Curriculum Overview & Learning Track

This Curriculum Overview and Learning Track is for the Player's Corner. The Beginner's Corner and Intermediate Corner are self explanatory as far as how to work through those lessons; just start on Lesson 1 and work your way through them. The Player's Corner has many different facets and that is why we developed the Learning Track to help you find your way.

It all starts with the FREE Lesson, so be sure to watch that first.

Click on the levels below and the menu will expand to show you the detailed learning track.

Level I - Learning Track Lesson 1

Core Curriculum:

6-Pack Lesson 1, Expanding the Pentatonic Pairs Expanding the Pentatonic Pairs - The major 3rd is added to the Pentatonic Pairs and the b5 gives the blues its traditional sound. Ear Training and Rhythm Drills continue and a special Blues tune in F, “My Baby-Mama Blues”, is provided for improvisation.

Supplementary Curriculum:

Immersion Zone Level I

Extended Dom 7th Chords: Bb7, F7, C7, G7
Blues: Bb, F, C, G

Enrichment Material:

Vocabulary Workout Level I

1. Lesson 1 - Extended C7, Vol 84 - Disc 1, Track 1
2. Lesson 1 - Dominant Cycle, Vol 84 - Disc 1, Track 13
3. Lesson 1 - Blues in F, Vol 42 - Track 8

Resource Material:

Jamey Aebersold books and Play-Along CDs*

1. Volume 1 How to Play Jazz And Improvise
2. Volume 42 Blues in All Keys
3. Volume 84 Dominant Seventh Workout

*As a FULL member, you can receive a one time 30% discount to Jamey Aebersold
materials. Find your coupon code here.

Level I - Learning Track Lesson 2

Core Curriculum:

6-Pack Lesson 2, Pentatonic Pairs and the ii7-V7-I7 The Pentatonic Pairs with the 3rd and b5 are used to form traditional vocabulary for the II-V-I, moving down whole steps through all of the keys. Rhythm Drills and Ear Training are a part of each lesson. “Trailin? On”, based on changes from “On the Trail”, rounds out the work in this lesson.

Supplementary Curriculum:

Immersion Zone Level I

Extended Dom 7th Chords - D7, Eb7, Ab7, A7
Pentatonic Pairs - Dom Cycle 12 Keys 
Blues - D, Eb, Ab, A
Dorian Minor - Ext D Dorian
Major Chords - Ext CM7

Enrichment Material:

Vocabulary Workout Level I

1. Lesson 2 - Extended D Dorian
2. Lesson 2 - Extended CM7
3. Lesson 2 ii7-V7-I7 All Keys - Vol 3-Tr 1

Making Music

Trailin On, Level I

Resource Material:

Jamey Aebersold books and Play-Along CDs*

1. Volume 2 Nothing But The Blues
2. Volume 21 Getting It Together

*As a FULL member, you can receive a one time 30% discount to Jamey Aebersold materials. Find your coupon code here.

Level I - Learning Track Lesson 3

Core Curriculum:

6 Pack Lesson 3, Embellishing the Pentatonic Pairs Pentatonic Pairs are chromatically embellished by a leading tone with 4 permutations. Combinations of these embellished Pentatonic Pairs provide vocabulary for the II-V combinations in all keys. A special tune, “Kickin' Back”, is based on the “Tune Up” form and changes in D major.

Supplementary Curriculum:

Jazz Immersion Zone Level I

Extended Dom 7th Chords. E7, B7, Gb7, Db7
Pentatonic Pairs - Embellish Pairs 12 Keys
Pentatonic Pairs - Connect Pairs 12 Keys
Blues - E, B, Gb, Db
F-/Eb-/D- Dorian Minor Sequence
Dorian Minor in 12 keys
Impressions D-
Ascending Major Chords
Descending Major Chords

Chromatic Drills

Drill Number #1

Enrichment Material:

Vocabulary Workout Level I

1. Lesson 3 - Ext Db7 (Vol 84-Disc 2-Tr 6)
2. Lesson 3 - II-V7-I (Vol 3-Tr 1)
3. Lesson 3 - Blues in Db (Vol 42-Tr 4)

Making Music

Kickin Back, Level I

Resource Material:

Jamey Aebersold books and Play-Along CDs

Volume 54 Maiden Voyage

*As a FULL member, you can receive a one time 30% discount to Jamey Aebersold materials. Find your coupon code here.

