I Played on ONE Chord for an HOUR! (yes, really)

Рет қаралды 45,267

Күн бұрын

Learn to easily improvise through any chord changes with this FREE masterclass:
►www.davepollack.com/freemaste...
00:00 - Intro (why am I even doing this?)
01:47 - Why 2,700 measures?
02:50 - Measure 1 of 2,700
56:41 - Bad foot cramp
1:02:50 - DONE!
1:03:00 - Final thoughts
Being able to improvise through chord changes in a melodic and coherent way can be pretty tough, but sometimes it's even harder to improvise over static (non-changing) harmony! Focusing on the non-note musical elements is crucial because when playing over a single chord you don't have the harmonic motion of a progression.
In this video I wanted to take that to the next level, and improvise over one chord FOR AN HOUR! How did I do with this? What did I think after? Watch to find out!
Check out some more videos:
• Improvisation Lessons
• Saxophone Lessons
Thank you to my sponsors!
►Boston Sax Shop - www.bostonsaxshop.com?aff=9
►Key Leaves - keyleaves.com/
►10mfan - 10mfan.com/
►Website: www.davepollack.com/
►Instagram: @davepollackmusic

Пікірлер: 387

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

I have a completely free masterclass series that just went live - the Saxophone Success Workshop! Get instant access here: www.davepollack.com/ssc

@AlonRozenblit Жыл бұрын

Amazing! Any chance that you share the vamp loop with us? I'll gladly drop a few bucks for this groovy thing.

@grantkoeller8911 Жыл бұрын

Playing one chord for 1 hour, means you get to know your sax inside and out!! BRAVO!!!! YOU SOUNDED GREAT!!!!!!

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much!

@Positive_Tea Жыл бұрын

It also means he'll never want to play it again!! RIP Cm7 😅

@leejackson4671 7 ай бұрын

Amen 😂😢😮😅

@TylerLeeJones Жыл бұрын

listening to the first couple minutes of the solo then jumping to 27:11 and hearing the kind of line that came out was priceless, that line was unhinged and I'm transcribing it immediately

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

😂 Thanks!

@Positive_Tea Жыл бұрын

Wicked line right here 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

@ianmoore5502 Жыл бұрын

@@DavePollackthe commitment is what made it. And you doubled down, literally the next line. And then after that, you doubled down AGAIN before bringing us back. This is a true insight into the mind of the player... thank you for sharing

@ThelittleCurry Жыл бұрын

The dedication to the videos

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

💪

@TectonicBadger Жыл бұрын

Is no one gunna mention 58:10? haha Nah but this is amazing stuff man, really inspiring

@lrsmth06 3 ай бұрын

Dave being High School Saxophonist type 5, "Mr. Very Careless Whisper"

@effsixteenblock50 Жыл бұрын

Music students - think about transcribing portions of this solo that grab you. All the lines will have a clear harmonic context because there's no changes and the backing doesn't obscure the notes much at all. A golden opportunity! Very cool Dave!

@stack80 Жыл бұрын

We watched it in full, and I’m amazed how creative you are!!

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

Wow - I’m impressed you got through it, and thanks!

@markdemarta Жыл бұрын

What an amazing project - One chord for One hour. The writer, James Joyce would be proud, (or jealous). For those who don't know, James Joyce's novel, "Ulysses" contains of a single sentence that spans 36 pages. I listened to this entire performance. It has great ideas and melody references. I will be sharing this with friends and bandmates.

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!!

@c.l.4895 Жыл бұрын

this and Bob Reynolds’ recent 20 minute practice video are the content most players need (even if they would rather watch another gear review). Nice work.

@c.l.4895 Жыл бұрын

Bryce Harper’s bat has more cork than the bss repair bench!

@c.l.4895 Жыл бұрын

5 minutes to go and I’ve yet to hear “the licc”, did I miss it?

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

YOU BITE YOUR TONGUE ABOUT BRYCE!!

@MakAttackMusic Жыл бұрын

@@c.l.4895 I was waiting for it too! HAHA!!! "Baby Come Back!!!"

@shankaraist Жыл бұрын

I listened to your play for whole hour. The performance was/is excellent and impressive, enjoyed it much. Your improvisation is entirely original and highly creative and you have great stamina. Predominantly echoing power sax style of Coltrane, bit of Wayne Shorter and Henderson. Wish you much success in your work in future. Thank you.

