Rhythm Changes: "Why it's required study for jazz players"

In the 1930’s George and Ira Gershwin penned the show tune, I Got Rhythm for their musical, «Girl Crazy». By the time bebop was born during the 1940’s, jazz musicians had already adopted this chord progression as their choice harmonic vehicle for the exploration of new improvisational ideas.
In addition to its swinging tempo the progression reunites within one piece, the essential cadences and chord types one has to master in order to improvise over most major key standards of that period. In this lesson I explain why «rhythm changes» became established among jazz musicians as the seminal chord progression any serious student of improvisation must spend quality time with in order to develop his/her bebop chops.
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[@randolphcohen6522]

Best explanation on all of KZbin describing why rhythm changes is so crucial. Thanks Richie!

[@RichieZellon]

Thanks Randy!

[@nulldude782]

I cut my teeth on this tune in a rockabilly style. Then I learned Miles’ Oleo solo and now I am deep in the rabbit hole! 🐰

[@jschmoe4211]

I love this guy. What a great teacher !

[@alanblakeguitarist]

I think your guitar playing gives you a youthful exuberance! Nice vid

[@jz4901]

Great improv over the changes! Great clear lesson, thank you ! Jz

[@lisetteelbers365]

Thank you for sharing mr Zellon! great teaching! I just found your posts and your topic on contrafacts coincides with my current project of making some tunes on food(!) and my first one will be on rhythm changes chord progression :)

[@tianzhao950]

Great playing. You have such experience.

[@sega62s]

Great great great lesson 🍻

[@keithmasey664]

I'm not a big player of jazz, but have done a fair bit. This video is awesome and explains rhythm changes very clearly!

[@zororosario]

A real pleasure to learn something useful in discovering music . Thanks Richie Zellon. Cheers

[@RichieZellon]

Thanks, much appreciated!

[@thormusique]

Great video, thanks!

[@williamwalsh6282]

Always a clear, something you can digest lesson... thanks

[@RichieZellon]

Thanks...glad it was helpful!

[@joshuavelazquez8303]

Best channel for jazz guitar!! Thank you maestro!!

[@RichieZellon]

Thank you Joshua! Much appreciated!

[@Pablo-ft6un]

most interesting imho is the contrefact part. Very useful with the copyright context. thx so much.

[@johnmc3862]

Good man Richie!

[@wernerasanger9276]

Best Jazz guitar teaching on KZbin par none

[@richardfreeman3652]

That's a matter of opinion...

[@TheKeyToMusicOfficial]

cheers

[@alward5678]

You play so well. Love your videos

[@RichieZellon]

Thanks Al!

[@SpyneMetal]

Great video. Subscribed.

[@stephenpwilson1930]

Thanks Richie, this video was very enlightening. I recently paid £125 for a weekend jazz class and didn't understand the teachers comments until you explained "rhythm chances" bingo, thanks. p.s. I'm a bass player and music teacher. However we learn something every day.

[@RichieZellon]

Glad to be of help!

[@duffypratt]

My favorite song on Rhythm changes is the theme song to The Flintstones. Wanton Marsalis says that Ornette Coleman is playing them on Lonely Women. I don’t hear it, but I don’t doubt him either.

[@RichieZellon]

Thanks for the tip...I'll have to check that out.

[@aemuellja]

My boyfriend is a jazz guitarist and this video helped me understand what he's talking about haha

[@alexp5005]

that's cute

[@josephlauletta3419]

you give hope to jazz guitarists everywhere

[@downhill240]

A bit over my head but still interesting!

[@harmoniclivechromatic7698]

thanks ritchie, maybe you could do a video on solo comping and moving basslines ala joe pass

[@jazzcapader]

I will definitely put it on my list , thanks for the feedback!

[@kevinlittrell3407]

I've noticed that there are various tunes that move to a diminished chord (half a step up from the four) following the four instead of that dominant bVII. Is this mainly prevalent in older rhythm change progressions?

