This is an aha! moment for me; the best explanation on TH-cam about how to solo on the ii-v-i; no complicated explanations on what scales to use on what chords.
Great lesson, as a beginner of altosaxophone, I had listen to some lessons on the 2-5-1 and I never understood it but when I listened to your lesson, it goes a long way for me.
The II-V-I is the most important chord progression in jazz - check out my video about how to form it and play over it.This chord progression changed my life! th-cam.com/video/X-xPMOlYqUk/w-d-xo.html
amazing! I watch tons of videos about music theory, and whenever I hear someone explaining Jazz I get so scared and they make me think that they are gurus and untouchable as far as I am concerned. This is the first time that I come to understand the theory behind the 2 5 1 and how to approach it , you explained it so simply because you definitely reached a level beyond just skills but I should say this is wisdom in music if we can call it this way, a state that is hard to reach and only few did. One can notice that in the relaxed way you play and the smoothness of anything that you do in music. But you are also generous to want to make it easy for one like me, and appreciate that very much Thank you!
Hi Ed.I am playing tenor sax i have been struggling trying to get to grips with the II V I 'S.concept since i first heard of it some time ago. I understand the idea to a point but have difficulty making musical sense with my improvisation when it comes to frequent chord changes such as every 4 beats.I have been told I need to hit those keynotes (1357)as the chords change. this is the first time I have heard someone say I could actually play just the major scale overall the 2 5 1's.A big relief for me as this is what I have been doing because I don't under stand what else I can do. I would really like to understand where i go from here? I love all music and have been obsessed with jazz for the last 15 years since I took up Dancing Lindy hop and other swing dancing styles.so I love all the old sax players from Coleman Hawkins Lester young Ben Webster to Coltrane,Rollins.Wayne Shorter,Becker,all of them I like Jazz fusion and my current hero is Local to me but based in the states the Awesome Troy Roberts.Thanks from one Ed to another.cheers Ed.
Thanks for explaining this. I get the theory behind the whole 2-5-1, but what I would like to know is, how do I play over it on the sax like you did. Do I just play the four chord notes, like DFAC / GBDF / CEGB or the whole "root-scale" (in this example the C-scale)?
Thank you for clearing up the whole mode business. It turns out I was worried over nothing. If I'm in C major I can play the notes of the C major scale over all three chords. I'm not restricted to chord tones plus a few approach notes. That's my takeaway.
HI Ed - I am learning Jazz piano but still found your tutorial extremely interesting - one question though - how would I know that for example an Am7 chord is the 2nd of G or the 6th of C when I am working out a 11 1V 1? Thanks in advance!
Ok so you've written/worked out the 251 for all the 12 major scales. But how do you know that EGBD which is the 2 chord of D, the chord of Emin7?? Or should everyone know the 36 chords for all the 12 major scales intimately well before learning your 251's??
James Turpie just know your major scales, and know that I chord is always maj7, ii chord is always m7, and V is always a 7 chord. Think scale degrees. “What is the second note in Bb major?” C, C is the ii and therefore a min7 chord.
but one thing I did not understand at the end of the 2-5-1 is after forming the 2 chord of Cmajor7, I still don't understand how to play it together on the saxophone.
![SICK Dominant 7th Jazz Lick You Need to Know [Great for Bebop]](/img/n.gif)
This is an aha! moment for me; the best explanation on TH-cam about how to solo on the ii-v-i; no complicated explanations on what scales to use on what chords.
Hi Ed, After a hiatus of almost 50 years, I’m back playing clarinet and enjoying the process immensely. Your clips are excellent. Great job!
Great lesson, as a beginner of altosaxophone, I had listen to some lessons on the 2-5-1 and I never understood it but when I listened to your lesson, it goes a long way for me.
Great job Ed Barker
Thank you thank you for sharing such wonderful knowledge in a very comprehensive and laid back fashion. Brilliant!
