The 5 Mistakes You Make Soloing Over Static Chords

When You Solo over Static Chords: Are you just playing notes or are you playing a solo and making music?
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Content:
00:00 Are you that type of Guitar Player?
00:17 Mistake #1 - The Most Important Guitarist To Listen To
02:28 Mistake #2 - Who Is The Main Character In Your Solo?
05:27 Mistake #3 - Is Rhythm Important?
07:09 Mistake #4 - Conversation
08:33 Mistake #5 - Is It Boring?
10:33 Why They Sound Better Than You Every Time!
10:55 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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[@JensLarsen]

What do you find difficult about soloing over a single chord or a static vamp? Jazz Beginner - 5 Myths That Waste Your Time: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4ndZoWNapqloKc

[@dirtybies]

Dealing with envy towards horn players who can just play one note over multiple measures and sounding awesome whilst doing so 😁

[@charlesp6989]

This was a master class. I’m impressed over how you explain complex things seamlessly.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you!

[@Dr.RolyndDellaSylvan]

@JensLarsen Thank you for all the work that you do that we do *not see! The total-your videos, explications, editing, playing,… and levity- are sincerely appreciated. Thank you for your artistry and inspiration. -Dr D

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you 🙂

[@seasider2164]

A great example is Grant Green’s solo on So What. Call and response and Motivic development master class.

[@bokehintheussr5033]

The number 1 guitarist I need to listen to is myself? That was an M. Night Shyamalan level plot twist 😂

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you! 😁

[@RacerX888]

I wish I had seen a video like this 50 years ago when I started playing guitar. Best soloing video ever!

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you!! Glad it was helpful! 🙂

[@Topcatyo.]

I've heard these concepts before, but you really explained them in ways that made immediate sense to me. Great video, thanks for making this

[@rom14141]

I'm happy to hear you point to Wes, his phrasing and ideas about rhythm and octaves have inspired so many. His brothers were great musicians too. I really enjoy your lessons and have quickly become a fan of your music.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you! Wes was indeed a genius!

[@teahobbies4879]

Wow, I think this is my favourite lesson of all your lessons so far! I kind of knew most of the „mistakes“ before, but having it summarized like this is amazing. And the best part is, that it can be applied on all kinds of styles of music, not just Jazz. Thank you very much!

[@kevindonnelly761]

I like that you discussed Phrasing and Motivic Development. I just tell people 'Phrasing' is taking a breath to sing / play a motif / lick. When you run out of breath that will likely be around the end of the phrase / motif / lick. Motivic Development is a huge interest of mine. There is so much to it. There are many examples of it in Classical Repertoire (as per this video). I still listen to heaps of Classical Music. I believe Musos can learn a lot about Motivic Development by osmosis - in listening to Classical Music. Because a listener is already familiar with the initial theme(s), they can sense in some way that something is being done with such themes in the course of the piece. Even if it is only noticed in a vague or oblique way - that is still important. You don't need to be a Professor of Music to sense this. The Music is doing its job in taking the listener through a personally interpreted story. Composers are pretty clever at directing development of motifs to an audience. That's what it's all about. One of my favourite examples of Melodic and Rhythmic Development as well as Call and Response in the Jazz Repertoire is Sonny Rollins' 'St. Thomas.' (Saxophone Colossus). There's even Motivic Development in the drum solo ! One of my 'fun' things to do is 'sing' the main theme(s) in my head while listening to the Music piece unfold. I listened to St Thomas again just now and 'heard' the initial theme (while listening) against the Sax, Drum and Piano solos - and it worked great. I could hear how the Musos were turning it into a story. I would recommend everyone listen to 'St. Thomas.' It's wicked. I like side-slipping too. If you're playing a dance gig in a bar, it's a great way to get funny looks from the punters. It's a great stir ! 🤣

[@curiousguitarist]

Oh man, I loved the "The one guitarist you need to listen to..." reveal. Completely awesome video. Sending it to my community now.

[@Dgnarus]

I think this might be your best video yet. I won't call myself an expert by any means, but as an experienced guitar player I actively use all of these concepts in my improvisation, and I've never seen them put together in a video like this

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you! 🙂

[@jcb-ly9sm]

what an incredibly insightful lesson. SO MUCH to unpack here. Thanks Jens

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@motomarmot6544]

Youre such an amazing resource for us guitarist. Much appreciated.

