The highly acclaimed Second Edition of “New Ears Resolution” is now available instantly & economically as a download via the trusted FastSpring Network!

The cost for the entire package is now only $9.99USD, and you can begin your exciting exploration into the fascinating world of improvisation immediately.

Click here to order

Would you like to train your ear, improve your ”hand/ear co-ordination,” and enhance the content of your improvisation? 
Try mastering this wonderful phrase (you can use it over a V-I chord change in a minor key) from Sonny Rollins’ solo on “Airegin”!
Play it slowly enough, so that you can play it effortlessly and smoothly.  Gradually increase the tempo, but retain the smooth & effortless approach.
Once you are able to play it effortlessly in C minor, try mastering the phrase in all 12 keys. 

A transcription of the entire solo can be found in Modern Jazz Tenor Solos transcribed by Hunt Butler and available from Jamie Aebersold.

Sarah Shea’s debut CD is a delight to the ear and the soul
filled with classic melodies sung by a master. 
Craig’s clarinet sparkles in the elegant, understated ensemble.

click here to preview & purchase this lovely music.

  SELECTIONS:

• Fever
• I’ve Got You Under My Skin
• Cheek to Cheek
• These Foolish Things
• Summertime
• I Got It Bad and That Ain’t Good
• East of the Sun and West of the Moon
• Cry Me a River
• Corcovado(Quiet Nights of Quiet
  Stars)
• My Rommance
• Sunny
• The Nearness of You

featuring Al Harris (piano), Craig Buhler (clarinet, sax, flute), Jon Hamar (bass), Mark Ivester (drums), Ed Donohue (flugelhorn)

Arranged and Produced by Al Harris

The II-V-I progression is perhaps the most widely used of any swing or be-bop chord sequence (besides the 12-bar blues.)   Here it is in all 12 major keys.   Try to master the arpeggios without having to look at the paper if possible.   Play along with an audio track of this progression by clicking on this arrow: 

        The Dorian minor blues offers up a palette which some consider to be richer and more emotionally expressive than the major blues.  Below is a simple step-by-step method for mastering this fun to play genre.

    Read the rest of this entry »

Welcome to my site!

If you want to learn how to play by ear and improvise jazz solos OR get started playing clarinet, saxophone, or flute OR hear the latest from the HONK Band OR discuss issues faced by Christian worship leaders OR schedule a Jazz for Youth workshop in your school, then we have something to talk about!  It would be my pleasure to get to know you.