5 Jazz Guitar Tips That Will Save You Years Of Practice

In this jazz guitar lesson, I go over 5 things that were game-changing for how I learned Jazz so that you can use those as well.
When you are in the process of learning something, like playing Jazz, then there is a part that is just hard work for a long time, and then there are moments that really change the way you think about something and help you progress a lot faster by practicing in the right way.
How To Solo Over Chord Changes:
• How To Solo Over Chord...
The Most Important Scale Exercise in Jazz:
• The Most Important Sca...
Transcriptions to learn:
• The Solos You Want To ...
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Content:
00:00 Intro
00:20 #1 Think Ahead
01:55 #2 Arpeggios and Scales - The Right Way
03:23 #3 Keep it Simple
04:29 #4 Jazz Chords Done The Wrong Way
05:41 What Was A Shortcut That Helped You?
05:48 #5 The Thing That Ties It All Together
06:58 Bonus Tip: A Bit Of Healthy Realism
07:35 The Solos You Want To Learn By Ear To Play better Jazz Guitar
07:40 Like the video? Check out my Patreon page!
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My name is Jens Larsen, Danish Jazz Guitarist, and Educator. The videos on this channel will help you explore and enjoy Jazz. Some of it is how to play jazz guitar, but other videos are more on Music Theory like Jazz Chords or advice on how to practice and learn Jazz, on guitar or any other instrument.
The videos are mostly jazz guitar lessons, but also music theory, analysis of songs and videos on jazz guitars.
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[@JensLarsen]

What tip really fits you or didn't you like and what advice would you give? Getting Jazz Practice Right For Beginners: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3PHqZWOaKage68

[@pierrejeansept4497]

Singing while playing. 1st of all....

[@JensLarsen]

@@pierrejeansept4497 Good one. Actually singing from sheet music is super useful :)

[@Trombonology]

Great lesson, Jens. All excellent tips, but the one that is most relevant to my style as it has evolved is #4, about chord subs and voicings. ... One thing I consider very important in coming to jazz from another stylistic background is to really listen to the music and study it as a listener, rather than merely to take jazz on because it presents a technical challenge, while asking "What standards should I learn???" I think that to play jazz convincingly, you have to play it because you love it!

[@JensLarsen]

@@Trombonology Yes!

[@pierrejeansept4497]

@@Trombonology we ve lost so many time (even it was fantastic )with technical and theorical knowledge,but this the thing What can clean your head but your voice!

[@bartferguson8133]

Coming from a pentatonic/blues based background, I had a real hard time breaking free of those little boxes. I became interested in jazz in '73 (age 18) and, being from a small town in rural Oklahoma, my only resource to learn jazz was method books. I bought them all and played through them over decades. I acquired a solid knowledge of theory BUT I STILL COULD NOT IMPROVOSE. chords went by too fast, and scales and arpeggios were much to cumbersome. Finally, in '97 (age 42) I took lessons from the late, great Bud Dimock. He simplified things for me enormously...and almost instantly by imposing temporary restrictions. He had me target the 3rd or b3rd of each chord, and connect each chord by an interval no larger than a minor 3rd. Once I could do this I discovered that when the root movement is in 4ths, the 7th or b7 always connect to the 3rd of the next chord. If your first 8th note is the 3rd and the last 8th note the 7th you have outined the harmony. NO MATTER WHAT the inner 6 8th notes are. The next step was using the b9 sound on all dominant chords that are resolving (or cycling towards resolving) Once I had internalized the diminished b9 sound, I could move on to #5, b5 and #9 sounds. In a very short time after decades of not being able to improvise decently over any Standard in a way that sounds like jazz, I quickly reached the point where there were no "changes" that intimidate me. Ironically, after I understood that guide tone approach, I began rediscovering the pentatonics in a completely different way. I have to admit, though, that instead of being intimidated by "vertical" tunes, I am now more intimidated by static, or diatonic harmony. Harmonic motion generates it's own interest and internal momentum.

[@marcuskingstanley9522]

My number one tip would be to practice everything you know in every key( its easier for guitarists ) its tedious and laborious at first but gets much easier and your ear will develop rapidly

[@JensLarsen]

Always solid!

