Course Lessons
1. Theory Lessons
- 1. 1Altered Jazz Chords in 251s14:31
- 1. 22 Handed Minor 25114:45
- 1. 3Upper Structure Triads Intro12:21
- 1. 4Practicing Upper Structures22:07
- 1. 5Advanced Upper Structures07:58
2. Jazz Standard Studies
- 2. 1Blue in Green Tutorial19:33
- 2. 2Upper Structure Application – “Blue in Green”14:48
- 2. 3Just Friends – Part 201:34
- 2. 4Sophisticated Lady Part 120:27
- 2. 5Sophisticated Lady Part 210:02
- 2. 6Autumn In New York Part 118:31
- 2. 7Autumn In New York Part 211:18
- 2. 8Stella By Starlight Tutorial Part 111:14
- 2. 9Stella By Starlight Tutorial Part 218:21
3. Practice Drills & Exercises
- 3. 1Altered Chord Drills: b9s & #5s18:09
- 3. 2Altered Chord Drills: The #1116:01
- 3. 3Minor 251 Chord Alteration Drills22:21
- 3. 4UST Drills: 13#11 & 13b924:44
- 3. 5UST Drills: b9#11 & #5#925:23
- 3. 6UST Drills Over Minor 251s22:34
Course Info
Once you understand the concept of extended harmony, it to introduce altered tones by raising or lowering the upper extensions of the chord.
This course starts with the altered major 251 progression which allows you to create more interesting progressions in major keys. Altered toned include b9s #9s #11s and #5s / b13s . We use altered tones to add tension and dissonance to our chord progressions which makes the resolution to the 1 chord even sweeter.
One of the hallmarks of the minor 251 progression, is an altered V chord. The 2 handed minor 251 is a useful progression to familiarise yourself with the sound and shape of altered chords and help you visualise where these tones are located on the keyboard.
The final 4 theory videos in this course cover Upper Structure Triads – also known as Upper Structures . We start with simple examples and then gradually increase the complexity of the voicings.
Upper Structures are a complex topic but will take your playing forwards and add sophistication and interest to your dominant chords. Learning and memorising upper structures is no small task but the upper structure tutorials and lesson supplements will help you master this important area of jazz harmony.
The jazz standards studies in the course contain a lot of altered harmony and upper structures so you can see how powerful these chords are in practice!
