I just created a section called “Jam Tracks”. See the link at the top of the page. Here, I will periodically post backing tracks of popular jazz standards. I may also post some of my own jam tracks there. I have already posted one jazz standard. Check it out. Leon

The first video in this lesson demonstrates how to play a 2-5-1 phrase in the key of F. Gm7-C7-FMaj7. The concept that I used to create this phrase is the same as with the phrase that we learned last time. I’m basically using a Gm7 arpeggio and then transitioning to a diminished substitution to the [...]

In the following video, I show how to play a nice 2-5-1 phrase in the key of C. Dm7-G7-Cmaj7. The ii-V-I progression is the most popular chord progression in all of jazz. It’s critical that you learn how to play over this progression. Take you time with this lick. Rhythmically, it might be a little [...]

Below is a short video clip of me playing the song, “Just Friends” when I was testing my video setup.

I decided to create a video presentation giving more of a detailed overview of the structure of the Norman Brown lesson series. It will give you more of an idea of what to expect. Let me know if you have any questions. Part 1 of the series should hopefully be posted this weekend if I [...]

In one of my previous posts, I made an important point that jazz is in fact a language and it’s important to learn that language from master jazz musicians by listening to them regularly.  So, going forward I’m going to be focusing on some of the language of these musicians.  We’ll take some of their [...]

A while back, I sent out an email to my newsletter readers asking if they had any questions that they would like answered on my site.  Some people had questions, some people didn’t . I stated in the email that those asking good questions would receive a free “gift” from me.  Unfortunately, I haven’t really got [...]

Just a quick note to let all of you jazz guitar fans know that a new music service just launched called SpiralFrog. It’s a music service like Napster, Rhapsody, and iTunes but with one BIG difference…you can download songs for FREE! and it’s legal. It looks like they’re initially offering about 800,000 tracks and 3,500 [...]

Here’s a technique that I came across that has really helped me to learn jazz guitar a lot faster and more efficiently.  It’s called the “5 Penny Method”. I just made up that name. You can use pennies or licorice sticks. It doesn’t really matter. The idea here is to use a goal/reward system to [...]

Playing jazz guitar is a fun and rewarding pursuit. But there’s no question, it’s one of the most difficult instruments to play jazz on.  This can certainly increase your frustration level. Sometimes, I just feel like throwing my guitar out the window.  But I always come back to it. Here’s a few tips to help you [...]