“A clear step-by-step approach!”

“Very clear + good amount to absorb.”

“I’m going to learn new tunes that way!”

“These masterclasses are great! What a blessing!”

“There was great clarity in what Edward was saying.”

“Edward Simon is a great musician *and* a great educator!”

“Excellent delineation and explanation of his 3-step method.”

“Simple breakdown of his method. Very clear! And ultimately helpful, if used. ;)”

“Loved his philosophy on learning tunes, superbly explained and easy to absorb.”

“Enjoyed the clarity of his content and gentle approach.I will use this esp with remembering melody.”

“Loved the analysis in Dear Old Stockholm of Bb7 as being a tritone sub V7/V. I never thought of that!”

“Edward was completely organized, and amazingly concise, congruent, and always logical.
He explained perfectly how one creates beauty, and develops music to create compelling results.”

“Unlike other very fine players this gentleman knows how to discuss abstract concepts clearly!!
Also took the time to really think through and plan for his topics. So impressive & refreshing.”

“Reinforced a lot of the way I already learn tunes, but the new idea was to learn the melody and harmony independent of each other.
He really proved the value of that method.”

[00:00:00]: Introduction
[00:00:30]: Know the Tune Deeply for Convincing Improv
[00:02:33]: Benefits of Playing the Same Tune Repeatedly
[00:03:40]: Anecdote from Former Jazz Messengers
[00:05:59]: Benefits of Knowing Fewer Tunes really well
[00:06:37]: Prepare: Listening vs. Using Sheet Music
[00:08:59]: Listen to Different Versions of a Tune
[00:10:38]: Vocal Versions & Lyrics
[00:12:01]: OVERVIEW: 3-Step Method for Learning Tunes
[00:13:58]: Example 1: Dear Old Stockholm
[00:16:21]: STEP 1: Analyze/Outline the Melody (No Chords!)
[00:16:37]: Identify Key Notes in the Melody (Melodic Outline)
[00:18:57]: Identify Scale Degrees of Important Melody Notes
[00:21:27]: How do we get to each of those Points?
[00:23:30]: What/How Do You Consider the Most Important Notes?
[00:25:13]: Why to FIRST Analyze the Melody Independently
[00:26:25]: STEP 2: Analyze the Harmony
[00:27:00]: Breaking Down the Harmony *without* the Melody
[00:30:37]: Transpose Harmony to Different Keys
[00:33:05]: Use Transposition to Reveal Gaps
[00:35:31]: Using Shell Voicings
[00:36:42]: Adding Major Sevenths to Major Chords
[00:39:07]: Retain Tunes via Analysis & Transposition
[00:39:57]: Adding “Color Tones” to Chords
[00:43:21]: Applying the Method to Complex Tunes & Originals?
[00:44:23]: Importance of Lyrics in Jazz
[00:46:17]: STEP 3: Combining Harmony & Melody
[00:49:04]: Poesia Melodic Analysis  
[00:52:26]: Identify the Target Notes
[00:54:54]: Learn it Up a Half Step 
[00:58:49]: Importance of Accompaniment in Lead Sheets
[00:59:26]: Analyze Melody in Relation to Tonic
[01:01:07]: Separate Melody & Harmony for Clarity 
[01:02:37]: Poesia Harmony Analysis
[01:07:49]: Transpose Poesia’s Harmony
[01:10:19]: Understanding Chord Functions
[01:12:08]: Notating Tunes with Tonal Center Changes
[01:13:43]: Spend Time with a Tune to Understand It!
[01:14:25]: Experiment with Tempo & Feel
[01:17:36]: SF Jazz Collective’s Approach to Charts
[01:18:07]: Conclusion & Parting Thoughts