Josh Smith - How to Start Playing Through Changes

[@ozanenginsal5029]

He is telling the story of how he learned to play the guitar like it all happened last Wednesday. Brilliant man.

[@wesleyc.4937]

That was one hell of a week!

[@nevenduzanec9259]

This is beyond fantastic! Music theory, music history, the best soloing tips I've ever heard, and a personal story. A million dollar lesson, right there. Only it's free! Hats off to you, good sir.

[@djSmokeShow]

Totally agree! Exactly my thoughts before scrolling down to the comments section.

[@Warhawk1952]

I love this guy, I can practice 24-7 and I'll never be half as good. Incredible!!

[@williamarendell5328]

I will never hear any of this the same way agian. This is one of those moments where I learned something and picked up the guitar and my playing changed.

[@JoshSmithGuitar]

I love to hear that

[@stephennash3143]

​@@JoshSmithGuitar I've rewatched this video a few times now. It's really changing how I see the fretboard. I picked up the guitar and really tried to pick apart what it really means to spell out the chords for the first time. Definitely an "AHA" moment for me. Thanks so much Josh!

[@acidfilth2007]

Same. Complete A-HA moment. More education like this and I might actually get somewhere.

[@BigJimMartinGuy]

This was one of those "the more you learn the more you realize you don't know" moments for me.

[@LeeJCander]

Snap!

[@lancecass8997]

I felt the same way a few years ago, watching him cover this lesson. It motivated me to start theory from scratch. Now, re watching him cover this lesson, it makes sense, when once it absolutely did not. Save this lesson, go back and learn all your notes on fretboard if you haven't already, and then learn chords in each key. I also learned my triads to do this. It took some time and hard work, but then come back to this lesson, and apply his practice technique, and bam! Good luck, the work is worth it!

[@tonymikolich5873]

the deeper you go the deeper it gets!

[@donl2836]

@@LeeJCander😮😮

[@JimThomi]

Aren’t you glad it happened? I don’t ever want to get to the point of where I know it all. I’m just a man, and so thankful that there is so much knowledge crying out in the streets that the journey never ends. For an added treat, do it on one chord and then change it the next time through. There’s a million ways to subvert their expectations, and he just showed you a very important one. Good luck in your journey, brother.

[@JimmyRadloff]

Guys like Josh have played an listened to so much blues and jazz, they can think in terms of notes and music in a way that most people are simply not able to. It's like listening to a foreign language to people who aren't fluent in music theory and know every note on the fretboard. It takes a long time to get that good and have that kind of fluency on a guitar. There are no shortcuts, you just have to practice and learn it.

[@JoshSmithGuitar]

Thanks for the kind words

[@ianrickey208]

Man, I don’t understand 99% of what Josh is saying but I am friggin’ hooked! Please, please keep it coming!

[@jgl2222]

Keep on listening. You’ll get it!

[@tyshred9251]

Just keep playing man. You have these crazy breakthrough moments throughout your playing Everyone gets them at different points and its random but it all makes sense at some point. Juat takes dedication and practice. Real practice lol dont just noodle. You will progress so fast if you practice correctly. Tons of people noodle for years, then actually start playing and learning many years in and wishthey did it from the start, I've seen it many times. Hope you stick with it! You are in the right place for sure. Josh is THE MAN.

[@SteveCarroll2011]

Chord superimposition. Get Ted Greene’s Chord Chemistry and study the section on Blues (and the numerous turnarounds). You don’t have to play all the chords, you can play lines that represent the chords at certain points (this is really what Josh is saying). Ted also has a couple of single note soloing books out, the second one has ideas about playing over changes and things like melodic patterns, useful scale fingerings, etc. These two books will change your guitar life.

[@Boogieplex]

@@tyshred9251 So in your opinion what does”practice correctly “ mean specifically?

[@tyshred9251]

@@Boogieplex dont waste time noodling. Make your practice count. Actually try learning new stuff. Find some excercises to do. Start learning theory. All those are good things to do. Do I really have to say that though? Josh is a perfect place for any guitarist to learn from. Beginner or Pro. Josh will teach you some cool shit. He is awesome. Tomo fujita is another amazing teacher. Triads are so important.

[@malcolmcarter1994]

This is the coldest, most validating intro playing i've seen all day! excited to watch this now

[@thomasmartinscott]

The biggest thing I learned from this is how much I still have to learn! Very inspiring! Thank You!

[@bjohnson515]

I have always felt the important part of learning from great players is to find out what they are thinking.....not trying to copy note for note. and Josh, you do a great job of letting us into your head. Thanks.

