How To Improvise On Guitar with Julian Lage | Sound Advice

On this episode of Sound Advice, Julian Lage teaches us the improvisation process that has helped him become such an admired and accomplished guitarist.
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Julian Lage's Gear:
Collings OM1 JL Guitar - collingsguitar...
D'Addario Nickel Bronze 12 Gauge Strings - ddar.io/Julian...
Chapters
3:23 Improvised Demonstration and Analysis
5:29 Improving your Improvisation Demonstration
7:38 Connecting ideas Demonstration
9:59 Feeling The Big Beat
11:45 Big Beat Demonstration
12:40 Bigger Beat Demonstration
13:36 Biggest Beat Demonstration
16:19 Gear Rundown
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[@phillychurch]

Sigh. And woof. Thanks for the lesson and the access to Julien’s expertise. Those of us who know what’s up, know what’s up and we appreciate everyone involved in making this.

[@JulianLageofficial]

🎶🎶

[@daddarioandco]

A pleasure as always ❤

[@kwyatt261]

I do understand everything that you're saying Julian... My problem is going from my eyes and thoughts before playing into the full on flow, moment and musical conversation at the beginning of playing. The middle will be great; I'll improvise exactly what is in me, but when I become consious at the beginning and end is where I struggle.

[@christianstrums]

Beautiful wisdom ❤ Also, are you by chance doubling your lines with your vocals (softly)?? Maybe it’s just the way it was recorded, but I’m hearing something more (could be them overtones of that Collings)

[@SharpEdgeStandardOfficial]

Dude is a genius. Literally a living legend already

[@sixmillionaccountssilenced6721]

facts

[@silviotavares771]

The depth of his thinking and the way he articulates and demonstrates his thoughts is just sublime... what a gem this is.

[@cameronvanberkum7353]

this immediately improved my improvisation. Lage really nailed it with: ~sometimes you want to fill up the space, to look cool, to not fuck up, that's fine but it can scramble your thinking AND personal enjoyment of playing. Slow down and listen sometimes.

[@JebMcIntyre]

Julian is one of the best teachers on the planet, perhaps because he's one of the best students. And of course there's no better player. Thank you Julian!

[@erichkaanikin3555]

Similarly, in colleges, my best teachers tended to be overwhelmingly PhDs. This was obvious on my first day at a major university after transferring from a community college (albeit the best in the state) where instructors overwhelmingly have only master degrees, in contrast to the university professors possessing at least one PhD, and sometimes several in different areas. Having been excellent students, they know better how to teach than less accomplished educators. I’ve also taught many academic subjects and was a successful guitar teacher in my teens. My own teaching skills noticeably and immediately improved upon myself learning more from better players and teachers. We all can benefit from other teachers.

[@pursharthchawla8306]

Mr. Lage in his signature, effortless manner, simplifies concepts that have confounded and therefore been jargonised multiple times over generations. He has what most geniuses of 21st century lack, the pulse of all guitarists, their pain points AND the eager willingness to share his knowledge for the world to benefit from. What a beautiful mind and soul. thank you 🙏

[@chrislink73]

Julian is just the best, totally down to earth and one of the most soulful players I've ever heard. Love his records.

[@rdctd8690]

Just cannot get enough of this gent. So well and thoughtfully spoken, immensely gifted and hard working. Simply endlessly inspiring. I've been playing for about a quarter century, countless teachers, lessons and hours practicing, yet, any one of Julian's pieces and performances contain more music than it all combined.

[@alanblakeguitarist]

Wow never knew how to express what he explained here. Julian is great and really understands much about our instrument

[@jameswilliamjones]

I like how he doesn’t give you a formula or a recipe. He gives you the essence of the feeling. This is the best kind of teaching.

[@waynerichards9103]

Boy, this is great. It took me years of playing to put my finger on 'the bigger beat' idea. Where you can really relax into it. But I didn't have a name for it. And with phrasing - listening to the last note to digest a phrase you just played. Both of these things make it breathe more, make it more musical. Very well expressed, thank you.

