For
Students, Composers, and Fans...
"Special
Spotlight" features
original songs composed by yours truly and several additional
contributing songwriters. The tunes, many FREE
and others for Vision
Music Members
only, are presented with the same high-quality music scores (standard
notation & tablature) as all other lesson pages found at
Vision Music, including pro audio that plays automatically when
you access the composition.
Note: the majority of these tunes
are in piano trio format. Adding your guitar makes a quartet!
Original
Blues Tributes to Fellow Artists...
Writing
a composition dedicated
to your music colleagues is a terrific way of paying homage to
their powerful influence, and a living testament to everything
that you've learned from them.
|
Inside
Out! |
|
|
by Mark Stefani |
| A spirited
Bb bebop blues tribute to the Philadelphia-based jazz guitarist
Jimmy Bruno, using blues riffs combined with a slick whole-tone
scale pattern, plus 'call & response' chord punches. Jam
track link included. |
|
|
The
Last Word |
|
|
by Mark Stefani |
| A 'Texas-style'
vamp shuffle in the key of E, 'The Last Word' is a smokin' tribute
to my great friend and student, Mr. Laws. Fire up your favorite
axe, and you too can have 'the last word!' |
|
|
Blues
for Hank |
|
|
by Mark Stefani |
| A jazz
tribute to one of my longtime guitar mentors, the legendary Hank
Garland. This Bb swing blues was built using a classic double-stop
cliche transcribed from one of HG's solos ('Jazz Winds from a
New Direction'). |
|
|
Blues
for R.C. |
|
|
by Mark Stefani |
| A bebop
blues composition (Eb) by your's truly, dedicated to the brilliant
jazz guitarist and my good friend, Robert Conti. Solid licks
throughout, plus a four-chorus 'jam' section for improvisation. |
|
|
Sure
Enough |
|
|
by Mark Stefani |
| This
is a swing blues tribute to my friend Ulf Wakenius, the jazz
guitarist with pianist Oscar Peterson. OP is clearly the one
most responsible for my interest in jazz music. This tune is
based on one of his timeless cliches. |
|
|
Deja
Blous |
|
|
by Mark Stefani |
| This
Bb jazz blues is dedicated to my friend, Henry Johnson, the brilliant
guitarist hailing from Chicago. Piano trio format, with 'call
& response' achieved through chord punches and single-line
answerbacks. Up tempo. |
|
Compositions
by Fellow Artists...
We are fortunate to have some of the greatest
musicians in the world associated with Vision Music. Here are
some excellent song contributions from some of our "guest
faculty" members:
|
Three-Four,
the Blues |
|
|
by Hank Garland |
| A famous
original composition by legendary guitarist Hank Garland (and
Gary Burton), transcribed from 'Jazz Winds from A New Direction'
and lesson-formatted for Vision Music (transcription by Mark
Stefani). |
|
|
Grits
'n Greens |
|
|
by Robbie
Laws |
| 'Grits
'n Greens' is an exciting, uptempo tune written by the blues
'pride & joy' of the Pacific Northwest, Robbie Laws. This
song features a 32-bar riff-based head, followed by solos over
a G blues. |
|
|
Death
by Chops! |
|
|
by Robert
Conti |
| This
is a blistering bebop jazz composition by the brilliant Robert
Conti, transcribed from his 'Comin' On Strong!' CD. Features
a riff-based head, then solos on rhythm changes (Transcription
by Mark Stefani). |
|
|
Overcome |
|
|
by Dennis
Marcellino |
| This
is a beautiful bossa nova original by saxophonist and multi-talented
instrumentalist Dennis Marcellino, a member of our 'Teacher Feature'
guest faculty at Vision Music. Standard notation & tab for
guitarists. |
|
|
Shut
Up & Listen |
|
|
by Steve Laury |
| An exciting
swing blues original in the key of E by well-known guitarist,
composer, and producer Steve Laury. 'Wes-style' octaves with
cool chord responses (Transcription by Mark Stefani). Jam section
included. |
|
Songs
for Our Members...
This
is a very special addition
to the "Special Spotlight" page, for Vision Music Members only. This is a mix of original songs by yours
truly, in a wider variety of styles. In a sense, learning these
tunes is like taking lessons from me and learning from my mentors.
Most include extensive jamming sections. Enjoy! (scroll for more
FREE tunes).
|
Blues
for Don |
|
|
by Mark Stefani |
| A blues
based on the use of 'Wes-style' octaves, written for one of my
best local jazz guitar students. Medium-fast tempo. Key of Bb.
