Amazing Chord Melody Without Any Chords? So Beautiful That Nobody Cares

This Song is incredibly beautiful and really re-defines what Jazz Chord Melody can be and what you can do within that style!
You can go further than the traditional chord melody styles of Joe Pass and Barney Kessel and create something that is new and still great!
This Jazz Blues Solo is Perfect And Nobody Is Talking About It
• This Jazz Blues Solo i...
An Amazing Exercise For Jazz Chords (And Your Playing In General)
• An Amazing Exercise Fo...
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Content:
00:00 Intro
00:43 The Song and The Sound
01:20 The Blues and Wine And Roses
02:11 The Melody Can Stand Alone!
03:35 A Few "Chords"
03:59 It is Rubato!
04:30 Turning Chords into Arpeggios
05:09 A Beautiful Gm Voicing
05:29 When Intervals Are Chords
05:59 Bill Frisell
06:48 In Polyphony Less Really Is More
07:47 The Guitar and The Sound
09:02 Frisells Funny Dominants
10:16 A Suspension That More People Should Use
11:23 This Jazz Blues Solo is Perfect And Nobody Is Talking About It
11:25 Like the video? Check out my Patreon page!
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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[@mwright80]

I think of Bill as a jazz impressionist. He plays jazz by implication. And, he uses space and effects in a way that lets the listener form an emotional connection with the notes. He's truly a unique player.

[@seancasserley271]

I saw Bill Frisell play last night in Kansas City. It is hard to explain he has such a unique harmonic approach. It is like he has created his own language. He played tunes from his new album. He played with 3 other musicians but he was just one of the 4 supporting the music. The funniest moment was when he was improvising and he spontaneously said "Oh shit" . It was a small room so everyone heard. He had got himself in a pickle and you could hear musically work him self out of the problem. The whole band took huge risks and were fearless.

[@JensLarsen]

Haha! Great story! Holdsworth said about improvising: "If you play in the dirt, then you are going to get mud on your face" 😁

[@mannoplanet]

The other thing I enjoy about watching him play is how he seems so delighted when he hits the right note and he deliberates on the next note. No auto-pilot here. Seen him 6 times live and its clear how much joy he gets from the music, like a teenager nailing his first lick.

[@pasivirtanen4134]

i really love that aspect about seeing Frisell play live - he fairly often looks genuinely surprised and delighted by what beautiful thing he's stumbled upon, there's a real joy of discovery in his playing that you cannot fake.

[@ManchurianCounterweight]

I really think Bill is one of the best living guitarists, and a national treasure. His approach is so singular and unique and (to me) overwhelmingly beautiful.

[@gxtmfa]

I’m just glad Bill Frisell is getting his dues. I truly believe he has melded Blues, Rock, and Jazz in a new way. He’s worth studying.

[@JensLarsen]

He certainly is 🙂

[@RC32Smiths01]

Wonderful when you look into this more hidden advice to make prolific Jazz. There's no shortage to the use of theory.

[@KenLasaine]

Obviously, the delay and reverb are a BIG part of his thing and IMO, the notes that get held, end up filling in some of the harmony. Frisell is a monster!

[@ramroid]

Also his approach infers different harmonic substitutions that may not have been intended conceptually beforehand but are created by the isolation of the intervals he chooses to keep alongside the melody.

[@marks7994]

Frisell's live album with Driscol and Baron was an album I just didn't get when I first heard it. It was recommended by my cousin whose opinion I valued so I decided to get it. I would sit in front of the stereo and play the album over and over. After a time I eventually realized there was nothing to get, it's just music and all you have to do is listen to it. The ear expands with exposure. And then it became one of my favorites. I'd highly recommend it, along with his album This Land if anyone is looking for a good jumping on point.

[@JensLarsen]

I have that one as well, that is a great album 🙂

[@frankeec]

The version of Have A Little Faith is sublime.

[@martinrhodes1619]

Totally agree about Bill Frisell’s status and great playing. I have the great good fortune to be living in Bill’s home city of Denver, Colorado and to be playing guitar in an ensemble studying and playing the music of the great Ron Miles, with many of his compositions and recordings featuring Bill Frisell on guitar. His parts are difficult to play precisely because of their subtle and rather minimalist form, in which every note is very precise and really counts, leaving little room for sloppy playing or error. Thank you so much for this post Jens: studying this piece by Bill as you have written it out will be of enormous help in learning and understanding his style. For others interested in Bill Frisell, there is an excellent new biography of him by Philip Watson called ‘Beautiful Dreamer’ - which Bill certainly is.

