Jazz @ Emmanuel – Playing the Changes – October 11, 2026
Playing the Changes
Our second Jazz Service of the 2026-27 Season will continue the Theme
THE LANGUAGE OF JAZZ
with a focus on a well known jazz improvisation technique called “Playing the Changes.”
Featuring Pamela Johnson as Music Director
Howie Alexander on Piano
Benjamin May on Upright Bass
Lou Schreiber on Horns
James Johnson III on Drums
See the Post with the full line-up for Season 35 and more about “The Language of Jazz.”.
For Us Non Jazz Musicians…
How many of us common folk (non-Jazz musicians) know the meaning of Playing the Changes? That’s what I thought? Me either. How about this?
Playing the changes is “improvising or creating a melody that specifically outlines and follows the underlying chord progression of a song as it moves, rather than just playing notes from one overall key.” “Changes” is Jazz slang for the chord progression (the sequence of chords) of a tune. [1]
Instead of ignoring the background chords, the musician acts like a tour guide who points out where the music is moving. When the background shifts to a specific chord, the soloist deliberately lands on or highlights the notes that belong to that specific chord (called “chord tones”). [2}
Playing the Changes is a time honored Jazz Improvisation technique with a rich history and influence that continues to make Jazz the captivating genre we all love.
When Playing the Changes the musician is outlining the harmony, instead of staying inside a single scale. A soloist – often on piano, or sax, trumpet or even voice, targets specific chord tones (like roots, thirds, fifths, and sevenths) or uses arpeggios that match each individual chord the moment it arrives.
An Arpeggio is a chord whose notes are played in succession rather than all at once. Arpeggios are one of the most important building blocks of jazz improvisation. Scales give you lots of notes to choose from, but arpeggios outline the sound of each chord, making your improvised lines fit the harmony naturally. [1}
Where and When Did Playing the Changes Arise as a Jazz Technique?
Before the late 1930s, early jazz and swing improvisers primarily practiced “melodic paraphrasing”—taking the established melody of a song and decorating it with variations. [1]
The Pioneer: Coleman Hawkins is widely credited with initiating the technique of “playing the changes.” Read the fascinating History read about Hawkins. Image [1]
Tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins fundamentally changed jazz improvisation with his landmark 1939 recording of “Body and Soul.” Instead of relying on the melody, Hawkins ignored it almost completely after the first few bars. He focused instead on the vertical structure of the music, improvising fluent, sophisticated lines built directly out of the underlying chord progressions (the “changes”) and their passing tones. This established a brand-new framework for jazz soloing.
The Masters of the Technique
While Hawkins is widely credited for initiating the concept of “Playing the Changes”, subsequent generations pushed “playing the changes” to its absolute limits. Charlie Parker and John Coltrane are the most famous for mastering and revolutionizing it. [1, 2]
Charlie “Bird” Parker: Parker is the most famous for taking this technique into the Bebop era. He altered the vocabulary of jazz by finding ways to play over chord changes at blistering speeds. Parker realized he could use the higher intervals of a chord (9ths, 11ths, and 13ths) as melody notes, introducing complex passing chords and sophisticated substitutions that defined modern jazz improvisation. [1, 2] Image [1]
John Coltrane: Coltrane took chord-change improvisation to its structural peak with his famous “Coltrane Changes” (or the Coltrane Matrix). On his iconic 1960 track “Giant Steps,” he created a formidable harmonic obstacle course featuring rapid, unconventional modulations downward in major thirds. His mastery of navigating these lightning-fast chord changes remains the ultimate rite of passage for jazz musicians. [1, 2, 3]. Image [1]
The info above was taken from the internet (font of all knowledge🤔), so if you are a jazz musician and have a better explanation, we are listening!
Why it all “Counts”
Playing the changes is a fascinating technique that makes the musical piece more interesting, full, and surprising, which keeps the listener delightfully engaged! It just flows from a musician’s love of jazz and is why so many of us love Jazz too!
To Play the Changes, Jazz musicians must understand the full range of music, be readily adaptable and trust that in going off the main melody line, they will find their way back and always be able to pick up the tune, ready to add “changes” again and again, and enjoy the music right along with the listeners.
And for You and Me…
For the follower of Christ, “Playing the Changes “is like being adaptable to whatever comes our way in life, knowing God is always present and always love.
Living in the world while encounter earthlings, “Playing the Changes” is about knowing God and understanding his purpose so well that we are able to be open to hearing and tuning in to the unique music in another person’s heart. And rather than trying to “change their tune,” we hum right along with them, filling in the harmony, picking up on nuances in the conversation, and making a new song that is even more beautiful and more meaningful for all.
What an amazing God we have that allows us this intimate and profound privilege of making a music by playing our heart strings together! ❤️
Join us for “Playing the Changes”
Sunday, October 11
As only Jazz @ Emmanuel can.
As always, the second Sunday of the Month
5:00 pm in the Sanctuary.
Jazz @ Emmanuel is supported in part by Jazz Enthusiasts and Worshippers like YOU and WRCT 88.3 FM.
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