[@LeeFKoch]

Here's an example of theme development in jazz: Wynton and Ellis Marsalis' Joe Cool's Blues.

[@EvgenijGr]

Thank you for the video! And especially thanks for mentioning sidestepping: at least now I know how to Google this kind of stuff. I still wonder why exactly that sort of dissonance works: is it because we add just a little bit of dissonance (change very few notes for a quite short time)? It’s kinda understandable why playing chord tones and their extensions works so well, but it’s surprising that going off them doesn’t lead to a complete train wreck!

[@JensLarsen]

It is not super complicated, it is just tension and release.

[@chrislawrence503]

Such a lot of great advice crammed into just over 10 minutes 🙂

[@JensLarsen]

Glad it was helpful! 🙂

[@jfitz458]

Ok. I grok what you are saying about the conversation. I look at this as the song, but same same. I see what is meant by the phrases. When I started busking, I wondered why I couldn't get the message across. Whether chords, scales or arpeggios I was 'boring'. More to think.about now and to add to.my tool box eh? Thnx.

[@JensLarsen]

Go for it 🙂

[@gillesgarnier7306]

Vos videos sont passionnantes. Merci de partager un tel savoir.

[@andreasn8615]

Hi Jens, great video again! 2 years ago I came across one of your videos (the most important scale exercise in Jazz...the one with the 1.9m clicks 🙂) that really opened my eyes and that was the beginning of my journey towards becoming a jazz musician. I think I haven't missed a single video so far. Thanks for all and great job!

[@elrafa782]

Love it ! Thanks

[@JensLarsen]

Great! 👍

[@sergeybogdanovich7019]

Thanks 🙏 🎶🎵🎼👌🎸

[@mer1red]

Endlessly and obsessively repeating a motif or short melodic fragment for a minute or more was a well-known trick of Pat Martino to make the audience enthusiastic and provoke applause. Not very creative but it worked :-) .

[@JensLarsen]

True, usually not really my thing even if I like his playing.

[@ajadrew]

I always get so much out of your videos, thank you as always!

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you like them!

[@ajadrew]

@@JensLarsen 👍

[@irawhitlock1084]

That half step down trick! 🤯

[@JensLarsen]

🙂👍

[@lsw444]

Grant Green is great with his motivic development

[@JensLarsen]

Certainly: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4S7e4mdoMiCqLs

[@shipsahoy1793]

Coming up with interesting melodies that aren't quoting what other musicians had already become famous for.

[@JensLarsen]

Indeed 🙂

[@shipsahoy1793]

@@JensLarsen 👍

[@randykalish7558]

This is perhaps the ONLY plus for not listening to the Greats. Try and imagine the expansive responsibility carried by the original giant on whose shoulders we stand.

[@daynemin]

A thing I like to do is make up a short statement (in words) and use the syllables as the rhythm. Then sample and sequence the motif, change one thing, take one thing out etc, keep something the same.

[@BlueMelodyB]

Very good lesson

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you think so!

[@jmanngod]

awesome as always

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you!

[@gerardohormazabal6367]

This content is top notch. Thank you very much

[@JensLarsen]

You're very welcome

[@freddecker2407]

This video was a good tip! Starting simple not only gives the solo a chance to develop, starting simple invites the listener in. Starting simple is easier for the ear to follow. Any thoughts on building to a climax after starting simple?

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you like it! 🙂

[@RobKandell]

I missed the premier this week. Great vid. How did you know I was up to 1970 in my Grant Green listening? 😎 Thank you, Jens.

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you enjoyed it, Rob!

[@aaron_cros]

Love your videos, Jens!

[@JensLarsen]

I appreciate that!

[@ricklaino6385]

Always a great lesson......! Thanks Jens...!!! btw....you and Rotem should put together a little tour........

[@nicholaschavarria4261]

Brilliant! Thank you! This equates to < = >, less is more!

[@JensLarsen]

Absolutely!

[@zummo61]

I listen to Jerry Garcia in awe of his conversational phrasing over one chord.

[@JensLarsen]

Great!

[@markslist1542]

Gold 🏆

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you!

[@Oscar_Dakota]

Static major seventh chord - no movement! So hard😊

[@motomarmot6544]

Thanks!

[@JensLarsen]

You're very welcome! I really appreciate the support!

[@matthewhuddleston5101]

Great Video!!

