Why This is Not Bebop - John Coltranes Amazing Solo on a Blues

[@JensLarsen]

Slightly different type of video, but I thought it was an interesting topic 🙂 Let me know what you think!

[@Andrey.Balandin]

Absolutely! Analyzing Coltrane solos? Man, it doesn't get any better for me! I wish you spelled out the relation between the tune and the chords (for the lazy), but since you did give the tab in the video, I figured it out myself, so no issues. I was surprised to notice how well this ties in with "Coltrane Patterns" (falling on the 5th, 7th, 1st and 2nd of dominant major chord) you talked about in another video. You can really see how he emphasizes the 2nd and the 7th on the major chord while pretty much avoiding the 3rd and the 4th. Fascinating! I love Coltrane, do as many Coltrane solo analyses as you wish, I'll watch them all! Any insights about While My Lady Sleeps? Equinox?

[@NotRightMusic]

Spot on quick analysis here Jens! I like the direction this video is going. More like this would be welcome.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you Markus! I will try to do more videos like this! It's a fun way to explain things 🙂

[@teddyboyat3109]

Interesting video ! Coltrane is one of my favorite musician of all time. I love how he used music as introspection and spiritual research.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you Teddy! Coltrane was indeed a genius!

[@DojoOfCool]

To put into a perspective time wise it was recorded in 1962 and released in 1963. Coltrane recorded his Giant Steps album in 1959 and released in 1960. So Coltrane had moved into the Hard Bop world. John was a deep thinker musically and I would say always thinking about a decade ahead of most. He could also switch approaches instantly. In 1959-1960 he was with Miles doing Modal Jazz and doing Giant Steps. That new Coltrane album Both Directions At Once is perfect title. The day that was record straight ahead Trane quartet, the next day Coltrane record the classic laid back album John Coltrane with singer Johnny Hartman. Coltrane was a super human of music.

[@JensLarsen]

Most hard bop players are much more traditional than Coltrane is in this solo though and I would say that Giant Steps has different melodic material than this solo, but off the top of my head I am not sure how different 🙂

[@idnemgk]

Very interesting - and to my ears, wonderful - to discover the evolution between Giant Steps, this solo, and on to Persuance, One Up One Down, and/or Untitled Original 90314 (just to pick some highlights along paths that Coltrane traveled).

[@darienthomas6264]

Any talk about Trane is always welcome, good vid!

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you very much Darien! I am glad you found it useful! If you have any suggestions for topics or things you are looking for the feel free to let me know 👍

[@Shuzies]

Jens....your on fire these days.....thank you

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you Ron 🙂👍

[@evinobrien]

Fantastic stuff again Jens, thank you

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you! Glad you like it

[@video_gabes]

I love guitar but coltrane keeps making me wish i played tenor! Could you keep making videos like this?

[@JensLarsen]

Thanks! I will certainly do my best! What topics do you have in mind?

[@video_gabes]

Jens Larsen could you maybe do a video in the same style as your "learn from Charlie Parker" but for Coltrane?

[@JensLarsen]

So a video taking one or two phrases and making new phrases from them?

[@video_gabes]

Yeah would be cool to go over some classic lines/cliche's and what makes coltrane sound like coltrane

[@Andrey.Balandin]

Yes, please, sir! Please take a bit of time to note the relation of the phrases to the underlying chord, dwell and avoid degrees. Also, there's definitely something unfathomable about Coltrane's rythm - the beats that the consonant and dissonant notes fall on, the phrasing, rest notes, etc.

[@PaulMcEvoyGuitars]

That was great. I think you have so many scale and arpeggio videos, really happy to see these more analytical videos...I have too much stuff to practice at this point. The Coltrane Ellington album is on my very short list for favorite jazz albums ever. That and Bags and Trane are my favorite Coltrane albums. It’s worth checking that one out. A sort of similar vibe, but pulling more towards the bop. Very very creative. Also the recording quality is astonishing. Just got it on vinyl. Great video!!

[@JensLarsen]

Thanks Paul! I need to check out Bags and Trane! 🙂

[@PaulMcEvoyGuitars]

Also has Hank Jones!!! Somehow it seems to slip by relatively unnoticed. For me it's a lot more interesting as learning material than some of the Coltrane groundbreaking albums...he plays extended solos on the blues and standards, but the progressions are pretty "inside" as far as I can tell. This is maybe the best track. (ever) kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIXOq4avfa6EiaM

[@longfeili732]

Hi Jens, it is a great class! You did well on summarizing the difference of hardbop and bebop language!

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you! 😃 Really glad to hear that!

[@anthonydemitre9392]

Great I'll check out this solo as Coltrane was the beginning of modern jazz starting with Giant Steps album and onward I believe, there are so many ways to use the material you share with us that showing us the different concepts of using them is the next step that is the master class. Thanks, Jens.

[@JensLarsen]

Thanks Anthony! Actually I would say that Giant Steps has different melodic material than this solo, but off the top of my head I am not sure how different 🙂

[@anthonydemitre9392]

no, I just said that I consider the Giant Steps album and albums after that is modern jazz to me,

[@ReedJorgeLuis]

Great analysis jens! Thanks

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you Jorge! I hope to get to Gilad as well sometime! Do you have other suggestions?