[@Yuval_L1974]

Mindful and totally in touch with himself and the music he creates. What a powerful lesson!

[@Qu_Music]

"Phrases really begin when we stop playing" Mic drops : ) Unfolding vs overriding love it

[@vmorrisful]

Another fantastic lesson full of insights. Never consciously focused spacing the subdivisions differently but it makes so much sense. Thank you!

[@mikek9955]

this is the best advice, and the best demonstration of 'feeling bigger beats' ive ever seen. kudos.

[@grahamaldridge]

I started watching because I love Julian’s playing and approach, even though it’s all way (and I mean *waaaaay*) above me. I’m pretty much a musical illiterate and just play for my own satisfaction and the love of it. The explanation of the rhythmic variation, and the effect on what you might play, was brilliantly explained and beautifully demonstrated. Even sat here noodling on my partscaster it just made sense, and brought a bit of space and breath to my usual noodles. Wonderful.

[@quincytennyson6020]

Regardless of your level, those things he's talking about essentially timeless. I've played around some otherworldly jazz cats on guitar, and they talk about these fundamentals all the time, and it doesn't matter how many places you can fit melodic minor if you can't think of clever rhythmic motifs that you enjoy or phrases that you want to share. Something he didn't talk about here is his strong belief that you cannot play music for other people and expect them to like it. We can't know. So doing those things really helps you play music for yourself in a fun way. It's hard to tap into, but so good when you do.

[@grahamaldridge]

@@quincytennyson6020 It’s kind of my ethos. I play for myself but take great inspiration from others. :-) Julian just blows me away.

[@masterbuilder3166]

Ive been hearing about Julian from other players and this is my first time hearing him play. Fantastic!!! Seems like a good soul . Great vibe💯

[@chaz32]

singular player and manages to share these ideas fluently so you can really learn from it and have a go yourself, there's really no one else like that at this level. His list of numbered tips for the guitar are worth checking out, and some of his longer talks are also worth watching.

[@davidfleming1012]

as usual.. such patient way of discussing his method. A totally approachable way of looking at guitar improv from such an irreproachable talent.

[@daddarioandco]

Maybe one of the most comprehensive and approachable players.

[@Paralung]

I could listen to him speaking for days. He has such an insight when it comes to music. And the best part is you can hear it in his music.

[@quincytennyson6020]

​@@daddarioandco The stuff he talks about is really the essence of musical improvisation as well - it can be hard to understand at first if you haven't had a lot of time with improvisation, but as you get a little bit of experience what he's saying becomes, clearly, so critical. He superbly synthesized a hefty chunk of Hal Galper's "Forward Motion" in the latter half of the video. He's also talking about being kind to yourself, and truly mindful of your playing - something that is rarely talked about particularly in guitar.

[@MarkInLA]

Jullian, at 4:47: I was thinking of a quite famous young guitarist I stopped liking so much because; and just when I thought, that HIS problem, for ME is "his playing doesn't breathe", YOU at the very SAME time said "breathe" !! Honest to Django !! I thought he doesn't breathe, just when YOU said "breathe"..Wow !!

[@Qu_Music]

I love these videos where exceptional artists come into frame and truly share what has carried with them through life and how to approach improv, videos like this will be national hallmarks for generations to come :) like historical archives into the realm of the guitar Bravo brother J.L love from Wallaceburg Ontario

[@tiesergrote]

This is really insightful - what goes on in the mind of an improviser, what is the experience. Thank you Julian Lage for paying such close attention to yourself and for being so articulate, and for the wonderful music.

[@fabrizioluccitti6960]

Fantastic simple and core advices. Pausing - restart with the same note of the last phrase - understand dynamics/feel with different tempos. Now I only need his skills :)

[@manikaantsuryan]

What a legend! After a point it becomes about not coming in the way of the music huh! Love this!

[@KXGtr9s]

this is the best soloing lesson on youtube.

[@LEOPORT5]

This is the most inspiring lesson ive seen! Julian is one of the best out there!

[@tonybaloney6656]

I love the concept, “let the music play itself” and “take a breath” breathe life into solos. Articulated very well a subject kinda hard to put into words . Thanks man , great lesson.

