Jazz Guitar Lesson - Phrases Not Scales - Henry Johnson

[@arnieus866]

"Young musicians are trying to find music in scales. I am trying to find scales for my music." Barney Kessel in Downbeat Magazine a million years ago. Really stuck with me as I developed my playing.

[@ernststavroblofeld2109]

Arnieus Barney Kessel. 👍🏻 That’s the man to quote.

[@AJGreen-cn8kk]

I was lucky enough to see Barney Kessel and Herb Ellis together back in the seventies. Still trying to play like that.

[@mrrockybass]

Henry called me yesterday! I was his bassist in his band for over 15 years, I am on 6 of his CDs! Very proud of him and this series! He taught me many of these lessons over the years and has enabled me to have a great career as a bass guitarist!

[@musicrehabilify6324]

Frank Russell - that’s so awesome! What songs/albums can I look up to hear your playing? Thanks in advance!

[@NIIIIQQ]

Frank you old musk rat how the hell ya been? It's been years, still smashing clams and stompin opossums down there in LA?

[@seanh6097]

@@musicrehabilify6324 heres one of theirs kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2Saoqxnnr6WacU

[@fiveish77]

ya ok.... sure bud.

[@fiveish77]

Shockheadd45 mhm ok guy

[@christopher19894]

Emptiness is form. That mantra was the key to helping me find more expression in my phrasing. The spaces between notes determine the sound of a phrase just as much as the notes themselves. It feels awkward when you're starting out to _not_ play the notes your instinct tells you; but after a while of forcing your instrument to breathe, you realize you can say way more by actually playing less.

[@ZacCjw]

Very well said 👍🏻

[@Prossdog]

I just got the best jazz lesson I’ve ever heard from Lando Calrissian

[@JeremySeanHector]

😂😂

[@drperkyreal4686]

Ryan Pross he’s not wearing a cape

[@Nyufly]

😆😆😆

[@brillosify]

Brilliant! You really put me forward in my thinking. Thank you so much!👍👏

[@vmnet]

This is what really happened to Lando. Dropped the war, grabbed the guitar.

[@-MRN-]

The guy is smooth.

[@hansmatheson5976]

M.R.N Yeeaahh, he’s a real coooool cat.

[@matthewbartels3692]

Definitely all respect.

[@sketchfly]

af

[@icecreamforcrowhurst]

It’s refreshing to see the old school teaching style. Love how this guy talks about the music.

[@christopherandrews6865]

this guys knows more about music than anyone else on the planet...

[@O0Salmon0O]

Henry Johnson has such a relaxed eloquence as an instructor and musician. This presentation is crystal clear, interesting even melodic, rhythmic and harmonious in and of itself.

[@vincemajestic2650]

The BEST Jazz Guitar Teacher on the Planet ... Much Appreciated 😊

[@MaxAires]

You just changed my whole view on guitar, formed over years, with a 7 minute video. Amazing. Just thank you. I can only thank.

[@taura101]

This is the single most important melodic jazz guitar improvisation video on youtube--imho. 1:30 1:40 a musical phrase can go over any chord ... any color .. doesn't matter .. still a musical phrase 2:14 how do you get from scales to phrases 2:52 number one: rhythm 3:20 harmony 3:54 major phrase 4:05 minor 4:24 dominant 7th 5:40 melody 6:32 countless rhythms

[@teneishaward3539]

Taura Eruera x a wmwn trwwseDexa m,n. " n. Jjnnmmjhbggddsss

[@spinnact]

Hi, sorry to ask, but could you explain what he means by ‘a musical phrase can go over any chord’? I can’t get my head around it. Thanks!

[@ballskin]

@@spinnact You're likely thinking that a phrase with the same pitch can go over any chord, not that any phrase can go over any chord.

[@danturner4001]

This is the best lesson. I deleted every other folder I had. I'm not confusing this with anything else.

