I recently decided to start producing accompaniment videos for my guitar studies books, BEBOP IMPROV CONCEPTS & INTRODUCTORY STUDIES FOR THE IMPROVISING GUITARIST, and to revise both volumes in the process. Each chapter of my two books will have several accompaniment-videos for maximum, illustrative effect. With these new revisions, both books will be much more visual and hands on in their conceptualization. This will definitely be a work in progress for the next 12 to 15 months, but I will publish samples on my website and social media as I progress. Already, having the first few accompaniment videos finished, and at my disposal, has been extremely useful for students who are actively working on guitar improvisation.
The video above is a brief intro to how to use chromaticism in bebop lines and, in particular, illustrates how to utilize chromatic passing tones, or approach notes if one prefers, on an A-minor arpeggio. This way of playing can add fluidity and control over swing feel and accentuation.
Twenty years ago, after spending about two years practicing this chromatic concept 45 to 60 minutes daily, I found that these new acquired skills were so effective and useful that I decided to write a book on this playing style. In fact, it made me backtrack at some point to cover a somewhat more introductory path for students; and the endeavor turned into two books, which I continue to use with students working on improvisational techniques and concepts.