Jane Miller

Jane is a Guitar instructor at JamPlay.com

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Jane Miller's contribution to JamPlay

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Intermediate 70 Lessons

Artist Series 11 Lessons

Biography Read Up

Jazz Guitar with Jane

In this lesson series, you will be exploring the world of Jazz guitar with Jane Miller.

Interview with Jane Miller

This exciting interview takes a close look at the playing and teaching of Jane Miller. Learn about her influences, some jazz recommendations, and her musical experience.

43:05 Runtime

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Introductory Lesson

Jane Miller talks about her new jazz series and provides a couple quick tips to get you started.

9:03 Runtime

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Hand Warm-ups

Jane Miller explains the importance of hand stretches and warm-up exercises.

4:06 Runtime

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Jazz and Blues

Jane explains the chord changes used in a 12 bar jazz style blues.

17:30 Runtime

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Soloing Over the Blues

Jane Miller shares some fun ideas about soloing over a 12 bar blues.

22:08 Runtime

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The ii-V-I Progression

Jane talks more about the ii-V-I progression and how to work it into your jazz playing.

7:25 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

Tensions on Chords

Jane Miller shares some valuable thoughts regarding chord tensions.

20:10 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

Melodic Minor Scales

Jane provides an introductory lesson on the melodic minor scale.

2:44 Runtime

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Melodic Minor Scales Application

Jane explains how the melodic minor scale and its corresponding modes are used in jazz melodies.

18:09 Runtime

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Movable Chord Forms

Jane takes a look at movable chord forms played on the treble strings.

20:39 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

Movable Chord Forms Continued

Jane Miller expands on her discussion of movable chord forms and how they apply to jazz.

19:18 Runtime

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Groove & Rhythm

Jane Miller shares a wonderful lesson about the importance of rhythm.

7:58 Runtime

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Rhythm Part 2

Jane Miller explores more rhythm and groove with another lesson using the metronome.

7:40 Runtime

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Rhythm Part 3

Jane Miller continues her discussion on rhythm and using a metronome.

6:15 Runtime

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Daily Practice

Jane Miller concludes her discussion on metronomes and forming daily practice routines.

10:27 Runtime

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Right Hand Techniques

Jane Miller dives into her first lesson on right hand techniques.

3:58 Runtime

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Right Hand Part 2

Jane Miller dives right into part 2 of her Right Hand Techniques mini-series.

5:00 Runtime

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Right Hand Part 3

Jane Miller talks about fingerstyle playing exclusively in the third installment of Right Hand Techniques.

18:05 Runtime

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Drop 2 Voicings

Jane Miller explores drop 2 voicings in this lesson.

18:06 Runtime

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Bargain Chord

Jane Miller talks about a "bargain chord" in this lesson. Learn what a bargain chord is and how it can be applied to your playing.

15:35 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

Chord Solos

Jane Miller talks about chord solos in part one of this fascinating mini-series.

18:43 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

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Chord Solos Part 2

Jane Miller explores another aspect of chord solos in part two of this fun topic.

6:27 Runtime

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Chord Solos Part 3

Jane Miller concludes her discussion on chord solos.

13:59 Runtime

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Latin Grooves

Jane Miller explores some common Latin vamps in this lesson.

10:49 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

Repertoire Practice

Jane Miller shares her insights on the topic of practice versus repertoire practice.

7:39 Runtime

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Song Demonstrations: Bedtime Story

Jane Miller plays an original song called "Bedtime Story" that showcases techniques discussed in earlier lessons such as the use of open strings and Bossa Nova comping.

4:19 Runtime

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Song Demonstrations: Free Alongside Ship

Jane demonstrates another original song called "Free Alongside Ship" that uses techniques learned in previous lessons.

3:00 Runtime

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The Other Room

Jane Miller shares an original tuned called "The Other Room." Similar to songs taught in the past few lessons, "The Other Room" showcases techniques that Jane taught earlier in the series. See if you can catch them while watching.

4:55 Runtime

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Diminished Chords & Scales

Jane Miller takes a look at diminished chords in this lesson. She also touches on diminished scales and their relationship with diminished and dominant chords.

11:36 Runtime

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Diminished Chords: Inversions

Jane Miller continues her discussion on diminished chords. In this lesson, she touches on their inversions and how they can be used in chord progressions.

11:43 Runtime

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Diminished Scales

Jane Miller changes gears and talks about diminished scales that go along with the diminished chords you learned.

12:48 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

Substitutions

Jane Miller touches on making diminished 7th chords a substitution for dominant 7th chords.

15:38 Runtime

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Diminished Scales Continued

Jane Miller returns to the subject of diminished scales. This time she explains how they fit in with the chord substitutions you learned about in the last lesson.

14:28 Runtime

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Arpeggios

Jane Miller starts explaining arpeggios. In continuation of the last couple of lessons, she starts with diminished 7th chord arpeggios.

10:07 Runtime

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Arpeggios Part 2

Jane Miller continues her discussion on arpeggios in this lesson. This time around, she focuses on major 7th chord arpeggios.

