-
If anyone else is -- or will be -- working with Robert Conti's Ticket To Improv, Volume One, let me know if you'd like to form a study group.
I just got started with it myself, but I like material well enough to know I plan to go through the other three volumes, as well.
[NOTE: This post has been edited to reflect the decision--hammered out in the following posts---to work on Robert Conti's Ticket to Improv, Volume 1. See Coupon Code below--in this post---for a discount on the DVD, if you don't already have it. Discount may be applied to other DVDs in the series if you already have this one.]
For those unfamiliar with Robert Conti, here's a bit more about him:
What is the Ticket To Improv?
A 4 DVD series for entry level to intermediate players. Each DVD delivers 4 hours of high impact improvising material. After working through even the first volume, the student begins to understand how lines are created and more importantly, their usage through the chord progressions of selected standards. As any owner of a Conti product will attest, the Ticket To Improv Series is consistent with his other learning resources, as he adheres to his effective No Modes No Scales® teaching approach, that is focused on playing, thereby producing results that motivate the student to greater levels.
What is the purpose/goal of this study group?
To significantly increase every student's ability to raise the level of his/her improvising skills.
If you would like to join us in this study group, and don't yet own Ticket To Improv, you can order at www.RobertConti.com or call 888-JAZZ-DVD (529-9383)
Coupon code: TTISTUDY25This coupon will allow members of the study group to save 25% on any single volume, or up to three volumes of Ticket To Improv in a single purchase.
Coupon code: TTISTUDY25FREESHIP
This coupon will allow members of the study group to save 25% on all four volumes of Ticket To Improv (plus any other products they may wish to purchase at the same time), plus they will receive free shipping on their order, no matter where in the world they're located.
Last edited by MarkRhodes; 02-24-2017 at 12:00 PM.
-
02-19-2017 11:01 PM
-
I think I would rather have a study group on "Jazz Lines". It's the "method" book that underpins the "Ticket to Improve" series, much like his "Formula" is the underpinnings of the "Signature Chord Melody". Any interest in doing that instead?
-
I'll bet there are probably more people who want to do that than what I'm suggesting. Still, this is the level I'm at, and I think it's best (for me, at least) to work through TTI before tackling the other stuff.
Originally Posted by rlrhett
-
One option would be to start with a Robert Conti Study Group. It could move from subject to subject.
Or, two groups: Robert Conti Lines and Robert Conti Chord Melodies.
In a day or so we'll have a better sense of where the greatest interest lies.
-
<crickets>
Oh, well . . . probably for the best. Every minute I spend talking about playing is a minute I spend not playing, and I need all the practice I can get.
-
I will join this. By the way, I think you would be well served to add Conti's name to the title of this thread. Perhaps, "Robert Conti: Ticket To Improv." Conti's name gets attention. "Ticket To Improv" probably not so much. (Unless Conti's name is nearby.)
-
I'm for this
-
Who among us has the DVD for this?
I do.
For those who don't, but who may want to get it and join up, I MAY (and again I say MAY) be able to get you a pdf of the first solo to work on until you can get the DVD. (The DVD contains printable pdf files.)Last edited by MarkRhodes; 02-23-2017 at 04:26 PM.
-
I'm game for participating in the Conti TTI V1 study group. I hope it will be a much needed push to engage with other players and Conti fans.
Originally Posted by snailspace
-
Robert Conti knows about this thread and is glad to hear about the interest in his approach. I don't think he spends much time on Forums, but he did say that, from time to time, he'd be willing to answer a few questions players may have about the material. Is that cool or what?
And. That's. Not. All!
For those who become interested in this material but don't already have it, a coupon code should soon be available to use to get it at a discount meant just for us. (Also, if you already have TTI, Volume 1 but would like something else of Conti's, the code should work for that too. Stay tuned for further details on that!)
-
Okay, the coupon will help . I just did a crash course on his course.
Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
-
What's the count? I'm for this Tti deal. Though I'm really interested in chord melody Originally Posted by MarkRhodes
Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
-
And how can I answer inline with tapatalk? I keep ending up making new messages.
Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
-
I'm afraid I don't know anything about Tapatalk. Fortunately for you, someone else around here will be able to help you. Originally Posted by Dennygomez
Glad to hear you're interested in the TTI study group! Stay tuned for more info about the coupon code.
-
coupons rocks Originally Posted by MarkRhodes
Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
-
I'm working on Ticket To Improv simultaneously with The Chord Melody Assembly Line (with one of Conti's Play Pro Chord Melody Today! DVDs as sort of a companion piece). If there's enough interest, we could work up an additional group to study Conti's chord melody materials. Originally Posted by Dennygomez
Last edited by snailspace; 02-23-2017 at 09:46 PM.
-
Well, it looks like we have a group. I'm new to this, so . . . now what do we do?
I suppose -- while we wait for materials to arrive for those who need them -- we could probably sort out how we're going to pace things, i.e., the amount of time we spend on Project 1 before moving onto Project 2, and so forth. The groups here that seem most successful appear to have answered some fundamental organizational questions before diving into the material.
Two weeks per project? Let me know what you think . . .
-
I admire your enthusiasm but let's get this group up and running before starting another one! ;o) Originally Posted by snailspace
-
What's the structure of the chord melody assembly line? I mean, the elements and approach? I'm doing chord melody work but I'm stuck in open positions. Very limited so far Originally Posted by snailspace
Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
-
It's not that late but it has been a long, hard day for me and I'm turning in. I have more info on the Coupon Code but want to make sure I have it clear in my head before posting anything. One code looks good for 25 % off any volume in the TTI series. More tomorrow.
O, and it looks like Conti will respond to select questions by way of video. Probably several at one go.
Spread the word!
-
Cool Originally Posted by MarkRhodes
Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
-
This will be my first study group. Perhaps we can learn from others on the Forum. The Raney study group has an interesting format, 4 bars per week. The Conti TTI V1 material coincidentally is broken up into 4 measure segments. I'm open to any and all ideas.
-
I've only just started in on it, but Conti gives you a set of moveable chords.. After you practice them, he shows you how to use them to harmonize a familiar melody. Then, you get another set of chords, and another melody to harmonize. The goal is to be able to see a tune in a fake book, read the melody, and use the chords you learned up and down the neck to be able to harmonize each note. Originally Posted by Dennygomez
I'm probably not explaining it very well, but I like the book a lot. For the most part, a person won't play in chord melody style by playing a chord for each note, but I think the great thing about learning how to do this is that if you can harmonize every melody note, you can harmonize any melody note -- the way you do it is up to you.
Here's an overview video from Conti's site, where he shows what he means better than I can say it. The next video is a complimentary lesson he offers, where he teaches a tune using his method.
The Chord Melody Assembly Line | RobertConti.com
-
I've been through the Assembly Line book, and thought it was a great way to get started on Chord Melody. I would be happy to join the study group for that!
The format of the book is that in each lesson he gives you a simple melody line about four bars long and asks you to play a chord melody by looking at his stock voicings/grips and plugging in the chord over the melody. Sounds basic, but is actually kinda fun. He begins with just major, then minor, then dominant voicings. Then mixes them up, then moves into other keys, then adds dim and aug voicing, etc. Finally you end with a couple of complete arrangements where he gives you the melody line and you turn it into chord melodies by adding his chords.
Don't expect sweet, sweet music. Even he admits that to make the learning happen the melodies are devoid of all rhythmic interest (straight 1/8th notes for the most part), and adding a chord over EVERY note is a bit dense. But it gets the fingers and brain used to the idea.
There are 24 "Lessons". Some are just a couple of bars of melody and some are more involved. I suggest that we start by posting video of ourselves playing a couple of lessons. People don't need to post a video of themselves just playing every grip up the neck. Just short 2-3 minute videos. How ever many lessons that is for you. The trick would be to try and not look at his "solutions". If you get stuck, let's work it out here. Post your efforts at adding his grips over the melody notes. Although in theory we will all end up playing the exact same thing, I bet there will be interesting variations we will all get something out of.
