Jazz Improvisation Arpeggios

[@jimkangas4176]

I've spent a long time learning the idea that arpeggios are only 1-3-5-7 so this is liberating. Okay, I knew that wasn't the case but I always wondered why it was never discussed before jumping onto the 3-5-7-9 and missing that cool half step. I'm a guitar player but I learned about this studying the piano where voicing chords with that small interval is so distinctive. Thanks.

[@JasonKlobnakMusicInc]

My pleasure! By definition an arpeggio can be on anything that is a chord tone, its inversions, and therefore its extensions (9, 11, 13).

[@michaeldennisguitarlessons]

Great practical insight into using Major Seventh chord arpeggios for improvisation. As a guitar teacher, I will often point out to students how a device like this works "very well" on the guitar fingerboard. For example, the Bbmaj7 chord arpeggio - D-Bb on the 1st string paired with A-F on the 2nd string. This "fingering pattern" can be moved across the fingerboard to the 3rd & 4th string pair and 5th & 6th string pair. Guitarist "please keep in mind" that this device requires some rather large finger stretches! I would suggest moving up past the 12th fret to a Gmaj7 arpeggio at the 15th fret to start out and then gradually moving down the fingerboard depending on your hand size and technical ability. Thank you for your consideration and insightful lessons.

[@JasonKlobnakMusicInc]

Thanks for the insight from a guitar player's perspective Michael!

[@bettythompson1509]

Wonderful, I'm playing clarinet and sax with the praise band at church. No music just chords. This was very helpful. Thanks

[@JasonKlobnakMusicInc]

Hi Betty - I started in the exact same place. The church was a good place to learn and (sometimes) try out ideas. Thanks for checking out the video!

[@lyndafoster9437]

That is a great lesson

[@JasonKlobnakMusicInc]

Thank you

[@lhuecrars]

I really liked how that blues phrase sounds on the D7b13 3:21

[@JasonKlobnakMusicInc]

Thanks!

[@craigschroer4253]

Great video Jason - thank you!

[@JasonKlobnakMusicInc]

Thanks for checking it out, Craig!

[@don4476]

Great nugget. Exactly the kind of thing I need. Good and useful IDEAS. Thanks.

[@JasonKlobnakMusicInc]

No problem - glad to hear they're useful Don!

[@antoniotraverso6462]

Well done.

[@JasonKlobnakMusicInc]

Thank you!

[@kasimirmacke3276]

Sorry, may be I'm wrong, but in the descending line at 1:58 I hear you playing the last three notes the same as the first three ones. An octave lower of course. So the noted tones C1 and Bb at the fifth and sixth position should be a Bb and an A. Am I right or wrong?

[@JasonKlobnakMusicInc]

Good catch - you're right. The last three notes should be Bb, A, and then low F.

[@jimkangas4176]

@@JasonKlobnakMusicInc I was wondering about that as well. Thanks for clearing it up.

[@mattthiemig3221]

The masters used to play the arpeggios up from the 3, 5, 7 and the bop scale down more than often. To change this upside down is a fresh approach for advanced students however. Students should learn the original bop language first? eg. David Baker "How to play Bebop Vol. 2"

[@JasonKlobnakMusicInc]

Hi Matt - I'm personally not a fan of telling a student they have to learn (fill in the blank) first. There are different schools of thought on how to approach it and each one leaves the student missing something they will eventually need down the road. When it comes to improvisation, I have found the old phrase "all roads lead to Rome" to be true. The masters played all types of things and we can point to something that proves our point of view. This video was just highlighting one of my favorite descending options. Thanks for checking it out!

[@trumpetinlove]

Maestro 🙌🏽

[@JasonKlobnakMusicInc]

Thanks for watching!

[@123xyzroger]

Autumn Leaves is pretty easy but what a song like Desafinado?

[@JasonKlobnakMusicInc]

For progressions that are a little less cyclical the concept still applies.

[@louisthompson1020]

thanks , you have given me another brick to build my house..

[@JasonKlobnakMusicInc]

We're all building together and am happy to hear that I handed one that is helpful for you!

[@bernhardtmitdt2586]

For me there is a gap between explanation and your sample solo. Which major chord do you apply to non major chords?

[@JasonKlobnakMusicInc]

If you use the key area's major I chord (the tonic) it contains a lot of chord tones and upper-extensions (or non-chord tones) for the other chords in the key.

[@bernhardtmitdt2586]

@@JasonKlobnakMusicInc Thank you, that's a good approach, I tried over "Bluesette" which gives a completely new sound plus the ability to manage the fast chord changes easier.

[@JasonKlobnakMusicInc]

@@bernhardtmitdt2586 I'm glad to hear you've found it helpful!

[@daltomana5490]

What's the name of the song playing in the background 0 - 1:30?

[@JasonKlobnakMusicInc]

That's a song of mine from my JKQ organ quartet called 'Through Her Eyes.' You can find it on Spotify here: open.spotify.com/track/4GztX73dgTbwtYc58phdQ4?si=934c8508cbf3439b

[@selpingos]

Did you adlib that solo or was it pre planned?

[@JasonKlobnakMusicInc]

I don't pre-plan solos unless I'm writing an etude. It is a good idea to think about how you might start a solo, though.

[@selpingos]

@@JasonKlobnakMusicInc Thanks. BTw your adlib solos are sweet

[@JasonKlobnakMusicInc]

@@selpingos Thank you! 🙏

[@stevenwisotsky2869]

Don’t see how to access the sheet music😢

[@JasonKlobnakMusicInc]

There's a link in the description box below the video. Fill out the short form and it will be emailed to you.

[@stevenwisotsky2869]

@@JasonKlobnakMusicInc I see no link.

[@JasonKlobnakMusicInc]

@@stevenwisotsky2869 - in the description box below the video if you expand to 'show more' it is this link: jasonklobnak.com/jazz-etudes

[@paulhegarty8380]

Sorrry for being pedantic but is the notation correct?

[@JasonKlobnakMusicInc]

On which part? They are in concert pitch if that's maybe where the confusion is?

[@paulhegarty8380]

@@JasonKlobnakMusicInc - sorry my mistake , it drops down to an F doesn’t it? Thought it was a G. It’s good to have found your channel !

[@JasonKlobnakMusicInc]

@@paulhegarty8380 No problem - thanks for watching!

[@laurielyon7740]

I'm pleased you questioned the notation. While the clip was good, Jason should have made the point he was playing in concert pitch. After all is said and done, he's not playing a 'concert pitch' instrument as you're well aware. For instance, I picked up my clarinet (Bb) and quickly realized something was amiss. He needs to keep it simple for us KISS people..........that's me not you!