It's ironic that Boo, the player of a monotonic instrument, is the one here who really gets the fact that learning structure and improvisation is all about "running the chords". You learn all the notes to a chord and then look at the possibilities when you add, say a line that's a fifth above the line. Then, choose compatible chords...say the first two to a tune you like, and explore variations and compatibilities between those two chords and the associated notes. Then, you look at inversions and other variations. As the commercial says, "the possibilities are ENDLESS!"

THEN, you're HOOKED! Anyone who says they get tired of rehearsing hasn't really "run the chords".

I was fascinated with three chords. Until I was 10. Then, I turned on the radio expecting to hear Bill Hailey (Rock around the Clock) and heard Johnny Mathis (of all people) singing "Chances Are". Well, I took out my little guitar and started hunting. (This is why i joking tell people Johnny got me into jazz).

I found the root, but in what I later learned as a maj7th form, plus all these other amazing sounds I could only wonder at.

Unless I had to play them for a living, (and, believe me, for years, I did), I was off three chords from then on; especially after I started to listen to Les Paul; then Billy Extine, followed by all the great big band guys and soloists...Sonny Rawlins, Dexter, Miles (much later) Art Blakley...Ole Diz (brought the entertainment factor to play)...Oscar...Goodman...."Train"...the list goes on...and on...and ON!

Props to Boo for recognizing the importance of chords and structure and for being the one who constantly reminds us
that there is more to music that three chords and a beer.

There's champagne, brandy, women (watch out),refer (they say it makes your hair fall out), starvation, frustration and LOT'S MORE!

I'm personally gonna keep it up til I get it right.

Russ (chrome dome) Lay