[@michange3141592]

Exactly what you should not do if you are not a guitarist.

[@dahliafiend]

Nice I can already do this with my capo!😂

[@michaelb2211]

I remember on some Jazz online forum people complaining about Van Epps' Harmonic Mechanisms and someone suggesting to go through the book playing a single key to decrease 'workload'. Nevermind the book was in circle of 5ths and fingerings were changed for each key to prove real points he was making. People want to finish 'it' faster even at an advanced level.

[@octavio-blues-sound3022]

And also practicing in "real musical technical environments" I mean in... In specific songs, tunes or "classic" pieces of music in different genres, (rock, blues and... Obviously in Jazz...), trying to "extend" and "extend" more and more the structures and arrangements of the song in turn....

[@alexhoward1884]

Learning jazz feels like learning the guitar all over again. But damn it if it isn't addicting. And the best part is it never ends.

[@JensLarsen]

Exactly 🙂

[@Raggo12345]

"Oh, no! He's stuck!" LOL!!! I Love SRV & I Love JAZZ

[@JensLarsen]

Me too :)

[@markymarcm]

Haha, that part certainly made me chuckle

[@rillloudmother]

Pat Martino gets, 'stuck,' all the time, lulz.

[@bobgriffith1810]

@@rillloudmother It’s more of a transitional pause

[@danhope77]

@@rillloudmother but he had a brain damage

[@ainsleystones4600]

I've taught over 50,000 guitar lessons here in England since 1997. If it means anything, I'd like to thoroughly recommend Jens' approach to learning jazz guitar. I don't say that lightly! 👍🎸

[@DiogenesNephew]

Now I just gotta see if Jens endorses your endorsement so I know whether or not I should listen to you and use his advice 🤔

[@ainsleystones4600]

@@DiogenesNephew 😁👍 well, you could Google Sheffield Guitar School and see 100% 5-Star reviews if that helps? 🎸🤘

[@unterklingen1]

I’m a jazz trombonist. I really love guitar however, and have been learning jazz on guitar. This channel has been awesome for me!

[@JensLarsen]

Great that you can put it to use 🙂 glad to hear that!

[@t3hgir]

this is like a rally driver learning how to drive sports cars on tarmac... you have a huge advantage :)

[@Mrius86]

The thing that elevated my playing was recording myself and listening back, without playing along.

[@JensLarsen]

Yes! That is one of the best habits to have!

[@bassheadjazz2708]

Top advice! It can be rough hearing yourself on playback, but after awhile you learn to listen to yourself critically in the moment. It makes for more structured solos and targeted practice when you notice mistakes that you make consistently.

[@eddierey5202]

I spent 3 years of jazz training in college and feel like I never really "got it". This channel might just help me pick back up from where I left off and get there eventually! Love your straight to the point approach, thank you.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you very much Eddie! Go for it 🙂

[@MorrisLess]

I'm hardly an expert, but one thing that's helping me now is learning to play what I sing. I can sing a solo over a backing track, then play what I've sung, then go over it again to see where I can add or take away tension, experiment with different rhythms, etc. I can even practice singing solos in the car. And it's all good fun. I think having fun with it is critical.

[@non-ado]

I feel that learning the lead melody for every song you play is super helpful. Then, you can "reference" bits as solos in other songs. Also, learning the melody really helps you boil down which chords hits and notes feel essential. And, SING YOUR NOTES! You'll be amazed how quickly your brain starts connecting the scatting you're doing in your head with the notes on the fretboard or keys on the piano.

[@pablocubicomusic]

Great advice Jens! Contributing to the "Look ahead" concept: I think Joe Pass said something like "a line in C is a line that begins in the dominant of C (G)...". That really opened my mind (and ears) to make lines cross the barline. And I think Kurt Rosenwinkel said something like "it's like when you are driving, you don't look at the mountains far ahead, you look a little bit ahead on the road as you move forward". Thanks!

[@JE41bflo]

Fantastic video. The time flew by. Finally a teacher who gets to the point but still explains thoroughly. Best Jazz tip I ever heard was that there are no wrong notes, only wrong context.

