Book One Page One: Fundamentals Masterclass [Moving Voices]

Sid Jacobs explores the musical fundamentals that seem simple but are powerful: voice leading, counterpoint, and moving voices, applied to real tunes on solo guitar. The title comes from his close friend, the late great Joe Diorio — whenever Sid asked what he was working on, Joe would answer, "We're always on Book One, Page One."

What's covered

• Two essential voice leading exercises through the cycle of fifths — guide tones (3rds and 7ths) and contrary-motion lines through all twelve keys
• Simplifying a song into melody and countermelody, the way Henry Mancini composed — and getting out of the grip-chord trap
• Turning the first phrase of a Jimmy Wyble etude into an exercise that strengthens your contrapuntal playing
• Voicings that mix open strings and fretted notes in Moon River, plus Mancini's Two for the Road
• Adding moving lines to make Bill Evans' Very Early sound orchestral — including rootless voicings you can steal for your own arrangements
• All the Things You Are as a vehicle for Bach-like counterpoint and good voice leading
• Cadence and countermelody work on Ellington's Do Nothing Til You Hear From Me, Bill Evans' We Will Meet Again, and Bernstein's Maria from West Side Story
• How to sound more like a contrapuntal pianist than a typical chord-melody guitarist

In addition to the video, you receive 12 pages of Sid's personal solo guitar arrangements so you can study his contrapuntal and harmonic approach closely, plus Soundslice practice versions of Moon River and Two for the Road.

Class Length: 203 Minutes