[@samme79]

@@spinnact you can use that same phrase and adjust it to the key/chord that you're playing over. So that small phrase he played for CM7, you can use the same sequence/intervals to another chord like BM7 for example. It's not the exact notes in the phrase that you're copying but the general movement that created that phrase

[@warddeboer7674]

"Scales are just the alphabet you use to put phrases together" Brilliant. running up and down the scale is like saying; abcdefghijk? lmnop!

[@mylegguy8115]

Ward de Boer true!

[@georgelumsden4484]

Great quote i know imma steal it lol

[@joeyjordison6394]

Abc def ghijk! lmnop.

[@thedmtfp]

I know right?!

[@kendo5862]

Lol...The Sesame Street of tunes... 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12. TWELVE!

[@JonFrumTheFirst]

It's great to see someone say this. The school-based chord-scale teaching system just muddles learning. It's better to think of a particular 'bag of notes' than of a set, ascending-descending scale. Instead of practicing seven note scales up and down your instrument, take five notes out of the scale, and practice that. Then take a different collection of five notes from the same scale and practice that. And then do it again. And when you do it, try to use the notes to make phrases. Doing this is far closer to what you'll do performing than just running scales up and down for hours.

[@taura101]

Amen!

[@thematthatter7468]

Exactly. And to just add to that, when practicing your 'bag' of notes, always try to repeat your phrases. Say you play a phrase, for instance, in 'a minor' A D B E C twice, then invert the phrase to, C E B D A. It is great practice on memorization and variation, but gives your soloing some structure.

[@davidgitano27]

I figured this out myself, and yep, its the best advice you can give a newcomer.

[@lopezb]

Excellent suggestion, thanks!

[@marcaskew61]

Agreed, except that the fetishism about assembling scales to use over chord changes is not entirely “school-based” - it had been promoted by music publishers and consumed by eager jazz-learners in search of a relatively quick formula for learning improvising as well as a means for playing fast, especially in Jazz-Rock - a la al Di meola etc who always fascinate young players who are obsessed with speed. But as emphasised in this great instructive KZbin lesson, it’s all about making music - which is a hard road in improvisation - BTW Barney Kessel emphasised a similar message about forty years ago in a VDO. I started with John Maclauchlin and I came out the other end as a devotee of Jim Hall!

[@Alejandro_87]

I have ADHD and am borderline autistic and I can say that I learned so much more from this man than I ever have watching people play licks or whatever it was my guitar teacher was constantly droning on about.

[@fukusamon4277]

Alejandro bruh sameeeeee

[@derekthomas4435]

True Music is a Language ... Then to Familiarize ourselves with the Common Expressions ... Color , Texture , Articulation , Phrasings , All those Fundamental Common Components ... Then Step by Step ... Developing a Specialty . Excellent Tutorial .

[@cohzee1612]

It feels like he's just coming to his senses about the topic himself and learning the technique all while taking us on the journey along with him. Loved listening and following along, thanks

[@LeviNeely]

Man, I would love to just sit and jam with this dude! Total legend, and he breaks his method down in such an understandable way!

[@jonathanrossmusic2509]

Henry is a Chicago musician like myself, although I am working toward the day when I'm a fraction as skilled as Henry is. Listen to this guys lessons and practice them. He's the real deal.

[@aashman161]

Ok boss!!!

[@gavinreid8351]

You are a fraction. Maybe 20/100. I don't known

[@nick60444]

I’ve been teaching myself guitar for some time now but every time I come back to this video I understand more and more.

[@NatureandSpirit111]

A guy that doesn’t need to even look at the guitar is my new teacher. The guitar is unworthy. Amazing! Great lesson!

[@wesleyeisenberg4180]

Henry, you said more in 4 minutes to describe Jazz soloing then I have seen in a hundred videos. Thank you so much, it was a real eye-opener and explained and such easy terms. What an excellent teacher!

[@Dogsrule777]

This is the best guitar lesson I’ve heard on KZbin. He gets it and breaks it down beautifully!

[@gavriloprincip11]

Next lesson : he tells you the meaning of life ( and he actually knows)

[@dirtworship7799]

Everybody knows

[@gavriloprincip11]

@@dirtworship7799 really ? Cause I have no idea?