-
Count me in
Sent from my vivo 1601 using Tapatalk
-
Let's not get ahead of ourselves.
I think Conti's "Assembly Line" and "The Formula!" are great things but they are not the same kind of thing as the "Ticket To Improv" series. This is the "Ticket to Improv" study group. One thing at a time, please!
Someone can start another study group on the "Assembly Line," though if you expect the people from this study group to join that one at the same time--and keep up---you're apt to be disappointed.
-
I agree -- one thing at a time. I should have responded to the chord melody question in a private message, so as to not distract from the focus of this thread/study group. My bad. Originally Posted by MarkRhodes
Thanks, Mark!
-
[For those who may not look back to the OP for this just-added information.]
Coupon code: TTISTUDY25This coupon will allow members of the study group to save 25% on any single volume, or up to three volumes of Ticket To Improv in a single purchase.
Coupon code: TTISTUDY25FREESHIP
This coupon will allow members of the study group to save 25% on all four volumes of Ticket To Improv (plus any other products they may wish to purchase at the same time), plus they will receive free shipping on their order, no matter where in the world they're located.
-
Just ordered TTI 1. Originally Posted by MarkRhodes
I saw a group that has a start date and 4 bar a week schedule with delivery dates. Also video progress uploads to YouTube with optional critiques. (If you post a vid saying "just posting" they promised not to comment on your gaffes)
I think the actual working group should be in a new thread.
Who thinks what about this? And do we have an organizer stepping up?
Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
-
That's a great deal! I bought them each separately, at full price, and I thought it was a bargain even then, given the amount of content you get. I've bought books at that price, from which I've only used a few pages here and there. There is nothing on these DVDs that you can't learn --and play -- the day you sit down to do it. Originally Posted by MarkRhodes
-
Having the group in a new thread is something worth thinking about, just to make it easier to find. I hadn't thought much about where to post progress videos . . . I imagined we'd just put them here, but YouTube might be better. Originally Posted by Dennygomez
As far as a schedule, I think it might be worth it to let people get their DVDs and start in on the first solo. I'm no great player, but I was able to get the whole thing down in a couple of sittings, and practice it start to finish many times a day to become fluent.
-
It may be simpler than some things. Have to wait and see. Originally Posted by snailspace
I'm working on a flamenco piece and learned 12 bars in a week. Then the 32nd notes started...SCREECH!
RE: YOUTUBE the other groups are posting YouTube links. Trying to do a channel would be kind of complicated. Then each person can say, "okay, I shared that. Now, I'm DELETING IT FOREVER! ????
Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
-
And didn't someone offer to jumpstart us with the first song?
Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
-
Hey, snails, what's the first tune in the study? I want to hear different versions of our while I wait for the postal service to deliver my future.
Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
-
"Satin Doll" is the first solo in the series. These solos aren't like the ones in the Jimmy Raney study group -- or Conti's advanced improv solos -- where the tempos are pretty bright. Conti advertises TTI as "entry-level improv," meaning that while the lines still sound good, they're presented in a way that enables the student to get them under his or her fingers sooner: moderate tempos, mostly 8th notes, etc. Challenging, but not daunting, and something I think most folks will find they can quickly learn.
While you wait, Conti's "Players' Gallery" has many examples of students playing lines and arrangements derived from his materials:
Players Gallery | RobertConti.com
-
Hey, gang! Originally Posted by Dennygomez
PM me if you're interested in joining the group, and let me know whether or not you have Volume One of Ticket To Improv.
If you've ordered it -- or will order it soon -- let me know that, too. Once we get a head count and a good idea of how long it will take for everyone to get what they need, we can talk about how to move forward.
I have a couple of ideas, but I'm sure other people do, too.
-
I just like to hear the music, get it "In me". Originally Posted by snailspace
"Let that boy boogie woogie - cause it's in him, and it's GOT to come out! " - John Lee Hooker, "Boogie Chillen'"
Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
-
What key? ("Satin doll", not "boogie chillen" Originally Posted by Dennygomez
)
Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
-
You can also count me in. I already have the DVD.