9:42 Runtime

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Arpeggios Part 3

In continuation of her last lesson, Jane Miller discusses another use for major 7th arpeggios.

8:50 Runtime

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Arpeggios Part 4

Jane Miller gives a few more examples of using major 7th arpeggios against minor chords and explains how you can better incorporate them into your playing.

14:45 Runtime

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Major 6th Chords

In this lesson, Jane Miller talks about major 6th chords and their relationship with minor 7th chords.

8:35 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

Scales & Patterns

Jane Miller talks about scales & patterns in this lesson. She addresses some popular questions including how to improve the melodic element of your improvisation.

10:10 Runtime

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Scales & Patterns Part 2

Jane Miller revisits her last lesson and explains how to apply major scales.

7:24 Runtime

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Scales & Patterns Part 3

Jane Miller continues her lessons about scales & patterns with a discussion on the pentatonic scale.

14:43 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

Scales & Patterns Part 4

Jane Miller continues her discussion of the pentatonic scale and its patterns. She talks about how to start applying some of the lines you learned in the previous lesson.

13:36 Runtime

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The Whole Tone Scale

Jane Miller talks about the whole tone scale. This scale consists entirely of whole steps.

13:41 Runtime

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The Chromatic Scale

Now that you've learned all about the diminished and whole tone scales, Jane Miller discusses the chromatic scale.

9:21 Runtime

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Chromatic Scale Part 2

Jane Miller continues her discussion of the chromatic scale with a great exercise to help you practice dynamics.

6:58 Runtime

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Dynamics & Improvising

Jane Miller continues her discussion on dynamics in this lesson. She invites you to think about volume as a way to add feeling or catch attention while improvising.

7:01 Runtime

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Bass Lines

Jane Miller discusses bass lines in this lesson. She begins by explaining how you can get a bass line going by itself first. Then, she explains how to add in chord voicings.

15:53 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

Upper Structure Triads

Jane Miller begins a discussion on upper structure triads. In this lesson, Jane refers to the top part of a major 7th chord as well as added tensions.

12:37 Runtime

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Upper Structure Triads Part 2

Jane Miller continues her discussion of upper structure triads.

15:14 Runtime

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Upper Structure Triads Part 3

Jane Miller picks up where she left off in her last lesson and shares a great technique that will provide you with some new comping options.

4:58 Runtime

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Upper Structure Triads Part 4

Jane Miller concludes her discussion of upper structure triads. In this lesson, she helps you turn the E minor triad you have been using into a G major triad.

9:29 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

Lydian Mode

Jane Miller changes gears and focuses on the E Lydian mode in this lesson.

13:31 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

You Are Many Things

For the next portion of her Jazz series, Jane focuses on a tune called "You Are Many Things". She uses this song as a vehicle to talk about playing jazz melodies, chord comping, playing solo arrangements and improvising.

28:17 Runtime

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The Melody

In this lesson, Jane talks about playing the melody for "You Are Many Things." This includes a play along segment.

9:25 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

Jazz Comping

Jane Miller gives some advice on comping in the context of a jazz standard. The tune "You Are Many Things" is once again used as an example.

21:34 Runtime

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Advanced Comping

Jane talks about advanced comping techniques for the song "You Are Many Things." By the end of this lesson you will be able to add an implied melody while comping.

20:40 Runtime

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Jazz Rhythm

Jane Miller provides some tips on comping with a swing feel.

14:11 Runtime

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Jazz Bass Lines

In this lesson, Jane talks about applying a bass line to the tune "You Are Many Things".

16:24 Runtime

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Chords and Bass Line Together

Jane demonstrates how to play the chords and bass line for "You Are Many Things" at the same time.

13:28 Runtime

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Time Signatures

Jane Miller talks about putting a song in a different time signature when creating your own arrangement. She continues using "You are Many Things" as an example.

17:54 Runtime

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Chord Solo

Jane Miller continues "You are Many Things" with a lesson about putting the chords and melody together.

20:02 Runtime

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Chord Solo Part 2

Jane Miller continues her discussion on the chord solo for "You are Many Things."

23:15 Runtime

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Improvising

Jane Miller continues using the song "You Are Many Things" for a lesson on improvising.

14:24 Runtime

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Playing from a Lead Sheet

Jane Miller talks about playing from a lead sheet by using the song "You Are Many Things" as an example.

24:11 Runtime

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Playing with Backing Tracks

Jane Miller tries out different aspects of the tune "You Are Many Things" against a bass track.

8:46 Runtime

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Playing with Backing Tracks Part 2

In her newest lesson, Jane Miller plays against a comping backing track. This is a great track to practice your bass line and melody over.

8:29 Runtime

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Playing with Backing Tracks Part 3

In part three, Jane Miller plays against a backing track that has both bass and comping together.

10:44 Runtime

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Playing with Backing Tracks Part 4

Jane Miller is back with another "You are Many Things" backing track lesson. This time she plays against a track with just the melody.

11:51 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

Playing with Backing Tracks Part 5

In her newest lesson, Jane Miller explains what it means to trade fours and plays against another backing track for practice.