[@Jay-lr3me]

That is very true. Some note for note is good tho, teaches you new ways to phrase stuff

[@finetuning417]

Awesome stuff, if you don’t understand this listen to it over and over again until it sinks deep into your subconsciousness. There is some powerful information about playing through the changes in this lesson.

[@styledrudeboy8312]

I never get sick of hearing Josh talk about his journey of musical discovery. Makes him super relatable and easy to understand

[@JoshSmithGuitar]

Thanks!

[@jsherrydds]

Back in the late ‘70’s in college, Count Basie’s band played for a campus party. No joke! I had no idea who Freddie Green was at the time, but i stood on his side of the stage in total awe of his facility with chords. It seemed like every strum was a new shape, a new inversion, and continuois motion! Thanks Josh for showing us your musical path and your inspiration.

[@djSmokeShow]

I'm trying to find a way to express how perfectly this hit my brain. Such a great approach weaving theory and history and personal experience while sounding down to earth and excited like you just discovered these nuggets yesterday. Incredible teacher, storyteller, and student of the craft.

[@Taylor-kd6lr]

You’re playing is so freaking musical Josh. You don’t even need a band behind you. You are quickly moving your way up into my favorite guitarists list. I will be getting all your cds now. Well done!

[@billsims1033]

I love the way the answering phrases at 0:08 for example utilise the Grant Green like lines . More to the point the solo is so coherently constructed. A joy Josh!

[@ScottBreault]

Josh, you demonstrated and verbally explained things in a way I've never heard it before. You opened my eyes and ears to things that I've been trying to figure out for years. Now if I can just get my chubby little fingers to do what I'm hearing in my head! Thank you, man! This video made my head explode!

[@JoshSmithGuitar]

Thanks so much!

[@bradcoffman7395]

My light bulb is still off but I'm working on it! Always a pleasure to listen and learn from JS.

[@garyharrison8891]

This just might be the greatest mind jump video for guitarist on the internet. Wealth of information right here.

[@ricardoneves5094]

have been looking for this video all my life thanks Josh!

[@JoshSmithGuitar]

Happy to help!

[@hashrev9245]

ahhhh haaaa finding lessons right when you need them is priceless thanks dude

[@denniscoverband4369]

Josh this a great boil down summary of concepts that can seem intimidating at first. I’ve always appreciated teachers that give short but dense lessons packed full of knowledge to work on, especially in plain language. Awesome work brother !

[@Music.Notes145]

Josh is definitely the best blues player alive at the moment his taste and style is unbelievable love this guy's music and hope to see him stick around a long time there aren't many left like him

[@gregrobinmatt]

This video contains gold that takes the music theory and turns it into real music. . I was close to giving up on my playing. Getting bored with my sound. Felt like 10 doors opened up all at once. Josh, I will forever remember who it was that taught me all of this. Thank you so much.

[@alessiograziani6355]

19 minutes and 34 seconds of pure joy... Many thanks!

[@alexmackrill9305]

This might be the most valuable guitar video on all of KZbin.

[@crotts1984]

I really dig how Josh brought this all back to learning harmonic cadences. Learn II-V-I, vi-II-V-I, iii-vi, I-vi-IV-V, I-vi-iv-V, II-biii°-I, dim half step up from any current chord turns it into a II-V using a tritone for the V. This is all great stuff, work the cadences and learn lines over them with target times. Then you can play lines you've worked out across those cadences by thinking of a single chord in a progression as it's own key center. Incorporate target tones to target the next chord on the progression. I believe all roads lead here for anyone wanting to be a successful improvisor. Learn all your cadences and build lines to have an extensive repetoire. Then use those as the tools to solo over any other changes you come across to make interesting lines. Reminds me of fractals from mathematics, you keep layering the music within music to make ever mote beautiful music.

[@kilterkaos1]

8 months later I revisited this lesson. I get it now! So many options and so many notes. I’m hearing the chord changes in my playing. But, when chords change so fast especially in turnarounds, it’s still a work in progress. I can see myself spending years on this! This is a lesson worth learning, thanks for posting this!

[@marksalazar7805]

Hey Josh, I saw you perform at the Stanhope house in NW NJ back in the min 90s.. You were 15 and I believe your CD I bought that night was "WOOD SHEDDING". I remember how good you played then. lots of SRV style..but this now..WOW!! man, you have turned into an even more amazing, amazing musician..

[@skratchtat]

WOOOOOO Josh,you just dumped 10lbs of knowledge into a 1 lb bag! Good thing its on video and we can go back and re watch and re watch. Thanks for so much good gravy in which to dip our biscuits.