[@diegoesandi]

Julián is the guy that open the road and the sky, we always love his music, I mean how music take his fingers and reach our heart. Gracias Julian.

[@lrpelkey]

man...there's a LOT to get out of this video. thanks, man. you're awesome. and what a great journey playing music is. walking the endless road. keep playing, y'all. or start, if you ever wanted to!

[@athansklavis5665]

Lari Basilio uses top notch gear and her signature guitars are beautiful but man...what a fantastic player ! She's one of those rare gems that really gets emotions across in her playing, beautiful phrasing, the space between notes and lightning fast passes. Lari it's a joy listening to u play .

[@steelcityspeedshopj.r6942]

id love to see a time when Julian was learning . everyone starts somewhere and this man has become basically my favorite guitarist

[@mandrewcurry9416]

Thank you so much. I often have angst about improvising while absolutely being drawn toward doing nothing else. There's a great permission I have to give myself- to be brilliant or otherwise, make mistakes, be gross, fall completely flat. The best teaching, eg: Swim coach- let the water teach you how to swim. There's technical skills most people will not achieve. After that letting the music be the teacher seems to work best for me. Very Frank Zappa, if you will. And again, thank you for this sharing.

[@It_is_now]

I really admire his charismatic approaches in music. Extraordinary artist describing his approaches to his art is spiritually compelling. If there is one thing, I would really like to hear him play overdriven guitar tone just because I know that he would really take it to the next level with his approaches.

[@gitarmats]

It really is amazing how much a shift in mindset can impact our improvisation. Really cool to see him demonstrate this. Genius guitarist.

[@valentineikediashi1091]

I noticed that when i tap my feet while playing, i tend to play more rhythmically, and the type of rhythm i play depends on how fast or how slow i tap. So I've been using that third part to my advantage, now I'm hearing it from a master, that's amazing. Now I'll try to incorporate the first and second part to my playing. Although I'm currently learning to give space in my solos. Wonderful lesson.

[@eastoedave]

Very useful indeed.... especially the wide rhythm idea...

[@evp854]

This is the sort of Julian Lage content I've been yearning for!

[@msydski3676]

SUCH a beautiful bit of advice. It would be awesome to get this video re-mixed.

[@TjDES]

Proof that he's the kind of musician who would have been equally as acclaimed regardless of the instrument he had picked up

[@detodounpoco37]

Musical philosophy can expand our potential in deep ways. Is not about how much notes can you play, but ultimately letting go and let Music flow through us.

[@shamsamokhber8973]

this was literally a master class workshop thank you JL and thanks for sharing

[@andresleiva7628]

Maravilloso!

[@robhead22]

What a great lesson!! From a true master of the instrument! Thank you!

[@volt0z]

The man is brilliant in every possible way!

[@jeffersonshuck1934]

I really appreciated this exercise idea of feeling the bigger beat or playing in a widened beat. What it did for my ear was change the expectation of resolve. I think it also loosens the correlation of rhythm, beat, and tempo.

[@JackT13]

What a wonderful person. And I don’t mean that in a sycophantic way. Regardless of his musical ability, you can tell he’s just a genuinely kind and caring man.

[@tejasousep]

JL ! what an amazing musician, person. love the philosophy behind the music. its as important as technique.

[@GigaBrowser]

A man whose words on the guitar are both poetic and gospel. Long live King Julian

[@athansklavis5665]

Julian you're on smooth cat, I appreciate your ethereal and wise advice.

[@Greenjagsurf]

The profoundly simple goal of playing the guitar in ideal is the intrinsic joy and bliss of playing the guitar. Improv is the enjoyment of enjoying the sandbox.

[@aggemusic]

This is gold! Thanks for a great lesson Julian.

[@ZarekSilberschmidt]

This is such a pleasure to watch and listen. Thank's so much!

[@dominicklawrence3726]

Wow, I love this guy.

[@terencehsu9576]

@Julian Lage is a genius.

[@Squareheaddude]

Thank you, Julian and D'addario!