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

I appreciate those kind words! 🙏

@TheSaxKing Жыл бұрын

I sat through this whole hour just in the background. We need a whole series of this now!

@lincland3867 Жыл бұрын

This is a great lesson in what practicing actually is. Concentrated, singular usually yields results. It’s worth an hoir of your life to see a big change. Reminds me of the articles Steve Vai wrote about practicing simple bending and vibrate for 8 hours straight. You really see breakthroughs that way.

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

Absolutely - it's really important to have intention, even if the practicing is "searching" for something.

@goodchaun Жыл бұрын

While the piano is static the bass not being static implies movement giving much more to work off of than simply a looped chord. great stuff

@leejackson4671 Жыл бұрын

Exactly sounds like some type of trickery😅😂

@zoodsquad6036 Жыл бұрын

shoutout to the drummer and pianist for playing Cm for an hour🙏

@matt-darwin Жыл бұрын

The ever swinging iReal Pro....

@fivestarplaying3553 Жыл бұрын

Shoutout to the cameraman for holding the camera for a whole hour straight without moving

@PierreLouisVarnier Жыл бұрын

What the hell. Mind blowing creativity and endurance, not even mentioning your sound and phrasing. 👏👏👏

@charleswalter3075 Жыл бұрын

Shows so much talent, knowledge, and focus. I don't expect to have any problem listening to it through.

@charleswalter3075 Жыл бұрын

I felt like I heard some Eddie Harris channeling in there circa 3:50.

@charleswalter3075 Жыл бұрын

Softly quote circa 5 minutes... 🙂

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

I appreciate that, and hats off to you for listening to so much of it!

@Composer_Ben Жыл бұрын

Nice and smooth, and some fun moments like hearing the Star Spangled Banner, Imperial March, and Godfather theme sprinkled in, too. 😁

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

Hahah, I had to keep myself occupied!

@xRisingForcex Жыл бұрын

enjoyed the whole solo from start to finish. masterfully done man!

@opedroarte Жыл бұрын

i can't believe i watched all of it and loved it. thanks dave, you are superb and i appreciate every second of dedication you put into your videos ❤

@flyerkg436 11 ай бұрын

I enjoyed this video. It was informative and entertaining. I think I got more out of your playing during my full viewing the 2nd time! Thank you for posting this!

@samtedesco3529 11 ай бұрын

I really enjoy practicing like this too. It's nice not to have to worry about constant chord changes which distract from playing. You're doing just fantastic and I'm in now for almost 6 minutes. Keep going bro!

@briancagle1528 Жыл бұрын

That was crazy! I'm sure all/most of us can't comprehend for an hour straight, let alone what you did. All of your ideas were great, but many were worth transcribing. No way I'll even try an hour, but I will try starting with 5-10 minutes. It seems to make you dig deep to find things you might never have. Very well done! While it's all in fun, I think it'd be cool if you put the challenge out to other pros. I doubt we amateurs have a chance. It'd be way more interesting if some pros took the challenge.

@robstevens9590 Жыл бұрын

Quite a challenge! I'm surprised you could even talk after that! I skipped some of it, but I heard a bit of everything including Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Ornette Coleman, Cannonball Adderley, "Softly as a Morning Sunrise", altissimo exercises, "The Godfather", "Careless Whisper" ...

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

It was ROUGH - I was so happy to be done, hahah

@marks.murley9974 Жыл бұрын

What a pro! I love uncluttered music and this fits the bill perfectly. I have no doubt that a live band would've inspired you to even greater heights. Well done, sir.

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

Thanks! I might do this with a live band at some point

@BigH63DT 3 ай бұрын

Your use of dynamic changes is masterful! wow

@DavePollack 3 ай бұрын

Thank you!! 🙏

@fankitonkizonki Жыл бұрын

I've been looking for content like this since Adam Neely played The Licc for 5 hours straight. Btw liked the harmonic minor lick at 6:43

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

We aim to please

@Positive_Tea Жыл бұрын

Brilliant!! This has to be a world record! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

@garydutton9098 Жыл бұрын

Excellent dave. Great concentration and kept it interesting throughout. I tip my hat to you...👏👏👏👏👍

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

I really appreciate that 🙏

@erikvangeest6007 2 ай бұрын

Awesome! Heard some John Handy in there somewhere.... loving it

@homeandfamilyservices2650 6 ай бұрын

Brilliant. Good effort!!

