If you checked out our last blog, 3 Ways to Improve Your Solos, you’ll know that we talked about how etudes can really help your improvisation. This is especially true if you’re struggling with improvisation that feels less coherent or maybe that it lacks intrigue, even if you’re playing the “right” notes.
Last time we looked at an etude focused on chromaticism on “Stella By Starlight,” a modern soloing etude on “Airegin,” and a melodic construction etude on “This I Dig of You.” But this time, we’re going to check out 8 more etudes created by you! Our virtual studio called the Shed Club had a friendly etude writing competition, and we’re going to check a few of those out today. The challenge was to write an etude over a standard and then submit it, so that the community could listen.
But first, if you haven’t already checked out our accompanying YouTube video 11 Ways to Improve Your Solos, that’s a great way to hear Nathan play through a few of these. If you would like to be part of the Shed Club, we give weekly video breakdowns of a new exercise, instant access to view the past 25 video exercises, hosting and participating in more community jazz challenges, and access to a community of hundreds of other fellow Shedders.
Contents
Etude over “Sugar”
This first etude comes from Stephen Greenberg, over the tune “Sugar.” In this, he demonstrates how to build a story using rhythmic repetition and variation.
What you’ll notice is that the note choices are generally pretty simple. This simplicity paves the way for the rhythm to be the center of focus. Thanks, Stephen!
Etude 1 over “Autumn Leaves”
This next one is from goose3676, and goose shows us how to brilliantly build upon a motif and smoothly transition into new motifs.
This is great. The clarity of all the various motifs really make this a clear set of fun melodies to listen to. Thanks, goose!
Etude over “Confirmation”
Now we’ll check out an etude over the tune “Confirmation” by our Shed Club member, Mike. Mike gave us an etude with perfect voice leading as every measure starts on a chord tone. You’ll also notice the great use of arpeggios to generate continuous lines. Here is the bridge to the end of the etude.
Awesome. You’ll see a lot of borrowing from Charlie Parker’s solos in this one. Thank you, Mike!
Etude over “There Will Never Be Another You”
This next etude comes from a member with the username SoyRic. SoyRic was also a winner of the last Shed Club competition, the “Triad Pair Exercises You’ve Never Heard of Before.”
This is over the great standard “There Will Never Be Another You.” If you pay close attention, you’ll notice how SoyRic sets your ear up with interesting rhythmic syncopation and then when a half note or longer arrives, it creates a surprisingly powerful contrast.
These half notes create a sense of longing, but only because of the contrast it provided the notes before.
His use of stair-stepping thirds for two whole measures is also great, for the way he arrives at the #11 half note.
Thanks, SoyRic!
Etude 2 over “Autumn Leaves”
Our last etude we’ll look at is another one over “Autumn Leaves,” but this time by RossTones. RossTones is very active in the Shed Club. He submitted a masterwork of an etude utilizing three concepts from the Shed Club—open triads from week 10, the Cry Me a River lick from week 13, and a rapid arpeggio exercise based on diminished dominants from week 19.
This one takes the listener on a real journey. Thanks, RossTones!
If you want to see all of the etudes from this blog and the previous, make sure to check out 11 Ways to Improve Your Solos, our accompanying video on YouTube. And if you want to join the Shed Club, it’s easy and just $12.99 per month!
We’ll see you next time!
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