Level II Learning Track Lesson 4

Core Curriculum:

6 Pack Lesson 4, Pentatonic Pairs in the Dorian Mode The Pentatonic Pairs are introduced in the Dorian mode in a 3 key sequence producing modal and diatonic sounds on the minor II chord. Symmetric patterns are also formed in, “Simplicitude”, (Coltraneʼs “Impressions” ).

Supplementary Curriculum:

Jazz Immersion Zone Level II

Extended Dom 7th Chords. Bb7, F7 C7, G7
Blues - Bb, F, C, G
Dorian minor in 12 keys
"So What" chord progression

Chromatic Drills

Drill Number #2

Enrichment Material:

Vocabulary Workout Level II

1. Lesson 4 - Extended Dorian
2. Lesson 4 - Ascending Minors (Vol 21-Disk 2-Tr 2)
3. Lesson 4 - Impressions (Vol 54-Tr 2)

Making Music

Trailin On, Level II

Resource Material:

Jamey Aebersold books and Play-Along CDs
Volume 24 Major & Minor

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Level II Learning Track Lesson 5

Core Curriculum

6 Pack Lesson 5 - Connecting Pentatonic Pairs Embellished Pentatonic Pairs on the II-V-I are connected with chromatics and applied to the Rhythm Changes. Special licks formed on major 7th chord tones are also applied to the Rhythm Changes.

Supplementary Curriculum:

Jazz Immersion Zone Level II

Extended Dom 7th Chords - D7, Eb7, Ab7, A7
Blues - D, Eb Ab A
Extended CM7
Ascending Major Chords 12 Keys
Descending Major Chords 12 Keys
Rhythm Changes Bb, F, C, G, Eb, D

Chromatic Drills

Drill Number #3

Enrichment Material:

Vocabulary Workout Level II

1. Lesson 5 - Extended F7 (Vol 84-Disc-1-Tr 2)
2. Lesson 5 - Extended C major
3. Lesson 5 - Rhythm Changes in F (Vol 47-Tr 2)

Making Music

Kickin' Back Level II

Resource Material:

Jamey Aebersold books and Play-Along CDs

Volume 47 I Got Rhythm

*As a FULL member, you can receive a one time 30% discount to Jamey Aebersold materials. Find your coupon code here.

Level II Learning track Lesson 6

Core Curriculum:

6 Pack Lesson 6 - Pentatonic Pair Set-Ups Pentatonic Pair “set up” on the b7th or the major 7th patterns are introduced in this lesson and applied to Nat & Sol”, based on the form and changes for “Satin Doll.”

Supplementary Curriculum:

Jazz Immersion Zone Level II

Extended Dom 7th Chords - Db7, B7, Gb7, E7
Blues - Db, B, Gb, E
Rhythm Changes - Ab, Db, G, B, E, A

Chromatic Drills

Drill Number #4

Enrichment Material:

Vocabulary Workout Level II

1. Lesson 6 - Extended II-V7-I
2. Lesson 6 - Satin Doll (Vol 54-Tr 8)
3. Lesson 6 - Pentatonic Set Up b7

Making Music

Nat & Sol - Level I, II

Resource Material:

Jamey Aebersold books and Play-Along CDs

Volume 67 Tune Up in All Keys

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Level III - Learning Track Lesson 1

Core Curriculum:

3 Pack Lesson 1 - The V-7 Set Up Pentatonic Pair “set-ups” are introduced with the diminished scales formed on the diminished steps of the ladder and “licks” are developed and demonstrated for the II-V in all keys. First inversion triads are also explored on the steps of the diminished ladder. “Dimi Brown”, is a special tune with a diminished twist for improvisation and the quintessential Ear Training and Rhythm drills continue.

