Re: Barry Harris method for learning bebop
Here are two videos of Barry teaching workshops that show what can be done using his method. The lines in the second video are explained mostly in the first, so you see how to use the process. The first video is about 26 minutes long but very well worth the watch (I've watched it several times, learning stuff each time).
If you have less patience, watch the second video first, then the first one.
Video 1
https://youtu.be/cU387hqXIFA
Video 2
https://youtu.be/qkIsTxlOttY
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Re: Barry Harris method for learning bebop
Here are some Lady Be Good improvising ideas using Barry's system
https://youtu.be/BDUjns_PAxE
PDF here:
Attachment 184814
If anyone has questions, feel free to ask on this thread and I will answer them to the best of my ability. I am no expert in this method, been studying it for about 18 months, but really like it and my playing is definitely more bebop sounding since starting.
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Re: Barry Harris method for learning bebop
A common Charlie Parker device that Barry calls Chord Up Scale Down. Applied to major scale.
https://youtu.be/nkSKF_XYpeM
PDF here:
Attachment 184815
Re: Barry Harris method for learning bebop
Hi Pete,
What a Wonderful collection you have generously posted on the Cafe.
I play lots of jazz with a trio, alone and also guided by a wonderful and gifted guitar jazz combo teacher. I was wondering how you suggest to BEST utilize these posts?
Do you recommend sticking with one video until you “get it together” or rotating through them? The material presented easily implies a lifetime journey.
There is always just so much to learn!
Best to you from Ottawa, Canada.
Stay safe everyone and happy pickin’!
Barry
Re: Barry Harris method for learning bebop
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Barry Canada
Hi Pete,
What a Wonderful collection you have generously posted on the Cafe.
I play lots of jazz with a trio, alone and also guided by a wonderful and gifted guitar jazz combo teacher. I was wondering how you suggest to BEST utilize these posts?
Do you recommend sticking with one video until you “get it together” or rotating through them? The material presented easily implies a lifetime journey.
There is always just so much to learn!
Best to you from Ottawa, Canada.
Stay safe everyone and happy pickin’!
Barry
I don't think there is any "correct" way to do this. Improvisers use material from different sources and blend them all together along with their own ideas to make improv decisions and make their own style.
You could steal little bits from any of Barry Harris' ideas, or you could go whole hog and say you are just going to use his method only. With enough time and learning, a player doing each would have plenty of material from which to make a fully realized, mature improvising style.
One thing I really like about Barry's method is 2 people going only "whole hog" would still sound different from each other as there is so much. I've finished up 25 videos and still have just scratched the surface in this material.
Personally, I'm using Barry's method to make my playing sound more authentic to the 1940's Bebop and 1950's Hard Bop and Cool Jazz, my favorite jazz era. I am especially practicing material that is right out of Charlie Parker's playing (there is PLENTY of this in Barry's material). I am supplementing what I already know and play with the Barry stuff and am liking my progress. Focus on a few things, practice it until it starts to show up organically in my playing, then move on to the next item. This is one of many possible ways to progress.
Hope this helps. Always enjoy the ride, it is at least as much fun as arriving at the destination.
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Re: Barry Harris method for learning bebop
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Re: Barry Harris method for learning bebop
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Re: Barry Harris method for learning bebop
Two videos on diminished. First diminished scale.
https://youtu.be/25GGG9I4MLU
PDF here:
Attachment 185083
Diminished Arpeggio practice here.
https://youtu.be/grV3LvzedqA
PDF here:
Attachment 185084
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Re: Barry Harris method for learning bebop
The first two videos on Barry's harmonic (chord) method. He uses sixth diminished chords for many chords. It's a great system that creates movement and can be used for comping and chord melody. You hear piano players from the 40s and 50s using this method. There will be many more chording videos soon.
