What Will You Learn?

The series will give an overview and introduction to the fundamentals of Dr. Harris’ legendary harmonic and improvisational methods. Practical contexts for using the information will be given.

Topics we will focus on include:

Harmony – Creating movement in your accompaniment.

• Understanding Sixth Chords, and Barry’s ‘Sixth-Diminished’ Scales.
• Using Sixth-Diminished scales to outline key chord movements.
• Applying ‘Borrowed notes’, ‘The Family’ and ‘Surrounding’ into the voicing.
• Harmonizing a melody

Improvisation – Chords come from Scales.

• Chord and Scale relationships as they apply to soloing.
• Scales as the basis for improvisation examining;
  • Barry’s ‘Extra Note Rules’ and their applications.
  • The ‘Related Diminished’ and its ‘Family’ of dominant 7ths.
  • The ‘5 – 4 – 3 – 2’ phrases
  • ‘Surrounding’ as a way of playing one scale into another.
  • Creating a ‘Scale Map’ for a tune.

Is This For Me?

• The series will be of interest to people new or newer to the maestro’s concepts.
• Prior knowledge of the Barry Harris Method is not required.

Prerequisites?

• You are currently playing at an advanced beginner/intermediate level (or higher).
• Your ability includes reading & playing through a melody/chord lead sheet.
• Chord players have the ability to interpret and play common chord symbols.
• All participants have the ability to play major and dominant 7^th scales in 12 keys.

Additional Info

• The series is ‘hands on’. Participants are encouraged to attend with their instrument.
• Each class will examine new material. Please consider attending all 6 classes.
• Instrumentalists and vocalists may attend both the Harmony & Improvisation segments.
• Handouts and a link to the zoom recording will be available to all registered participants.

 Dates and Times

• Saturdays from April 5th to May 10th.
• Each class is 1.5 hours in length.
• Harmony from 10.30am to 11:15am for piano & guitar players.
• Improvisation from 11:15am to 12 noon, for all instrumentalists & vocalists.

 Who Is Leading the Series?

• Howard Rees is a pianist who began studies with Barry Harris in 1978.
• His experience teaching Barry’s method spans more than 40 years.
• Howard produced the Barry Harris Workshop Video Series (named the ‘Bebop Bible’ by Tommy Flanagan), used by students and colleges world-wide.
• Howard is a founding director of the BHIJ.

Questions? Contact howard@jazzworkshops.com