Barry Harris method: an introduction

Handout available HERE

ALBUM OUT!

If you want to chuck me a little donation you can do so here:

My website:

0:00 Intro
00:34 Who was Barry?
1:22 A few notes
3:13 The harmony class
5:52 The improvisation class
12:27 Reliable sources of info

This is a general introduction to the Barry Harris method for jazz improvisation. The method includes approaches to harmony and single note improvisation, and Barry a well as being legendary pianist was also the teacher of some of the greatest musicians of all time, raining from James Jamerson and Paul Chambers to Pasquale Grasso, Emmett Cohen and Ryo Fukui. As there's been an explosion of interest in recent years in Barry and his method, I thought I'd create a general introduction based on my personal experience of studying with Barry at his workshops.

[thingsivelearnedfrombarryh]

Thank you Christian. The only thing I'd say is whenever Barry talked about Tommy Flanagan it was referring to Tommy teaching him. Not the other way around. The scale outline is Half Nelson. Thank you again brother.

[TheLabyrinthofLimitations]

Thanks, Christian. I really enjoyed this video. Great stuff, man!

[stven]

Excellent. I sometimes do gigs with a sax player who talks about Barru Harris all the time.

[johnrothfield]

We need more recordings/videos of the improvisation classes

[gmitter-slqq]

The absolutely most incredible and deep elaboration on BH theory I came across on yt is by Robbie Barnby "Barry Harris fully explained".

I also can recommend on yt:
* Bill Graham (his version of the halfstep rules on major scale when starting on 6 or 7 are more easy and useful imho. The problem with these degrees are also addressed by Isaac Raz in his video on major half step rules.)

PDFs:
* Barry Harris Workshop (Howard Rees) Part I and II, availabe on scribd and/or pdfcoffee as far as I remember
* Nick Finzer's "Frameworks for Jazz Improvisation Vol 1 Bebop" freely available. Has some typos, but quite a few examples on the typical BH scale outline exercises (going from 1 to 7) on some standards

[ccat]

The Roni Ben Hur book has two different forms - there’s an older one that has everything mapped to all keys in full verbatim notation versus the newer ebook and print copy that only does the exercises in a couple keys (maybe just C?) - I love an excuse for reading in 6 flats so went with a more expensive full copy

[brentlearnsfromprez-ey]

Pasquale Grasso is the new keeper of the bebop flame for guitarists. He's a busy jazz star now, but I do hope the channels dedicated to Barry's teachings feature/collaborate with him or something.

[brucesstreet]

Your video looks fabulous & the overview really well put together.
For me I like the sound of mixing dim7 & fourthy pentatonic chords for a modern sound - just a personal preference.

[Djangoat]

Great video - thanks! - could you pls provide a link to your video on the brothers and sisters concept?

[djmileski]

Obviously the content, but also the style of your channel is pretty spectacular, if that makes any sense.

[Northernbreed]

So you brought up a question for me early on - if someone does want to pursue modal improvisation more than bebop, who are the "keepers of that flame"? Is there a Barry Harris of modal improvisation? I know there are lots of players out there for it, but teachers and methods/approaches? I'd like to know more about that. And great video here - all your stuff, really. Thanks!

[en-blanc-et-noir]

Let the Dominant dominate... I see :D Interesting that you frame the Gm7 as suspension of the C7. Is this your personal viewpoint or is this common ground?

[sambriger]

why is the diminished chord in the center of your diagram C#o7? Aren't those chords all derived from a C diminished chord?

[djmileski]

7:51 : Why does the D-7 to G7 become Bb?

[johnrothfield]

Great video! I disagree with characterizing Barry as a Bebob theorist. IMHO opinion his teaching is applicable to (at least) 19th and 20th century music western music of all sorts.