How to Turn LICKS Into SOLOS

[@aljerones99]

This is actually one of the best videos I've seen that introduces the concept of a lick and explains how it relates to vocabulary. And demonstrates its application. The context is very well presented. Well done, Jay!

[@bettersax]

Thank you Alex

[@clintjones9848]

Yes, well done. For some reason, motific development is a very underrepresented topic in jazz education when it's like one of the most important parts - how you actually go from the raw material to making lines.

[@peterdrake5156]

This may be your best teaching video. The voice played over the lick used on repeat was an excellent idea. The phrase was embedded in my little brain within a few repetitions. I was sceptical about the claim that learning the phrase in 12 keys would take my playing to the next level; I was wrong. Since tackling this I have found that I have really 'loosened up' in respect of phrasing over a ii V I. I can pop them out without any real difficulty now, having struggled for some time to learn some note by note. This method allows the player to innovate rather than simply to imitate - surely the whole point of jazz improvisation. Many thanks, Mr M!

[@jellyjojo8971]

Know what I'll be doing over summer with my tenor

[@lucassstache8069]

Me too!

[@CarlyWaarly]

this is terrific along with Piano academy, learning sax and piano like no one's business. Fabulous to have such talented sax player sharing their love for saxophone and those that want to learn and progress.

[@Nestor_Fernandez]

Hi Jay! This is awesome!. Designing a melodic lick that allows you to practice the dorian scale, enclosures, dominant bebop scales and Coltrane patterns in all 12 keys while having a lot of fun! You are a great musician and teacher!!

[@stratusphunk]

It’s an easy, simple lick, but it sounds good, too. I’ve seen many complicated ones that don’t sound melodic.

[@bettersax]

Simple can sound great too.

[@kevindeibert3369]

Good look Jay ! I learned it right away and taught it to one my students at his lesson ...by ear. I did add a little tail on the 1 chord (vi- v-bvii-viii-vi)

[@punypufferman180]

I'm mainly been trained in classical saxophone but I know that probably won't find much work opportunities with that so learning how to solo is really important for saxophone players nowadays. Thanks for this lesson!

[@joaquinmendoza2306]

I'll be sure to apply everything I just learned in this video. You have really changed my playing and life. Thank you for making this great content. I appreciate everything about it, from the money, time, editing, ect. Keep up the amazing work!!!

[@bettersax]

Thanks so much, great to hear.

[@imunfathomable]

im just over here still making sqeaks and honks but for some reason watching a video about improvising solos. :D

[@lonnybierman2548]

Your not alone. I found pretty awesome success just using pentatonics. You know, success for a nube anyway. Sounds like music to me anyway lol

[@brianclausen2344]

Don't give up! Those squeaks and honks are notes somewhere on that sax. Just have to find where they fit in the scale! Jay's technique and collaboration with other studio teachers is a tremendous benefit for beginners! Keep Shedding, it will get better!

[@tonyflamingo8963]

Hey bro you gotta start somewhere. (I say that like I’ve been playing for more than 3 years.)

[@imunfathomable]

@@lonnybierman2548 ::googles what pentatonic means::

[@lonnybierman2548]

@@imunfathomable it’s just a major scale with the 4th and 7th note taken out. So a 5 note scale instead of 7. Watch a couple of Jays free pentatonic videos. He explanations it really good. Gives you a good start. I started with G because it’s the easiest. No sharps or flats.

[@soulsax58]

Jay, Sound darn nice on you Better Sax alto. Looking forward to if/when you offer a tenor model. Great share, information and description of learning licks.

[@JayCee-hw4zc]

Fantastic! Love it. Just what I need right now. I'm going straight to my music room to practise that now.

[@pierreashba]

Hey Jay, Great lesson. So many useful musical tools in one lick. Please make one video per month like that 🎶🎶🎷😎. I want to play like you one day 😊

[@ericbrounstein1376]

Jay, you are awesome, as usual, thanks for continuing to post...