@michel-abspoel Жыл бұрын

Well done! Absolute not boring! Good exercise for a couple of minutes - Proficiat! 🙂

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

🙏

@peedrowchan-man102 Жыл бұрын

Keepin it Fresh! Great exercise/video!

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@johnhamers4571 Жыл бұрын

Thought that I was the only one who's doing that (on keys not a horn) 🙃😇. But an hour is very long, that's pure challenging. You don't seem to run out of ideas. Listening for one hour is also challenging, but not with a true jazzmaster ✌🏼That’s what “You” are !

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

I really appreciate that!

@andrewwanless9288 Жыл бұрын

Careless Whisper was there towards the end. I’m probably not the only person to say this. Great job. I love your videos. 👍

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

Haha, yep. Thanks so much!

@user-uz3rq1ky8r Жыл бұрын

Thanks for beautiful video!

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

You’re very welcome!

@axe4sax651 Жыл бұрын

That was great. I listened to pretty much the whole hour - put you on in background while cleaning the kitchen! You mentioned someones name being great and you were struggling at 30mins

@bassax7045 Жыл бұрын

🙏🤩🎷 and of course 🏅🎖🏆🎗 the shoehorn trophy goes to Dave, im so in awe how you keep the playing fresh and inspired , and always musical . thanks for a great listen.

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! 🙏

@michaelfantaro6488 Жыл бұрын

So cool and such a great idea for the cats back at home to try out! It would be interesting to try in different keys and find out how vocabulary and stamina may be subject to change...🤔 You sounded totally awesome! Definately gonna become my studying/homework/focusing background music hahaha!

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for the kind words! It's definitely a tough exercise.

@sc-lj9cp Жыл бұрын

30 minutes in, I’m still being entertained!! Must try it myself. I won’t do it so well but it looks like a lot of enjoyment.

@jzgtr100 Жыл бұрын

Was thinking about what quotes I would play over this and first thought of Sonny Rollins’ Alfie’s Theme and then Softly As in A Morning Sunrise and boom, you played Softly. While writing this I heard C Jam Blues and Invitation. Couldn’t help think about Eddie Harris during some of your more outside playing. Great playing and great idea for a video!

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much!

@jimkangas4176 Жыл бұрын

thoughtful (and sometimes painful!) exercise. Thanks.

@ALF8892 Жыл бұрын

I absolutely love "Impressions" especially Wes Montgomery recording

@keithridenhour7033 Жыл бұрын

I think that amazing. I can see many benefits of stretching like that K

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

Learn to easily improvise through any chord changes with this FREE masterclass: ►www.davepollack.com/freemasterclass

@leejackson4671 Жыл бұрын

Sounds like you're playing off the bass movement not the chord

@unforgettablejazzfusion5546 Жыл бұрын

Damn... You sound good man! Love it! I subbed!

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@nhr27 8 ай бұрын

What a great way to learn how to improvise!

@3107197000 Жыл бұрын

Amazing idea ...fare play man...super player too..👍👍

@johanholm2109 Жыл бұрын

A ton of amazing lines here! Gonna borrow a bunch :)

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

Awesome!

@michaeljulius5895 Жыл бұрын

A good study. I will try to apply this to guitar.

@RobertRoweMusic Жыл бұрын

Very cool Dave. I can definitely imagine the tax/endurance of playing straight for an hour. But, I also want to try this with my looper, and a timer (maybe 5, 10, 15 minutes, max).

@SEGEFFECT Жыл бұрын

This is a good education video thank you.❤

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

You're very welcome!

@SteuartHedington 9 ай бұрын

All the tunes!! From C Jam and Caravan to Darth Vader (Imperial March) and Mafia theme (I think). That was phenomenal, and great to listen to, you should get an award! 😄

@DavePollack 9 ай бұрын

Hah, thanks!

@joancarles9643 Жыл бұрын

I ❤ your pedagogy level 🎶 Imagination to power ✊ Thank l you very much Master!