Major sixth diminished chord scale
https://youtu.be/hDGlNDghmpU
PDF:
Attachment 185085
Minor sixth diminished chord scale
https://youtu.be/Z5pKaLRF01o
PDF:
Attachment 185086
Re: Barry Harris method for learning bebop
Looks like lots of work you put in there Pete. I know there are legions of Barry Harris disciples out there and I've studied some of it namely his 6th diminished scale which is just the addition of a sharp 5 or "diminished 6th" to the major scale C D E F G Ab A B. So that scale would work over a C major or Am. Also the addition of an extra note makes it an 8 note scale which is better for playing over 4/4 time and hitting chord tones on down beats as Pete says. On guitar there is a concept of alternating the scale through chord inversions and diminished chords to get a chord scale. That chord scale is cool if you are working over a static chord as you can apply some movement. There is a cool video of Dave Peters noodling on some Barry Harris stuff. Can't seem to locate it now.
Re: Barry Harris method for learning bebop
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Perry
There is a cool video of Dave Peters noodling on some Barry Harris stuff. Can't seem to locate it now.
Perry, if you can find that video, I'd love to see it as I'm sure others would.
Dave was in the mando contest at Winfield the 2 times I went in the early 80s and we played a good bit together, I always really liked his playing. Neither of us was playing Jazz at that point though.
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Re: Barry Harris method for learning bebop
Video #30 shows Barry's ideas of what to play against major sixth, major seventh and minor seventh chords in a tune.
https://youtu.be/e3ympri1YqY
PDF:
Attachment 185243
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Re: Barry Harris method for learning bebop
Video #31 shows Barry's ideas on what to play for dominant seventh chords on a tune.
https://youtu.be/WWtXz5qsc7c
PDF:
Attachment 185244
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Re: Barry Harris method for learning bebop
Video #32 shows Barry's ideas on what chord scales to use to play over a major II V I chord progression.
https://youtu.be/b0bEpWxEmxo
PDF:
Attachment 185245
Re: Barry Harris method for learning bebop
You know, this is an awful lot of homework, even with a lot of time:)
thanks again
Re: Barry Harris method for learning bebop
Barry Harris is doing an online virtual workshop Saturday. You can see details here:
http://www.localendar.com/public/BHJazzCalendar
Re: Barry Harris method for learning bebop
Thanks for the heads up.
Btw, there are a group of Barry Harris videos at franselsen.com.
Re: Barry Harris method for learning bebop
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Bill McCall
Btw, there are a group of Barry Harris videos at franselsen.com.
I watch those quite often. Always picking up new ideas from them. The two "Blues with the horns" videos really show what you can learn from this method.
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Re: Barry Harris method for learning bebop
Barry's cool chording idea he calls "Sixth on the Fifth"
https://youtu.be/BOuvvt2IYrI
PDF:
Attachment 186196
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Re: Barry Harris method for learning bebop
A move thing Barry likes to use for dominant seventh chords he calls "tritones minor".
https://youtu.be/LI5l_3PP2Os
PDF:
Attachment 186713
Re: Barry Harris method for learning bebop
Quote:
Originally Posted by
lowtone2
Wow, this is good stuff! Thank you!
Absolutely - thank you Pete, I'm really enjoying your videos.
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Re: Barry Harris method for learning bebop
This video shows more things to play for dominant seventh chords
https://youtu.be/ySJV2LmXZCY
PDF:
Attachment 186727
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Re: Barry Harris method for learning bebop
Here are chord ideas to play over minor II V I progressions.
https://youtu.be/326ytEIrXDY
PDF:
Attachment 186767
Re: Barry Harris method for learning bebop
I highly recommend Barry’s weekly online classes, one for harmony and one for improvisation. 1 1/2 hours each. Best $10 I spend weekly.
I’ve been doing them since mid May and have well over 60 pages of material to study. When I go back over these (you get access to recorded workshops) there will be MUCH more.
http://www.localendar.com/public/BHJazzCalendar
Time is Eastern
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Re: Barry Harris method for learning bebop
After several months off, here is the next video in the Barry Harris series. This one show how to play other major and minor sixth diminished voicings.
https://youtu.be/n85Klvcs8a4
PDF file:Attachment 189520