Chord responses throughout and plenty of room for solos. |
|
|
Reflections
Past |
|
|
by Mark Stefani |
| Like
latin music? Jobim? 'Reflections Past' is one of the my earliest
bossa nova compositions, inspired partially by the chord progression
to 'Solar' (Miles Davis). Includes solo section to improvise. |
|
|
A
Special Place |
|
|
by Mark Stefani |
| My second
original composition, written back in the mid-eighties. This
is a 15-bar 'groove' tune with nice changes for improvising.
Octave melody arrangement for guitarists to learn. Plenty of
room for jamming. |
|
|
Young
Funk |
|
|
by Mark Stefani |
| Brought
back by request! The bass version of this funky number written
as a tribute to a young guitar student. Guitar can double with
bass on the verse, built on a classic F minor blues riff. High
'fun' factor! |
|
|
Spontaneous
Combustion |
|
|
by Mark Stefani |
| Old meets
new in this spirited, jazz modal original. The idea was launched
back in the late eighties, but the head was written just recently.
Very fast tempo. Great for minor improvisation. |
|
|
Blues
for Oscar |
|
|
by Mark Stefani |
| Another
blues tribute, this one dedicated to piano legend Oscar Peterson,
my most significant jazz influence. Done in acoustic fingerstyle
fashion with a walking bass line. Also published in Just Jazz
Guitar Magazine. |
|
|
Whatever
It Takes |
|
|
by Mark Stefani |
| This
is another tune written in the mid to later eighties, with elements
of gospel, blues, rock, and funk. Strong bass parts provide the
backdrop for flute melody and possible solos. |
|
|
So
To Speak |
|
|
by Mark Stefani |
| Another
original tribute by your's truly, this time to my good friend
and student, guitarist Rick Ross. This is a sultry, 16-bar jazz
swing tune in the key of C minor. Solo section for jammers included. |
|
|
Bad
Weather |
|
|
by Mark Stefani |
| A fun(ky)
dance tune composed in the late nineties, using a simple but
powerful bass figure and a melody inspired by the late Stevie
Ray Vaughan. AABA format. Flute over piano trio. |
|
|
Hyper-Navigation |
|
|
by Mark Stefani |
| A spirited
32-bar, riff-based bebop tune in the key of Bb, played over the
classic 'Rhythm Changes' chord progression. Link to Jam Central
Station provided for your solos. Spotlighted (1987) in Guitar
Player Magazine. |
|
|
We're
Cookin' Now |
|
|
by Mark Stefani |
| One of
my original latin samba compositions from years ago, written
as a tribute to my mother-in-law, Francesca Marcellino. Nice
chord changes and energy complement the rhythmic phrasing. Plenty
of room for solos. |
|
|
Better
Late Than Never |
|
|
by Mark Stefani |
| 'Better
Late Than Never' is a fun, rockin' 32-bar vamp composition done
in AABA style and built around a two-chord vamp in the 'A' section.
Long jam section for improvisers included. For one of my good
friends. |
|
|
No
Time To Think |
|
|
by Mark Stefani |
| This
32-bar, AABA bebop composition, based on the classic 'I Got Rhythm'
changes by George Gershwin, is one of four rhythm changes originals
done in 2001. Fast tempo. Quartet format w/vibes over piano,
bass, & drums. |
|
|
Anticipation |
|
|
by Mark Stefani |
| Composed
in the late eighties, 'Anticipation' is 16-bar, Jobim-influenced
bossa nova for solo fingerstyle acoustic guitar, but here in
a trio format with bass and drums. Previously published in Just
Jazz Guitar Magazine. |
|
|
First
Response |
|
|
by Mark Stefani |
| Another
tune from the late eighties, this is a 16-bar pop ballad featuring
a melody played in double-stops, first as sixths, later as thirds
with an additional octave. Two-chord vamp for solos. |
|
|
What
Goes Around |
|
|
by Mark Stefani |
| This
is a 32-bar, AABA tune written for one of the coach's good friends.