Supplementary Curriculum:

Jazz Immersion Zone Level III

Altered Dominant Vocabulary: Bb7, F7, C7, G7

Enrichment Material:

Vocabulary Workout Level III

1. Diminished Set Up #1 (Vol 84-CD 1-Tr 13)

Making Music

Trailing On - Level III

Resource Material:

Jamey Aebersold books and Play-Along CDs

1. Volume 3 The II-V7-I

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Level III - Learning Track Lesson 2

Core Curriculum:

3 Pack - Lesson 2 - The Diminished Ladder Pentatonic Pair “set-ups” on the second rung of the Diminished ladder are introduced, demonstrated and applied to the daunting II-b5 V7#9 (b9) I Minor cadence in all keys. More colorful symmetric patterns are introduced, “What is This Thang” is presented and Ear Training and Rhythm Drills persist.

Supplementary Curriculum:

Jazz Immersion Zone Level III

Altered Dominant Vocabulary: D7, Eb7, Ab7, A7

Enrichment Material:

Making Music

Kickin' Back Level III

Vocabulary Workout

1. Diminished Set Up #2 (Vol 84-CD 1-Tr 13)

Resource Material:

Jamey Aebersold books and Play-Along CDs

1. Volume 16 Turnaround Cycle & II/V7ʼs

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Level III - Learning Track Lesson 3

Core Curriculum:

3 Pack - Lesson 3 - Symmetric Patterns Pentatonic Pair “set-ups” are sequenced through the 1st, 2nd and 3rd steps on the diminished ladder, resulting in traditional vocabulary for the tri-tone substitutes in all keys. Complex symmetric triplet patterns are included with chromatic approach tones, setting up interesting diminished 7th patterns used by Woody Shaw, John Coltrane, Joe Lavano, Michael Brecker and other progressive jazz players. Ear Training and the Rhythm Drill are still essential. Nuevo es Bueno features Dizzy’s “Algo Bueno” changes to conclude this lesson.

Supplementary Curriculum:

Jazz Immersion Zone Level III

Altered Dominant Vocabulary: E7, B7, Gb7, Db7

Enrichment Material:

Making Music

Nat & Sol Level III

Modal Jazz

Vocabulary Workout

Altered II-V7+9- I Minor (Vol 3-Tr 4)

Resource Material:

Jamey Aebersold books and Play-Along CDs

Volume 68 Giant Steps Standards in 12 Keys

*As a FULL member, you can receive a one time 30% discount to Jamey Aebersold materials. Find your coupon code here.

Level III - Learning Track Lesson 1

Core Curriculum:

2 Pack - Lesson 1, The Half Diminished In Action Half diminished chord tones on the 1st step of the diminished ladder form traditional V7 jazz vocabulary on the 2nd scale step of the II-7b5 In all keys . Half Diminished chord tones are also combined with tones of the major 7th chords for more traditional “licks” in “Sweet GA Brown.” Half-step shifts of the Half diminished chord round out this lesson.

Supplementary Curriculum:

Jazz Immersion Zone Level III

Rhythm Changes Bb, F, C, G, Eb, D

Enrichment Material:

Vocabulary Workout

Sweet Georgia Brown #1 (Vol 70-Tr 7)

Making Music Level III

Double Time Jazz

Resource Material:

Jamey Aebersold books and Play-Along CDs

Volume 15, Payin' Dues

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Level III - Learning Track Lesson 2

Core Curriculum:

2 Pack - Lesson 2, The Half Diminished and the Tri-tone Substitute Half Diminished chord tone “set ups” on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd steps of the diminished ladder form traditional vocabulary that is cycled through the II-b5, V (tri-tone substitute) and IM7 in all keys. The lesson is concluded with half diminished chords suggested for “Perdido”, “Yardbird Suite” and “Ornithology.”

Supplementary Curriculum:

Jazz Immersion Zone Level III

Rhythm Changes A, E, B, Ab, Db, Gb

Enrichment Material:

Vocabulary Workout

Sweet Georgia Brown #2 (Vol 70-Tr 7)

Making Music

Up Tempo Jazz

Resource Material:

Jamey Aebersold books and Play-Along CDs

Vol 65 “Four & More”

*As a FULL member, you can receive a one time 30% discount to Jamey Aebersold materials. Find your coupon code here.