[@RichieZellon]

This is still prevalent among many other variations today. Everyone does it differently. That's also what makes it fun...

[@docbenson7462]

I really enjoy all your work. Would you consider analyzing Honeysuckle Rose. Thank you.

[@RichieZellon]

Thanks! Will keep Honeysuckle Rose in mind for the future.

[@docbenson7462]

The Jazz Guitar Channel Thank you, I enjoy all of your videos and I know if you do it it will be great.

[@chromosomegun5845]

What was that 50's song with the bass line????

[@caponero7110]

You're the Bob Ross of guitar

[@jordandragonking7633]

HAHA Facts!!!

[@BraxtonWise_1]

Very high praise, indeed.

[@bluegoose555]

I would consider that an insult... Bob Ross is a Schlock Miester .. man o man a chevettes... when did the world get soooooo dumb !

[@caponero7110]

@@bluegoose555 sorry

[@tonalambiguity3345]

What model archtop are you using? Have you heard of the peerless monarch model?

[@RichieZellon]

It's a Moll Workingman's Hero. Yes, I'm familiar with the Peerless Monarch. They make good guitars.

[@tonalambiguity3345]

The Jazz Guitar Channel thanks for the reply! I'm glad to hear you say that cause I already ordered one haha. They sound damn good for a laminate. Closest mid range guitar to the L5 wes signature reissues (in my opinion). L5s are just out of the price range for the average gigging musician, which is a shame because the scene would be so much better with more of those going around. Anyway, great playing and information as usual, this was an easy subscription choice!

[@noi5emaker]

@@RichieZellon That is one beautiful sounding guitar. It's THAT sound. It just nails it. What else could you possibly want? :)

[@SuperBromberg]

Hi, Richie! Thank you for this lesson. I have been thinking over: why guitar instructors choose to play on unmarked fretboard instruments? Students have way too many challenges beside guessing fret numbers, don't they?

[@RichieZellon]

They do it to annoy the student...ha, just kidding..Seriously though, I don't think it's planned. Most good archtops have unmarked fretboards, so if that's what the teacher plays, the students are stuck. You do have a good point though...a teacher should play a guitar with fretboard markings at least when teaching. Thanks for the feedback!

[@MisterRlGHT]

@@RichieZellon Maybe video-based teachers should modify their guitars with actual numerals inlaid or painted on every fret -- could use tempera or chalk if not committed enough to dedicate an instrument permanently to teaching. Just a thought... .

[@MAP448]

What other songs are required study?

[@RichieZellon]

Check out The Bird Blues diet kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3eaeZSsn9qjnKs

[@vguido0757]

I believe Perdito is in rhythm changes.

[@RichieZellon]

Perdido is not in rhythm changes. Look at the chords in any leadsheet.

[@vguido0757]

@@RichieZellon ah. I sounds the same but it’s different. Sorry.

[@georgefenning4844]

was Rhythm changes perhaps a contrafact of another existing piece ? or was it truly the source of the river ?

[@RichieZellon]

It was the "source of the river" !

[@georgefenning4844]

@@RichieZellon thank you for getting back . Thank you for your reassurance . Very helpful video. I’m aware of the importance and reputation of this piece but have always been fascinated that ( I think) I can see elements of it in early music sheets ( early jazz / ragtime piano) . I’m not jazz trained so may be misreading . Whatever the influences ..he clearly produced a phenomenal foundational piece of music . .. now I.know where the Flintstones music came from . Brilliant

[@donlessnau3983]

Excellent lesson. Thanks. But why do you write I-VI-ii-V and not I-vi-ii-V? The 6th is a minor chord but you write it as a major? What am I missing?

[@guitarwithpete]

The vi is often changed to a dominant seventh chord in many jazz progressions especially rhythm changes and the blues. He did actually say that so you must’ve just not heard it.

[@donlessnau3983]

@@guitarwithpete I did. Thanks a lot.