Practice Major Scales like this and You will get more out of it!

[@JensLarsen]

Is scale practice just technique or is there more to it? 🙂

[@nlmal4]

Jens Larsen their's more in the major scale

[@JensLarsen]

Thanks Mike!

[@captainkangaroo4301]

I like to practice scales by adding notes not in the scale to see what they may add to it. Or practice sliding into the scale notes from non scale notes.

[@JensLarsen]

Good Idea Jeff! I guess that would be custom bebop scales! 🙂

[@Buleq147]

I also think that one can forget that the major scale is a musical "thing" and not just exercise. Even when played just as a scale, note for note in an improvisation... is music! What matters is the atittude, not the notes.

[@paulafranceschi]

Oh, my god! That Em pentatonic over the Cmaj7 trick just changed my life. I have so many beautiful Cmaj7 songs! Thank you!!

[@jefflancaster4423]

Thank you for this awesome offering. I really appreciate you taking time to film and post this.

[@JensLarsen]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ggauche3465]

What I love about your content is that you obviously draw directly from your experience, but you have reflected and structured that for us. Great video Jens.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you very much Graeme! Glad you check it out!

[@jumemowery9434]

Thanks Jens! The more I learn, the more I realize there is to learn.

[@JensLarsen]

You're welcome! For me it is: the more I learn the more I realize that I really need to know the basics!

[@KevinFrazer21]

Jume Mowery idr where I heard it first, “the more you know, the more you learn that you don’t know”

[@johnstephen7610]

When it comes to improvisation, unfortunately the more I learn the more lost I get. I will check out more of Jens's videos and see if I can manage to learn some things that I can apply.

[@mikepollack8277]

Jens I’m just getting into jazz guitar after 20 years of playing rock and metal. I really enjoy your lessons, you are a great teacher and I feel like I’m learning a lot from this channel. I find the jazz voicings so much more interesting than what I’ve been playing all this time. I still love rock and metal but I’m starting a new phase in my guitar journey and you are my go to guy for helping figure out how to play jazz. You are proficient at explaining the techniques to make it sound jazzy. I watch one of your videos every day, trying to learn as much as I can. Thank you for these videos they are very helpful! Cheers!

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you Mike! I am really glad to hear that :)

[@antonshevchenko6622]

Jens, I've bee playing guitar since 18 years, and yesterday i decided to watch this video. I was playing accordion in my childhood. So, practicing 7th chords by playing thirds up and down gave me a feeling that i've never studied the neck by this way - which is incredible, I would incorporate it in my daily routine and I'm sure I'll know this sequences after a week of practice without even thinking "what the heck is coming after G D B... Eh. What... F, or what, ah u.. ok. It's A, clear as mud" . Especially it is hard for me when playing from up to down, but i think it's a matter of time. Thank you for an inspiration and giving a fresh breath to my exercises on guitar and music at all. God bless you.

[@JensLarsen]

I am very happy to hear that Anton! Getting used to thinkig like this is less complicated than it is often made 🙂 Let me know how it goes!

[@elitecombatfitnesscentral6170]

Jens again coming from a metal hard rock guitar player background scales were always going to be the staple of my practice regimen... but watching your videos has opened my mind to sit back and look and think about why certain things fit with certain things thank you so much keep doing what you're doing I always find something good to learn in each of your videos

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you! Really great to hear that you find the videos useful!! 🙂

[@rebeccaabraham8652]

Thanks for a great video! You’ve confirmed what I started reaching for at the end of last year - that knowing your chord structures and intervals from wherever you are on the guitar makes a lot more sense than just memorising the ‘5 patterns’ that a lot of books and systems go on about, without being clear about the ‘why’.

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you found it useful 🙂

[@leobird8756]

This is what our entire educational system gets wrong from the ground up - memorization is a poor substitute for understanding!

[@johnhawkes7681]

Wow what an awesome lesson. I've been noddling around the major scale patterns for sometime in a pretty aimless manner. I can join them all up seamlessly but not actually sure what I've achieved. This has given me a lot more to think about and will hopefully lead to something more musical once I add the arpeggios and some phrasing into the mix. Many thanks again.

