“I have such a ball in my classes, and I learn so much from my students. They probably don’t realize that I come to school here, too. I’m just the oldest member of the class. I just wish everyone could experience the blessing of learning new things all the time.” Barry Harris
As in all of his creative pursuits, Barry’s quest to develop, expand and share this part of his work is tireless. Almost ten years after the completion of our original ‘Workshop Video’, it made sense to document a new wealth of information and nuance in a second volume.
Shot in a ‘clinic setting’, this beautifully filmed session is approximately 4 hours, 15 minutes in length, and features great overhead views of Barry at the piano. The accompanying 156-page workbook includes a transcription of all the musical examples.
The Barry Harris Workshop Video Part 2 highlights the following three chapters:
Improvisation
Intended for instrumentalists and vocalists, this 1st session presents Barry’s latest thoughts on chord and scale relationships; feeling the rhythm of a line; scale practice including expanded ‘Extra Note Rules’; how to apply ‘extra notes’ to any scale or grouping of notes; the use of surrounding notes; developing ‘turnbacks’; in-depth line building work on ‘rhythm changes’ – and more.
The Rhythm Section
This session is vital for all rhythm section players and stresses the importance of using ‘upbeats’ as they apply to each instrument; ‘feeling 6’ while playing in 4/4; the usefulness of playing small chords voicings; Barry’s voicings for the Blues, ‘rhythm changes’ and more.
Harmony
Long-awaited, this session gets right to the heart of Barry’s unique harmonic system. Detailing ‘sixth diminished’ chord theory, chord movement, and putting together effective voicings, this section is highlighted by Barry’s performance of “I Should Care”, featuring great overhead camera shots.
Piano and guitar transcriptions are included.
About Barry Harris
“A list of Harris’ graduates reads like a Who’s Who of Jazz; among them are Paul Chambers, Curtis Fuller, Joe Henderson, Lonnie Hillyer, Yusef Lateef, Hugh Lawson, Kirk Lightsey, Charles McPherson, and Doug Watkins.” “Harris’ (method) is unique in both its emphasis and detail, for it teaches students precisely how to transform the (basic theoretical) elements into credible phrases and focuses as much upon the creative processes of improvisation as upon its products, effectively clarifying the relationship between theory and performance practice in the jazz tradition.” “Harris’ theory is an expansive generative method. It encourages musicians to create original phrases based, in part, on the cross-fertilization of rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic models embodied in the rules Harris promulgates.”
Excerpts from ‘Thinking in Jazz’, by Paul F. Berliner, University of Chicago Press 1994
“I guess you could say Barry Harris is one of the very last of the bebop purists that we have on piano. He is a living and brilliant extension of Bud Powell.”
“I’ve always thought that if Charlie Parker had played piano, he would sound exactly like Barry Harris. Or is it the other way around? In any case, Barry’s sense of time, motion, and rhythm is absolutely impeccable.”
Sample Video
What Others Have Said
“Barry’s Workshop Video is a valuable educational tool for anyone interested in the inner workings of modern jazz.”
“A fine workshop for striving pianists and serious students who want to play modern harmonies in the style of Charlie Parker.”
“This package offers information that hasn’t been given before. It is a very practical and organized way of looking at chord movement applied to the areas of accompaniment, arranging and composition. An excellent orchestration tool.”
“The Barry Harris Workshop Video is an outstanding educational package which provides a wealth of material for students, teachers and musicians alike.”
“Barry’s video will, without question, help anyone who is seriously interested in gaining a knowledge of the art of improvisation.”
“A ray of sunlight in jazz educational products.”
“This effectively conceived instructional package puts the spotlight on master pianist Barry Harris…Harris’ lucid master class is enhanced by a clearly written ‘Workbook’ compiled by Howard Rees. Harris’ concepts are fully notated and keyed to the video for further enhancement. In all, there are invaluable ‘tools’ that serious-minded players and critics will return to time and again.”
“…there is something of interest in this video for most everyone…the set is intended for [those] who are unable to personally study with a master jazz teacher. Warmly recommended.”
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