Jason Lyon Music

Author: Jason

  • How Strange the Change…

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    Jason
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    …from major to minor. I sometimes get “Dear Auntie Jase” emails, and I think it can be useful to post the results of the correspondence (anonymity guaranteed of course). If you have any questions, do contact me and I’ll try to help more than confuse. So you’ve learned your II V I stuff in the…

  • Sorry Mate, I’m Going to Have to Let You Go…

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    Jason
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    At some point we all have to sack a friend and nobody enjoys it. I’ve seen this situation a lot. I’m afraid those that don’t have the guts to do it tend to wind up with bands that don’t progress. If you’re having trouble working up the courage, just remember that if you don’t bite the…

  • ‘Whoops’ Arithmetic

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    Jason
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    or how to play major 7ths on dominants without getting fired. There’s a point in Miles’ autobiography where he recounts arguing with Charlie Parker. Bird told him you can play any tone on any chord, Miles disagreed and was proven wrong at the gig they went to that very night. On a blues. Miles admitted…

  • Laying Out

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    Jason
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    It’s that time of year. Time for some reflection and writing, catching up on the bills, taking the cat for her shots, putting that doorknob back on… God, might even get round to some practice. Got a bit of a shock last night when someone called Cherokee (my chops are a bit soggier than I…

  • Merry Christmas

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    Jason
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    The Morecambe & Wise Christmas show was a British tradition in the 1970s. It was a watercooler event, long before we even had watercoolers. As Eric Morecambe might have said: “We didn’t have those when I was a kid. We just used to take turns hanging each other upside down from a bridge.” The highlight of the…

  • The Death of the Death of David Debrizzi, Paul Micou

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    Jason
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    I simply cannot understand why this wonderful novel is out of print and languishing at 1p second-hand on Amazon. My own copy has been reread so often that it’s falling apart more than my Real Book is (and that looks like confetti). Actually, I can understand why. The current trend in fiction publishing seems to…

  • ‘Tis the Season to be Appropriate

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    Jason
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    Early, I know (gets earlier every year), but here’s a plea to musicians. If you’re going to take bookings in December, please have some seasonal repertoire ready. Even just a few numbers. Doesn’t have to turn into a full-blown carol service with bells and smells, you can still have fun and do your thing. While…

  • A Damn Fine Chap, Wot

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    Jason
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    Bein’ the reactions, doncha know, pip pip, of an unbuttoned Englishman to an act of brass and class. Don’t usually do gig reviews on here, but here we go. I popped down to my local music and booze emporium last night for a dose of cabaret. Was at a loose end, and inevitably found myself setting…

  • Monky Business

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    Jason
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    Some thoughts on whole-tone scales, altered scales and passing tones. Ah, Thelonius Sphere Monk (certainly no square). A very influential composer and performer. He was once described by a hip journo as “the high beast of prebop” (clever Spoonerism or a boozy lunch, you be the judge). Monk was actually an incredibly naturally gifted musician…

  • Zen and the Art of Depping

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    Jason
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    One day, eager young tritone-hopper, when you leave this jazz temple, the day will come when you won’t be able to do a gig and have to put in a replacement. There will be a “you-less” hole at the Pillock & Bucket residency, while you’re earning a fortune playing the diddles in Act III of…