So, you've got the basics of jazz down—you can swing, you know your ii-V-Is, and you're comfortable with some standard tunes. But now you're itching to take your playing to the next level. How do you bridge the gap between intermediate and advanced jazz? It's all about refining your technique, expanding your vocabulary, and developing a deeper musical intuition. Here are the essential drills and pro-level tips to get you there.
1. Deep Dive into Harmonic Substitutions
Advanced jazz isn’t just about playing the changes—it’s about reharmonizing them creatively. Start experimenting with substitutions to add sophistication to your lines:
- Tritone Subs: Replace dominant chords (e.g., G7) with a dominant chord a tritone away (Db7).
- Backdoor Dominants: Use bVII7 (e.g., Bb7 in C major) as a colorful resolution.
- Diminished Passing Chords: Insert diminished chords between diatonic changes for smooth voice leading.
Drill: Take a standard like "Autumn Leaves" and rewrite the harmony using 2-3 substitutions per chorus. Play through it until the substitutions feel natural.
2. Rhythmic Displacement & Phrasing
Great jazz players don’t just play notes—they play with time. Work on shifting phrases off the beat to create tension and unpredictability:
- Take a simple lick and displace it by an 8th note, then a quarter note.
- Practice "playing behind the beat" for a laid-back feel (à la Miles Davis).
- Use hemiolas (3-over-2 rhythms) to break up predictability.
Drill: Solo over a blues, but restrict yourself to only starting phrases on the "and" of beats 2 and 4. Force yourself to think differently!
3. Advanced Ear Training: Transcribe Like a Pro
Transcription isn’t just for beginners. At the advanced level, focus on dissecting nuance:
- Transcribe entire solos by ear (no slowing down!). Start with players like Cannonball Adderley or Woody Shaw.
- Analyze how your favorite players use enclosures, chromaticism, and rhythmic motifs.
- Practice singing solos before playing them—this internalizes the language faster.
Tip: Transcribe one chorus a day for a month. Your ears and vocabulary will explode.
4. Master the "Outside" Game
Playing "outside" (intentionally dissonant) separates advanced players from intermediates. Techniques to explore:
- Side-Slipping: Shift a phrase up or down a half-step temporarily.
- Pentatonic Superimposition: Use minor pentatonics a half-step above the chord (e.g., Eb minor over D7).
- Coltrane Matrix: Apply the "Giant Steps" cycle (major 3rd jumps) to ii-V progressions.
Drill: Solo over "Giant Steps," but force yourself to resolve outside lines smoothly—no random notes!
5. Comping Like a Pianist (Even If You’re Not One)
Advanced jazz isn’t just about soloing—it’s about interaction. Study pianists like Bill Evans or Herbie Hancock to level up your comping:
- Voice chords with rootless voicings (e.g., Dm7 = F-A-C-E).
- Use quartal harmony (stacked 4ths) for a modern sound.
- Practice "comping rhythms" that complement the soloist’s phrasing.
Tip: Record yourself comping for a soloist, then critique your rhythmic and harmonic support.
6. The Metronome as Your Ultimate Teacher
Pro players have ironclad time. Take your metronome drills up a notch:
- Set the metronome to only click on beats 2 and 4 (simulating a ride cymbal).
- Practice scales and arpeggios in 5/4 or 7/4 to break out of 4/4 muscle memory.
- Play "rubato" over a ballad, then snap back into perfect time.
Drill: Solo over "Cherokee" at 300+ BPM with the metronome on beat 2 only. No rushing!
Becoming an advanced jazz musician isn’t about shortcuts—it’s about deliberate, focused practice. Pick one area to work on each week, and within a few months, you’ll hear a dramatic difference in your playing. Remember: even the legends like Coltrane and Parker drilled fundamentals daily. Now go shed!
