“Jazzing Up” a Simple Song, “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”, Mozart’s Jazz.

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A Special Request. A step-by-step harmonic analysis of how to create a jazz interpretation of a simple song. "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star", an English Nursery Rhyme and French Folk song adapted by Mozart. In 8 measures, showing different harmonization techniques, from easy to advanced. Also a look at diatonic scales and modes. Free Score Download for this tutorial on Website: Please check out Jazz Theory Book. See layout of this video here:
2:13 Basic Melody and Chords (Traditional Harmony)
5:31 Classical 3-part Contrapuntal Harmony
8:01 Diatonic Harmony
11:29 Jazz Cyclical Harmony w/ Secondary Dominants
16:04 Tritone Substitutes and Color Tones
18:55 Rootless Voicing
22:46 Alternative Voicings
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48 comments

  1. 10/22/16:This video has only been out a month, and I must say that I am amazed at how many comments I have received and the thought and kindness that goes into the comments. This feeds my soul. Many thanks to all those folks that write to me!

    2. Even though this video is far too advanced for me… It is enormously inspiring! I never knew that there were so many different styles, sounds and options. It’s like opening my eyes to music! Thank you so much!

  2. 2:13 Basic Melody and Chords (Traditional Harmony)
    5:31 Classical 3-part Contrapuntal Harmony
    8:01 Diatonic Armony
    11:29 Jazz Cyclical Harmony w/ Secondary Dominants
    16:04 Tritone Substitutes and Color Tones
    18:55 Rootless Voicing
    22:46 Alternative Voicings

    5. Thank you so much all the gospel guys charge hundreds of dollars for their lessons yet you bless us with a free one and we can apply it in different keys. All the other guys just play really nice chords and don’t break down the good stuff and how to apply it

  4. Kent, you disprove the old saying, “Those that can’t play… teach.” You do both so extremely well my friend! I remember when this request was made and thank you for following up on their request. You prove, a good player can jazz up any song with great effect. Actually, you are the answer to a prayer for me. All of your lessons and information are so useful and taught so logically and enjoyably. Please know, all of your efforts are appreciated very much! Jim

    1. Many thanks for those kind words!! I’m grateful and happy when I can take a request and get positive feedback. I learn by researching, practicing and doing it.

  13. This is excellent Kent! Would love to see more like this; you are a great teacher and I wish we didn’t live on opposite coasts, I’d like to attend your gigs. Zawette’s idea of making this into a series is a good one!

  15. Excellent!! just absolutely Fantastic!! I learned so much in this video and understood them completely, especially the triton substitutions, rootless voicings, and jazz phrasing, they were my favorite.  I love how you address each skill levels as well!! Request alert: I want to see your interpretation on the jazz piece “Body and Soul” displaying, voicings and improvisation, and so on in any key.

  16. Subscribing. You explain music in the way it should be explained. You don’t NEED to know the names, but golly are these concepts complex enough even WITH names. So I’m glad you walk through your thinking.

  17. You are soooo generous, and such a great inspiration for putting things together and make our study fruitful and fun! I am going over all of your videos, the best for me.. Thanks Kent and your Altered Dominant Ego

  20. A SUBSCRIBER’S BOOK ENDORSEMENT – “Mootrevo” just wanted to do a shout-out for your book; People, I’ve been using Kent’s book every day for over a year, and it’s a work of art. If you like Kent’s playing and the way he explains jazz and music harmony, and the songs he chooses as examples… then RUN, don’t walk to Kent’s website and get this book. He IS far too modest about this amazing jazz workbook he has created. It is simply the best I have ever used, and I’ve tried a lot of them. It has improved my playing and understanding of jazz theory tremendously. I can’t imagine any student of jazz piano and/or jazz harmonic theory not liking this book. It’s simply that good. It’s fun. It’s straight forward. And unlike so many other jazz books, it’s not boring!! (sorry for the immodesty, if you want my book, but can’t afford it, write to me for special price …KH).

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