[@jeremyversusjazz]

thank u for featuring bill. i LOVE how he breaks all the jazz rules and leaves so much space and also effects. Modern goat. and love that he plays a lot of solid body guitars…he’s hanging onto his rock, blues and country/Americana roots no matter what.

[@stefanobonoli8783]

Ok Jens, you found me! I love Frisell and this is, in my opinion, one of the best solo guitar ever played. The sound, phrasing, notes ringing and disappearing. It reminds me Monk playing Duke Ellington songs (do you know that record?) Fantastic. Thanks for sharing to a wider audience. ❤

[@kwgm8578]

Bill's guitar playing at times reminds me of some of the early Bill Evans work, like his gorgeous, slow ostenato intro to the Gershwin standard, "Porgy, You Is My Man." I believe that's on the Live, at the Village Vanguard, with the first trio. Jazz Cats gotta check out the piano masters, too. 😉

[@dylanmcfarling2033]

Good to see Bill Frisell getting some love!

[@rockstarjazzcat]

First heard Frisell on CD back at Oberlin in the eighties… Bill is near and dear to our hearts in Colorado. Thanks for covering his art. And I can’t think of Frisell without remembering Ron Miles. We miss you, Ron. And nice to see Rudy in there. Stern, Metheny, Scofield, all part of that community of innovators. Love to you and yours, Bill. This was lovely to wake up to Jens. “We should all steal that ending chord," indeed. ☺️ Best, Daniel Ford. 🤙🏼

[@brianj4090]

Frisell with Ron Miles on egg radio is on my all time fav tracks.

[@terrybanks5063]

he is certainly a pioneer! love his individuality, amazing really.

[@GregoryPearsonMusic]

Beautiful video, I love the freedom in the choices of how to use chord notes

[@jimphilidor9031]

I've loved his music for a long time. I saw him live once. Magical concert.

[@josephtravers777]

Glad you are covering Frisell. Rubato is his middle name. His playing is most organic because it breathes.

[@JensLarsen]

Yes, he is indeed great 🙂

[@RobKandell]

I love the volume swells, which gives it a bit of a pedal steel effect without the bends.

[@aranjenkins2627]

I love his style.

[@carlmally6292]

These approaches have a lot in common with some of the more advanced bluegrass flatpickers such as Tony Rice, David Grier and Grant Gordy. Listen to Rice's versions of Oh Shenandoah or Georgia on my Mind. Jazz guitarist Julian Lage has picked up a lot of his vocabulary. I believe Frisell also listened quite a bit to some of the Nashville studio giants like Hank Garland and Grady Martin. You can hear it in his playing.

[@DavidGiragosian]

We saw Bill Frisell with Charles Lloyd a few years ago, and he was fantastic. Bill’s soloing had such a distinctiveness to it.

[@cbolt4492]

Hi Jens, jazz guitar is hard but I'm persevering

[@JensLarsen]

Stick with it 🙂

[@Jazzmasterer]

I watched him play at the Village Vanguard a couple months ago. His trio was guitar, sax, and drums. I came in not knowing anything about him. I was surprised how "full" or "complete" his trio sounded without the low-end of the bass. Even with his sparse chord melody. A very humble person too.

[@JensLarsen]

Next video discussing the style of a Jazz guitarist will be on Grant Green 🙂

[@gereonH]

if I could make a wish: Ralph Towner - I would really like to understand more of his unique style of playing.

[@jeffreybrady4841]

Julian Lage next too please

[@JensLarsen]

@@jeffreybrady4841 I need to go with stuff that I somehow feel inspired to do a video on, so I can't really just do requests, I suspect it will seem fake. But if I come across something with Julian Lage that really resonatest with me then I will probably make a video on it.

[@adrianoleitedearaujoneto3411]

Jeans suas aulas de chord solo é fantástica meus parabéns tô aprendendo muinto

[@gustavosuarez3855]

Greay video Jens, Thanks for the analysis. And of course I love Bill's style.

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@Monkeygroover]

Beatifull! I've heard bass players do it kind of that way, with only 4 strings it's a very thankful concept!

[@johnl.6930]

Love this! Love Bill! Relating his approach to Jimi’s is cool and new to me! Thanks so much!

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@DavidMorley]

What a wonderful player Frisell is and a great breakdown too Jens. Fabulous.

