Learn The Language of Music

In this lesson I discuss the language of music and how I think and hear when I'm improvising. I take you through a little transcribing exercise to help you grow your own vocabulary.
Also, if you're not hip to Pat Bergeson, here's a great clip-
• Pat Bergeson blues in ...
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[@MrJudo2go]

As a 68 year old beginner who is disabled and studies at home, my most difficult thing is to understand the language you are using. Trying to make sense of the theory of playing over chords and knowing exactly where things are on the fretboard. Hahahaha, it's an unending puzzle so far. But your videos are AWESOME 👍

[@justaguitarplayer2059]

Learn the Nashville number system and how to apply to chord progressions , arpeggios , triads , and scales. Take things slow and have a regimented approach to practice and gradual advancement in music theory. Always practice to a metronome or a track if you can. Learn your pentatonic blues scales and learn many different ways to practice them ( metronome, starting and resolving to root , three octave scales etc. ). Get good at alternate picking and different genres playing rhythm. Best of luck sir

[@MrJudo2go]

@@justaguitarplayer2059 Thank you for your input. I'm definitely going to try my best to put your information to use.

[@justaguitarplayer2059]

@@MrJudo2go you’re welcome. Best of luck brother !

[@nathaniverson6828]

The suggestion of Nashville number system and the relationship of it is huge. When I teach theory to total novices the best thing I've found to have a huge break through is to learn the interval pattern for the major scale. WWHWWWH and then diatonically if you take every other note there's all your diatonic chords. Then figure out how every chord or scale ect. Is just an alteration of that pattern. You start to get even advanced theory very quickly. Don't think of keys or notes at first just the distance from one to another and ingraine how that sounds.

[@justaguitarplayer2059]

@@nathaniverson6828 exactly. Most of us are very visual ….so once they can actually See the fretboard in a different way and see where the 1 . 4 ,5 , 6 min etc is ….see where the major third or minor third is in a scale etc …7 or flat seven etc …..then they start to get it

[@thrutheveil74]

Jack as a professional musician of 32 yrs. I find your playing and teaching to be the most on point of any. Outstanding work.

[@JackRuch]

Thank you!

[@alexcornu]

I was looking for guitar lessons, and this is the exact thing I requested from teachers ! They didn't understand unfortunately ... And the comparison with language is so relevant !!

[@ryanreeves8931]

The more you can grab amazing licks, put them in context to a chord progression and then play them in different locations on the fret board, you'll find yourself incorporating them. My problem is going from an amazing lick to the next idea! This is truly the key to becoming amazing! Thanks for such a WONDERFUL video and quintessential lesson.

[@nateo7045]

The next idea is usually some modification of the original lick. So, being able to endlessly morph multiple factors of one idea gives you the power to keep going. It's good for it to "trend upward" and build towards something too. At least this is how I think about it. Easier said than done, of course.

[@JackRuch]

You're welcome!

[@paulchow2742]

That's the most valuable advice I've received !

[@mixedfruitjam]

Loved this! Learnt so much. You should turn this into a series. I’ve watched this video 3 times and it gave me more perspective every single time.

[@winstonsmith8240]

I tend to spend too much time on technique rather than the notes and intervals. Thankfully that's changing. With a little help from you. Cheers 👍.

[@emanuel_erol_germann]

Thank you for the fine inspiration Maestro Rush (!)

[@Dave-gf3kd]

Jack, really well done. I appreciate hearing how YOU use many of the things you have shared with us. “Here is what I do” is SO valuable…if one has the basis to at least grasp the pieces you are using. Love it!

[@JackRuch]

Glad it was helpful!

[@thep2pband]

Jack, thank you so much for your insightful analogy. I've always thought of a bag of licks as vocabulary, but never the rudiments as grammer. What a great way to guitar-splain things. You have such a talent as a performer and teacher. The world is a better place with you in it. And thank you for that in depth turn around phrase.

[@druwk]

Developing your ear against the definite performance of other musicians has been my Achilles heel. Thank you for the post, and always your knowledge and inspiration.

[@JackRuch]

My pleasure!

[@satchrules101]

Hi Jack great again ! Question what is ur approach when it stays longer on each chord , Do find it harder to keep the ideas going on a chord that stays longer ? Thanks

[@Guitargate]

This is a great lesson my friend!!