[@slowjammerukdog]

Thanks, Jens, you're an absolute gem. I have a Post-it sticker on my computer that says: "Metronome! Sing along! Record! Learn whole songs!" All great habits, none of which I stick to....

[@JensLarsen]

That is awesome!

[@benjaminholt6640]

Learning tunes is sooo key. I used to suck at jazz blues until I learned 60 blues heads in 6 months. Every aspect of my playing improved just from that

[@JensLarsen]

Exactly! :)

[@regularguitar93]

Great respect for you man

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you like the video!

[@regularguitar93]

@@JensLarsen, I have always been & will a silent follower of you.

[@KennethGonzalez]

Learning songs is the single biggest thing to do to improve. It'll provide the context for everything else! Two enthusiastic thumbs up, Jens 😉

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you Kenneth 🙂

[@jazzaruzoptron4488]

1. For me it was ATTYA, my first Jazz Standard i totally inheritated. Beginning with learning the form and structure, then the melody, then the barre chords, then with voicings, then with voice leadings, alternatives and fingerstyle. 2. turnarounds, to know what alternative chords to play when returning with a 1-6-2-5 back to a key (by the way it was one of ur vids), 3. chord progressions, to know why a progression progresses. my lack is still the technique, the ability to transfer all the knowledge in time. but it feels so good when u know what u r doing in slow tempo instead of being clueless or lucky when in full speed. my wish for this channel's content so is more progressions. knowing that a 1-6-2-5 isnt just a turnaround or a simple maj7, min7,dom7 ... i wished to know what to play in between or alternatively.

[@djmileski]

The working towards target notes tip instantly improved my soloing. Thank u

[@kevinh4042]

Wow, this is a really well-constructed video. Well labeled chapters, detailed text description, content ordered in a sensible manner, paced appropriately. Impressive!

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@cmingus26]

I totally agree with all your tips. I learned a lot from your videos and courses and they really helped me to develop my Jazz playing 👍 I would add playing with other musicians to the list. Playing standards with others, comping over many choruses, trying to react to each other etc. really helps me to internalise what I practice. And it’s also a lot of fun.

[@DonVal86]

The idea of actually using what you practice is not mentioned enough. I keep learning blues licks that I forget the next day because I’m not incorporating into my playing. Great video. 👌

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you 🙂

[@insalinity5558]

Love your work, Jens! The arpeggios in a scale I have been exercising for a couple months, but it was only today that I realised that it is better to playing them like that in the context of various progressions. Such a simple principle, but so much sense - always relate it back to songs and music, not exercise for the sake of exercise. I decided to learn jazz in order to better learn how to play guitar, and it has been a great and rewarding journey - I've learned so much about music in the process! Thank you for your help.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you! Glad you put it to use 🙂

[@timthompson1603]

I discovered your videos last night. I'm a very old (classical) piano player. At this late stage of my life, I've developed an interest in jazz. Your comments are spot on that so many scale and arpeggio tutorials focus on the superficial rather than how to incorporate them into solos and make music. I like your practical approach. I also like your references to Barry Harris (in other videos) and his teaching methodology. He was one of the greats.

[@brothercaleb]

There’s a lot packed in this. Thanks Jens 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@JensLarsen]

Glad it was helpful!

[@candyshop1398]

Thank you for your insightful, instructive and totally relevant experiences and for the precise and direct manner of your teaching. You are an example to us all.

[@JensLarsen]

You're very welcome!

[@markslist1542]

Thank you Jens! It's a relief to get this important info.

[@ManuelPassarella1]

The most important breakthrough for me is to sing or hear the melody in my head before playing it on the instrument rather than singing in my head what I've just played. Knowing more about chords and arpeggios and superimpositions etc. etc. etc. expanded my musical vocabulary. Always thinking ahead and always singing the melody because when I sing I automatically get out of those scalar lines and fingering boxes we all as guitarists find ourselves stuck into.

[@guitarsean]

Trying to vocalize is a good phrasing trick, too. Us guitar players don't have to time our breathing to play our instrument and it's easy to fall into rambling, incoherent musical grammar.