[@bettersax]

My pleasure!

[@tellitlikeitis-rg4ny]

Always a great teacher jay

[@brianclausen2344]

When I was in colege and the lab band doing jazz improv studies, we had an exercise where every measure or chord change would be played with the root of the new chord. Just to wrap your mind around the scale for you to build your solo on. After going over that a few times, we could change it up and deviate from the root note being played on the downbeat! As always, great content, Jay! I am glad I found your channel and so many others have also. This is such a great way to connect and pass on your knowledge to saxophonists who normally couldn't find a jazz improc instructor!

[@SModex777]

Yess Jay. Exactly the kind of content I'm looking for. More of this please 🙏

[@bettersax]

Glad to hear this from you Dexter.

[@heardat2007]

Backing track is great

[@yoavattali2817]

Great content as always. Thanks for the lesson man!

[@bettersax]

Glad you liked it!

[@franciscojosesax]

Muchas gracias por tus vídeos son una auténtica maravilla desde todos los puntos de vista, didáctico, pedagógico y audiovisual. ¡Enhorabuena Better Sax!!

[@aliceedwards3646]

Thank you so much for this! Been stuck in a rut with the ii-V-I progression! Great video!!

[@bettersax]

Glad it helped!

[@sebgra3387]

The "Giant Steps" pattern aka Oh when the Saints" patttern (almost but for to remember it works, lol 🙂) Seriously one of the best explained lessons to understand and apply the theory behind Improvisators. Thank you!

[@BrianJoeSandy]

This is a good one. I'm slowly getting it into my ears with accent on first of each 4 note phrase. Is there a better way to phrase it?

[@bernardussamuel8445]

This is what I am really need. Thanks sir!

[@bettersax]

Glad to hear it!

[@artgrusensky121]

Jay you sound GREAT

[@MRIBEIROSAX]

Wonderful Class! Thank You!

[@bettersax]

You're very welcome!

[@heardat2007]

Awesome

[@HarmoChopin]

Good! But how to continue the solo? With a totally different lick? A lick that's almost the same? I think my solos are sometimes incoherent, when I improvise in jazz.

[@Alfsax75]

Me encanto. Lo toque a tu misma velocidad. Bacan

[@KrisVComm]

Really useful video! Looks like a Theo Wanne ligature?

[@bettersax]

That's the Jody Jazz Power Ring ligature

[@tc5425]

I was anxiously waiting to hear your review on the saxmonica It's on KZbin.

[@monroec.hatcherjr.8233]

Thanks Man

[@elliotmedley811]

Nice tips, thank you 🎷

[@bettersax]

My pleasure!

[@titicharrier6976]

Hi Jay thank you lick it's great could you share you iReal pro document to train on it please ??

[@ninofleischman3696]

Jay is jean paul ts-400 still the best budget tenor? Would you recommend it?

[@bettersax]

I haven't played every single budget tenor out there, but the Jean Paul is a safe bet.

[@ninofleischman3696]

@@bettersax thanks :-)

[@tommyesposito606]

jay where can i get the pdf for 11 v 1 lick great video you sooo good tommy

[@bettersax]

Tommy, click the link in the description. This one and many more are in the BetterSax Shed.

[@saxydude1533]

So improv-ing is like putting together a fluent sentence and you sound better the more words you can use(if used correctly)

[@spenceredmond965]

Or have more words to choose from, but not really attempting to use them all every time.

[@bettersax]

There's more to it than having a big vocabulary, but that is definitely a large part of success. It's very important how you say those words.... Proper pronunciation and timing are key.

[@DJsilversax]

Where's the backing track from? Is it available from Better Trax?

[@samgill3797]

How does Jay get such a nice accent on the off-beat notes? Is it mostly tonguing or breath control?

[@simonbencik2270]

Awesome Video as always Jay! Hey, I was lately on your Website with your Backing Tracks. Man that website looks so damn good! Where/How did you build it? Have you used any platforms?

