Lovely Latin Standards

"Bésame Mucho" ("Kiss me a lot") is a song written in 1940 by Mexican songwriter Consuelo Velázquez. I will show you this beautiful song note-for-note. I will also show you how to incorporate other latin grooves to create an improvisation.

In this "Romantic," rubato-style version I will show you step-by-step the improvisation of the song and how to use arpeggios in your songs to create flourishes, fills and runs.

Manha De Carnaval from Black Orpheus is one of Luiz Bonfa’s most famous songs. In this lesson we will be breaking down the improvisation of the song first and add an arrangement at a later date. I will cover a few techniques that you can use in both group and solo settings. I will also play it a bit faster (like you will often find on gigs). This lesson is for the intermediate to advanced student.

Somos Novios is a beautiful ballad by Mexican composer Armando Manzanero. We will break down the chords, learn the analysis and talk about how to move this into new keys. We will also spend time on improvisation and learn the montunos in the song.

In this lesson, I’ll teach you an arrangement for this beautiful Jobim tune. We will also discuss improvisation ideas and more on montunos.

In this lesson I'll teach you the analysis for Jobim's Girl From Ipanema. I will also show you a few re-harmonization techniques. We will also cover how to improvise using arpeggio "upper structures."

This fun song has been played by many and is a very popular and famous cuban song. In this lesson I will teach you several different left-hand accompaniment patterns and how to create an arrangement. I broke this song into modules, making it easier to create your own arrangement. You will enjoy moving between modules, creating your own improvisation (which we discuss) and "jamming" on this groove.

Learn this classic bossa nova arrangement. We will cover arranging techniques like harmonizing diminished chords and incorporating some montunos at the end.

In this lesson we build a solo (improvisation) over the song Wave. I will teach you all of the scales needed for improvisation. We will then begin building a solo together. I will discuss how to build your improvisation lines and look for targets in your solo. We will also cover Improvisational Bridging which will help to expand how you practice improvisation.

In this lesson we will use the chord progression to Summer Samba to learn how to create that cool, relaxed Bossa Nova beat. We will also cover how to add fills and learn how to comp the chords if you are playing with a group.

In this lesson, I have re-worked the melody of Jobim’s classic Corcovado. I will teach you the entire arrangement along with improvisation scales and tips!