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@martinfederico7269]

Thank you for making such valuable content

[@wizardofoz6811]

Love Bill Frisell, awesome and haunting

[@MARIO-uf1no]

I caught Bill live in concert back in 1995. It was pretty wild. The first time I heard his music I thought to myself, "This sounds like Jeff Beck trying to play like Robert Fripp." That's meant as a compliment.

[@awol2602]

I fully agree - Bill Frisell's approach is very refreshing

[@tito_pane]

Bill is an alien coming from planet Music. Saw him with Wollesen and Scherr at blue note in Milano and they blew my mind from the first note played, it was an amazing concert!

[@JensLarsen]

Nice! They are great together!

[@tedsmusic5556]

I love this.

[@sph33_]

I’ve had the pleasure of seeing bill solo and with Thomas Morgan and I feel very lucky to have seen him. He plays like he speaks. Very thoughtful and also surprising. My favorite player.

[@guyinpei]

Jens presents this marvelously. I got a lot of insights from this vid.

[@JensLarsen]

Glad to hear it 🙂

[@brianaxel4589]

Thank you so much for this video Jens! You have illuminated some aspects of Bill Frisell's playing that have so far eluded me. I value all that you have done for helping me learn, and continue to learn.

[@JensLarsen]

Glad it was helpful!

[@milko3990]

Great ! Bill Frisell is brilliant A video about Ted Greene would be welcome one day. He deserves more attention

[@JensLarsen]

Thanks! You should check out some of Ted's students like Tim Lerch and Adam Levy they make videos on him quite frequently.

[@milko3990]

@@JensLarsen I know their videos about him. But as you have a much larger audience, I thought you could make a lot of people discover this wonderful musician

[@freeforscott]

Jens, it is always amazing to watch your work. I am not able to follow the full depth of the music theory content but it inspires me to keep moving forward. I appreciate you spending time sharing your insights. And I particularly enjoy watching your pleasure at hearing some of these masters play music.

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@hansbendixen5430]

Really nice with something different on the channel 👍 thank you Jens .

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you like it!

[@rsavage42]

I just caught this video on one of my favor people and musicians - Bill Frisell. Really good job, Jens. Thank you.

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jnickywhite]

Wonderful video, Jens! Frisell is my spirit animal. Thanks for putting this together.

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@djbradshaw3390]

ive listened to lots of his music ...I love the way he interprets songs....I love his use of free time .... totally underrated player .....he is a pioneer

[@JensLarsen]

Bill is indeed fantastic!

[@displaychicken]

Bill is my favorite guitar player and he hardly gets any attention from the KZbin guitar gurus…I’m so glad to see this video, thank you.

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you like it 🙂

[@nowayjay123]

Excellent video and great breakdown! Thank you.

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lucasgunnell9982]

This! All the best musicians (in my opinion ofc) show the original melody the love it deserves before going into more adventurous territory

[@ricklaino6385]

Great lesson once again Jens...!!!

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you liked it!

[@mathuwhycough6591]

Bill Frizell is an valuable reminder of how important music (jazz) needs a variety of styles and approaches. Jazz is almost a victim of the well defined skill set needed to survive but can create blinders around what can be possible. Unique and individual. Only so many Monks and Frizells

[@kleberveridianogoncalvesde6293]

Bill Frisell is amazing ! Unique and Beautiful ! Thank you ! ✌️

[@JensLarsen]

Indeed!

[@DanielHoffman-Schwartz]

Thanks so much for this. Frisell is my favorite living guitarist and it is really hard to capture what makes him special through any kind of analysis, but your video is extremely illuminating and insightful!

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you! I am really glad you think so 🙂

[@MrLuridan]

Great content, as always!

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you think so!

[@music_works]

The king

[@paulgibby6932]

I love the editing on your videos -- so en point and funny

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you! 😁

[@TheCompleteGuitarist]

I agree that the three key stylists are Metheny, Scofield and Frisell. I love that they've all played with each other and brought out very unique combinations. I have seen them all live and all blew me away, but I think deep down Frisell is my favourite for his restraint and for exactly what you explain in this video. The richness yet simplicity, his arrangements are sublime and very intimately orchestral, or chamber like (I suppose) whether playing solo or in small band settings. I think you could place all the other great contemporary jazz guitarists under the umbrella of one of these although I think the next generation is finding a new level. Kreisberg seems to bypass these guys a little. But I am no expert. Great video as usual, thanks for sharing.

[@ChordYoga]

That's a hip overview, thank you for that! I think I noticed a couple of these 'stylistic devices' over the years, lol. E.g. breaking up spicier chord voicings, like demonstrated in the video, really creates cool effects. This technique is also a little bit along the lines of Ed Bickert - lot's of tension, briefly though, via less jarring voicings and more movement. Especially if one's not hoping for the next, huge altered chord to drop - more of a subtle approach with momentum .