[@JackRuch]

Thanks buddy!

[@NicholasRussell]

Very fantastic, Jack!

[@delta1ster]

Jack your lessons and explanations are great. Thanks for sharing appreciate 🙏🏽

[@stephenowen5229]

Thanks Jack. These lessons are always a treasure chest of lick gems. Wishing you well!

[@JackRuch]

Thank you!

[@donnymac575]

My ex-guitar coach, Mark Stefani, teaches this same or similar approach. It takes much less time to put together nice sounding solos then it does going the scale and arpeggio route.

[@groovymidnight]

As always, an impeccable lesson! Best guitar teacher on YT hands down!

[@taildragger53]

Fantastic analogy. Absolutely 100% correct

[@denselman]

Very well said!😊

[@crespo1965]

I’m a student of Jack’s lessons on True Fire platform and a Patreon subscriber. I consider myself a high Beginner to Intermediate player. I don’t gig yet but enjoy the academic and artistic aspects of guitar playing. I also speak 3 languages and relate to Jacks analogy of studying the guitar much like one studies a foreign language. My personal struggle-I suspect the same for many-is being patient to meticulously “analyze” what other musicians are playing and understanding it in musical context. That means that it’s a slow process for me at least. Thanks Jack for reinforcing the need to be patient and put the time into the academics of studying the guitar but also embracing the artistic aspect of playing the guitar.

[@glx5497]

Thank you so much for your wonderful tone, the slow pace that really helps me understand what you're doing on the guitar and the insight. I am super happy I found your channel! Thank you!

[@QBRX]

Thanks for the insight!

[@clgmafnas]

Great tips, as always. Thanks brother 🤙🏼

[@holisticaustralia]

I really enjoy your video mate! Well done and thankyou for sharing.

[@glengaither3034]

Thanks Jack! This was great!

[@stickman55100]

You always share such important information and melodic ideas. Thank you so much.

[@JimmyDel]

Great lesson Jack! These are some nice lines to get under the fingers. Knowing where these notes come from is always a huge help to make sense of what's going on. Thank you for this 🤘

[@JackRuch]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jakemf1]

Great title and so true!!

[@danieldoke7725]

Yes Jack! We spoke about this in the past. Maybe a short series/course on this subject. It’s all about the musical foundation (chords, feel and groove) and what the individual wants to say during the progression. Your analogy and how you broke your thoughts down are brilliant. Great musician, teacher & human right here folks….Jack Ruch! More of this subject please!

[@JackRuch]

Thank you Dan!

[@paulchow2742]

Thanks

[@JackRuch]

Thank you!

[@anthonyegan59]

Everything is askin you to progress...be better...but I noodle guitar , to hear Harmony And as a means to connect... And I enjoy it.

[@RBZ3]

Nice one...thank's Jack!

[@russellsmiling8587]

Like this approach

[@znmaf]

Such a cool Player !

[@sebozz2046]

Thanks, it is amazing !

[@JackRuch]

Glad you like it!

[@Maynard0504]

you nailed it. scales and arpeggios are the alphabet but you need to learn WORDS to make a sentence.

[@sthengr]

Very enlightening, thanks!

[@lindaeaston8325]

Hi Jack, This is Allen Ayers from Canada , I'm a new Patreon member , really great site! You are right on the money with this lesson on Learn The Language of Music!! These concepts are so important! I have a question. I seem to be able to download the PDF 's for your lessons, except for the Jump Blues lesson and it is the lesson I joined your channel for.. It won't let me open the PDF, hopefully you can help me with this and walk me through it and why I can't open it , and if not maybe send me the notation and tabs for it. Really hope so , as I love the Jump Blues and your 3 examples are great and would really like to learn them. Thanks so much, Allen

[@TheFeelButton]

Music theory provides 13 ways to daydream when you should be practicing. Cheers Jack!

[@Hhenriette]

great lesson. beautiful lick.

[@ruthiesbbq]

Hi Jack, totally agree with what your saying, I learned everything from records and live shows, just learning theory now after playing 50 years.can you tab the first solo you play, playing in the key of F gives some new insights.

[@dommccaffry3802]

So true. What helped me was seeing an ancient film decades ago with barney kessel. He said, work out tunes. Nursery rhymes, tv theme tunes, anything. Then work out the same tunes all over the neck in different positions. Applying this over the years helped me translate whatever ideas i had straight onto the neck automatically without thinking. It also made me more melodic. Rather than being a player playing scales.