[@noi5emaker]

Great tip! 👍🏻

[@jorro87]

Thinking Ahead is by far the best advice I’ve been given!! Another thing that really changed my playing is realizing that songs are in a specific key most of the time and not just individual chords moving around…

[@JensLarsen]

So true :)

[@brysonmartin427]

Thank u once again jens.this has been one of the most inciteful videos as far as the strategy of intent behind jazz development.sometimes I'm tempted to learn something beyond my skill level as well and wonder why I even attempted it,then I'm left with the delusion that I think I've got something when I've actually gone nowhere...except maybe technique improvements and faster chord switches,which is always fun.keep inspiring !!

[@isaacmejia6667]

bless this mans soul.

[@JensLarsen]

Glad the videos are useful 🙂

[@benkatof4240]

Great video Jens. I was lucky to find your videos right when I started to learn jazz, so ive been doing these things, and feel ive made a huge amount of progress in about a year and a half. Other things - having a structured practice routine and clear goals, and getting at least some feedback or critique is really important. Thanks for all of your help!

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you Ben! I do indeed think you progressed a lot in the time you were working in the Roadmap!

[@lowenderjones]

The thing that made a decade's difference in my playing was SYNCOPATION. My professor once told me, "You're playing all the right notes at all the right times, but you're not playing them the right way." when discussing my rhythmic language. You have to be able to accent the upbeats of your eight note lines just as fluently as your downbeats in order to really get swingin.

[@dallasstiles118]

Very true, and I underestimated this before

[@williammorson1535]

How can we possibly disagree with you Jens? You are a master. Your playing demonstrates that you know exactly what you are talking about.we are merely pupils.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you for the confidence 🙂

[@marcos_c_m]

I'm not a jazz musician but I am very fan and focused about improvisation. And all the stuff you teach I can apply in other things . Every song I play I try to learn it as a jazz standard and know inside out every change. Sometimes I spent weeks working on a single song. Right now working over Layla ( acoustic bpm), and a few Beatles songs as something and In my life. in the same way you worked Stella by starlight . The methodical Practice of arpeggio in real time with the changes is hard but pay off. and exercise to The crossing arpeggio with diatonic scale is gold. I found a few more ways to practice. Over fast changes I isolate just two chords and play a tiny fragment of arpeggio and change between these two on sets of 3 or four strings . Every set of strings . Every piece of fretboard. It's a huge work to do . From a 3 chord blues or a song with several fast changes but in the end of the process I'm in auto pilot to find chord tones and just care about phrasing. You helped me a lot through the years In this endless journey to learning improvisation. The first two songs I learned that way were little wings and stand by me. And was a huge workout several years ago . But still today I can handle every change in those songs in any place in the fretboard. It becomes my therapy. Sorry for the horrible english I'm still learning . Thanks man.

[@woodskid4ever]

My goodness! What do I owe you for this! Thank you for opening the door! I’ve subscribed and will use your guidance to improve my skills. So, so valuable!

[@JensLarsen]

Glad it was useful 🙂 🎸

[@ogedeh]

Sounds like a plan to me. I've learned so much here already, and your advice on how to approach learning and what to focus on has been very helpful.

[@d1ckmay0]

Really helpful, thanks Jens

[@VitalBigras]

"The Jazz Guitar Roadmap" course has been an is still really helpful to me !

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you Gilles! Really glad to hear that!

[@markblend2079]

Thank you very much for great library on playing jazz. There aren't many libraries on KZbin like yours. You are a great smooth sounding jazz player, and this post like others you have made are very helpful and righty on. We all come from a different place. One of the things that differentiates players is their ear. I have played many forms of music but have had some time selecting the right chords, because of this I tend to work on rhythm in the relative major or minor as a starting point. My goal is to identify as many chord lines as possible, to categorize sounds as closed, open, fleeting, soft and hard. This allows me to change a chord type beyond the key. Now I am going back to embellishments, with a goal of extending my playing to include them all. To most jazz players these are things they pick up on the road.