[@idmarc]

My first cd of his was Before we were born and then On Broadway vol 1... i was blown away this was the same person. Then i heard 'The Beach' of his Works lp ECM and ive never been the same person... in a good way ;o)

[@oscarmelendez9217]

excelente lección la de este vídeo, gracias por tomarse el tiempo y espacio para compartir su experiencia y sabiduria.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you! Glad you like the videos 🙂

[@garylarocca6901]

Bill is underrated, thanks Jens.

[@schnirzelzwirn]

Nobody cares??? This is definitiv my favorite version of this song! Glad to come across this version in your lesson again. Have been watching Frisell's video aoprox. 20 times. Thank you for your valuable and inspiring analysis.

[@mattorlando415]

His playing with Julian Lage is awesome. They play a lot of songs but their version of someday my prince will come is great!

[@yakabayngu1126]

I've been copping this mode of chord melody haiku since the early 90s -- when it seemed to offer a way to get around some of the late Coltrane stuff on guitar with some kind of real musicality. I don't think it registered as the 'Frisell' thing it was until the. a few years later when suddenly I realized how much I'd been occupied by his approach -- part of which is also just the openness to cowboy chords and the country song book. That openness alone opened up the instrument for me. But then again, I have done it mostly by ear, so I miss the capacity to analyze and catch the sophistication he brings. Thanks for this, a favorite massively helpful video!

[@dann1966]

Bill in Argentina 2017 it was impressive!!!

[@boognish23]

Great breakdown! Bill drives right into the heart of the song. I tend to lump Frisell, Julian Lage, and Jim Hall has having distinct sounds but sharing a fundamental perspective if that makes sense.

[@JensLarsen]

Thanks! I also would group those 3 together, in some ways I think they are evolutions of the same thing 🙂

[@lomezgaureano]

Merci beaucoup pour votre travail !

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you like it 🙂

[@brianj4090]

Thank you for covering this Frisell concept. His approach to solo guitar is probably the one I’m most inspired by. Julian Lage would be next and Methany. Great video and as always very informative.

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you like it!

[@MrByrd-ep5pd]

Oh yeah, Bill Frizell---the 'jazz guitarist' for people who don't really like jazz. I'm not saying that his tunes aren't sometimes appealing in their simplicity. But his playing is more in the realm of 'folk' music than what can reasonably be called called 'jazz'.

[@JESL_TheOnlyOne]

Yeah, sure, whatever. Lemme guess, you play pinochle.

[@livekaos]

Bill, Pat ant John are my favourite jazz guitar players. I would also add Frank to the list. My favourite chord melody approach is Bill’s. Dave Holland does a similar approach on bass.

[@donny_doyle]

Bill Frisell is an artist. I love that man's musical brain.

[@jamescopeland5358]

Good lesson

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you think so!

[@kleberveridianogoncalvesde6293]

Olá, Jen's ! Você já fez algum vídeo sobre Terje Rypdal ? Um guitarrista com estilo único e que cria lindas melodias. O disco "Descendre" da ECM é maravilhoso! Obrigado por suas aulas e por compartilhar seus conhecimentos ! Thank you ! ✌️

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you! Terje Rypdal is not really my thing, so it is not super likely that I will make a video on him 🙂

[@VinceMGuitar]

Thanks for this great perspective and analysis of Bill Frissell. He is a master of understatement in a the tradition of Jim Hall, who was similarly adventurous. It's deceiving and takes a lot of listening to fully appreciate his mastery. Thanks so much for breaking this down to help us appreciate even more the finer points of his playing.

[@JensLarsen]

YEs, those two are very related in style :)

[@zu0832]

It's no accident...growing up in the Denver area, Bill studied with Dale Bruning who himself emulated Jim Hall and Jimmy Raney (Dale and Jim were close friends). Bill actually used to play in that style also on a classic ES-175.

[@pearsonart]

Agree with most all of your assessment. For me, the top three jazz guitarists of all time are Wes Montgomery, Allan Holdsworth and Bill Frisell.

