Mike's Master Classes

Chord Melody Masterclass

Chord Melody ideas for Stella by Starlight, Thoughts on Stella

Genil Castro·
5.0 (3 reviews)·INTERMEDIATE·2 lessons·42m 49s of video

About this masterclass

Genil Castro breaks down his chord melody approach to the jazz standard Stella by Starlight, showing step by step how he builds rich harmonies around the melody. You'll see how to play melody and harmony simultaneously, add chord substitutions and reharmonizations, and use harmonics, arpeggios, and chord inversions in your own arrangements.

Included in this lesson

  • A complete arrangement transcription
  • Harmonic examples of different options for harmonizing the melody, with and without the harp harmonics technique
  • How Genil came up with ideas for the arrangement, inspired by his influences (Gamela, Joe Diorio, Ted Greene and others)
  • Five- and six-note voicings from the melodic minor scale
  • Discussion of the context and origins of the tune

The course includes downloadable PDFs of sheet music and tablature, plus a Soundslice practice version of the arrangement. Level: Intermediate/Advanced.

Running time: 41 minutes. 7 Pages PDF Included.

Lessons in this masterclass

Lessons

  • 1Thoughts on Stella Full Class + Download41m 44s
  • 2Stella by Starlight Soundliced1m 5s

Reviews & Ratings

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Ronald Thompson
Verified Purchase
6/17/2023

"Amazing Course!"

This course is so deep and interesting! One should definitely have at least some understanding of modal harmony and know Stella already to get the most out of Genil's lesson. He's an amazing player. Like Genil, I was also impacted deeply by Joe Diorio and Lenny Breau when I attended GIT in 1980. I was always drawn to Joe's comping work and solo guitar playing. Lots of work ahead but your knowledge and discovery will be expanded by the things Genil discusses. Highly recommeded!

David HERZHAFT
Verified Purchase
3/30/2023

"Incredible arrangement"

I have several videos about Stella by starlight Genil's options to harmonize the melody are brilliant I like that he shows so many different options in detail including his own arrangement You will definitely learn a lot of cool voicings and ideas from this lessons For advanced and flexible players

james seaberry
Verified Purchase
3/25/2023

"stella by starlight"

I like all his classes, but this is one of the best.

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About the instructor

Genil Castro →
Studies: Genil Castro started to play in 1981, he studied with the great Bossa Nova guitar player Sidney Barros ( Gamela). During the period of 1983/84 Genil enrolled Guitar Institute of Technology in Hollywood, California where he attended workshops and seminars by Lenny Breau, Howard Roberts, Mick Goodrick, Joe Diorio, Ron Eschete, Joe Pass, Tommy Tedesco, Larry Coryell and Moacir Santos. He also attended seminars by Joe Diorio in Brazil in 1985, 1989 and 1995. Licensed in music education by University of Brasília, Genil has a Masters Degree in Musicology, with the thesis: “What chord is that? Plurality: the creative process of resignification of melodic and harmonic structures” Performance: Influenced by Lenny Breau and Bill Evans Genil follows the tradition of the ‘electric lap piano” utilising artificial harmonics to expand the harmonic palette of the instrument. Genil played concerts, and/or recorded TV programs with João Donato, Hamilton de Holanda, Toninho Horta, Joe Diorio, Jeff Andrews, Don Burrows, Phil DeGreg, Lula Galvão, Nelson Faria and many others. He recorded the CD CircumAmbulation in 2009. Teaching: Genil teaches the following classes: guitar, history of the guitar and performance at CEP/EMB Escola de Música de Brasília since 1999. He gave seminars in various festivals across the country. Since 2006 he teaches online lessons to students from different continents. Genil Castro's approach to jazz is comfortable for any level of guitarist. He has a unique ability to teach difficult concepts in a simple way.