“Tune Up” – Jazz Standard Workshop

Welcome to this jazz standard workshop where we explore the iconic tune “Tune Up.” This composition, often credited to Miles Davis but actually written by Eddie Vinson, is a staple in jam sessions and a key part of the jazz repertoire. Originally recorded by Miles Davis on his 1953 album “Blue Haze,” the tune remains one of the most commonly played jazz standards worldwide.

Understanding the Harmony

The defining feature of “Tune Up” is its modulation through three different keys. The tune follows a simple yet effective 2-5-1 progression in each key:

• Starts in D major (E-7 to A7 to Dmaj7)
• Modulates to C major (D-7 to G7 to Cmaj7)
• Finally moves to Bb major (C-7 to F7 to Bbmaj7)

This frequent modulation makes it a great study piece for improvisation and voice leading, requiring players to smoothly navigate between different keys.

The Melody & Harmonic Characteristics

The melody of “Tune Up” is built on a simple yet striking motif that repeats in different keys. A key feature of the melody is the #11 tension over the dominant chords, creating a distinctive and recognizable jazz sound. The chromatic movement in the melody also enhances the harmonic transitions, reinforcing the tune’s modern bebop character.

Improvisation Concepts

1. Chord Tones & Approach Notes

A strong melodic line is built by emphasizing chord tones (1, 3, 5, 7) and connecting them with approach notes. An effective approach is to:

• Use chromatic approach notes from below
• Use diatonic approach notes from above
• Land on chord tones on strong beats

Practicing improvisation using only chord tones helps internalize the harmony and ensures strong note choices when soloing.

2. Using Jazz Language

Jazz improvisation relies on learning classic bebop phrases and incorporating them into solos. Here are two example 2-5-1 phrases that work well over “Tune Up”:

• Phrase 1: A Hank Mobley-inspired bebop lick featuring a mix of chord tones, approach notes, and chromatic passing tones.
• Phrase 2: A more altered G7 line that emphasizes tensions (b9, #9, b13) for a stronger resolution.

By practicing these lines in all 12 keys and applying them in different harmonic contexts, you develop fluency in jazz improvisation.

Connection to “Countdown” – Coltrane Changes

John Coltrane’s composition “Countdown” is based on “Tune Up” but introduces Coltrane Changes, a harmonic structure that cycles through three major tonal centers a major third apart. These changes create a rapid harmonic motion that challenges even advanced players. If you’re interested in diving deeper into Coltrane’s harmonic concept, check out the masterclass on Coltrane Changes in the Advanced Piano Course.

5 Practice Tips

1. Play through the chord tones (1, 3, 5, 7) in each key before attempting to improvise.
2. Use approach notes (chromatic below, diatonic above) to connect chord tones smoothly.
3. Learn and apply classic bebop phrases over 2-5-1 progressions.
4. Practice transposing phrases into different keys to improve fluency.
5. Experiment with rhythmic variations to personalize the lines and avoid predictable phrasing.

By working through these concepts, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of “Tune Up” and improve your ability to improvise over modulating 2-5-1 progressions. Happy practicing!