[@pentatonicschoolofmusic]

Very Helpful Lessons

[@JensLarsen]

You're very welcome Prahlad! I am glad you find them useful 🙂

[@brucepuckett3503]

Another great lesson! Just bought the album

[@JensLarsen]

It's a great album! 🙂

[@idnemgk]

I missed this video when it first came out - just discovering it now. Wonderful choice and well explained, Jens! This has been one of my favorite Coltrane solos for a few years now. Very happy to see/hear you share your thoughts on it. :-)

[@JensLarsen]

Thanks, George! It's such a great solo! I was always surprised that the video didn't do better :)

[@nickvirts11]

Very interesting analysis, it's nice to see how Coltrane applied great harmonic ideas with some simple devices! Although his style of playing is so original that I believe whatever he played its Coltrane and can't be approached.! Maybe sometimes it's how we play stuff and not what we play. Jens 1000 thanks for all your lessons they help me a lot in my playing and thinking.! I will try to support you on patron when I get the chance.

[@JensLarsen]

I think it is, the scales and arpeggios are not different, it is what he does with them 🙂 Glad you like the videos!

[@noahv8671]

Bravo Jens! The videos are better than ever.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you very much Noah! Any ideas for artists to do a video on?

[@noahv8671]

Jens Larsen I would love if you made a video on Bill Evans chords and harmony translated to guitar.

[@JensLarsen]

That's difficult since it it relies on using fairly big chords and inner voice movement. I do sort have in the back of my head to make a video on his lines

[@noahv8671]

Jens Larsen anything Bill Evans would be much appreciated by me!

[@lanchanoinguyen2914]

i usually play the bebop lick pieces that of piano,they played it very fast and fusion then in guitar.the common way to play is replay the earlier note after play the next notes and keep approach to higher

[@racejones8784]

Very interesting analysis.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you very much! I am glad you found it useful! If you have any suggestions for topics or things you are looking for the feel free to let me know 👍

[@urbachd]

So great. I couldn't tell you were sleep deprived. Must be cuz you're so young and can do without sleep. But get some rest! We need you! Thanks for another great video

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you Dan! Even if I was tired I was really happy with the video topic 🙂

[@crieverytim]

thanks Jan! great way to wake up! do Cannonball, Ayler, Ornette or Julian Lage next please!

[@JensLarsen]

You're very welcome! Glad you like it 🙂 I will see what I can do

[@crieverytim]

ahh, ill have to join the patreon to influence. I can't imagine you doing Ornette or Ayler but I'd be curious to see what you do w it. definitely check out Julian Lage covering st Thomas - great solo !

[@JensLarsen]

Thanks! I know too little about Ornette to make that a topic. I will try to find that Julian Lage song

[@crieverytim]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWrKl6Z9a7J5nK8

[@crieverytim]

6 min is solo

[@maxwellshammer5283]

One thing I occasionally do to go outside on a blues solo is on the tonic minor chord, say A mi I play a short couple of beats on a C mi or Eb minor scale/arpeggio. It really kind of moves away from what’s expected but not enough to sound bad, imho!

[@JensLarsen]

That can work as a short side-slip. Whether it works is really about what you play when you do so, and not really the notes.

[@maxwellshammer5283]

@@JensLarsen I do use very short maybe two beats at the most.

[@MichaelBxl]

Nice video !

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you MichaelBxl I am glad you found it useful! 👍

[@Belas_Photography]

Remi Bolduc has a transcription of Coltrane's solo at www.remibolduc.com/ajax/video_popup_v3.php/Coltrane_Take_the.pdf?filename=dl_file&gallery=true&id=101&download=1&start_dl=1&pfr=1

[@JensLarsen]

Great! Thanks! I guess I did forget to link to that 👍🙂 If you have any suggestions for topics or things you are looking for the feel free to let me know 👍

[@terrybessey8134]

For some reason reminded me that harmonic theory was a result of trying to understand and explain the contrapuntal harmony of, most importantly, JS Bach. Put another way, Coltrane is more interested in the melody than the harmony.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you very much Terry! I think that there is less distinction between melody and harmony than most people think. If you have any suggestions for topics or things you are looking for the feel free to let me know 👍

[@jameserret]

Thanks, Jens! What do you think about the new Coltrane record?

[@zebozi]

Can I ask for a video reaction (of Jens) about the new Trane´s album? LOL 😁

[@JensLarsen]

I only listened to the new album once, but I will check it out in more detail along the way :)

[@JensLarsen]

I don't think I am going to make a reaction video 😄

[@alexandreraicevich7214]

Dear Jean, I am a Brazilian saxophonist, I follow your videos on KZbin. In the video "This is not bebop but is a great Coltrane solo" you talk about how to connect or not the chords through the solo. Coltrane uses Pentatonics to treat each chord independently. My question is, would it be possible to improvise on a tonal harmony, with traditional threads, only (ll-Vs), using only Pentatonics, that is modal on tonal ? Thanks a lot.

