Bebop Piano Lick Lesson II – V(alt) – I

Here’s a new II – V- I  bebop lick instructional video I just shot.  This particular lick is one of my favorites because it uses alot of the classic building blocks of bebop.   I’ll list some of the more “theoretical” elements of lick that make it bebop. (video below)

  1. chromaticism with mostly chord tones on downbeats.
  2. approach patterns
  3. the bebop scale
  4. turning a II-V into just a V (I play just the dominant bebop scale over the II and the V)
  5. altered tones
  6. augmented arpeggios
  7. resolution on the major chord onto to upper extensions ( resolving on the 9 of the I chord)

Bottom line though….it’s a fun lick to play and sounds good regardless of the theory :)

This particular lick was inspired by Bud Powell, Lee Morgan, Wes Montgomery, and Joe Henderson.   Enjoy and let me know what you think!

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Steve Nixon is the proud owner of freejazzlessons.com He is a world touring jazz and blues keyboard player and educator.

He is also the author of the brand new Jazz Masters Method , a study of 9 legendary jazz piano players, and the Learn Blues Piano DVD Course


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  • moody

    The last part of the lick – the arpeggio is simply perfect!  The flat 13 give the magnificent jazzy sound! Thank you Steve!

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      Yeah I love the sound of the flat 13.  Very beautiful note right?

  • http://www.facebook.com/juiceleuven Meeze Jelle

    Transcribing your licks on fretless bass is making me smile over and over again =)

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      Hi Meeze. Glad to hear.  I would really be interested in hearing them on the fretless!