Paul Maine Jazz Music

How to Write a Hit Pop Song with 4 Chords

Mainstream IT — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:09:09 +0000

Take a look at the following video to learn how to write a hit pop song using only four chords.

The Major and Minor Blues Scales and Improvising

Paul Maine — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 04:09:22 +0000

Did you know that their are two blues scales? A minor blues scale and a major blues scale. Many students are introduced to improvising on a blues tune using the minor blues scale. The music teacher usually says just use the same scale over the entire song.

The C minor blues scale consists of the notes: C,Eb,F,F#,G,Bb.
The biggest problem with only using this scale is that it limits what you can play and the solos tend to be boring. Furthermore many beginning improvisors don’t know how to properly resolve their ending notes. This scale is most importantly missing the major 3 and also the 2nd and the 6th.

The major blues scale may be conceived by starting with the major pentatonic scale and adding a minor 3rd. The C major blues scale consists of the notes: C,D,Eb,E,G,A.

Please not that the major blues scale contains the same notes as the minor blues scale that is down a minor 3rd. For example the C major blues scale consists of the same notes as the A minor blues scale

Practice Suggestions for simple 3 Chord blues:
1. Practice playing the ascending major blues scale over each chord.
2. Practice playing the descending major blues scale over each chord.
3. Practice playing the major blues scale over the I chord and the minor blues scale over the IV and V chords.
4.Practice moving between both scales.
5. Add the b7 and 4th to the major blues scale
6 Add the 6th or the 9th to the minor blues scale.

Do you have any suggestions for practicing the blues?

The Lick

Mainstream IT — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 23:15:41 +0000

Take a look at the following YouTube video for and example of an amazing lick that is used by many different instruments and types of music. Enjoy!

Paul Maine performs with Jimmy & The Lunar Rollers

Mainstream IT — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 20:07:52 +0000

Jimmy & The Lunar Rollers will be performing at The Rattlesnake Inn, 6060 Hwy 195, Florence,Tx 76527 on 10/29/11 from 8:00PM to 11:00PM. Singer/songwriter Jim Wyly on vocals and acoustic guitar, Kelly Wilkerson on vocals and keys, Lew Andre Mathews on vocals and electric guitar, Gil De Los Santos on vocals and drums, Mike Johnston on vocals and bass and Paul Maine on tenor sax.

Paul Maine Jazz Quartet performs for Scofield Farms

Mainstream IT — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:17:41 +0000

The Paul Maine Jazz Quartet performs from 6-9PM at the Scofield Farms National Night Out Party on 10/22/11. Terry Shimazu on keyboard, Kyle Clayton on upright bass, Gilbert De Los Santos on drums and Paul Maine on tenor sax.

Review of Mastering the Minor II V Software

Paul Maine — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 14:21:54 +0000

A few months ago I attended a jazz jam session in Austin Texas at Kickbutt Coffee. While at the jam session I heard a wonderful sax player and all around nice guy named Tony Bray.

A couple of week ago I learned that Tony was CEO of a company named “Jazz Apps Mobile LLC“. As of the date of this writing, Jazz Apps Mobile has released two applications for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. Droid versions are under development.

Many beginner and intermediate players are challenged with the minor ii v i chord progression. This application was developed to help players feel confident when playing over these chord changes. The application provides an introduction of how to use the application, the theory, a nice way to learn and practice all of the scales. The application presents the Lydian Augmented scale. Tony studied with the renowned jazz player and educator Jerry Coker and brings many years of playing experience to the application. The application also includes JAM-A-long tracks to woodshed individual chords and the entire progression. The tempo can be adjusted and the music can be transposed to any key. I plug my iPhone into my home stereo so that I don’t over power the backing tracks with my tenor sax. This application can be used with any instrument.

The software can be improved by including some examples of how students can apply the knowledge of the lydian augmented scale over the changes. I have asked Tony to consider adding this capability to a future version of their software. Tony indicated examples would be added to a future version of the software. I also suggest that a user forum be added to the Jazz Apps Mobile website so that students can communicate with the Jazz Apps company as well as each other.

I endorse this application. Stay tuned because I will be reviewing their Modal application in the near future.

What do you use to help improve your ability to play over the minor ii v progression?

Harold McMillen Blues Jam at Victory Grill

Paul Maine — Tue, 10 May 2011 13:34:39 +0000

I attended Harold McMillens blues jam at the historic Victory Grill last night. Everyone was friendly and I had a nice time playing tenor sax. There was a $3 cover charge for the musicians but I did not have to pay for parking. I was joined by alto saxophonist Art Martinez during the jam. Art is a wonderful blues saxman with a very good personality! I look forward to attending this jam session often!

Paul Maine Jazz Band Welcomes Drummer Jimmy Fenno

Mainstream IT — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 16:09:03 +0000

We are delighted to add Drummer/Vocalist Jimmy Fenno to the Paul Maine Jazz Band. More about drummer/vocalist Jimmy Fenno. Jimmy has excellent chops and brings a great deal of energy and enthusiasm to every performance.

Antone’s Blues Gig

Paul Maine — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 16:21:50 +0000

Last night I performed with Ted Hall and The Pleasure Cats at the legendary Antone’s blues club. It was a surreal experience to realize that I was performing on the same stage that the following people have performed on: Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, John Lee Hooker, Pinetop Perkins, James Cotton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmie Vaughan, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Los Lonely Boys, Ian Moore, Bob Schneider, Bono & The Edge of U2, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, Eric Clapton, Dwight Yoakam, Bruce Willis, Elvis Costello and many others.

Ted Hall’s Blues Church/Jam

Paul Maine — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 16:19:09 +0000

This past Sunday night I attended Ted Hall’s Blues Church/Jam at Jax Neighborhood Cafe near the U.T campus. The jam session is from 8PM-Midnight and musicians of all levels are invited. The house band is named “The Pleasure Cats”. The house band had a horn section consisting of Dave Boostrum on trumpet and valve trombone, Tommy Wald on baritone sax and Art Markman on tenor sax. Everyone in the band was very friendly to me and I had a great time playing the blues.

Ted Hall is a wonderful guitar player and owns the Austin Guitar School. If you’re are looking for a good guitar teacher – contact Ted!