[@shipsahoy1793]

Another great lesson Jens! Mucho Respect Brother!🎸 😘👨🏻

[@cjgreen4331]

WOOOO, 300K SUBSCRIBERS, CONGRATS!

[@LeeFKoch]

A real eye-opener for me was learning to play 4 types of chord off of the E-, A- & D-String roots: maj7, dominant 7, minor 7, and min7/b5, then converting them to shell-chords, and adding extensions as single notes in the melody line. This took away my fear of the complexity of jazz.

[@lc4002]

Thanks for your expertise.

[@bassheadjazz2708]

Your editing skills have really jumped up another level, not that is was lacking, but combined with the quality of your content has really made a difference.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you 🙂

[@roboharagraff7302]

Thank you so much Jens! You explain things incredibly:)

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you very much Rob! Glad you like it 🙂

[@tomcripps7229]

Great video Jens. Yeah my first 2 were Wave and Fly Me To The Moon. I think I play them worse now than when I started. But I love those songs and it kept me practicing and I learned other songs by ear from those like Somewhere Over The Rainbow. My soloing took off when my fingers led an insurrection against my love of chords and I started playing through the chord changes as opposed to over the chord changes because I'm always trying to make a connection to the next chord. Even it's just a 2-3 note voicing. These voicings enable me to find a solo wherever I am on the fret board. For the most part.

[@pulpous67]

Love your channel Jens, keep up the good work. It´s nice to see your editing skills improving dramatically!

[@JensLarsen]

Thanks so much!

[@chrisr530]

Fantastic as always Sir - thank you!!

[@JensLarsen]

My pleasure!

[@damienhillssax]

Really great Jens! I will use all those tips. Your lessons always make me and mine smile and feel inspired. And, Get out the guitar. Thank you! :).

[@JensLarsen]

Glad to hear you like them 🙂

[@maxwellshammer5283]

Thanks, Jens, for another great video.

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@spivvo]

My tip number six… keep watching the Larcenator’s videos :) I actually remember being a tiny child watching the adults talking at my parents’ drinks party in the 1960s, it sounded like a foreign language and I wondered how I would ever learn to speak it….. somehow I did. I often wonder if jazz is like that, just keep going and eventually you will have learned so many individual pieces of the puzzle that you will become a jazz player. In terms of jazz playing age I am now about 2 years old but it’s certainly very enjoyable trying to get better and nice to have something new to learn in retirement :)

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you! I think it is about enjoying the journey as well!

[@noi5emaker]

This is gold. Thanks Jens! My favourite tip, which you alluded to and I think heard from you a while ago, is to learn short phrases. I was trying to learn 2-3 bar licks at a time and trying to shoehorn then into songs. It became very frustrating. But when I started to use phrases of a few notes, sometimes three or four, it became easier to make music that sounded like jazz. Thanks for all the tips!

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you like it!

[@DaveThomspon]

I really like to hear you play. Beautiful!

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you 🙂

[@vashumashu4359]

Dude, knowing you were at the Hague with Barry Harris, will forever legitimize your credit. I don't know how many times I've played that vhs masterclass rip.

[@JensLarsen]

Haha! I am not shure that really says that much :)

[@RobMichael]

Wow--this is a REALLY beautifully done video,. both in terms of content and production. Kudos Jens!

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you :) Glad you think so!

[@mrholmesly]

Did the same "mistake #1" a year ago when i transcribed "Chega De Caudade". I knew how to play it, but could not "play with it", so yeah, no greater love, no feeling came out of it, eventually i've put it out of the repertoire and went with easier songs first. Very important to find your sweet spot for learning, the hardest songs sre usually not the most fruitful for your learning. Tnx for the vid Jens!

[@JensLarsen]

Glad that it was useful :)

[@marks.murley9974]

Big congrats on hitting 300K! So much dreck on the Net. It's heartening to see that there's an audience for quality. You and Rick Beato pull the numbers because of your friendly you-can-do-this expertise. I also greatly appreciate the straightforward, minimal-flash productions you both employ. Again, great job, Jens! 👍👍👍

[@blinkz0rz519]

4:40 "Let it be" chords. One of the first songs that taught me to play a few notes between chords.