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

I appreciate that!

@damianbresnan4473 9 ай бұрын

dude you're insane , your sound is just heavenly

@DavePollack 9 ай бұрын

Much appreciated!

@insidejazzguitar8112 Жыл бұрын

Very good points in your summary/rationale. I actually enjoyed that. Look like you were in pain at one point.

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

Thanks! Yea I had a foot cramp pop up - wasn't pleasant!

@aguzman11189 Жыл бұрын

It’d be so interesting if we all commented on lick/phrase quotes we recognize and then Dave makes a future video about how transcribing and playing songs is what engrains these phrases into your being, such that it just comes out in your playing. I’m sure there’s a million but I recognized: • Caravan in 25:47 • Jingle Bells at 34:52 • That famous Night in Tunisia ending (I think?) at 36:27

@summerishere5146 Жыл бұрын

Invitation- Joe henderson 10:49 is a cool one i heard so far

@TheSteelDialga Жыл бұрын

1:01:51 Pure Imagination

@summerishere5146 Жыл бұрын

Vader’s Theme 😂 52:40

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

Great idea!!

@dogeman8175 Жыл бұрын

58:06 careless whisper

@sly9566 Жыл бұрын

Fantastic! 🎷🙏🎷🙏🎷

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@pianoman0609 Жыл бұрын

Excellent!

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@daisymoses6812 Жыл бұрын

I am enjoying this alot. You've got a lot of great ideas in your soloing and also it's helping me stretch out too, I am playing along on the guitar. It's a great idea. What about doing more of these; each hour on a different mode or chord? The same this session was inspired by So What you could do one inspired by "Tezeta" an ethio-jazz piece by Mulatu Astatke

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

I will NOT being doing more of these, hahah. I encourage others to, though!

@iralandsman4272 Жыл бұрын

You are no joke, very nice!

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@hansmathiasthjomoe4817 Жыл бұрын

Crazy idea, but impressive playing. Reminds me on Miles Davis’ “So What”, but he used two chords.

@djmileski Жыл бұрын

Astounding

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@JohnHalbleib Жыл бұрын

You’ve gained a new fan here. I’m gonna try the condensed version of this as I’m only a trumpet player and mortal.

@JohnHalbleib Жыл бұрын

Dude!!! You’re quoting Careless Whisper! Love it.

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

Awesome! Good luck - it’s very annoying to do, hahah

@Eastsussexbiker Жыл бұрын

Amazing skill loved it

@DavePollack 11 ай бұрын

Thanks!

@llewelluynzepper6741 Жыл бұрын

That was amazing. I am glad you started cutting in some familiar songs as parts of impovisation.

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

Quoting melodies is a staple in jazz improvisation, and when I only had one chors for an hour, I had to include some of them!

@maciejszpyra Жыл бұрын

Impressive!

@robertgreen3702 Жыл бұрын

Amazing!!!!!!!!

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

Thanks!!

@ronaldopetoral Жыл бұрын

Congrats Dave, good inspiration for endurance... Lotta good VL idea to transcribe here. Awesome job, and Thanks for posting! After listening for 10min, I switched the playback between 1.5 & 1.25. Btw, why the Philly baseball player mentioned ? ;)

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

Thanks! It’s because i’m a big phillies fan - i live 35 minutes from the city

@MrTeamZissou Жыл бұрын

The smirk and Mele Kalikimaka at 33:25. Inspirational.

@cannolivibraphone Жыл бұрын

I'm gonna listen to the whole thing, I hope the backing doesn't start to drive me insane

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

Oh it drove me NUTS - that was honestly the hardest part

@gerardbarrett8369 Жыл бұрын

Excellent

@FinnbarrGoesFast Жыл бұрын

can't wait for someone to transcribe the whole thing

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

Me too 😂

@logg45vs41 Жыл бұрын

loved that you played so what at 26:05

@ElFlacoTala 8 ай бұрын

Excelente contenido, muy útil

@tevinjohnson6407 Жыл бұрын

That Star Wars quote at 49:50 🔥🔥🔥

@TheSteelDialga Жыл бұрын

Pure Imagination!

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

Love it!

@haroldmsimmons Жыл бұрын

Now this is hip!