[@JensLarsen]

Hi Alexandre, that is probably possible, but it does not have to be modal if you do so.

[@peterrazumnov5706]

I believe you've made a mistake in Example 1. Sixth note (or the 1st one in 2nd bar) seems to be F not Eb.

[@JensLarsen]

That could very well be, I'll have to check 🙂

[@JensLarsen]

Yeah, you are right that's a typo :) At least I play it right..

[@peterrazumnov5706]

Anyway this lesson is very useful. Major blues is a challenge for me as it's less melodic than song based standards. I found many useful tips for improving this in your lessons.

[@blacklonggadogg]

Hello, Maestro Jens. Any thoughts on George Garzone's Triadic Chromatic Approach? Please advise. Thanks in advance.

[@JensLarsen]

I don't know it, so I also don't think about it. I am sure it's pretty good though because I have heard George Garzone play 🙂

[@blacklonggadogg]

Thanks, Maestro Jens.

[@djmileski]

Have you done any analysis or what not on joe Henderson’s inner urge or mode for joe album periods

[@JensLarsen]

No, but the compositions in that period are really just sounds next to each other (which is also why chords are often for a longer period of time) so analyzing the harmony thinking about movement and relationship between the chords doesn't really make too much sense :)

[@djmileski]

@@JensLarsen sorry, can you put that into different words? Also, what about as far as what joe Henderson uniquely contributed to jazz? Any comments on that?

[@JensLarsen]

@@djmileski Joe Henderson was both amazing and influential, but modal music doesn't really work with tonal analysis. I do have a video on Joe's playing though.

[@djmileski]

@@JensLarsen awesome, I’ll try to find your video on Joe. Thanks

[@JensLarsen]

@@djmileski Here you go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6S3eZt_hpmLoqM

[@danielbarry5547]

Definitely when you put the solo on sheet music and tabs it doesnt look like bebop,but to my ear it kind of does lol the modal approach has always been my approach...good work Jens!

[@JensLarsen]

That's interesting! To me it is actually the other way around 🙂 My ear tells me that this is really different and alien and I am a little surprised how simple it actually is. But it does not sound bebop to me at all, it really defines Coltranes sound for me

[@danielbarry5547]

Jens Larsen sure does...

[@DaveKaplowitz]

I would agree that this is not bebop in the charlie parker sonny stitt mold. Coltrane was definitely influenced by these guys but took his music in other directions. If I had to put a name on it I would call it post bop since it doesn't fit with the funkiness of hard bop. Although he does go back to roots blues with the use of the V IV turnaround in bars 9 and 10. I don't think he really perfected post bop until Love Supreme in 1964, two years later than this. How about Early Post Bop?

[@JensLarsen]

Probably Post bop would be a good description. I don't really see the V IV thing as going back to the roots, I think that is more of an attempt to make it a bit more modal to be honest.

[@PatrickTengmusic]

Hello Jens I like to purchase this video please send the links to my email - thanks

[@JensLarsen]

This video is not for sale, it is already for free on KZbin.

[@oldreddragon1579]

Not Bebop? It's not even recognisable as Jazz. I think JC created an International music so calling it a development doesn't seem right as it is more of divergence. Respect JC.

[@JensLarsen]

I think you will find that most people still consider Coltrane Jazz, certainly at this point :)

[@oldreddragon1579]

@@JensLarsen You are right about that, I think JC wanted to break away from the fundamental idea of Jazz.

[@JensLarsen]

Ok. What is the fundamental idea of Jazz in this context?

[@oldreddragon1579]

@@JensLarsen You said it at the beginning of this video. He"s not connecting with chords etc Take away the backing and I'm not sure what I'm listening to

[@JensLarsen]

Is playing changes the fundamental idea of Jazz? I don't know if I think is true.

[@jean-lucbersou758]

When you play Coltrane's phrases on your guitar they lost their "weight " . The tone ,the sound , and the musical intensity has gone for the weakesr expression . Only Wes montgomery ..;and Rene Thomas ( with less intensity however ) succeed without effects fusion players need ....to maskl the difficulty with the traditional jazz guitar sound from the swing and bop field .

[@JensLarsen]

As much as you can learn from Coltrane, I am pretty sure he didn't feel like playing his licks has anything to do with what hos music stands for 🙂

[@joshistyping]

In case you somehow thought you wandered into an after hours jazz session in 40s Harlem, allow me to remind you this is an instructional KZbin video and not him trying to bring all the tone and color necessary to faithfully recreate *the solos of John Coltrane on guitar*

[@alexandreraicevich7214]

Dear Jean, I am a Brazilian saxophonist, I follow your videos on KZbin. In the video "This is not bebop but is a great Coltrane solo" you talk about how to connect or not the chords through the solo. Coltrane uses Pentatonics to treat each chord independently. My question is, would it be possible to improvise on a tonal harmony, with traditional threads, only (ll-Vs), using only Pentatonics, that is modal on tonal ? Thanks a lot.