[@bettersax]

I made it all myself.

[@tommyesposito606]

love this

[@zagrajnagitarze6245]

What program do you use to montage your films? They look great!!

[@donm6578]

What Bundy model is your branded sax based on? I enjoyed playing my uncle's Bundy II alto in school for about 9 years. Had to give it back to him :/

[@bettersax]

It's not actually modeled off of any Bundy saxophone.

[@donm6578]

@@bettersax oh okay I saw Bundy stamped on it so I thought it was a Selmer/Bundy sax. Idk what models they have nowadays, I'm sure they're past Bundy II if they're still around

[@oksoglo]

Hey Jay. I have a quick question, may I send you a sound sample via social media of my playing? I’m relatively new and have been playing for maybe 6 months or more. I would like your opinion on my rhythm and sound. Hope to hear back from you.👍👍👍

[@thepotatoman.]

hey do you play tenor too?

[@kwootamuckbear9294]

Thanks 👍🏽🎵🎶🎷

[@bettersax]

Thank you too!

[@SC-lc7cs]

Hei, i did it 🎉

[@daviddzoku6643]

Nice one

[@bettersax]

Thanks 🔥

[@TheVatonaught]

I try to use this to practice guitar.

[@chriselston7046]

Thanks, Jay! Having mastered a new lick in 12 keys do you keep revisiting it, like keeping a tune in your repertoire? And how long is it typically before that lick or variants of it start coming out in your playing?

[@bettersax]

I find it good to cycle through a bunch of ii-V licks and add new ones to your list often. There will be a lot of overlap between them and once you have a good amount of these under your fingers, the fragments will start to come out naturally. Keep a notebook.

[@SC-lc7cs]

Thanks for remembering the connection between jazz and social Justice history

[@blueeyedsoulman]

Backing track available?

[@elliotwoo6127]

have never clicked so fast

[@tobijacobs5016]

Hi my name is Oluwatobi Abolade I'm learning sax can u please teach me how to play jazz

[@bettersax]

That's what we are doing in this video.

[@mc_steezy897]

Alright let’s transpose....😎

[@Thedondurrett]

How many notes are in this “lick” and what are those notes?!? I’m completely lost when the talk goes to “theory”!!!

[@janrahtkens]

Bam almost first!

[@jasonlahti7211]

You said a "giant leap forward" and passed right by a "Giant Steps" pun....

[@aaaaaa-aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

I can only read ABC notes:(

[@PhilipCatley]

Sup Saul Goodman

[@lonnybierman2548]

I can never find these pdf’s in the shed. Search function did the trick! Never mind lol.

[@bettersax]

I made it easier to navigate since there are so many now.

[@lonnybierman2548]

@@bettersax yes Sir! You got a bunch! It’s awesome. I never get bored between your courses and your cool lick stuff. I got this one down by memory in about 20 min 🤣 can only play it at like 70 bpm clean. I’ll keep at it. It does sound cool.

[@DanielHeasley]

Two minutes in and still haven't heard the lick!

[@bettersax]

It’s the very first thing in the video at 0:00

[@AndresWalsh]

Isn't it a waste of time to do this in all 12 keys? You're only going to use 3 or 4 keys.

[@FarsansTorraOrdvitsar]

Nope.

[@jacquesappaldo3967]

bonjour Jay et merci. Mon probléme: II V I sur blue bossa, Em7b9-A7b9-Dm7,je dois utiliser quelle ligne? Celle du D majeur et ne pas mettre les #?, peut-être que le II-V-I est différent en mineur??? merci d'avance pour ta réponse. Jac

[@bettersax]

Oui ii V en mineur est different.

[@user-barmaley65]

Too many words, too few notes

[@Whehbd]

1 lick 2 lick red lick blue lick

[@hills60]

A b c d e G’ F’ E’ D D; (nothing) C B A for me later

[@akinbolawrence4668]

Nice one