Thank god I've finally found someone who can explain this system , I totally understand what you were saying . BIG THANKS
Absolutely brilliant tutorial. Just what I needed to get started in the right path of using the II V I. Thank you
The II-V-I is the most important chord progression in jazz - check out my video about how to form it and play over it.This chord progression changed my life! th-cam.com/video/X-xPMOlYqUk/w-d-xo.html
amazing! I watch tons of videos about music theory, and whenever I hear someone explaining Jazz I get so scared and they make me think that they are gurus and untouchable as far as I am concerned.
This is the first time that I come to understand the theory behind the 2 5 1 and how to approach it , you explained it so simply because you definitely reached a level beyond just skills but I should say this is wisdom in music if we can call it this way, a state that is hard to reach and only few did. One can notice that in the relaxed way you play and the smoothness of anything that you do in music. But you are also generous to want to make it easy for one like me, and appreciate that very much Thank you!
Well explained. I was having trouble understanding 251's and your video provided clarity. Thanks for sharing.
Brilliant video lesson. Do you still platform the chord notes over the bar along with the scale mixed up
Hi Ed.I am playing tenor sax i have been struggling trying to get to grips with the II V I 'S.concept since i first heard of it some time ago. I understand the idea to a point but have difficulty making musical sense with my improvisation when it comes to frequent chord changes such as every 4 beats.I have been told I need to hit those keynotes (1357)as the chords change. this is the first time I have heard someone say I could actually play just the major scale overall the 2 5 1's.A big relief for me as this is what I have been doing because I don't under stand what else I can do.
I would really like to understand where i go from here?
I love all music and have been obsessed with jazz for the last 15 years since I took up Dancing Lindy hop and other swing dancing styles.so I love all the old sax players from Coleman Hawkins Lester young Ben Webster to Coltrane,Rollins.Wayne Shorter,Becker,all of them I like Jazz fusion and my current hero is Local to me but based in the states the Awesome Troy Roberts.Thanks from one Ed to another.cheers Ed.
Hey all - couple of free lessons on my TH-cam Channel: 1 jazz harmony and 1 beginner sax :-) th-cam.com/video/X-xPMOlYqUk/w-d-xo.html
whoa... i' ve learned a lot with this video... great job man...!
Thanks for explaining this. I get the theory behind the whole 2-5-1, but what I would like to know is, how do I play over it on the sax like you did. Do I just play the four chord notes, like DFAC / GBDF / CEGB or the whole "root-scale" (in this example the C-scale)?
my 10 year old daughter learning sax now like to start her early on jazz progession and iprovising
Thank you for clearing up the whole mode business. It turns out I was worried over nothing. If I'm in C major I can play the notes of the C major scale over all three chords. I'm not restricted to chord tones plus a few approach notes. That's my takeaway.
HI Ed - I am learning Jazz piano but still found your tutorial extremely interesting - one question though - how would I know that for example an Am7 chord is the 2nd of G or the 6th of C when I am working out a 11 1V 1? Thanks in advance!
hello i'm a guitar/bass player and i would love to start playing the alto saxophone can i still get your 6 month lesson for sax?
Hey! your explanation is really inspiring and helpful. Raphael
thanks for any lesson :)
Thank you
I want to sound like Kirk Whalum
Am interested in Gospel jazz improvisation etc, can you help me develop in that genre?
Ok so you've written/worked out the 251 for all the 12 major scales. But how do you know that EGBD which is the 2 chord of D, the chord of Emin7?? Or should everyone know the 36 chords for all the 12 major scales intimately well before learning your 251's??
James Turpie just know your major scales, and know that I chord is always maj7, ii chord is always m7, and V is always a 7 chord.
Think scale degrees. “What is the second note in Bb major?” C, C is the ii and therefore a min7 chord.
How do I play 4 cords at once on my trumpet ?
Can a trumpet player use this course ?
Link to course ( trumpet player)
sir im your fan
How many bars do you play of each chord ?
1 bar of IImin7
1 bar of V7
2 bars of Imaj7
but one thing I did not understand at the end of the 2-5-1 is after forming the 2 chord of Cmajor7, I still don't understand how to play it together on the saxophone.
just use four saxes...
Great video, very interesting for an autodidact young saxophonist.
Just one thing, you advertise yourself way to much.
Anyway, it's great
who's the one loser hitting dislike