[@BluesSky]

Jens, Bill Frisell went to East High in Denver, another graduate was Ron Miles . Ron and Bill double billed around Denver and Boulder and Rudy Royston, shown here, started out in Rons band . The interesting thing about Rons band is that he had two guitar players, neither of whom were Jazz players in a traditional sense, Todd Ayers was a heavy metal player and Farrell Lowe was an avant noise player. The album “My Cruel Heart “ showcases this lineup. Rons playing was painfully beautiful and he was a great band leader and composer, he was eclectic but completely engrossing live. Ron went on to play with Frisell often with various lineups and they cover Days of Wine and Roses on the 2012 album Quiver. Sadly Ron passed away in 2022 after recording “Rainbow Sign “ on Blue Note which features Frisell. Just had to give some love to Ron and Bill , and the much overlooked Denver/ Boulder jazz scene. As always, thanks for the great lessons.

[@kwgm8578]

Here's another Colorado Connection. Ron, Bill, Colorado's go-to pianist, Eric Gunnison, and that multi-dextrous drummer and notorious bad neighbor from hell, Ginger Baker all played in a project together in the early '00's. That musical project fell apart before Ginger was sent packing with his drums, his dogs, his guns, and his flaming red hair back to England-via-the Sahara-via-Nigeria-via-South Africa on and old "narcotics" charge, that very same narcotic repackaged today as Cannabis, and sold at you neighborhood King Soopers. Bill got pieces of an album out of the project; the CD titled "Coward of the Country". Maybe Ron did also? His death was a great loss to the Denver Metro jazz scene, and Ginger's loss to the music world at large.

[@hocheelin5599]

Thanks for the insight into his playing style. I've seen him twice but I could never quite figure out what he was doing ( he was also using loops). Now at least I have some understanding of his approach.

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you like it 🙂

[@bluesriot2]

that dust-covered “jazz rules”! book is hilarious, keep up the good work , you are part of the best thing about the www

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you, Joe 🙂

[@PaulFreemanTheTall]

The best video on Bills playing I’ve found so far, other than his own explanation.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you 🙂 Glad you like it

[@jerryallaway2667]

It's like a newer generation of Ted Greene! I loved his book on Chord Chemistry. I see so many similarities. Thanks for sharing Jens!

[@everythingisopen]

I'm not well versed in the TG lineage just wanted to share his student Tim Lerch with you, in case you weren't familiar

[@jacquesblair2027]

I have seen frisel in concert several times. I saw him play with Julian lage which was”way out there” good. His Americana tunes such as Shenandoah take these song to a whole different level. Methany is Ali amazing

[@JensLarsen]

Yes, he is amazing live 🙂

[@RIDDLE0MASTER]

It honestly blows my mind that the SG has not became the main guitar for Jazz. It still has the traditional Gibson looks, humbuckers, a great tuneomatic bridge, and I heard Jazz players frequently mentioning how comfort, fast neck and access to the upper frets, are important to them - all of which, the SG does better than the 335 or Tele. . .

[@axelbitch7164]

completely agree, but lets be honest with ourselves by recognizing that the reason for this mind blowing reality simply comes down to aesthetism and culture, humans are not all autists most of them are social mammals above everything else. but Nothing keeps you from using that precious realization of yours and play on SG from now and show the folk that it also can do “ jazz “

[@fredfloyd34]

Another gem found by Lars..The tabs are perfect.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you 🙂

[@joeurbanowski321]

Thanks Jens.! I’m only a year into theory.. after playing rock and blues by ear for 51 years… but you’ve given me a lot of very interesting concepts to think about ..👍🏼❤️

[@JensLarsen]

Great to hear!

[@kaynejohnson3239]

It really seems like he takes a whole lot of inspiration from the classical guitar world, which I appreciate!

[@JensLarsen]

Ok, I don't really hear that. Can you give an example?

[@klangobjekt]

I have seen Bill Frisell play live and I have listened to this records. He had a very eclectic collection of songs on his records, but his playing does not grab me like Wes or Kenny Burrell. I think that he leans too heavy on the effects. He does not need to gild the lily. He has great skill and touch. Sometimes you have to switch off that compressor! He has his own very distinctive sound but I wish that he would get out of his comfort zone and let it rip.

[@victormusic01x]

..Jens, thanks for this great video..i was at Berklee in 1979 and i walked into a small bar near Northeastern U and Bill Frisell was playing, i think solo too with that SG he’s playing in the older clip..he had such an incredible sound and was already fleshing out his unique style..he and Mike Stern blew me away on the first listen ..priceless..New York March 25, 2023..

[@JensLarsen]

Thanks for sharing!