[@JensLarsen]

Thanks John! Go for it! :)

[@fifthape2119]

You always start your videos with something that I already know, then quickly go to something on the edge of my knowledge. You always leave me with something new and things for me to practice. That reminds me of a quote, "We only learn what we already partly know." I love your guitar. My guitars are either too big and heavy, are not cut-aways, and/or the necks without truss rods are warped.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you! I think you are right that actually learning something is a long process. 👍🙂

[@lucianodebenedictis6014]

I like your videos so much! My jazz guitar teacher in one of the few lessons threw there the idea of 3 pentatonics that fit over a major scale, and it sat there without an explanation. Now I'm at peace

[@JensLarsen]

Ah thanks! Glad to hear that :) I can imagine he or she expected that you had the overview to realize how it worked 🙂

[@lucianodebenedictis6014]

Maybe, and I was submerged by the amount of new informations. I had just started to look at jazz progressions

[@JensLarsen]

Been there done that! 😄

[@frankpike3684]

Thanks Jens I learned more in 15 minutes watching your video than years of unfocused practice:)

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you Frank! I am glad you found it useful!

[@carlpop2324]

I am right there with you, Frank. I have practiced scales for years, but Jens opened my mind to think in terms of music.

[@tommasomeacci1105]

Discoverd your channel recently. the quality of this video is superb so many ideas. the key concept of making the scale musical is so overlooked I was struggling to find a way to practice this effectively. Thank you for sharing all these tips (I stopped at half video as I already have homeworks for months to come :D ). I think the other side of it is making the scale a tool available at hand (so that you can indeed focus on musicality) for me practicing scale vertically, horizonally and dianagolly with various excercise is also key get fluent and make it easier to apply musically later (not learning the box but learning notes and intervals)

[@JensLarsen]

Thanks! Yes and no, it is not only about knowing the scale, it is as much about practicing the things you want to play in your solo, and you have to watch out that you don't only work on playing the scale and thinking intervals when you should be working on being able to make music with it. For that, a single position is better than the whole neck 🙂

[@slowjammerukdog]

My new year's resolution was to get back to basics with the guitar, learn the fingerboard properly and get a system together for connecting my scales, chords and arpeggios efficiently. I was looking for ideas online, and found this video. It's the first one of yours I've watched, Jens, and I'm an instant fan! There's SO much great stuff inside this 15 minutes. You cover a lot of the ideas I've been trying to think through, but you make them so clear and straightforward...and your whole approach is down-to-earth and inspiring. On top of the "basics" about diatonic relationships, etc, there's so much extra in here - enough to work on for months, maybe years. The material about finding and analysing quartal triads and pentatonics inside the major scale is just gold. Thanks, Jens. I'd better get working..,.

[@JensLarsen]

+slowjammerukdog That's great! Glad you find it motivating!

[@jamesjones-rp6cl]

Thanks Jens I needed this !!! Mindless practice of running scale patterns is great for muscle memory but THAT IS ALL , THIS WAS A HUGE HELP !! MUCH APPRECIATED

[@JensLarsen]

Glad it was helpful!

[@michange3141592]

Indeed there is more than technique in practicing scales, and we can definitely use harmonic knowledge to spice up daily scale/arpeggio routine and make it more close to actual impro.

[@JensLarsen]

Yes, I guess I look at it more as what is it that you need to know when you improvise and try to incorporate that in your practice.

[@scottyament4105]

always wanted to play jazz, you make it easy, thank you so much, your great

[@JensLarsen]

Go for it! :)

[@captainkangaroo4301]

Jens you should talk one day about a pedalboard setup for jazz guitarists. What do you consider must have effects pedals for jazz?

[@JensLarsen]

That's a great idea! I will make something like that!

[@GeorgeSPAMTindle]

It gives me enormous pleasure to watch one of Jens's videos and not learn anything at all. I usually pause, rewind, review a few times, and take a lot of notes, but not on this one. I'll enjoy the feeling until I watch the next one of Jens's videos, but for now I feel pleasantly smug.

[@easthastings6919]

man your videos made me pick up my guitar after sitting in dust for years and start learning jazz.i started from nothing and now i'm practicing solid 5-6 hours a day. I know it's not enough to become a professional jazz guitarist but it's better than nothing. thanks jens..you are a wonderful specimen..

[@motorbikeray]

Jens, that was a great lesson on how to look at practicing major scales at a deeper level. You are a boss 😎. Much appreciated lesson! 👍

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@dasai9754]

This is awesome Jens. All of your stuff recently has been excellent.

[@JensLarsen]

+Scott Thank you Scott!