[@michaeljones559]

42

[@gavriloprincip11]

@Nunya Biznes I sincerely don't get what your trying to express ?

[@marlon1171]

gavrilo pricip : gavrilo you’re ignorant but most of all you’re an envious pathetic individual... You must be to have that attitude toward a professional jazz musician of that stature and notariety..

[@FEARTHEEER1]

Mr. Johnson, I have played rock, country and studied the classical guitar for 6 years. But I've never had the first clue about how to approach jazz. Your video has helped me get my first bit of understanding of the genre. Thank you.

[@Rhythmicons]

That's a beautiful guitar and a glorious tone.

[@irishmuso7129]

I couldn't agree more Henry. There are a lot of basic truths in this short video.

[@bak1386]

Concepts like these take a player to the next level. Also its something that u never fully master, it just keeps going and going. It keeps u hungry as a guitar player. Whatever style u play, it's well worth learning jazz concepts. They are worth their weight for sure

[@briancroner3717]

I've been playing for 52 years... I didn't start learning scales until a few years ago and found out I was playing them all along... but as music. This video was a great help in explaining what I have been doing... and how I can play better.

[@tommcnally6298]

Love the thumb

[@markwebb9063]

What the?!?!?!? I have watched hundreds of musical theory videos and this guy has made more sense in the shortest amount of time than any of them!… This is real music information/guidance! Thank you sir… God bless!

[@richardbartolo2890]

How can 298 people not like this musician ? He explained things simply and played at a slow enough tempo so you can understand and learn his ideas. He played some tasty arpeggios and I love the concept about Rhythm giving you new solos even though your playing a solo you have used before, Simple concept but such a smart idea.

[@therightsound7547]

brilliant explanation of how to use scales

[@4b-lo]

The most important lesson I've ever learned.

[@marksc1929]

...very well said Henry Johnson ....finally someone that understands the musical language ...it's not about scales...

[@Herehear49]

A great lesson! I truly appreciate videos like this that help us all out in our pursuit of playing MUSIC!

[@junoc9637]

So well said. I never have had a lesson but play everyday (write my own music mostly) aimlessly wandering on chord finder sites and studying scales not getting anywhere. I found I make better music when I play by feel and just let my fingers find the notes to play by themselves but this lesson blew the doors way open. Thank you so much 🙏🏼

[@jubnx2781]

Learn a bunch of songs and solos that move you. you can then stand on the shoulders of the giants as they say. Also arpeggios are really nice. Not learning them like a scale, but know which notes is in Dmaj7 for example then when your playing over that chord you accent those notes in your phrasing

[@jamesmata2945]

I really love the 3 split screen that's on the player the left hand and the right hand

[@ericeakes7733]

After a year of solid study of scales an modes I have arrived here. Back to true expression. Ty.

[@soulvaccination8679]

Best teacher in the world.Makes it clear as a bell

[@djabroni_brochacho4644]

It comforts me to know even the legends can be a little undisciplined with right hand techniques, and it still works amazing.

[@kewlfonz]

The first set of licks played here against C maj7, ALL started on an offbeat/upbeat. This is key to understanding jazz phrasing. Listen to any bebop solo on any instrument - if the soloist actually is leaving rests at all, notice how he/she starts the next phrase. 70 - 80% of the time it will be on an offbeat/upbeat... Nobody ever mentions this - Well I have now...

[@AlexSosaBolivia]

This goes hand in hand with Victor Wooten's book "The Music Lesson." Excellent!

[@angierogers2564]

I'm going to look for this book

[@AlexSosaBolivia]

Angie Rogers It may change your life!

[@einarabelc5]

Oh shoot.... One..... One

[@BernieHolland-w4l]

Victor's book is wonderful - I have read it over more than once . . . .

