The (half-step/ whole-step) diminished scale is arguably the most flexible harmonic and melodic device available to the improvising musician. We talked about this great device before in terms of using it chordally so I thought I would explore some melodic applications.

The diminished scale is a symmetrical scale that is nothing more that alternating half-steps and whole-steps. Due to this construction, anything derived from diminished harmony can be transposed up or down in minor thirds and you never leave the scale.

In this video, I play the same phase in four different ‘keys’ over C13b9 – Fm progression: a common V-i. All four of the variations offered here can be equally used over A13b9 – Dm, F#13b9 – Bm or Eb13b9 – Abm. If you’re careful with the final note, you can also resolve the like to major chords.

I think that really makes this a 32 for the price of one… I’ll let you work-out the math.

Want to study with me privately? You can–from anywhere in the world via my Online Guitar Lessons.

Dig it.

New Videos, New Album, New Store

I made a new jazz guitar Christmas EP “Rob Michael’s Christmas by the Fire.”  Because I believe an album should more than some audio files and a pretty picture, I’m inviting you to listen and watch via this Youtube playlist.

This features the actual performances heard for the entire album, yours to experience for free.

Let me know what you think!!

We have two new stores on the Android Market

One for Atmos Trio and anothr for Rob Michael projects.
Put “Rob Michael’s Christmas by the Fire” in your Google Music library.

It may have been a year since the last online show, but I’m bringing it back: My Live Stream Studio Concert. This is the studio where I compose music, record albums and this is also where I practice. It’s a comfortable spot and I like to take chances and test-fly pieces of audio-tech that I might not try in other settings.

it all started…

Over the past couple of years, I streamed a bunch of Solo Guitar Shows, which are still the core of what you may hear. I was also joined by several very special guests. My friend guitarist/ vocalist Ruth Parry and I first started out streaming our duo guitar gig from a cafe that happened

to have free wifi. I streamed my Atmos Trio gigs. Touring musicians caught wind of the show and when they were traveling through my area, they’d come play. That’s how I ran in to the good fortune of playing with electric bassists Damian Erskine and Todd Johnson. I even recorded an entire album on the show w/ Steve Uccello.

This time it will be different.

This time, I’m inviting you to join in a more real way. Rather than play to the unblinking eye of the camera, I’ll be able to see you too!

Nine front-row seats will be available via my Google Plus Hangout. There you’ll be able to see, hear, be seen and be heard just as if we were all in the same physical space. (Except here, if you need to sneeze really loud, you can mute your mic.) Want to know what song that was or what effect I have on my guitar? You just ask and I’ll answer. Your free to come and go but if you leave, someone else may take your seat.

When the hangout gets full…

I will also be streaming the Hangout to my Video Page and my Ustream Channel so that more than just the original 10 (me and 9 others) can be there. On Ustream, you can watch and listen and communicate w/ those of us in the hangout via Usteam’s chat module, twitter (#GPlusConcert), or a designated G+ thread.

This will al happen on Friday July 22nd 4PM (PST)/ 7pm (EST). Let’s hangout.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again–my favorite use of the internet is collaborating with people you otherwise would probably not have even met.

Case-in-point is a new 4-song Electronic/Funk/ Jazz EP called “Guard the Point” organized by Allen Wentz. Allen masterminded this project and invited me and two other top-shelf musicians, Neil Alexander on keys and Trip Wamsley on bass to play. He even invited my favorite graphic artist Linda Palmer into the fray who always over-delivers: she produced different artwork for each song.

Trip and I have recorded together before and Neil has been on my short list of guys I wanted to do some playing with for some time.

It was great fun to get a new audio file from Allen every couple of weeks and see where I might fit into the musical landscape. It was pretty easy as all these players are super sharp, tasteful and generous.

So, here is the debut release from the LegoLand Empire “Guard the Point.” Please let us know what you think, share it on your favorite social network and buy it you’re so inclined–the whole EP is just $1.00.

The concert will take place at Step Up Music (1716 Sonoma Boulevard (at Georgia St.), Vallejo, CA 94590-6012 (707) 647-3050.

Refreshments will be provided.

We’ll be playing a mixture of original compositions alongside some of the classic jazz repertoire.

The VJS was formed recently by a group of jazz musicians and supporters, all of whom live in Vallejo. The group’s purpose is to raise awareness of jazz in the community, provide performance opportunities for local musicians, and to educate our young people about America’s only original art form. We will soon be welcoming new members (musicians and non-musicians).

As always, the show was super fun. Steve and I met when we organized and performed together last spring at the Atmos Trio “Twitter House Concert.”

We got together in my studio to play some tunes. I employed my Ustream rig which consists of the iSight cam on my MacBook which receives a nice audio mix from studio’s mixing board. I had also just received  another HD camera as a gift so I had a 2nd video feed destined for YouTube. I also made a multi track recording of the show.

Upon reviewing what we had captured to disk, the music was deemed worthy to share. Just goes to show that a good sounding record doesn’t need to take a pile of cash and months to make. Just a couple of musos and healthy does of simpatico.

Please be sure to share this music with a friend.

If you would like to hear the rest of the album sooner rather than later, simply fill-out the mailing list form in the sidebar and you’ll be linked to an Exclusive Advanced Access Listener’s page.

Enjoy!

Album artwork by Linda Palmer.

Here is a brief peak into what we played. There will be higher quality video on my YouTube channel in the next day or two.

This is 1980′s-era Pat Metheny tune that touches on the more country/ folk side of things. Hope you like it. You can get the audio download at and “Pay What You Want (even nothing)” here.

Posted via email from AtmosMusic

Based on the Cycle of 5th’s, this tune is a remarkable vehicle for improvisation.

Dig it!!

Posted via email from AtmosMusic

It was super cool to play again. Look for more of these excerpts in the coming days.

You can get the audio download and “Pay What You Want (even nothing)” here.

Posted via email from AtmosMusic