[@sandrosadhukhan]

Great Lesson Jens, so much to extract from the major scale!

[@JensLarsen]

You're very welcome Sandro! That is so true!

[@christianmatthews5141]

Great advice. I have found David Wallimann’s Guitar Infusion Videos to be a great way to learn basic theory and how to apply it to playing guitar. Yes, practice, arpeggios and learn the fretboard. A foundation in theory is desirable. It will assist in ear training and technique. Fingers and ears. Practice well.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you! David is a great guy, but I don't know his infusion courses 🙂

[@christianmatthews5141]

@@JensLarsen Hello Jens. I look forward to watching more of your videos. I am an old guy (retired lawyer and former music promoter) who has been noodling for years. I tried to learn theory from books and devise my own progressions mostly by ear with some success, but with no formal training. David’s course, Guitar Infusion, (He has other courses as well) is a great resource for learning theory and how to apply it musically. David is a fantastic teacher. See. Wallimann Guitar Artistry.

[@pixelatedparcel]

You are speaking directly to me with this type of lesson...will have to dedicate a notebook to your channel content, it seems. Thanks, man.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you! I am glad you found it useful and try to implement it into your practice! 👍

[@rogeralleyne9257]

Great video lesson!!! Really reminded me of also using the minor pentatonic on the 3rd of the root!!!🙏🙏🙏🤘🤘🤘

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you liked it!

[@mmypainting]

Excellent, I don't play jazz, I come from playing the Indian Sarode, but these lessons are just so instructive.

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you like them 🙂

[@tasossimeonidis3275]

Playing the major scale and modes with intervals is a good practice :)

[@JensLarsen]

Certianly! 🙂

[@rickbattle5706]

Excellent information. Many thanks.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you very much, Rick! Hope to see you on Patreon :)

[@Zenzodiene]

Great lesson Jens! Again a lesson that shows the importance of the fundamentals! I love these lessons! There is so much information: your excellent videos, other YT videos, books, forums etc. but vids like these show that if you really know your fundamentals (diatonic theory, notes on the neck etc, arps in these scales, pentatonic scales) you can play a lot of music (blues, country, pop, rock, R&B) and also a lot of jazz! The 80/20 principle at work :P.

[@JensLarsen]

Glad to hear it! I do indeed (like Bill Evans) believe that it is mostly about fundamental stuff when it comes to music 🙂

[@Zenzodiene]

Love it! Unfortunately it took a long time for me to realize that.... The basics are the quickest way forward ;p. Thanks again!

[@galbaribeirodefaria6104]

It's great! Thanks a lot!! From Brazil!!!

[@JensLarsen]

Glad it was useful 🙂

[@charleschinden8254]

Thank you very much Jen that was very useful.God bless you.

[@JensLarsen]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ross4143]

Fantastic Lesson (4- years late). Cheers from SpoCanada.

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@JNMorgen11]

I like to turn around the idea of pentatonics in a major scale. If 3 pentatonic scales are inside a major scale, then 3 major scales contain the same pentatonic. For example: I write a basic vamp using only the notes of D minor pentatonic. I then have 3 major scales that will fit over that vamp: C, F, Bb. I'll loop the vamp and experiment how each scale works against it. F Lydian Dominant will also work in this example.

[@JensLarsen]

That's an interesting way to look at it, but I really like the idea!

This is a killer lesson!

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you Randall!

[@wade318080]

Thank you for this video! Very insightful!!!

[@donkkong5551]

This is a really informative lesson! Thank You again! Excellent Work!

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you 🙂

[@Troiler]

i feel like learning. thank you.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you! Glad you like the video!

[@freshdiliao3635]

Thank you so much for this inspiring video mr. Larsen

[@JensLarsen]

+Liao Freshdi You're very welcome Liao! I am glad you like it! ☺️

[@ruh4734]

Very informative Jens! Great video like always.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you very much! 🙂

[@chrisridings7670]

just hit a gold mine thanks man!

[@JensLarsen]

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

[@mrdellavegaify]

You're the best guitarrist ever!

[@JensLarsen]

+Marcos Dellavega I am sure that is not true, but glad you like the video! 👍☺️

[@ChrisSmithSaxophone]

Thanks for your videos Jens. I play Sax, but at least 90% of what you say is useful for me. The only things I don't use are when you talk about positions on the fret etc. But everything else is great! Thank you.

[@JensLarsen]

Thanks Chris! Yes, most of the stuff that isn't about fingerings is indeed general for all instruments. I think I have learned as much from checking out Pianists and Horn players as I have guitarists in Jazz.

[@rolerasi1]

Jens, you are the best! Great video!

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you rolerasi1! 🙂

[@noelj1412]

Hey from India Jens. Your channel has really helped me on really understanding jazz and improving both my knowledge and technique on guitar. I was wondering if you could break down how to figure out jazz chords by ear. Iv got a real book, but I also want to be able to create those charts myself. Thanks a lot for your videos once again.

[@JensLarsen]

Thanks! I think talk about transcribing songs in one of the Q&A's maybe have a look in that playlist 🙂

[@NicoDelCorno]

Great lesson! Thank you

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you liked it!

[@lushkordz6643]

the patterns that you show at the end from 9:50 < triad cascading around the modes > are really cool i really love them they remind me some Joe Diorio kind of sound ...it would be great if you could develop them in a video maybe there is already something somewhere in your channel about this // m@n you are a great player N very humble which a great quality IMO

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you! I don't see what you mean at 9:50 I am not playing anything? 🙂

[@lushkordz6643]

Yeah thats right sorry i wanted to post this comment 4 < From SCALE practice to JAZZ LICKS > its just YT that changed to fast the current video i was digging the licks (awesome cascading triads)

[@JensLarsen]

Ok, I will go look at 9:50 in that video 😀

[@JensLarsen]

Ah, so diatonic triads! Ok! I will keep that in mind and see if I can find a good way to put that in a lesson!👍

[@lushkordz6643]

You can check out few of my tracks on Soundcloud (AlienBeatzZ) im sure you will find something you like ...my YT channel is not yet very active for now... any feedback from you will be welcome :)

[@nonamed_9407]

im pretty sure you had talked about all this stuff before (because I know all of that, and basically all I know, I learned from you xd), but it's nice to have it all in one video. as always.. thank you for your efforts and constancy.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you! Yes, I have pretty much talked about all of these things before, this video is more on collecting the info in one place with the major scale topic 🙂

[@caqueto3347]

Hi Jens, you have a huge number of great videos in your channel. Is there a kind of roadmap to the videos so we can study your videos in order from beginner, intermediate and advance?

[@JensLarsen]

I have some study guides on my website, that might help. It is difficult to give too specific advice because everybody is different and at different levels, but maybe check out this post: jenslarsen.nl/how-to-learn-jazz-guitar-suggestions-to-begin-studying/

[@ylegoff]

Thanks Jens. Tight, pragmatic. Inspiring. Hard to do with scales! :-)

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you Yves Le Goff I am glad you found it useful! 👍

[@GregoryPearsonMusic]

Excellent lesson.

[@riteshmallik4939]

never knew music was this tough...

[@JensLarsen]

Anything worth getting good at is worth the effort! 🙂

[@geraldmarshall22]

That’s the difference between jazz and “power chords”. Which sounds better to you?

[@magicdaveable]

Wait until Jens begins explaining more complicated Harmony Theory. I have been a "string musician" for 60+ years. Jens is an excellent teacher.

[@guitary]

It really isn’t. Everytime he says within the scale, there is only seven tones. In an example he gave it literally is incorporating those seven tones as one of three tones in a triad. Once learned, it is a pattern that can be replicated forward or back on the neck several times.

[@guitary]

Basically, think of it as value. Every time you learn 1 thing, it lends to several other things, thus better than a 2 for the price of 1 sale! The glass isn’t just half full, it comes with refills! #think positive

[@scottd291]

Very interesting! Like to see how you set up the Ibanez

[@JensLarsen]

Thanks Scott! I am not exactly sure what you mean?

[@scottd291]

Jens Larsen how do you set up your sound for jazz on a semi

[@JensLarsen]

Ah ok. You are asking on a strange video :) Actually the patch you hear in the video is exactly the same as what I use for the Ibanez, and I usually keep the volume and tone on full when making the videos. I might roll down the tone a little if I feel like it, but that's rare.

[@scottd291]

Jens Larsen cool thank you for the information

[@ericmiragab5130]

Tnx lars you are light in a dark world of learning music theory

[@JensLarsen]

You're very welcome! I am glad you like it! 🙂

[@jibicusmaximus4827]

You have great teaching style mate.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you! 🙂

[@FrancisLeclercGuitariste]

Great video, good information.