[@fattyjaybird7505]

@@BernieHolland-w4l im going on three :D have to remind myself about that stuff from time to time Phrasing, Feel, Tone

[@MrGuitaristJohn]

Thank you Mr. Henry; it's refreshing to come across your viewpoint on this subject; no frills...just the "plain straight talk on it" coming from a fine guitarist; Thanks again Man.

[@eze92apex69]

He's more like a guru of life in music.. love him sooo much !

[@analogalien]

Such a fine player and a great teacher.

[@GrinninPig]

a sit down lesson with this guy would be priceless

[@oghash4912]

Agreed

[@theWarriorUnknown]

Yes it is true being able to take a simple musical phrase and move it and play it all over your instrument in every key major and minor and vary the rhythm is definitely the secret to being good improviser, great video.

[@watdafxup85]

This man has a way with words. Just like that guitar

[@daoyang223]

It transcribes so well with what hes teaching too. Everyone tells me jazz is not a scale. I was so confused. Then i understood phrasing.

[@gaylandsmith4242]

This lesson makes me realize why Dexter Gordon is my favorite musician of all time. His playing epitomizes the phrases, not scales approach more than any bebop style jazz musician I’ve ever heard.

[@FEARTHEEER1]

Great video. Thank you Mr. Johnson. I'm a rocker who always wanted to know about jazz, but didn't know how/where to start. I feel like this lesson has just given me a starting point. God bless.

[@TrueFireTV]

It's amazing to hear about the inspiration our educators give to other players. So glad you enjoyed, thanks for watching!

[@wadecottingham]

Spoke with you briefly at Border's Books in Dallas....some years ago!

[@DWinegarden2]

wadecottingham - with me? I don’t recall.

[@cartnhorse]

Not exactly the world's most fascinating anecdote - is it Wade? Why not tell us about the time you had an overdue library book? Now there's a story! ;-)

[@blacksympozium]

"Music is a language and scales are just the alphabets; You need phrases to put sentences together...": When wisdom melts with art... Well said Sir!

[@isaiahmarquez9717]

Simple yet profound.

[@bjlewi9214]

Thai You ,Mr. Johnson , giving us a Part of your time .

[@benjamincs1]

This is great. I really wish jazz was seen like this more commonly. So much is just harmony, so this is such a lovely change.

[@bak1386]

Phrasing is a neverending process . U can always learn or show something new especially once u start diving into the chord and scale relationships. Once u start feeling the emotion, so to speak, of any given scale then u are on to something. I love studying this stuff and seeing what actually makes music, it's mindblowing

[@kennywally]

Henry just opened up a world of possibilities for me! thank you!

[@TrueFireTV]

Aw we love to hear that!

[@stax56]

Stumbled on this and glad i did! Thanx for your time Henry in giving us this wonderful lesson. Very professional.

[@erickhurtado8143]

Such a wise statement “ Music is language and scales are the alphabets” Thank you

[@deacontheseer4804]

I have done this instinctively o or the years. Nice to hear it explained

[@deVon30241]

wow... what a guitar... just beautiful

[@abornazine2869]

Really great teacher, thank you

[@lwmson]

Henry makes an excellent point and a brilliant analogy comparing scales to the alphabet.

[@romeo.ardael]

This is actually gold.

[@scottlloydshelly2582]

Fantastic lesson - thank you Henry Johnson!

[@pasyensyatv9092]

this is the best and easiest lesson i ever come across.

[@manny75586]

Great lesson. The note about laying back if the bass and drums are really stomping 1 is vital. If you are stepping all over them, they sound weak. Your solo sounds weak. Playing between 1s really gives them room to shine. It gives your phrases a neat compartment to sit in. It's beautiful when it all comes together.

[@naturligfunktion4232]

Im amazed how u play with the tumb! Nice vid thanks

[@patrickh9226]

Thank you, Mr. Johnson. This was a great validation of something I already sensed. You are a heck of a fine player, too!

[@U2WB]

He plays the way I’ve always wanted to.

[@OfficialFatLip]

Finally a real Jazz musician!

[@emdiggy]

Every guitarist/musician needs to watch this.

[@thapadai]

This is a gem lesson period.