[@victormusic01x]

@@JensLarsen ..Jens, do you know if that old video where he’s playing the SG is available anywhere?..thanks in advance

[@victormusic01x]

..found it, thanks

[@markrollinger5366]

Great piece! I'm glad you are opinionated as ever. Kinda snarky at times. Well done! Good to have some fun , while talking about important players

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you enjoyed it, Mark 🙂

[@HardwiredMusicMaker]

I've seen Bill play a couple of times and was totally and utterly lost in his music both times - no matter who was playing with him. Great video - thanks for sharing your thoughts on his playing.

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you like it 🙂

[@bohnulus]

great topic Jens ....... spot on ... with me any ways ... I find, again and again .... the MELODY rules....... fancy harmony licks ... copy and pasted in here and there to achieve a passing grade in harmony university ... doesn't stand a chance against the solid logic and singularity of a strongly projected MELODY ... just saying ... both are great approaches .... however ( and no one asked me lol!!!!!! ) more and more I find simple chords ( or none at all ) under a clearly defined melody seem to be a tastier way to go .... well, for me ... IMHO... I love this vid .... more like it please.

[@jimkangas4176]

Totally agree. I came up on Joe, Barney, Herb, and Howard Roberts, but Frisell is probably my fave. Personally, I can play "chord melody" and its good, but it sounds too much like block chords and lacks the movement of a voice, so I get it. I'll never be able to play like Wyble, but at least the hint of polyphony is my direction these days. Great video.

[@fusion-music]

Reminds my right away of John McLaughlin, but then John has covered (innovated) so many styles, including Shakti.

[@jamessidney2851]

Do a quick search for bill frisell w john pizarelli on KZbin. There’s a really cool video of the two of them talking and playing together. The contrast in their styles really illustrates where frisell is coming from vs traditional jazz guitar, and just how incredibly musical he is in any context. He’s also deeply respectful of Pizarelli’s wizardry too. Seems like such a sensitive and humble guy.

[@JensLarsen]

Yes that is a nice video 🙂

[@mannoplanet]

I liked the part where John plays something and Bill lights up , saying that's cool! and seems to want John to teach him on the spot.

[@Pladderkasse]

I love Frisell for the same reasons I love Allan Holdsworth. Neither of them are really "jazz guitarists" (hides under table), just great imaginative musicians with their own particular language and musical universe and the guitar just happens to be the chosen tool of expression.

[@insidejazzguitar8112]

I love it when Jens does a deep dive on something he finds really interesting. Great video format.

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@starrynightguitars]

Great video Jens! I’ve never really “got” Frisell but I have a lot of friends that are great players that dig his playing. I guess I need to do a deep dive and check him out. Great video.

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you like it Rich! Actually it is perfectly fine if you don't like everything 🙂

[@starrynightguitars]

@@JensLarsen - I get that but I’m a slow learner sometimes. I never got Ornette and the I heard Pat Metheny saying how much he loves his music. I am a big Metheny fan so, I figure there’s something there I’m missing. I’m a big fan of you as well so I need to give it another listen.

[@linotom1887]

Bill Frisell...actually my favorite guitar player on that kind of jazzy folkish midwestern.ish..style

[@funkypou]

I loved hearing you say that the 3 most important jazz guitarists of their generation are Bill Frisell, Pat Metheny and John Scofield. I'm not a huge fan of every form of jazz, especially bebop and I happen to love Metheny and Frisell because they just make music without caring too much about some kind of jazz rules. Bill Frisell is very unique and has a sonic texture that is very dreamy as you showed in this video. Pat Metheny has claimed himself that he didn't like the word "jazz" and that he just played music that had an important part of improvisation, as in the jazz tradition. He's very melodic and as influenced by the Beatles as he is by Wes Montgomery. He doesn't mind playing open triad chords in his compositions. And of course, everybody knows that bends are forbidden in jazz but John Scofield doesn't give a shit. 🙂

[@georgeapostolakos1234]

Indeed, Frisell exhibits exceptional perception when it comes to voice leading and harmonization. For me, he belongs to the same "clan" with players such as Pass, Monder, Metheny and.. yes, Sco (to name a few of the prominent, when it comes to the approach). They all share common understanding on how to resolve voices, beyond the obvious and easily anticipated.

[@JensLarsen]

He is certainly one of the most important ones to be aware of 🙂

[@billysolhurok5542]

Discovered Bill,with the two great albums he did with Ginger Baker and Charlie Haden. Saw him once,and he explained to the audience why he doesn't stand out in front, "like a rock star" (his words),since he needs to face the bass and drums,not only listening, but watching the dynamics of the ensemble, for the best possible performance.