[@brianj4090]

Lesson from Julian- what a treat!

[@matthewcasey892]

Great ideas, how lucky are we to be given this wisdom

[@emilybalcerak7861]

What a soulful and unique player

[@aleguitar01]

Thank you for this, it was an amazing lesson. Julian is a true genius

[@atquinn1975]

This was an excellent lesson!

[@DaveLeoni]

Thanks, Julian. Great tips.

[@daddarioandco]

We think so, too!

[@rnemchev]

He speaks as beautiful as he plays!

[@marshallplexi]

Great stuff. Let the music breathe, speak and lead the way. One thing I sometimes do is try to catch a phrase, pause, then repeat it rhythmically. For example, if I just played 5 notes you can repeat the same rhythmic pattern of those 5 notes with different notes or even one single note representation. It creates a pattern that the listener can latch onto. People can relate to patterns and we're the listener too, after all. Drummer Benny Greb did an Improvisation Lesson video on this and talked about the same thing.

[@dannye2759]

Please come somewhere close to TX! Seeing you live is on my bucket list

[@imrolimra]

Thanks Julian. I learnt something new here

[@portcherish]

wow i needed this

[@amoblahblah]

That was awesome 👏👏👏👏

[@rossanoevangelisti3642]

Thanks Julian...

[@dadudezpr]

5:19 beautiful “ let music unfold and don’t override “l

[@marcoborge2128]

Thank you Julian, thank you D’addario!

[@pwmahon]

Amazing ideas, beautiful person ❤

[@darrenofdrivers]

What a lesson this is!

[@jarvrc65100]

Amazing. I need more

[@toreilly100]

Fantastic!

[@jadynstewart2470]

Appreciate your work with the Emancipation Proclomation

[@Pinko_Band]

I think here, he is still just a member of the House.

[@RoyalWe14]

I appreciate this so much

[@KIREGREBRON]

Thanks! ❤🙏

[@RomainVuillemin]

Love Julian !!!

[@MartinFabricius]

Thank you for sharing!!! ❤

[@PawSzu]

this is very good concept actually

[@dimitrispapadopoulos9245]

In improvisation sometimes u catch the magic but noone is there to listen and u havent recorded it... and then u start to write this improvisation but never is the same and dont remember what u did causw u were so lost to another dimansion.. nice video!

[@markvanloon3015]

Very grateful that you are sharing experience and guitar and personal wisdom As Peter Erskin said to me also create space and it will speak to you ❤

[@Alexandre-gb5rp]

Excelente!!

[@marioreznik3654]

Curiosity sparked.

[@julesbrunton1728]

Haven't even picked up my guitar and I'm playing better already! Brilliant teacher

[@ЛешаЧупрыкин]

It seems like it's most natural and logical idea to use longer beats for playing longer and integral phrases.

[@DudGolfer]

Thank you❤

[@DaveElke]

Thank you Julian!

[@nayarlopez8655]

Excellent

[@elrafa782]

I wanna be Julian. Always smiling, sparkles in the eyes, and yes, he’s not bad with a guitar 😉🙏

[@EmilioConesa]

More please 🙏🏽

[@daddarioandco]

Let us know which artists you would like to see a lesson from down below! 👇

[@zachindes]

Julian for the second time please and thank you

[@perpetuus.flamma]

Jacob Collier!

[@grahamaldridge]

@@zachindesamen.

[@serafinocroce9335]

Blake Mills!!

[@darrenofdrivers]

Derek Trucks

[@rhollard]

brilliant

[@rolandkalus]

I love it! Yes - music is a language and improvisation is a conversation, sometimes with others or with yourself. And phrasing is the way we pronounce our content.

[@daddarioandco]

Very well said!

[@aleksandrekordzakhia4406]

Thank you

[@uneedtherapy42]

13:36 that’s the sauce

[@ScottStentenFilms]

so wild to think like that,,, very cool

[@deancholakis2047]

At 7:47 it reminds of a Wayne Shorter composition, “Prince of Darkness,” from the Sorcerer album by Miles Davis.

[@davidb0064]

Wow that second part was ear opening!