Hi Folks, This week we start on a new song and it's one of my favories to play. Avalon was a twenties hit for Al Jolson but soon became a tune associated with jazz. Benny Goodman...

This week I want to start talking about improvising. To me, the essential characteristic of good improvising is that it comes from a playful nonjudgmental place. For the most part...

Hi Diego, It's difficult to tell. Either way works fine and sounds good. Try to master both.

Hi Diego, It's difficult to tell. Either way works fine and sounds good. Try to master both.

Hey Rick !! I m getting to the concept thing , " the statement "  ; the statement on the I chords and  put the same statement or extend on the lV and the V , do you that I had no...

Did he play the 34 and 45 holes tongue blocked?

Hi Terry - No, it's not in reference to Lee Allen - Good guess though! I'm really glad you're diggin' the series. Actually, I disclose the inspiration for the title in one of the...

Thanks, Duke! 

HI Bruce, Sounds good! I'm glad you're singing and playing it together. One thing to watch is on the second chord of the verse (D) you need to play over the D chord. All the other...

Hey Duke! So, my buddy Dave suggested I think more about throwing in some major pentatonic licks, and I decided that adding in some chords really does sound nice too. I think it's...

Is the Mr Lee of the title by any chance Lee Allen?  You've got me listening to a lot of sax!  Thanks for another world class harp lesson!  

Cool licks ... especially the 2nd one that is virually ripping my coordination out of my hand. The 1st one will have to wait for when I can actually play but the 2nd one man...

Thank you Rob - I'm real glad to know that what I'm trying get across in these lessons is working!

Hi Bill - I really wasn't going for an "angry" effect in verse 3 and I wasn't aware of the commonality between this 3rd verse and the 3rd verse from Blue Strollin', but there's...

Hi Bill - The only reasons I can think of are the 3 blow just felt right to me and sounded right to me. It seems naturally transition well from the swooping bend of the 3 draw. 

Man I just love it. I got that blue strolling pretty well down. I feel the groove of it nice. Working on this one now. I can't wait till I know it by heart and feel the groove...

Hey, Me again.  I noticed that in this tune and in the last one, Blue Strolling, the third verse centers around the 2 and 3 holes.  Totally different rhythm but all those 3 hole...

Hi Rick, I was wondering if you had a particular reason for ending the last phrase on th 3-blow v the 2-draw.  

Hey Andre - Maybe on the IV after the V the phrasing could be a little better, but up until that last lick, the whole verse is really good!!!

Hey Duke! Here's my video again, since you didn't get a chance to comment on it last lesson. Hope you're well! Best, Bruce

Sounds great Charlie. Nice lines and vibrato! Duke

 Hi Rick !! I think on the V , it s not so Groovy ?!

Sounds great Charlie. Nice lines and vibrato! Duke

Hey Bill - Really glad you're diggin' it! It's real good too that you caught on to that first lick. Starting on the 2nd beat can be really cool - and it works to do it on any chord...

Thanks Boyd!

Hey Andre - That's really great! I can tell you're feeling those chords - They're right where they belong - with the right touch too!

Hey! Thanks Paul! Sorry I didn't reply sooner. I just saw this. Keep me updated on your progress and feel free to ask for clarification anytime.

Yes! I listened to your new recording of the first chorus (or verse) - Much better. My suggestions would be, try to play the the 3 blow a little softer and more casually. It's...

Hey Rick, GReat lesson.  I always try to work ahead and see if I can figure things out before you break it down.  I wasn't getting the rhythm quite right on this one.  Your...

Hey Andre! Really good! You're groovin' right in the pocket! The only suggestion I have would be on the V, try and articulate the bent note and the unbent 3 draw notes with a...