[@anthonydevito1815]

Been self learning for a long time. This was incredibly helpful to know how to direct my practice. No more noodling!!

[@JoshSmithGuitar]

Thanks!

[@jeansj7027]

One of the best in the game….tasteful and beastly when he lets loose…thankful for his career!

[@georgesember9069]

Sounds so good! Sorry I can’t think of anything more elegant to write!

[@Geotubest]

I have no words to describe how this has refined the way I approach the guitar now. The ii V....good grief. It's like suddenly there's a "road" or path....it fills in the missing gaps to the "story". Now I need to mix in the diminished and chromatics and create an even more emotional path.

[@bryanmc9174]

There is so much in this video, It's about 10 lessons worth of information. You just gotta keep coming back to it.

[@robertosuarezsoto583]

You can play a diminished chord one semitone down from any chord. Man. My mind has been so blown away that I'll have to spend the rest of the day picking up the pieces.

[@Memnoch451]

Josh and Kirk Fletcher are two of my hero's they are a joy to watch and listen too!~

[@SomeKindOfMadman]

Amazing musician, amazing lesson, Josh! You're a living legend. This lesson has so much knowledge. Thank you for sharing this with all of us.

[@iLanFrid]

Thank you Josh for sharing this content. You, Guthrie and Ford Thurston are really helping us Rock EVH guys move along to this approach. Most of us were mostly concentrating on shred guitar techniques and totally removed from Jazz approaches.

[@geraldd10]

Josh man you are something else. I heard about you from Rhett, the way you explain your journey and how you have evolved as a player is a real inspiration, thank you. As a country/rock steel/guitar player I feel like I really understand what you are laying down here. THANK YOU!!

[@JoshSmithGuitar]

Thanks so much

[@pedalhardPDX]

20 min of pure gold! Thank you! More clarity in that explanation that any other "playing over/through the changes" vid on KZbin.

[@davidb5659]

Moments of synchronicity in life blow me away. I still have an s-load to lean about guitar. Call me a loud intermediate, but I've been messing around with I - IV - V changes, practicing in different keys, etc. I like to follow the chords and play the "blues box" (the 3 note on the G string, the 5 and 6 notes on the B string, and the 1 and the 9 on the E string -- in "A" it's fret 6 on the G string and frets 5 and 7 on B and A) and I suddenly "saw" beautiful chromatics everywhere. Obviously I've got the minor 3rd, just a half step back on the G string. But then I started to play the minor 6 on the B string (fret 6 in A) -- it's a beautiful transition note to take you from the IV back to the I. It also works as a chromatic in the middle of a lick to play 6, 6m, 5. The same thing works on the E string, to hit the minor 9 then the root or as a double stop on E and B together. Plus you always have the 7m on the B string. The way Josh was playing all the chromatic notes in the pentatonic scale -- any or all those notes can work in a blues lead. The more I work thru it, the more it blows my mind...

[@JimiRaySantanafoya]

Wow this is the most packed lesson I’ve ever come across. There is so much info in here it can bend light. I’ll be studying this for the next year. Thanks Josh!

[@harua23]

One of the BEST guitar teaching videos! This is close to the whole ball game. Keep ruling Josh!

[@andypearce5537]

Diminished chord! The light just went off for me! Thank you Josh!!🎉

[@tomcoryell]

Hi Josh, I’ve been playing for 40 years now and I just got my mind blown. Thanks for the schooling and I hope this old dog can absorb some of the knowledge you just gave us. Well done!

[@JoshSmithGuitar]

Rock on!

[@simondixon3575]

Even without the chords behind your improv, I could still hear the changes. That's what I call playing through the changes! Loved the playing, love that Novo!

[@visionalpeace]

Josh, you explained this really well. I wish I learned it like this in my early days of playing. Thanks you!

[@analogblues9606]

Josh, I love the way you spell it out! Makes it easier to understand! You’re a great teacher as well as a player! Thank you!

[@MichaelBruno-q4z]

Absolutely fabulous information!!! Great job Josh!!!

[@sfcrotty]

“Whoa. That’s why they call it a turnaround!” I die. Thank you for this awesome video.

[@SidBonkers51]

As always I came for the lesson and left in awe of your playing...

[@TheFeelButton]

Keep playing through those changes! Cheers Josh!!