16:09 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

Playing with Backing Tracks Part 6

In Jane Miller's final lesson on playing against a backing track, she talks about the idea of leaving space. You will learn how limiting yourself will help you be more concise in your playing.

13:17 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

Jane Miller Artist Series

Guitarist, composer, arranger, and Berklee Associate Professor, Jane Miller has roots in both Jazz and Folk circuits. Explore intermediate topics and Jane's original compositions through her comprehensive teaching style.

Artist Series Introduction

Jane Miller introduces her new Artist Series and explains what you may expect from the lessons to come.

2:40 Runtime

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At Spag's

Jane Miller shares "At Spag's," an original song inspired by a popular retail store in western Massachusetts.

20:26 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

Magazine Beach

Jane Miller shares another original tune called "Magazine Beach" in this lesson. First, she talks about where the idea for the song came from. Then, she goes on to explain the development.

26:11 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

All I want

Jane Miller talks about her song "All I want," which came to her through another song by the same name. She discusses how she made it her own and demonstrates how to play it.

19:17 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

Once Around the Sun

Jane Miller shares an original tune called "Once Around the Sun." She uses this song as an example of how to create a song through an exercise.

25:58 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

Happy

Jane Miller shares her original song called "Happy" in this lesson. She talks about what happened to inspire this song and how it developed from there.

17:36 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

Same Tie, Different Shirt

Jane Miller shares another original tune, "Same Tie, Different Shirt" in this lesson. Jane explains the idea behind this song, her process in creating it, and more.

12:04 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

Boats

Jane Miller shares "Boats," an original song named after her love of boats at the time. As with other songs in the series, explore with Jane how the song was written and the inspiration behind it.

20:29 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

Inspiration

Jane Miller talks inspiration in this lesson. She gives her take on where it comes from, ways to be prepared when it strikes, and more.

20:20 Runtime

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Gratitude

Jane Miller talks about "Gratitude," an original song that stemmed from one chord. Jane talks about that chord and how the song developed form there.

25:11 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

Amigo

Jane Miller shares an original tune called "Amigo," a slow bossa nova style ballad that was originally a funk tune. Jane plays the tune and talks a little about the process of writing it.

6:19 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

Learn more about Jane Miller

Guitarist, composer, arranger, and Berklee Associate Professor, Jane Miller has roots in both Jazz and Folk circuits. In addition to leading her own jazz instrumental quartet, she is in a working Chamber Jazz Trio with saxophonist Cercie Miller and bassist David Clark, for which she contributes many compositions. She has been a frequent guitarist with singer-songwriter SONiA, of disappear fear.

Jane is a contributing writer to Acoustic Guitar Magazine, writing lessons for the popular intermediate column, The Woodshed. She also writes a monthly column for Premiere Guitar Magazine called the Jazz Box . She has contributed several lesson columns for the Mel Bay publishing company’s on-line magazine, Guitar Sessions. Guitarist, composer, arranger, and Berklee Associate Professor, Jane Miller has roots in both Jazz and Folk circuits. In addition to leading her own jazz instrumental quartet, she is in a working Chamber Jazz Trio with saxophonist Cercie Miller and bassist David Clark, for which she contributes many compositions. She has been a frequent guitarist with singer-songwriter SONiA, of disappear fear.

Jane is a contributing writer to Acoustic Guitar Magazine, writing lessons for the popular intermediate column, The Woodshed. She also writes a monthly column for Premiere Guitar Magazine called the Jazz Box . She has contributed several lesson columns for the Mel Bay publishing company’s on-line magazine, Guitar Sessions.

The Jane Miller Group has released three CDs on Jane’s label, Pink Bubble Records; all three received national radio play and press. She has performed solo and in duo and group settings regionally and around the country at clubs, festivals, and concerts as well as live TV and Radio appearances in New England.

Since joining the faculty in 1994 at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Jane has contributed many arrangements for solo guitar to the Guitar Department library, and has performed solo recitals and concerts with her group in the Berklee Performance Center and Recital Halls.

Discography
The Jane Miller Group "The Other Room" (2000)
The Jane Miller Trio "Secret Pockets" with guests Jay Ashby and Bill O'Connell (1998)
The Jane Miller Group "Postcard" with guests Patty Larkin, Mick Goodrick, Mili Bermejo and Ken LaRoche (1993) SONiA "Me, Too" (1998)

Performances
Regattabar, Scullers, The Berklee Performance Center,The Firehouse, The Iron Horse, Club Passim, The Acton Jazz Cafe, The Hatch Shell, First Nights in Boston, Hartford, and Worcester, NOW Summit in Washington, D.C., Pride Festivals in San Diego, Baltimore, and Worcester, Susquehanna Music and Arts Festival, MD, Capital Region Guitar Show, Saratoga Springs, NY.

TV and Radio
Live appearances throughout New England, including WGBH-FM, WICN-FM. Composed and recorded theme music for "Barbara...and You," for Leominster Cablevision, as well as other jingles and themes. Former Jazz Coordinator for WCUW-FM, Worcester, MA.

Arts Lottery Grant recipient, award given to worthy artists and composers funded by Massachusetts Arts Lottery.

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