I think that one of the benefits of having a study group for TTI is that we can try to analyze why Conti plays a given line over some given chords. This aspect gets very little attention on the DVD.
-
"Satin Doll" is in C. Originally Posted by Dennygomez
What key? ("Satin doll", not "boogie chillen" )
Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
-
We can have a separate thread for each solo as we start it. The first one will be something like Conti TTI Group Satin Doll. (Ideally, titles should be short enough to fit--in full--on the screen when someone is scrolling 'New Posts'.)
-
That's a great idea. I'm really glad you're part of this group, because -- aside from being a good person, which is nothing to sneeze at -- you know how to get things done. As for me, once I get beyond, "Hey, guys -- let's start a study group," I'm pretty much just guessing. Originally Posted by MarkRhodes
-
That's great -- it should be fun! Do you have the DVD? Originally Posted by CliveR
-
You're in! Do you have the DVD? Originally Posted by lickerz101
-
That's great! I agree about the benefits of this as a study group. Plus, when we get to the Bonus Project, it will be a fun way to get new ideas for how to use the lines . . . a master class, sort of. Originally Posted by jfcx
-
If I read everything correctly, it looks like we have seven members:
CliveR
Dennygomez
jfcx
lickerz101
losaltosjoe
MarkRhodes
snailspace
Denny has ordered TTIv1, and most of the rest of us say we have it. I haven't heard back on that yet from lickerz and CliveR, but I'm sure we'll get an update soon.
In the meantime, let's talk about a timeline and where we'll post. Once everyone has the DVD, I imagined two weeks per solo. Based on my experience with it (I'm working on "Satin Doll" right now), that seems to be enough time to not only learn the solo, but to really know it -- to get it under your fingers and into your head, with a chance to play with different phrasing and to observe which parts work with the different chord types.
Since I haven't done much with uploading things to YouTube, I figured we'd just post our videos here, if that's possible.
These are just suggestions to get the discussion started. If you have other preferences, or if there is a downside that I've overlooked, or if the timeline is too fast/slow -- let's talk about it and get it figured out before this thing gets off the ground.
Let me know what you think . . .Last edited by snailspace; 02-24-2017 at 11:56 PM. Reason: Correction. I overlooked that jfcx had already mentioned owning the DVD. My bad.
-
Two weeks per solo...seems a little fast. Satin Doll is 24 bars/ 12 bars a week. If you say it's simple, then it could work. I don't even have the sides yet, so what do I know?
Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
-
We can wait to decide until after you have a chance to check out your DVD. As long as we all keep moving forward, we can be flexible with the pace. Some tunes might take longer, others might take less. Originally Posted by Dennygomez
-
I worked through the material a while ago, and really liked the material. But had given up on soloing until this thread caught my eye.
Here is my personal experience.
I thought I had satin doll down, so I went along to a jam session, and called satin doll... I was asked to play the head and didn't know it well enough, so someone played that for me, they set off at about twice the speed that you learn it at and before we got half way through I was lost, I sat there a broken man. It was not a good experience.
I agree that 2 weeks is not enough time to get a whole tune under your fingers, taking in to account this material is aimed at someone beginning soloing.
Here are my suggestions
I think it would be best to stay with a tune for a while perhaps 6 months and really learn the lines and how to use them.
Dont make my mistake, learn the melody and the chords for comping.
I would suggest 2 weeks per section or 8 bars, and submitting that as video or sound clip.
Also can I suggest when all of satin doll is learnt, you could choose another tune or two in the same key and see if you can make the lines fit over that tune.
Then see if you could find tunes in a different keys and move the lines around to fit them.
Sounds like a lot of work I know, but a having a few nice sounding lines that you can pull out and play well, is in my opinion the way to go.
Thanks for reading, Andy
-
Yes i have Originally Posted by snailspace
Sent from my vivo 1601 using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
Ibanez PM100
Today, 12:28 PM in Guitar, Amps & Gizmos