[@timhernandez9413]

I wanna get stuck like Stevie!

[@jerwells]

Thank you for your videos. They are so very helpful.

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you like them 🙂

[@samboeckaerts2079]

Thank you Jens You are very good

[@JensLarsen]

You're very welcome! I am glad you like it! 🙂

[@andrewhenderson9474]

Great advice thanks.

[@JensLarsen]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Nayradharma]

Hi Jens, congrats on 300K. Thanks for what you’re doing, thanks for being my inspiration.

[@JensLarsen]

Really sorry to hear that Nayra! That period while trying to get into a music education is indeed incredibly stressful, I can certainly still remember that. A few things to consider: Did you get feedback from the commission? Is there anyway you have the chance to take 1 or 2 lessons with the teacher at that university so they know you (and you know them), or go to an open day? Sorry that I can't give you more specific advice, but consider these things when you have a bit more distance to the entrance exam :)

[@Nayradharma]

@@JensLarsen thank you so so much for your response!

[@KyleCastroTheDrummerBoy090613]

Love jazz!!! 😊🥁🇵🇭

[@johnmarlin7269]

Spot on. We want to play music, so focus on music and not on etudes. I learned that a few years ago from a piano teacher as I was relearning that instrument and I'm also applying that to guitar. If I can practice nothing else, I practice the tunes I'm working on. Then I move on to chord and scale exercises. Those matter, but they only matter because they help us make music. Focus on the music.

[@JensLarsen]

Exactly!

[@LukeBerringer]

As a fellow Music Teacher, Bravo! Articulate and approachable video. I've seen your other videos, and they're outstanding as well. Thanks for your great work!

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you very much! Really glad you think so!

[@necemer]

Hallo Jens: I Love Jazz and your videos so much.. I Play Akkordeon and Bandoneon But regularly watch your Videos. Its crazy, how many Things i Can apply to my instruments wirhout being a guitarist.. Love it. I wish you and the community a great day. Greetings Tom 👍😁

[@LarryStLezin]

Great videos. Thanks so much. One thing I sometimes see in "guitarists who play jazz" is that they don't really love jazz music! They listen only to guitar players, or they are only inspired by "awesome" fast stuff, and not by beautiful simple stuff. But for someone who actually loves the music and wants to be a part of it, I would recommend taking a month to just listen to the music -- not just guitar, but all the instruments. Soak it up! Then find a couple of solos that inspire you and listen to them over and over and over until you can't to bear to hear them again. Once you find yourself dreaming bebop solos then figure out how to play them on the guitar with the help of your videos. :)

[@JensLarsen]

Thanks Larry! Listening to Jazz is indeed essential, but you will occasionally have people who are fascinated with the technique more than the style. I imagine that is the case on all instruments.

[@djmileski]

The first song I tried to transcribe was shade of jade off mode for joe. It was grueling but amazingly transformative and of course useful

[@snakemont]

Thank you so much!

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you like it 🙂

[@JimmyDeLocke]

Excellent content as always

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you think so!

[@trevorbayfield4006]

A real jazz crossover for me was Stevie Ray Vaughan and Chitlins Con Carne, and Stans Swang, and even Riviera Paradise. The chords and changes were inspired and led to a real jazz game changer for me. Great video Jens 👍

[@JensLarsen]

Yes, those are also a part of where I began :)

[@chrissguitarshow206]

After practicing 251s and arpeggios and jazz blues I am finally going to start a fee standards to practice on. I made a list all of Me and take the a train also, all the things you are since I have actually been doing that one foe a while

[@JensLarsen]

Go for it :)

[@eternalrainbow-cj3iu]

Impressive Tutorial!!!

[@KrackDaddy]

I started playing Bass guitar a year and a half ago. and with no musical training . It's been very interesting. Started learning by playing tabs to some iconic bass riffs. But i've found the biggest improvements I have had are from improvising over many backing tracks and in different Keys and Modes. It's been brilliant. Now I'm working on playing by ear. And using the circle of fifths what a journey. Bass it took like a year to be comfortable with the instrument and be using all my fingers. It used to be a challenge even getting my notes to sound clean. Singles notes lol. if i was making stretches etc 😂

[@raymendoza8157]

Grunge is still hip with me! :p Thank you for these great jazz lesson videos Lars! You are an inspiration!