@borysduque5917 Жыл бұрын

Hats off

@valentinguillaume6403 Жыл бұрын

I don't know bryce harper 😁 You're the best ! I really liked the caravan vibe in the 23rd-ish minute !

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

Haha, thanks!

@matt-darwin Жыл бұрын

Hah I'll bet I run out of ideas after a couple of minute. There are maybe a while couple of wobbles here in the first 20. Fab playing Dave. Will post up a recording soon.... see how far I get! The ever swinging iReal Pro quip takes on a whole new meaning....

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

Hah, it’s an exercise more than a musical pursuit, so don’t worry about mistakes!

@bobpremecz5429 Жыл бұрын

One minute in and it sounds like you're channeling Paul Desmond...

@bobpremecz5429 Жыл бұрын

Cute quotes at the end from 54:40 Godfather to 58:06 "Careless Whisper" to 1:01:52 "Pure Imagination" from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory...

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

I appreciate that 🙏

@valingabrielpiano Жыл бұрын

jammed right along side you until my hands gave out! good job!

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

Ha, thanks!

@sorenfuhrer401 Жыл бұрын

Tune in tomorrow when it will be C#m7! :) (Btw: Only 5 min in so far but cool playing! Lot's to steal, and learn from - would be awesome with your thoughts written out on screen)

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

Hahah - oh god 12 days of this would be the end of me…

@noyz_music Жыл бұрын

This is a great great video!! I wondered about it a lot of time, when I went through some session with only a drummer who gave me only quarter notes hat, and played over him for 25 five minutess. Non-note playing as you call it became since then part of my nature as an artist. I definitely going to do it as well. Althogh I studied jazz, I never really dig it it enough to feel comfy within standards playing etc. However techno / electronic stuff with minimal harmony and focus on sound quality and melodic ideas made me follow over this 1 chord. How did you approach it? What were your thought in terms of the notes you used? Did they come from some chords, modes scales or context?

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

I used a ton of different things. Thought of just one chord, sometimes scales, sometimes motifs/shapes/intervals, sometime auperimposing melodies - had to do a LOT to keep it going for an hour!

@dcsaxophone Жыл бұрын

This is my new fav coding track.

@cheeser5458 Жыл бұрын

Ultimate jam session

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

😂

@kevave54 Жыл бұрын

Very nice work! I was wondering how you are sure, that you are not repeating lines and ideas that you created at the beginning of the solo? The challenge leads obviously also to you inserting some quotes of well known jazztunes.

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

I wasn't sure I wasn't repeating lines or if I was - I was just HOPING I didn't repeat any and tried to continually play new things.

@patotate9009 Жыл бұрын

Who is Price Harper?! Love your videos Dave!!

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

Hahah, thanks!

@musiciansfriend2 11 ай бұрын

Champion Bryce that is

@jeromeking6001 Жыл бұрын

Great job man 🤯

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@paddylandreville8501 Жыл бұрын

I watched it all in three sittings; I had to go no 1, I stop for supper and stoped just long enough to to plug my gear outside on our small terrace for the balance of the video. I enjoyed every note you played, even the low A sounded great. I'd like to know something though, what did you use as background music, I practice a lot, but it's dry as hell, I need some musical background and I don't know what to get, help me out on this one please bro Dave. Thanks for posting. PS I heard your comment but I forgot it already, so what was it. So you stuck to Cm7 all the way?

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

I used irealPro for the backing, and just repeated it a TON

@brendanmorales4504 Жыл бұрын

That Bryce Harper though. Love the motifs you snuck in here, like a morning sunrise :)

@AlexanderNagel Жыл бұрын

5:09 🙂

@MegaSpark24 Жыл бұрын

LOL C-Jam Blues at 9:46 was way too funny

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

😂😂

@AbeNobuyuki 11 ай бұрын

Super!!

@DavePollack 11 ай бұрын

Thanks!

@peterlclifton3583 8 ай бұрын

Nuts, but much respect.

@Laura-wg5jk Жыл бұрын

How you did that, and had the stamina, I don't know but I enjoyed it. Listened while working. Just goes to show what can be accomplished with one chord. Also got a kick out of the quote at 58:51 - I heard what you did/said there! 👍

@DavePollack Жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot!