunio501]

When i'm watching and listening to Ted i get in a state of a light trance. He takes me to a place away from reality. I believe he had a great gift given from heaven where he is right now playing for the angels.

[@jsims149]

Likewise my friend

[@geoffstockton]

Wow, I really love Ted Green. Such a bad-ass yet so totally grounded. An excellent player and teacher.

[@heavenlyguitar5913]

If you look at his facial expressions his mind is working on a whole different level than even most advanced players and composers.

[@jaconova]

But is not just an intellectual exercise: it's a soul journey, that's the core of baroque counterpoint improvisation. The faces are him enjoying these beautiful sounds progressing.

[@heavenlyguitar5913]

@@jaconova agreed. He was truly a gifted artist. Not just the intellectual side but he had the soul.

[@GordiansKnotHere]

Kind've reminds me of Bach's 2 or 3 part inventions or a deconstruct of the "Art of the Fugue". He got me on this. One of the coolest things I've seen and heard.

[@noelmeehan]

That's more stunning than watching a show of virtuosos. How he explains doing all at the same time with FULL knowledge of what he's talking about. That's absolutely amazing mind, what a talent... Too bad he's gone so early..

[@MrMacGaunaa]

This just puts a huge smile on my face! Unbelievably good. I wonder why I have never heard about this Ted character before. Amazing. This really made my day.

[@kashraoufi]

That's because he passed away 14 years ago, RIP Ted....😢

[@MrMacGaunaa]

..And now I'm back again to marvel at this for maybe the 100th time. This stuff is so great!

[@prisonmike1658]

MrMacGaunaa whoa you came back after making this comment in 2015!

[@MrMacGaunaa]

@@prisonmike1658 I've been back many times! To me, this is one of the best videos on the internet :)

[@prisonmike1658]

MrMacGaunaa cool man I just got into Ted Greene a few days ago while looking for chord books and I stumbled upon Chord Chemistry and ordered myself a copy and I have been impressed by how talented this man is I really am not to technical with Scales or musical terms so I am amazed but confused as to what’s going on 😂

[@dragyourhalo]

have yet to see anyone with a greatest understanding of the guitar. an amazing inspiration

[@basicsforbaroqueimprovisation]

Beautiful clip of Ted ! Many thanks to Steve Herberman for filming this and sharing it so generously. Best Wishes - John

[@rafaelnunez9451]

so beautiful improvisation...genius....

[@didierleclerc66]

Just beautiful music. Never heard of him before. Genius

[@pneumatic00]

I could kick myself for not taking lessons with Ted for the 20 or so years I lived in LA, 2-3 towns over from him in the Valley. Dumb.

[@nuke97]

He truly was the "Yoda" of guitar.

[@Priyadarshan_Nag]

Every note this man played was pure gold!

[@pickinstone]

@MrWallerand that's the beauty of it, you don't think chords. Instead, you hear voice leading of the inner voicings/ notes that you play. It's not vapid chord grippes, but real harmonic movement. This is what Parker heard, those half step guide-tones. This is what Bach heard, Lennie Tristano, so on. When you force yourself to listen to everything that you're doing on the frets you develop a connection with the guitar. This is music.

[@jaconova]

Yep, that's why I always cringe when I come across harmonic analysis in counterpoint.

[@Alanoffer]

I would have given anything to have had some lessons from ted ,he was a very special player

[@RayTutajjr]

Maybe he was Bach reincarnated? Incredible stuff.

[@deepspacetheater]

Those who knew the Czech harpsichordist Zuzana Ruzakova have expressed the belief that she channeled Bach as she performed.

[@jaconova]

@@deepspacetheater But Ted is creating on the spot! That´s much closer to Bach true spirit.

[@tcaw8813]

@@jaconova I don't think this sentiment is correct. Yes bach did improvise, we all know the stories. But his best work was worked out and reworked

[@jaconova]

​@@tcaw8813ll lol you don´t think the sentiment is correct? Get off your high horse: Ted clearly understood Bach and harmony in general and could have created endless pieces in baroque style. What I´m saying is that interpreters have their value (I love Gould for example), but a creator/explorator like Ted is something else. You must be one of those classical purist that are afraid/jealous that a (mainly) jazz player of this caliber was able to create Bach on the spot.

[@Ayo.Ajisafe]

Ted could do that with any style, and for players WITHIN styles. Look at his apartment, the guy lived and breathed music.

[@tycoljr]

the beauty in this instruction will educate for generations to come

[@gscgold]

so cool, I wish I had my lessons I taped on audio when I studied classical guitar, gone forever. what a treasure these lessons are.

[@StuartwasDrinkell]

So effortless, i know what it took but he's so relaxed and just talking freely. Ted has to be one of the most underated players ever his name should be one of the first any guitar student knows.

[@gigsup]

These lessons are historical. I keep coming back here to learn more. Thanks so much for sharing this and enlightening the rest of us.

[@twangbarfly]

Apart from the fantastic ideas and great playing, I'm astounded at how he speaks lucidly and easily while plucking those wonderful ideas out of the air. He reminds me of Glenn Gould talking to Bruno Monsaingeon about Bach's forerunners while playing Sweelink on the piano. Amazing! But then again, everything about Ted strikes me as amazing.

[@20vtechnik]

Thank you for sharing this. I’ve watched it on and off for many years and it’s amazing to experience this natural genius in his element. Thanks again!

[@seanneves1540]

I'm absolutely blown away by this man's genius. I'm very very late to the Ted Green party but so privileged to be here now.

[@jscordoba3]

I've been coming back to this for over a decade now. What this lesson really did for me was open my ears as far as song writing. Even still, new things click every time I watch.

[@rhmayer1]

Part of me shouts "shut up" so I can listen to your Bach-style improvisation. The other part of me shouts "stop playing" so I can listen to your high level description of Bach's approach. He's doing both. Simultaneously. At high level. Each one flawlessly, without the occasional error because he's doing two things at the same time. No, he's doing two things at the same time, at high level, both flawlessly. Real musicians everywhere respond the same - with jaws dropped.

[@basicsforbaroqueimprovisation]

Hi Robert - I've made a playlist of transcribed Baroque Improv Excerpts on my channel. You might enjoy checking it out : kzbin.info/aero/PLoLOItWSclTUZ-IkiD3vKWWujieIOfFKY

[@jaconova]

True. I'd die to have an album or even just a couple of pieces with just his baroque improvisation.

[@DanSindel]

This series of videos is a MUST for anyone who studies guitar

[@jamesksummers]

greatest video in all of youtube

[@WillKriski]

@nomirran i have analyzed and transcribed some of this in the ted greene forums and in my website. progressions vary - first one is I V vidim (F#m to C# to D#dim) with bass moving from root of F# to third of C# to root. the next one is ascending diatonic from F#m. i also found some classical improv books for piano on amazon but I enjoy looking at bach pieces and getting ideas from there about melodic patterns and typical chord progressions

[@jaconova]

Once you have heard enough Bach, baroque, etc, you can sort of find them by exploration. That's what the masters did, including Ted. The analysis is posterior to the discovery.

[@tallbrun]

I really enjoy Ted's playing and teaching. With him theory is never just numbers and intervals...

[@selliantuttimusi6735]

Master musician, master guitarist. Ted was truly special. Thanks for sharing this gem of video, this is just invaluable information!

[@JulioHerrlein]

This is just amazing ! Ted was a truly genius of improvisation. regards from Brasil !

[@mikerogers879]

As I've listened to this for the past 7 years it seems to me the more I listen, the more I hear. More importantly, I'm starting to understand the theories applied. After watching countless videos of Mr. Greene, I've come to the conclusion that he was clearly misunderstood bu the general public regarding those that are not aware of his music education and theory. Ted will obviously missed but also gladly entertain guitarists who find those who are luckily enough to continue what he has perpetuated.

[@rmcfee]

Thank God these videos exist! This is stunning! His thought process is beyond my words. Not to mention the gorgeous guitar playing!

[@JustinBryantdotcom]

Wow! I love that this stuff is out there.

[@sammuniz5360]

Amazing. Beautiful playing and it's improvised.

[@Johnhasa1]

Here because of Lucas Brar's video. This guy is legend.