[@bigg4454]

Josh! If YOU got a long way to go, then I'm not even, EVEN close! I just recently got playing "over" changes and that's after 40+ years of plying. Next will be "through" for me. Environment is EVERYTHING and I did NOT have anyone to look up to until I met Danny Gatton in '87. By then (after around 15 years of playing), all the "bad habits" were ingrained. He DID help steer me in a different direction. That little bit of time I spent with him was invaluable.

[@fenixfyre]

Damn man what did Danny show you?

[@bigg4454]

@@fenixfyre He showed me how to get out of that pentatonic rut I'd been in for years. I didn't have a lot to work with, so my methods were very crude at best. As a consequence I had a lotta guys around me with half the time I had in playing better than me. Danny and I both lived in Maryland. We met at a club in DC called The Gentry. He has this name called "The Humbler." After getting "humbled", we became friends. Main thing was he helped me understand what I already knew, if that makes sense. We both dug hot rods too.

[@fenixfyre]

@@bigg4454 That's so awesome man Danny is probably my favorite guitar player. So awesome to hear the story.

[@Davexmr]

I think this is one of the best video I've ever seen on youtube

[@thomaswalton9354]

Thank you Josh, since I have been following you I have learnt so much, and it's really made an impact on my playing.

[@yhld215]

Precious. He wholeheartedly shared every corner of his past curiosity and discoveries

[@judwatkins9478]

Josh has set out in this video a full year of guitar school training for his YT audience. Gratitude!!!

[@deweydecimal1446]

I never realized your musical genius. Thanks for sharing your story.

[@itsjohnnymillion]

This is SO MUCH information, in a good way.

[@rgcjac]

That was a sweet introduction. Love the comment about Bruce Forman!

[@codygoins8832]

Josh you are the best guitarist of our generation. I truly mean that. Both Inspirational and depressing lol. I look back at my heroes SRV/clapton/Jimi/Robben Ford and if I'm honest you beat all of them when it comes to what's played and what I feel.

[@joshistyping]

That ii to iv to I sounds like "In My Life" specifically. I've never thought of using that in jazz changes though, great observation. Also helpful to point out how much the chromaticism of jazz is not just a "sound" but a tool to link chord changes when soloing. I don't explicitly think about that often.

[@joetoe9207]

Josh, I was originally a bit intimidated by your tattoos (I guess? IDK why) and have found you to be one of the most kind and incredibly talented players I’ve ever known about. Congratulations on your great communication, engaging, enthusiastic manner, and fantastic playing. Incredible to watch and learn from you. Tx!

[@stevewilson7915]

I feel overwhelmed but intrigued. You play like magic, love it. I'll watch this video again and some of your other stuff. There's a lot to learn. Hahaha. Thanks Brother. Love and peace ✌️ to you.

[@Tzaltochnie1]

I have learnt a lot of theory this past year, I can follow everthing your saying. But playing it as tasty as Josh is something totally different. Great video. Subscribed! Keep it up Josh.

[@jason-ow8cq]

So much information in this video. I periodically come back to it and learn something new.

[@Sheeeeeeeen]

That -7b5 chord explanation and demonstration you gave is a huge light bulb moment for me.

[@1madaxeman]

Excellent stuff...as someone below said - a lot to take in on a single sitting if you're new to this...but watch and watch again, take one idea he mentions and go do that for a while...come back n try another. Easy to say but we all gotta practice this stuff till it becomes 2nd nature.

[@johnbell792]

this man is giving away gold. thanks for the video

[@Stillwaters-t6b]

This man is blowing my mind!

[@stevescontriano860]

Wow Brother. Your skills are off the hook. I envy you. I’m just a garage musician. I’m an old man now 63 and a fractured spine. I have a little studio room but I can’t even comprehend your skills. I kind of got sidetracked when I was younger. You know ? Just trying to find some happiness in my 10 x 10 room. I have 2 amps and 5 guitars. I wish I could enjoy playing the guitar like you. Peace brother God bless you

[@dedballoons]

This video is kicking my ass and I'm literally a third of the way through. Gonna sub because this dude got theory chops.

[@jameserenberger3425]

Fantastic lesson! I love these conceptual lessons. Much better than licks. Could you break these down into more detailed videos in a series? I would greatly appreciate it.

[@cliffb2454]

Thank you so much. I've been work on and off on this sort of stuff for years. This is the clearest and most down to earth explanation I've seen. I now have more confidence to use these ideas. It's stunning that you have clearly outline so much in under 20 minutes.

[@dallastoto3189]

This is as Josh said EYE OPENING! The thing ... for me is , be creative as much as possible. Be different so I can bring another idea to my playing. Lord knows , so many cats get wound up into wanting to sound like their idol. They don’t realize that isn’t gonna break you out brother. Be yourself.