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@philboxall]

This would be a very confusing video for John Mayer to watch. 😁

[@JensLarsen]

I was indeed counting on him not tuning in this week 😂

[@lsw444]

Haha actually I was wondering if John Mayer was going to be the guitarist reveal. Phew. It was me.

[@cbolt4492]

5:22 How about Harold in Italy - Hector Berlioz?

[@JensLarsen]

Sure! 🙂

[@shuhudtjia2270]

I agree when you said the one I should listen to is myself... until the drummer ruin it by playing too loud. 😅

[@conradgittins4476]

Listen to JS Bach, a master of motif development.

[@JensLarsen]

Certainly!

[@GHAddict112]

I was so confident that you were going to tell me to listen to John Mayer, disappointed in myself

[@JensLarsen]

😁🙏

[@christopherenders8153]

As far as the outside game is concerned, I prefer ghostprogressions over sideslipping, I think it sounds more coherent in most cases.

[@JensLarsen]

Isn't side-slipping also a ghost progression?

[@christopherenders8153]

@@JensLarsen Now that you say it, of course I have to agree with you. But I was thinking more of a functional chord progression, that leads away from the tonic chord and back to it.

[@kevindonnelly761]

@@christopherenders8153 That happens in Jazz and Classical Music all the time. Just modulate what you're doing into the 'borrowed' key. ✌

[@kromiumsound]

Maestro ¡

[@frankvaleron]

Do a video with your new black bass

[@albuquerqueconman4294]

This backing track available anywhere?

[@JensLarsen]

It's on Patreon 🙂 www.patreon.com/posts/5-mistakes-you-100274248

[@user-cd3tq9ye2p]

i like to make bar long ideas

[@PaulB-ss1hd]

Hi Jens, again another great video. Thanks. I've got a question concerning side slipping, Can it also be appied with e.g. Maj7 or Dominant chords? Or are there other rules you have to take into consideration.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you! Yes, absolutely it doesn't really matter which chord it is. I cover it on a dominant here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnvUqYCKrtCXnZIsi=6L1eiLbVz16hGKXW

[@PaulB-ss1hd]

@@JensLarsenGreat! plenty material for studying. 👍

[@ryanhingorani4019]

love the silly editing you're doing to your videos now :D

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you! 🙂

[@djb903]

Love the sponge bob

[@geoffstockton]

My dyslexia got the best of me and I thought it said How To Play Over Satanic Chords.

[@etiennelj]

Thought he was gonna say B.B. King… 😂

[@JensLarsen]

😁

[@liontone]

$100 I thought you were going to say we had to listen to John Mayer….

[@JensLarsen]

Yes, I was sort of going for that 😁

[@randykalish7558]

Just saved $100! 👍

[@thesouthernelectric]

Anyone else here because they thought it was Soloing over "satanic" chords ? Insert demonic guitarist face with 'pointy' guitar.......🤣🤣

[@jimstahlhut1917]

I keep getting notifications about your posts. How do I stop that. Too much misinformation

[@JensLarsen]

Start by not watching and commenting 🙂

[@jimstahlhut1917]

@@JensLarsen I am constantly getting updates. It's a pain and clogs up KZbin.

[@JensLarsen]

@@jimstahlhut1917 well, I can only repeat what I already said: don't click on them and certainly don't leave comments, that will only make it worse.

[@jimstahlhut1917]

I never subscribed

[@JensLarsen]

@@jimstahlhut1917 It is not something I have any influence on, it is in your settings or your behaviour on KZbin. Did you consider googling turning off notifications on KZbin?

[@andrewhubbard4222]

How do you know what mistakes I make? Do you think insulting people is the way to get them to watch your lame videos? WTF?

[@StuffBudDuz]

How 'bout a less presumptuous title? Why insult your audience?

[@JensLarsen]

Really? I don't think anyone is insulted

[@randykalish7558]

Jens' slaps are sweeter than others' kiss

[@dressedtosmellgood]

It's convention for every YT video to have an insipid title

[@robinr22]

Perhaps Ben Eller is more your flavour...

[@JensLarsen]

@@robinr22 😁

[@bumrecordingstudios]

Another great video! I’m going to focus on this tonight for a solo I am struggling to write for a duo. Thanks kindly!!

[@dirtybies]

This advice also goes for soloing over changes actually, it's all good stuff in any musical context i guess!