[@AnxietyMentor]

Yep, I started with Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. If you can get that by ear then you can eventually get anything down. To add to that before even picking up a guitar to play, it's essential to be able to hum in your head the tune. If there isn't music in your head first then you are going to have a tough time playing it on the guitar.

[@marcosbecerracarratala]

4:52 increíble cómo sucede todo en sólo unos segundos desde el minuto 4:52. Gracias maestro, saludos desde Barcelona.

[@djffe8597]

yes yes yes Jack you are a genius people need to understand they need to listen to jazz listen to the music you’re trying to learn how to play. Don’t listen to Metallica anymore and not just guitar jazz but all the guys understand the music and the feel and go from there. Or if you can’t play the lick sing along with it, get it in your head get the fill in your head how to comp to not just soloing

[@jensbomholt4529]

Cool! Iwould love to hear the chords playing in the background, while you play and explain the parts of the phrase corresponding to that chord in the progression. This is what I intend to do when I will be ready for this step. (Learning bass with 66)

[@portsideguitar1981]

Good one Jack! Connecting those ideas in real time is tricky for me…any ideas on that?

[@johnjacquard863]

one my fav transcriptions is parker cherokee it kinda has everythiung one needs! lol :D

[@johnjacquard863]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5nbZKmPrdFrqs0

[@NickLAnderson]

🙏🏼

[@FerrisFlyer]

Perfect timing. This is the year to stop putting it off and finally get into subscribing for me. Jack, quick question. When ur labelling the notes on the fretboard as you practice/play them, Do you just use scale degree and note names. Or do u use solfege as well? Thanks!

[@willabestorms6059]

Very good question

[@braddanielson7705]

Is targeting the thirds a good way to get started?

[@tonyrabone4668]

Thanks for breaking that down. Can I ask what pickups you have on that guitar? Sounds lovely. Looks lovely too.

[@bazilbrushrocks]

Immersing yourself in the music of great musicians is key. If only there were some kind of Immersion Experience..😅

[@lbeek9]

What guitar are you playing in this video? I like it.

[@johnjacquard863]

im transcribing early roy eldrige and diz and bird

[@danolivier2823]

Hi, what sort of 335 is it please ?

[@dananthony6258]

I need a 335 . I need bitoin to go back up. 😢

[@i.c.y.]

As I always say: It's easy to learn how to speak - but it takes a lot more to learn how to actually say something.

[@jberkley17]

Jack, i get the chord tone targeting..curious -how are you thinking about the scales that (may) underly the licks? eg as you target the 3rd of D7, F#, where does that fit in scale-wise? F# isn't in the key of F, so...?

[@JackRuch]

I'm not thing about scales at all. If I'm practicing, I may come up with scale based lines but, when it comes time to play, I'm not thinking about scales. Just hearing melodies and visualizing chord shapes on the neck.

[@jberkley17]

@@JackRuch thanks Jack; so even when say you're analyzing Pat's lick as we're doing in this video, you're looking at how the lick fits in the harmonic environment and chord tones, not concerned with what scale might be underlying it. is that more or less what you're saying?

[@mixedfruitjam]

Oh! I need to get out of my “scales” based thinking coz it is making my playing so monotonous. It’d be great if you could expand more on that. I’m sure most intermediate players struggle with this very concept.

[@davidpotts4368]

I use something similar but more of a harmonic approach use 5 to 8 frets up and down the fret board example C on the 3rd fret and C on the 8th fret so by moving it's the 2nd through 10th fret just find the notes in there.

[@remco5145]

Hi Jack, I'm trying to figure out on which beat to start your lick on. In a regular blues, if the f# on the G string should be the first beat of the 8 bar, one should start, in my opinion, on the upbeat of the 2 beat of the 7 bar.(pffff, long sentence). But somehow the whole construct doesn't work when I move on. I assume your progression implies one bar for every chord of the VI-ii-V-I progression? So you get back on the I in the 11th bar. Could you help me out please?

[@figgettit]

do you take beginners?

[@Dreadwinner]

🖤💚💙💜

[@NikkoEstrada-y4g]

Just a little bit example of tabs