Jazz Explained

The Jazz Hot Spot
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Jazz Explained is a podcast for musicians and serious listeners who want to go beyond the surface. Each episode breaks down the theory, technique, and history that shape jazz—from Coltrane changes to modern improvisation. Whether you're shedding in the practice room or just want to hear music with new ears, this is your backstage pass to understanding jazz from the inside out.

Episodes

  1. FEB 18

    John Coltrane`s Sheets of Sound

    An introduction into Sheets Of Sound. The technique used by John Coltrane.The term was coined in 1958 by DownBeat magazine jazz critic Ira Gitler.

    16 min

  2. FEB 9

    Barry Harris - 6th Diminished Harmonic System

    Starting from Barry Harris: Exploring the Diminished; Barry Harris Scales of Chords we will explore his system. While David Baker focuses on the Bebop Scale, Barry Harris offers a distinct, legendary harmonic approach that is essential to the bebop sound. • Key Concepts discussed:     ◦ The "Genealogy" of Chords: Harris's metaphor of the Chromatic scale as "God," the Whole Tone scales as "Man and Woman," and the Diminished chords as their "babies".     ◦ The 6th Diminished Scale: Harris's view that chords come from scales, specifically the Major 6th Diminished and Minor 6th Diminished scales.     ◦ Borrowed Notes: How to create movement ("motion") within a chord by borrowing notes from the related diminished chord,.     ◦ The "Family" of Dominants: How four dominant 7th chords are derived from a single diminished chord.

    14 min

  3. FEB 3

    Jerry Coker – The Vocabulary of the Jazz Language

    Key Concepts:     ◦ The "Bebop Lick": Defining the specific melodic phrase (often 1-flat7-natural 7-1) prevalent in the era.      ◦ Enclosure: The technique of surrounding a target note with chromatic neighbors.     ◦ The "3 to b9" Device: A specific harmonic generalization technique used over dominant chords.◦ CESH: Explain "Contrapuntal Elaboration of Static Harmony," a method of moving a single voice within a static chord (e.g., Root to Major 7 to b7 to 6).

    15 min

  4. JAN 27

    The Bebop sound

    What are the characteristics of Bebop? How to make a frase sound bebop?

    14 min

  5. JAN 19

    Five steps to master Jazz Standards

    A list of steps to be able to master a jazz standard. What do these words signify in this context? Melody Changes Summary Alternative voice leading Sing/feel Let`s discover it together

    12 min

  6. JAN 12

    Connecting Chord with Linear Harmony - Bert Ligon

    In this episode we are analysing BErt Ligon`s book "Connecting Chords with Linear Harmony. We are trying to find ways to solo and think like the masters. Topics: linear motion voice leading target notes harmonic specificity harmonic generalization motivic development superimposing harmony patterns for ii V I octave displacement the "Round Midnight" outline CESH chromatic approaches and encirclements borrowed tones

    15 min

  7. JAN 6

    Hal Galper`s Forward Motion

    We will dive into Hal Galper`s book "Forward Motion" Topics covered: rhythmic adjustments active/inactive elements inner guide tone melody harmonic forward motion

    15 min

  8. JAN 2

    David Baker - Bebop 3

    Techniques for Learning and Utilizing Bebop Tunes Topics covered:Contrafact Tools to improviseSilent practice Transcribing Interchanging

    15 min

  9. 12/24/2025

    David Baker - Bebop 2

    Patterns, Formulae and Other Linking Materials Topics covered: Chord Progressions ii-V-I and iii-vi-ii-V Cycles, Turnbacks Enclosures, Deflection

    12 min
  10. David Baker - Bebop 1

    12/17/2025

    David Baker - Bebop 1

    An analysis of David Baker`s Bebop 1, the bebop Scales and other scales in common use. Topics treated:The Historical and Theoretical Importance of BebopThe Two Primary Bebop ScalesEnclosure/Deflection

    13 min
  • 10 Episodes

About

Jazz Explained is a podcast for musicians and serious listeners who want to go beyond the surface. Each episode breaks down the theory, technique, and history that shape jazz—from Coltrane changes to modern improvisation. Whether you're shedding in the practice room or just want to hear music with new ears, this is your backstage pass to understanding jazz from the inside out.

Information

  • Creator
    The Jazz Hot Spot
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Jazz Hot Spot
  • Show Website
    Jazz Explained