[@Sandemose]

Thank you so much for doing this. This is absolutly fantastic. He is my biggest inspiration when it comes to teaching, his vast knowledge and his will to always learn new things. This channel embodies Teds work as a teacher: We come here to learn and to share. It doesnt get more beautiful than this. Best and warmest regards to you Barbara, Sandemose

[@rhinoguitar]

How can anyone talk and play that at the same time..... Multitasking at its finest! His Chord Chemistry Book is the only one of its kind I will ever need!

[@kharnvelzyghur]

i love this man for his contribution to music.

[@EnergyDiscoveries]

Could this be some of the most beautiful music ever?

[@stephenrutledge2747]

Ted Greene was a genius.

[@geiadude]

I love because Ted is so relaxed

[@martinzarzarmusic5338]

beautiful

[@DavidKlausa]

What an oracle - thinking analytically without letting it get in the way of making beautiful music.

[@TheJofrica]

Oracle- that's a great word to describe

[@maxxkarma]

This is Bach level musicianship. Utterly amazing.

[@dolcegit]

Genius! can't help but see an uncanny resemblance to Al Bundy

[@eln74]

dolcegit Married with guitars hahahaha

[@janedvinsson]

Is there a recording of Ted playing Bach, I´d buy it right away..he catches the nuances so beautiful.. and along he´s got an understanding of what´s going on in there too. I guess he never made a straight recording of Bach? Love his playing here.

[@kma86]

There are players who make you want to put down the guitar and just admire their playing. And there are players who make you want to quit. Ted is a mixture of both. Easily one of the greatest, a walking chord dictionary, a virtuoso. And super scary good.

[@richardroskell3452]

Ted was a remarkable musician.

[@moodindigo445]

UNREAL. Makes my head hurt, what he does (with that ease) and that it's not celebrated more.

[@hotrodius]

3:00 sounds like Bach's late period during which he went for more chromaticism. "Talent does what it can; genius does what it must" Edward Bulwer-Lytton RIP Ted, you the man

[@gitarmats]

He was so brilliant.

[@leodionisiolima]

Totally, absolutely, magnificently MIND BLOWING 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 THATS PURE, DISTILLED ART, IN A BOTTLE 🍾❤❤❤❤

[@motoputz3201]

Mr. smooth delights again!

[@JohnPickup]

Thank you so much for getting this stuff online. Holy crap what an amazing musician.

[@youlino]

An angel of the electric guitar...👼🏻🎸🎶

[@chadwilliams8083]

this is probably the most amazing thing in all my 44 years

[@flangeres1752]

This is what guitar is really about ....appreciation, understanding, and respect & skill, knowledge, and creative expression.

[@ostensible7197]

His right hand is unbelievable. So effortlessly dancing on the strings.

[@BJrok]

Gosh I never knew guitar could be so rich with harmonic possibilities let alone so beautiful. Never heard him before but this man is beyond somewhere...over the top... I better start digging this guy.

[@jmaz1100]

absolute genius

[@missangas1]

Ted is fantastic guitar player, wonderful !!!

[@timbertea4440]

When watching this, you have to remember Ted is giving a lesson on *how* to improvise in that style. I got it, and not only did I get it -- I found I could hear some of the Bach tricks in things as far removed as Morrissey with Alaine White playing. Anyway, picked up my guitar, and within a half hour I had learned to apply some of the same tricks. Not as good as Ted, but give me a couple months of doing it and who knows. I don't know if I will ever get the feel of chords like Ted. I'm working through chord chemistry now. Best video of Ted is the lecture he did at GIT, its humor, and wowing at the same time.

[@dennisjohansson5716]

Awesome!! This is golden stuff!

[@kantvishi]

my god what is he playing...wow

[@wregerg1]

this is essential to the growth of anyone that has a desire to learn and grow as well as the introduction to an interesting soul :)

[@filarmonico1946]

Ted Greene... a great Master. Thank you very much!

[@JazzyJunior]

Wow, what an absolute monster player.

[@SomeTimeGuitarist]

One of the Greatest Guitar minds, his knowledge is will centuries to understand by us mortals.

[@philip9106]

This is cool and Ted is so cool. I wish someone can do more baroque guitar: the chords progressions in some of the pieces that sound so Peter Townsend. I'm not there yet myself.