[@daveydoodle1916]

Very good! 🙏 thank you

[@JensLarsen]

You're very welcome! I am glad you like it! 🙂

[@michange3141592]

Thanks a lot for this great video, with practical tips that I will apply right away. I confess I've been struggling for years with those very issues. Indeed, learning simple songs and getting my arpeggios right in the context of a (bebop) scale seem to finally cut the mustard. I would add something : when you learn to connect two given chords lines using a given guide tone, your play will sound formal and rigid again at first, but this is still the way to go : you have to persevere, the combination sounds tedious indeed, but for a while you have to learn it up to the point where the it becomes a line. When you can take the connection for granted, and you are able to concentrate on chords again, introducing variations to chord lines will make the game funnier and the play much more spontaneous and musical. Here is what I look for then : - rythmical variations, the most relevant one being switching between syncopated eight, syncopated ternary and binary eights (aka. "latin feel"). - melodic variations : direction changes, approach notes and pattern variations (eg degrees sequence 35672 => 36572) - ellipsis : variation the length of the lines, introducing rests. - expression variations : accents, legato/staccato (for guitarists : bends, pull-offs, hammering-on, etc.) Finally I try to have at hand new connecting devices for that given pair of consecutive chords, and try to vary the connection point too.

[@chrispoulin5902]

your tips are good advice and presented in a humorous and entertaining way. The only thing I would add (if i may be so bold) is something about the rhythmic component of jazz and how to practice good time as a component of whatever else you are doing. I think a lot of jazz guitarists starting out don't practice rhythm as much as they could because the harmonic aspect of jazz can be daunting enough.

[@JensLarsen]

Rhythm is certainly important :)

[@localpm]

Superb Explanation again.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you, Paul 🙂

[@alexpickle2413]

I think it's time to go back and finish a lot of those songs that I partially learned. I think that's one of my more poor habits along with the first tip you mentioned ill find myself having great pieces but putting it all together and keeping it fluid can sometimes find myself stuck

[@fxaarchable]

Jens: Thanks for all your lessons. Personally right now in my development, I like to keep things less theoretical and more audible. I use modes and notes related to the melody to create variants of the melody, some close lines and some more abstract lines with tension.

[@JensLarsen]

Great! Whatever works for you 🙂

[@johnayres7302]

i agree. In fact in the evolution of modern jazz in 50s, 60s, mode was not really a thing. The same effects were there, but considered part of harmony and composition. It came studying you favorite performers and on a good night, taking it further.

[@JensLarsen]

Exactly 🙂

[@chetsportsman546]

I struggled with playing jazz for a long time. The thing that really opened it up for me was I spent an entire year doing nothing but playing one tune. Every time I picked up the guitar, just play that tune. It helped me get rid of a lot of accumulated mental and emotional hangups I had around my relationship to the instrument. That one tune was all I needed at the time, and making myself focus on it was a way of preventing myself from engaging in a lot of behaviors that wouldn't lead to any real progress.

[@JensLarsen]

Yes, you have to see it through with one tune to get anywhere :) I tell people that every week :D

[@jacksonmanning5477]

What was the tune? I've been working on Autumn leaves for about 3 months

[@caprise-music6722]

I did something similar. Practicing Take the A Train. I never get tired of it, and I feel like I learn something every time I play it.

[@Kdog123123]

I've been struggling with jazz for over 2 years. And thought, wow, how come it's taking me so long to improve and get this. I see I'm not the only one. I'm sticking with "All the things You Are" and "Stella by Starlight" ... hitting only the 3rd of each chord. For Stella, I'm now in the world of Harmonic and Melodic minor scales which has my head spinning. Like people have said, learning jazz is like starting all over again.

[@chetsportsman546]

@@jacksonmanning5477 for me it was Corcovado

[@SzabacsiNandor]

Green's greenery!!! Altough that's not a super-difficult solo, it shows the bebop style perfectly with great outlinings!