[@ollitrop46]

Fireworks in my brain!! Great video Josh.

[@pipborthwick6313]

This is probably the best music lesson I've ever had.

[@homeworldmusic]

Listened in for about 2 minutes and had to subscribe. Thanks to YT for recommending your channel. Great playing, great presentation, laid back but deep and understandable.

[@ltucker4566]

While I'll concede some of this content makes my head spin, I always find (what the Japanese call) "some jewels" that I can use. Keep up the good work. I enjoy both the learning and your lovely guitar playing.

[@BigLate]

This sounds so amazing. I just wish I understood all the terminology. Flat fifths. Thirds. I have no clue. Its like that scene in Days of Thunder, where Robert Duvall is trying to connect with Tom Cruise on how to set up the car correctly for Cruise- and Tom says- “See, a turn here, a wedge there.. I’m an idiot, I don’t understand the lingo.” Can anyone point me in a direction where I can bust through this wall? Love your playing, Josh. More than I can go into right now. And the Star Wars pics on the wall makes my heart happy. What a killer set up.

[@MFDOOOOM]

Just youtube music theory for guitar and start from the beginning mate, thats what im doin

[@flick8583]

Think of the major scale in terms of numbers. Take the key of C for example. The 3rd in the key of C is an E. If you were to flat the 3rd, it would be an Eb. This idea applies to all of the notes in that scale. So the fifth note in the C major scale would be C-D-E-F-G. the G is the fifth. so flatting the five gives us Gb.

[@flick8583]

Don't think of specific notes, think of the notes in terms of their number in a scale. At the end of the day, we don't care if it is in the key of C or D or Bb, etc. Instead of thinking, "Okay, I want to land on the F here", you end up thinking "I want to land on the five". I hope this helps!

[@downtownhashbrown]

Josh, you're easily one of my favorite guitarists ever and to have you share your knowledge/experiences/aha!! moments/inspirations on guitar is great. I think i might've had a breakthrough or 2 on this video alone.. Sincerely, thank you.

[@jimmaveety6343]

Super useful lesson and demonstrations Josh. TY !!

[@christopherkern-ali4900]

This is the best lesson i have every heard. Thank you for sharing Josh, you're doing us all a huge favor.

[@LukeBass1000]

The thing I noticed more than anything: I need to actively listen to more music. Josh's knowledge of songs and players is fantastically broad and deep.

[@Zolthan1a]

Gosh Josh! It's just brilliant.

[@johnleach7774]

Beautiful playing, reminds me of the wonderful George Barnes, thank you.

[@VeejayDiesel]

Thanks Josh. Saw you in the UK a couple of years ago. Love your playing, knowledge and approach. Thank you! Get back to the UK soon!

[@muzicluvrable]

I’ve always Loved the Blues, this gives me a whole new Respect for the Musicians that Built the Foundations of it all.

[@cjsterlace]

Thank you Josh Smith

[@mr.kilpatrick2991]

Josh - great teaching - you provided great insight and you are a great player

[@victordu4694]

i'm lucky to watch this video thanks for your talent and intelligence.

[@alward5678]

As Usual Excellent. I love the fact that Josh never quits learning like most guitar players. Do the one thing forever. I can listen to most famous guitar players and can guess what they are going to play. Killer Josh.

[@mikemorris2159]

Best lesson I've seen from you Josh. Great explanations. May take forever but I'll grab one fraction at a time. Thanks for sharing !!!

[@vonSpets]

Excellent stuff! This is the key that opens door to all kinds of advanced level possibilities in impro.

[@thomaswalton9354]

I keep returning to this video over and over again, and everytime my playing progresses more, this realy is the most helpful advice I have come accross on KZbin. Thank you so much to Mr Smith for sharing all his hard work and knowledge with us i truly appreciate everything you do and you u are my favourite guitarist of this generation.

[@ChrisBuonoGuitar]

Well done, Josh.

[@saltypecorino]

This half step diminished thing is gonna revolutionize my rhythm playing.

[@thrutheveil74]

I'm a fairly accomplished guitar player. All I can say is mind blown. Thank you Josh.

[@chriscole9098]

Holy crap, I don't get many eureka moments from videos but you just blew my mind.

[@gerrymcfarlane9676]

Neat. You spoke of writing out the Chords and connecting the dots, I feel if you could add the chord chart to the Video, this would be a great help. That said, after 50 years of playing, you gave me a few light bulb moments . Thankyou.