You're Playing Minor Chords Wrong (and how to fix it)

#bettersax #saxophone #ericalexander
Jay Metcalf shares a lesson on playing minor chords in jazz, and information about the 22 Minor Key Explorations course from saxophonist Eric Alexander

Microphone I'm using in this video: AEA N8 Phantom powered Ribbon

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[TheSaxophoneOracle]

I am really happy to see that you addressed this topic! I made a video specifically about this for my channel about 6 months ago because I find that once players make the connection between the scales and the function of the harmony it has a huge impact on their solos almost instantly. I'm still completely unknown on youtube, so I'm happy a channel with your reach brought this to everyone's attention. Thanks for all the great work you do!

[xxczerxx]

Jay, have you ever explored the Barry Harris method for approaching changes? The way he thinks of minor is fascinating, he treats it as two dominant chords (so in key of C minor, Bb7 over the II chord and then G7 over the V and I chords).

For what it's worth -- I can't make very good lines out of it, but it's a fascinating approach when you look into it.

[humblebourne]

Wil there ever be a Better Sax Tenor Saxophone ?

[rickysolightskin]

Idk why I’m watching this in my history class💀

[blindteo]

Barry Harris method... On the two cord also use the major Bebop starting on the fourth scale degree

[TheSaxDude]

Can I have the electric Yamaha soprano if you are not going to use it

[robertgerard]

Much ado about nothing: the sixth step in minor was always interchangable: most of the time you wil play an aeolic scale, whitch includes a minor 6 and minor 7. As a variation, a lot of beboppers, as Dexter Gordon did, emphasize the major 6 in particular places, to create an effect of surprise. To include both minor AND major 6 in one scale causes exhaustion; the contrast, which music is all about, is gone.

[asterzaster]

But why melodic minor bebop scale instead of harmonic minor bebop scale? (with b6 b7 M7) For example on the im7 of autumn leaves it seems more natural/obvious. (Major 6 degree is cool as a tension of course, but it seems "outside" the home tonality.)

[Penguins]

im in 7 grade band and play the alto/tener sax and i was wondering what i could do to improve besides practice

[LoneBear-one]

Music theory is not learned in one advanced video however; keep paying attention and, listen to your sax more than talking to it👍🏽🎶🎵🎷

[fgfgd]

Well, well. If the minor bebop scale suites you, fine. But this will not be the case for a lot of tunes written after 1950. In any case, talk to your fellow "comping" musicians, especially before trying this scale on pieces like "Footprints".

[gregfolland]

As someone who was brought up on figured bass, I’m still struggling to believe that this is valid musical theory.

[LethalChicken]

You're playing chords on saxophone?

[dougmoran]

I’ve been trying to learn to play sax for about 6 years now ……. and I’m sorry, but I haven’t got a clue what you’re talking about. My sax only plays one note at a time, I can’t grasp how on earth a chord can be played.