[@JensLarsen]

The whole point is that it should be easy, no need to start by transcribing Giant Steps played backwards :)

[@ignazio5991]

great lesson jens

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you!

[@bunchaasakit6797]

Thank you Sir 🙏

[@JensLarsen]

Most welcome

[@voronOsphere]

Thanks, Jens!

[@JensLarsen]

Any time!

[@mqblues]

Good points all, Jens. I have found that making a Guitar To- Do Practice List is really helpful in charting songs, chords/phrases, and sources (You Tube, CD, vinyl, etc.) that apply to my personal music goals. My list is kept in a spiral notebook but have also used pc to track material. Over time, I update the practice list charting progress -- and areas requiring more info and practice.

[@JensLarsen]

That can work very well, I have had periods where I do that, but it is not consistent.

[@naeji12]

Would you be so kind to share? It would be really interesting!

[@mqblues]

@@naeji12 I will look over some of the the most recent lists and create a short sample.

[@mqblues]

@@naeji12 8-21-21 Guitar to Do List: 1. Ronny Jordan Live You Tube video "So What" Dm -- practice: chords, melody, and first solo phrases @ 0.00 -- 1.55. 2. Joe Pass "Jazz Lines" You Tube video review and practice: altered chords and melodic minor scale apps @ 43.10 -- 48.45. (Good multi-lesson jazz guitar video) 3. Wes Montgomery 'Tequila" You Tube video -- listen and learn the chord-solo melody @ 1.47 -- 2.25. 4. Review "Blue Bossa" -- practice Cm 2-5-1 and C# major 2-5-1 single string lines, octave and chord melody improvisations. 5. Review; Short Jazz Set -- practice: 8-- 10 jazz tunes in order during week.(My own setlist of preferred tunes versus academic must-learn songs including R and B -- very important to find the songs and techniques that you enjoy playing). ** I use an old-school spiral bound notebook to date and create mini chord charts, guitar grips, notes, time codes, etc. Encoding the practice sessions and notes by hand -- helps me to better remember lessons versus electronic listings -- but that's a personal choice. Note: By dating lists I can quickly return to older exercises for quick review. Been using the format for about two years and find it very helpful to track progress (or lack thereof) -- and this approach doesn't hinder me from exploring and enjoying newer material in any way. Hope this helps. Best wishes!

[@emirroden]

These are good ideas for me thanks Mr. Larsen

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you find it useful 🙂

[@RichardMcLamore]

this is one of your best.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you! :)

[@gazicj]

thank u much-helpful:)

[@JensLarsen]

You're welcome!

[@davidnorris7287]

My entire career relies on your videos Mr. Larsen, thank you for showing me the ways of the jazz (aside from my normal teacher)

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you like it 🙂

[@AndresGBmusic]

The video is so well done and structured, it's great.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you Andres! Hope you are well :)

[@AndresGBmusic]

@@JensLarsen yes, I'm doing well, now preparing some guitar courses next to the teaching, haha I'm truly amazed by the way you structure the material, it's so clear. Chees! 🤟

[@JensLarsen]

@@AndresGBmusic Great! Keeping busy 😁

[@jefkymusic999]

Greatest 👍

[@makilgore06]

"OH NO HE'S STUCK" lol my guy that's hilarious!

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you 🙂

[@Euro.Patriot]

Procrastinated, teacher wanted me to work on Wes' 4 on 6. Met my niece today, haven't seen my sister in 2 years.

[@winstonsmith8240]

Always find your content useful. All the best for 2022, and beyond. Cheers. If you let the bass player do his job, the possibilities with chord voicings become endless. Almost.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you! Happy new year Winston! :)

[@JazzgutsVGvanKampen]

Very solid info and explenation. You certainly had to fight yourself through Stella, that's a complicated standard for a beginner without much experience, however you did it. I think giving tips for faster devellopment is very usefull still the hard work has to be done with discipline and devotion, learning the tools and concepts. If someone is not willing to go through this process just forget about learning jazz guitar.