The melody features a blend of fourths and blues scale riffs
over a modal jazz progression, plus choruses for you to jam. |
|
|
Smoke
Detector |
|
|
by Mark Stefani |
| A minor
groove tune with a distinctive bass line and a syncopated melody,
composed in the late nineties. AABA structure. 'Wes Montgomery-style'
octave arrangement for guitar players. |
|
|
Made
for Suede |
|
|
by Mark Stefani |
| Don't
miss this recent composition and tribute to jazz scat singing
vocalist and diva, Suede. This sultry swing blues in G was built
on a classic Oscar Peterson theme. 'Wes style' octaves and chord
punches. Made for Suede! |
|
|
Blues
for Mister Ed |
|
|
by Mark Stefani |
| This
original is a bebop blues tribute to Ed Benson, Publisher of
Just Jazz Guitar Magazine, in part for giving me the opportunity
to share knowledge with others through his publication. Released
in the Nov '02 issue of JJG. |
|
|
Love
Beyond Measure |
|
|
by Mark Stefani |
| A pop
ballad in the key of D, dedicated to my wife, Janice Stefani.
Written during the later eighties. Bass and rhythm parts set
the stage for a 'head' (melody) loaded with great solo riffs. |
|
|
On
Second Thought |
|
|
by Mark Stefani |
| This
is a sequel to 'No Time To Think' (rhythm changes), with the
same Bb progression. As before, quartet format with vibes over
piano, bass, and drums. Fast tempo, but not quite as fast. |
|
|
Bus
Stop Blues |
|
|
by Mark Stefani |
| One of
many shuffle blues originals, this one written in the mid-nineties
for an old friend and student, Freeman Chee. Features pedal bass
notes and three-tone blues chords and fills throughout the piece. |
|
|
Wait
Until Tomorrow |
|
|
by Mark Stefani |
| One of
the first group of bossa nova compositions, again from the 1986-88
time period. Unusual length (56 bars) in AABA format. Flute over
piano trio. 'Wes style' octave guitar chart. |
|
|
Tell
Me About It |
|
|
by Mark Stefani |
| Another
tribute, this time a 32-bar, AABA swing composition dedicated
to vibraphonist Eric Nemeyer, the publisher of Jazz Improv Magazine.
Based on the changes to a Duke Ellington classic and a solid
vehicle for solos. |
|
|
Country
Funkin' |
|
|
by Mark Stefani |
| Mid-eighties,
blues-oriented rock composition in the key of E, featuring a
driving, "locomotive" groove and saxophone-style melody.
Later dedicated to my brother-in-law, Vincent Marcellino. Fun(ky)
tune for jammers. |
|
|
Crab
Pasta |
|
|
by Mark Stefani |
| This
medium-swing Bb jazz blues is dedicated to my friend, jazz guitarist
Steve Laury. It's based on a classic riff by Oscar Peterson,
the legendary pianist who's had such a profound influence on
my playing and writing. |
|
Student
Compositions...
Some of the best blues
tunes on this page
come courtesy of several of my guitar students, either locally
(Portland) or via the highly-popular "Lessons
by Mail" correspondence program.
Note: I'm extremely proud of each
and every one of my students who have contributed their tunes
to this page. Regardless of professional status, these exciting
compositions are among the best I've ever heard, compelling evidence
to support the effectiveness of my "real-world" teaching
philosophy.
|
Rainy
Day Blues |
|
|
by Steve Moss |
| This
is a slow swing blues in the key of E, featuring solid chord
punches & double-stops throughout. Terrific
composition by one of my longtime local jazz guitar students
(Portland, Oregon). |
|
|
Transitivity |
|
|
by Brett Baker |
| A superb,
bebop-flavored F swing blues tune, combining elements of both
blues and jazz language. Courtesy of one of my talented long-distance
jazz guitar students. Jam track link included. |
|
|
Back
Talk |
|
|
by Dave Gill |
| This
is a hot swing blues original in Bb, courtesy of Dave Gill, one
of the greatest blues guitarists to be found in the Pacific Northwest.
Jam track link included. Have fun with this one! |
|
|
Breakin'
Out |
|
|
by Greta Yin |
| Like
'Texas blues?' Then you'll love this rockin' tune by blues guitarist
Greta Yin! Strong influences by the late Stevie Ray Vaughn in
this funky, three-chord blues in A. Vibrato, anyone? |
|
|
In
Cahoots |
|
|
by Brent Stuntzner |
| Yet another
fine swing blues composition (key of Ab) by one of my talented
jazz and blues guitar students. Influences range from Kenny Burrell
to pianist Oscar Peterson. Solo section included. |
|
|
Nuff
Said |
|
|
by Matt McNany |
| This
is a fine swing blues original composition in the key of C, written
by Portland-based guitarist and pianist Matt McNany. Great Oscar
Peterson influences throughout. Solo section. |
|
Feel free to perform any of the compositions on this
page in public, but we do ask you to please support the artistic
efforts of yours truly, my colleagues, and Vision Music, by informing
your audience who wrote the tune, and where you learned it!