My 'Icebreaker' post on rejoining the Jazz Guitar Academy platform after over a year away. Its also my first modal tune which meant thinking of something to play over 16 bars of Dm7. Little Sunflower is a trippy laid back modal jazz tune by Freddy Hubbard with an AABA form. I tried several approaches to the improvisation and settled on my usual approach of taking off from the melody, with licks based on the D Dorian scale but with each trip around the A section trying to move a little more 'outside' via use of triad pairs. I credit Steve Gregory's version of the tune on Youtube as the source of one or two small components of the improv, but I've tried to build the large majority of it from my own ideas. Got to say it was a challenge, particularly in the timing and balancing precision with the laid back vibe. Feedback welcome. https://youtu.be/BqXCCfchTq0 4CE (Head in, Improv 1, Improv 2, Head out)

You may have noticed the new name, new look, same URL address. Here's what's happening. Starting August 1, everything I've built since 2012 consolidates into this one place. No more separate programs, tiers, memberships or courses living on different platforms. One academy. And you're already in it :) What this means for you: 🔓 *The full classroom is now open* All 30-something courses. Every standard, every deep dive, the complete archives. Unlocked for everyone in here. Go look. It's all there. 📅 *Live calls, every week (continued)* Saturday 9 AM ET with me: our regular office hours, Q&A, jam, whatever-session. Plus Wednesday workshops with Coach, on rotating topics. 8 live calls a month. 🎯 *One clear path* Start (or re-start) with the Pinnacle philosophy, build the Foundations, then stack repertoire and vocabulary, tune by tune. The mountain is big - we chip away at it together. *What does NOT change*: Your access, your rate, your community. If you have any questions about your membership or billing, just email support@jazzguitarlessons.net and we'll take care of you personally. This is the Skool I always wanted to run. Simple, upfront, everything included, nothing held back. See you Saturday at 9. Bring your guitar, your questions ...and your game face! 🎸 — Marc PS one more thing, and it's a fun one. 🎁 The Academy now has an affiliate program: if you know someone who'd love it here -- a guitar buddy, a bandmate, that friend who keeps saying they want to learn jazz, then share your affiliate link. When they join, you earn 40% recurring commission for as long as they're a member. Do the math: refer a few friends, and your own membership might wind up costing you nothing :) Spread the word -- the room only gets better with more players in it.