I just reviewed 10 Advanced II V I Licks by Cecil Alexander, another one in the Essential Licks series at PickupMusic.
In this one, you get bebop licks for four different chord qualities: minor7, major7, dominant7 and minor7b5. You get three each for the first three types, and one minor7b5 lick.
The licks are:
1. Three minor licks
a) chromatic approach
b) Tritone substitution
c) Diminished arpeggio
2. Three Major licks
a) Major bebop scale
b) Chromatic approaches and inverted arpeggios
c) Combining a minor 7 arpeggio and a 1 – 2 -3 – 5 cell
3. Three dominant licks
a) Enclosing the b7
b) Chromatic approach and inverted arpeggio
c) Enclosing the 3rd
4. Minor 7b5
In general I would say that this particular licks package is easier to learn compared to the 10 Advanced II V I Licks by Cecil Alexander that I just reviewed.
That being said, if you’re not familiar with the use of approach notes, inverted arpeggios and chromatic lines, this might still be a workout for you.
I really love how Cecil plays on a single chord as the melodic shape is interesting. This is something that I would like to emulate in my own playing.
In conclusion, I recommend this licks package if you want bite-sized bebop ideas. It’s definitely a great way to actually get these ideas under your fingers and much easier than learning a long etude. Very practical and very musical.
Pros: Great lines, well performed, explained and transcribed.
Cons: None.
TLDR: If you want to get new melodic ideas for static chords and add some chromaticism (read: bebop) into your playing, this is a good way to get those licks!
This is part of the many available licks package, courses and masterclasses available at the PickupMusic website.
Click here to check out the PickupMusic website (affiliate link)
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