Digital Pill – working musicians talk about their lives

Paul Williamson explains the uses of bebop scales in jazz improvisation. In this video, Paul’s first post for Digital Pill, he describes the construction of bebop scales, jazz articulation, the use of a metronome and how bebop scales place the chord tones firmly ON the beat to create an “inside” sound in improvisation. The video [...]

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Doug DeVries shares some ideas on how to add harmonic and rhythmic variation to a piece of music. In this lesson he uses one of his own compositions – Astoria – as an example of voice leading in harmony as well as examples of how to increase interest by varying the rhythm. Visit Doug on [...]

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Ray discusses using a combination of tone and slap sounds on the djembe to produce rolls of various lengths and their use in contemporary percussion soloing. More information about Ray’s classes, projects and recording can be found at raypereira.com

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In part 2 of a series Doug DeVries shares some ideas on how to add rhythmic variation to a piece of music. In this lesson he demonstrates how to increase interest by varying the rhythm. Visit Doug on these links His website dougdevries.com Doug’s albums on iTunes

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Leo gives a sax lesson on how to keep the various registers of the sax in tune. Using the interval of the 6th and some handy tips he picked up from studying J. S. Bach’s cello suites. Click > HERE < to download a pdf of the lesson Listen to Leo’s music here Leo’s website [...]

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Tim Nikolsky demonstrates how to do Walking Basslines on Guitar. Tim has been performing with the vocalist Margot Leighton for the past 13 years and has developed a unique style of playing in this musical duo incorporating the whole rhythm section on guitar. The technique of walking bass on guitar is also a great way [...]

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Julia Messenger sings Telepathy in her studio in Melbourne accompanied on piano by Mark Fitzgibbon. This is an acoustic version of the song that appears on her album “Productions & Collaborations”. Downtempo and Jazzy. She connects telepathically with her lover to find out he’s with someone else – but she doesn’t care. Visit Julia online [...]

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Doug performs ‘Lamentos do morro’ by Garoto, a samba on his 7-string guitar. Visit Doug on these links His website dougdevries.com Doug’s albums on iTunes

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Dean looks at long notes from several different angles – the growl, vibrato, dynamics and ear training. Listen to Dean’s music here The Pearly Shells Zydeco Jump The Vanguards

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