“This sounds terrible!” I screamed as I threw my iPhone over the balcony of our seventeenth-floor condo.
Well, that’s what I wanted to do…
But I’m frugal, iPhones are expensive and there’s a $500 fine for throwing anything from the balcony.
You see I had been recording my practice sessions on my phone and, as usual, I was not happy with what I heard.
Just regular guys – guys like me except they obviously knew something that I didn’t. They we getting that real “bop” sound that I had been seeking for so long.
They were nailing the changes so well that I heard the chords even when they were playing by themselves – with no comping instrument!
To add insult to injury, a lot of these players were way younger than me too!
You see, I first started learning about the bebop language in high school when I learned “the bebop scale.”
I practiced that scale (and many, many others) relentlessly hoping that I’d be able to improvise “real” bebop lines like I heard from the masters.
After countless hours of practice, I found myself disappointed. I had learned my scales but my solos still didn’t sound “real” – especially my attempted bebop lines.
We only have to look at a few solo transcriptions to notice that the masters of this music consistently placed chord tones on down beats.
They weren’t thinking about what scale to play where, or waiting for the perfect place to drop in their favorite lick.
They were thinking about the chords!
So, first I tried concentrating on the chord tones as I used my scales to improvise. That didn’t work at all.
Then I tried using only chord tones, and it was a little better but it still didn’t sound like bebop.
I needed a system if I was ever going to learn this language.
Bebop Boot Camp is designed to take just one hour a day (in 10-minute segments), making it manageable for even the busiest schedules. The program is structured so you can make significant progress without overwhelming yourself.
No, Bebop Boot Camp is designed for musicians of various instruments, as you can see by the testimonials from guitarists, trumpet players, pianists, and saxophonists alike.
Kenyon is a working musician an educator with 20+ years experience helping students find their quickest route to success. Bebop Boot Camp brings Kenyon’s experience, enthusiasm, and passion together to provide a structured system for learning the bebop language. You’ll get comprehensive lessons, videos, and support from a community of like-minded musicians, ensuring your success.
While the program focuses on bebop language, the skills you learn can be applied to all styles of music, enhancing your overall musicianship.
Bebop Boot Camp is designed for musicians who have a basic understanding of their instrument and are looking to improve their bebop playing. However, the program is structured in a way that can accommodate players with various skill levels.