[@aderrrt]

Thanks, Henry, for taking the time to talk about your Heritage when you where in Bahrain a few years ago .

[@clydebermingham121]

You’ve just said exactly what I would want to put it (in my own words). Language versus Gramar.... Phrases versus just scales . Theory is just a ‘grammatical ‘ guide . But music is conversations of melodic flow .. PHRASES ..., Message .... Story Telling .... MELODY is the Star of the Story ...

[@stevedouglas7375]

Excellent little lesson! Very useful and easy to understand information! Very much appreciated!

[@pathall9304]

Phenomenal!!!! Such a clear concept, and this is now making me realise how players all the way from Stevie Ray Vaughan to Guthrie Govan get that open free sound that is constantly fresh and unique, I must practice this!

[@kevinlott8542]

"Phrases not scales" I've never heard it broken down like this before!!!

[@ojeans1397]

actions speak louder than words. very good teacher

[@brianb8985]

What a tone.

[@TheDavidjames89]

A lot of golden words of advice there. Awesome video.

[@rookymusic6310]

His feel is amazing

[@ghairraigh]

Thank you for this beautiful lesson, Henry. One thing captured my attention: "You should be able to hear the quality of the phrase without actually hearing the person playing behind me." ( @3:40 ) This sounds like the melodic equivalent of something bassist Eddie Calhoun said in the context of feel and rhythm: "I should be able to swing you with just my instrument, alone." Best regards, Malcolm MacDonald.

[@thomassawicki2065]

Every idea here is a gem, the Truth of Guitar.

[@hanovergreen4091]

Excellent Sir! Thank you and Best Regards!

[@NicholasDee]

Wisdom does cone with age! Loved it .

[@kelvinraybon9283]

Very nice. The kind of lesson that leads to breakthroughs. Not in playing guitar but in making music

[@deweypug]

Breaking leads into phrases, awesome advice. (Carol Kaye also once said, if you get lost, follow the chords)

[@nmonye01]

Great licks. Really great approach!

[@DavidArmstrong9]

4:06 the lick

[@jrg_lmnop]

nice catch lol

[@SimonJefferis]

haha thank you

[@traceywilliams5639]

Got em

[@friendlyanomaly6109]

He picks like lil Wayne

[@Jefferson-ly5qe]

Yeah, not the lick. We'll get 'em next time.

[@jwguitar]

This is a good approach to linear soloing. To expand on what Mr. Johnson was talking about at the end of the video; I think it is really important for anyone learning to play music to always try to figure out simple, common melodies on the guitar. As you get more advanced you can even harmonize or rehamonize the melody to create interesting versions of these songs. It helps train your ear to practice this way.

[@kyle_wagner_music]

Thank you for this clear and deeply impactful lesson! I got a lot out of your breakdown of musical phrasing in terms of melody, harmony and rhythm. Great demonstrations of phrasing!

[@peterlewis90]

Great lesson. You really cut right to the heart of it and reminded me of what it's about. Music.

[@jameschirillo4029]

Well said, Henry. Right to the heart of the matter. And I love your touch on the instrument. Hope to hear you soon.

[@oculusnomadslosttribe5672]

“Music is a Language and scales are just the alphabet” Brilliant...👈🏾🙏🏻🙏🙏🏽🙏🏿😎

[@SuperC55AMG]

Scales, not skills.

[@oculusnomadslosttribe5672]

@SuperC55AMG alright...relax....😂👍🏾

[@Thefrenchiie]

I love the sound when you play with the thumb

[@kylechristian7232]

Great Lesson Thank you Sir

[@davidafultz]

He illustrates perfectly why it is impossible for jazz players to run out of ideas❤️

[@bluehand9631]

Then why is he playing Herb Ellis phrases?

[@svenjansen2134]

That sounds snobby. Everyone can run out of ideas. Jazz is not holy or something.

[@ernestocun7212]

The smartest lesson on jazz music I' ve ever found on you tube

[@benjaminmoore985]

Really good teaching for my learning style. Very cool