[@JensLarsen]

+Francis Leclerc Thank you Francis! Glad you like it!

[@hectoraguilar770]

Hi Jens, could you tell us how to use the phrygian chords, for example: C, E, Gb, B, or in the short version : C, Gb, B. This chord is awesome to be used, is know sometimes as Cmaj7 (b5) chord. Please tell us how to use it . Thank you in advance.

[@JensLarsen]

Hi Hector, I have this old lesson: jenslarsen.nl/phrygian-chords/ Maybe that's something? Jens

[@romanslegion7771]

I figured out this 1,3,5,7,2,4,6,8,3579,46810,etc by ear, on my own. I was so delighted with this exercise, I have , and do , drill it up and down the fret board. It really has opened up my ear. I’m now ready to learn this in a minor voice. Do you think I should proceed as such and go on to augmented and diminished voices? I’m trying everything I can to learn jazz music. I’m a self taught player and grew up listening to Clapton, Beck, Page, and Hendrix( my hero). Now I want to sound like Kenny Burrell, but the going is tough. I’ve been a Patreon member with you for several months/years now. I play daily but struggle to shift to more Jazz vocabulary in my improv. I’m sure you’ve heard this story before. Any ideas or suggestions are welcome. You do such a great job. A natural pedagogue. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻✌🏻😎

[@skinnykarlos710]

I recently picked up an interesting and, for me, new way of practising scales from another KZbinr, Ross Cambell. Rather than just practising scales up and down on their own use the circle of fourths/fifths. Ascend using Cmajor then descend using the next key, Gmajor and repeat around the entire twelve major keys in logical positions up the fingerboard. This approach can be used for not just the two minor keys as well but also triads and arpeggios and other scales. It helps me a lot in getting past the usual guitar keys (up to four sharps and four flats) and in mentally thinking about the notes I'm playing as I'm not reading anything at all from a chart or staff, just my own knowledge that, say B major has five sharps and what they are and then play the scale. It also helps in the logical movement of music so I guess for jazz playing the II, V, I scales in sequence would also be quite helpful. Anyway, just another way of looking at scales rather than just stand-alone keys which we know is not how music tends to work out. There's movement from one key to another in most pieces and it tends to follow logical patterns.

[@johnsdog5839]

Many YT guitar sites for many masters but this one rules them.

[@theintervalicfretboard.9602]

I try to take it one chord at a time, diatonic intervals are very consistent... my fretboard knowledge consists of triads and 4 part chord inversions, pentatonics and diatonic scales as well... but I'm always thinking of the next interval rather than the whole fretboard.

[@JensLarsen]

If you are improvising then it may be more efficient to think in bigger chunks than a single interval.

[@theintervalicfretboard.9602]

@@JensLarsen yeah like I can see the chord around the note, I can also slide up a hypothetical third and hit the extended chord or accentuate the 1-3-5 of said chord 2nd inversion. Kind of treat the inversions/chord scale as a guide and my ear knows what chord tones I'm on...

[@theintervalicfretboard.9602]

Since the fret board is built in the same combinations going up or down the key, this method seems to work pretty proficiently... I know allot of guys play intervalically, it just makes more sense to me...

[@JensLarsen]

​ @TheIntervalicFretboard. Yes, but try to think the notes of a jazz lick with a few arpeggios and then think in intervals instead of the arpeggios. It is the difference between saying something by spelling the words or just talking g normally :)

[@JustMyTwoCentz]

Do you have a video on learning the diatonic arpeggios at all the different positions with the 3nps method within the c major scale you used in the video as example ?

[@martinnilsen4763]

Wonderful, Jens. Thank you. Your videos have opened my eyes to so many things! Er du Nordmann?

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you! Jeg er pære dansk 🙂

[@martinnilsen4763]

@@JensLarsen Your lessons are the best … even for a poor Norwegian ship captain's grandson and great grandson! I love Copenhagen! Tusind tak! Tusen takk!

[@JensLarsen]

@@martinnilsen4763 Det er jeg da glad for at høre :)

[@motafoka1]

Thanks Jens ♥

[@JensLarsen]

You are very welcome 🙂

[@eciruamttenrub5523]

Great videos.

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you think so!

[@mwicks1968]

Serious Question Jens Can you point me to one of your videos on: A. Quartal Arpeggios; B. Upper Structure Triads? Thanks!

[@JensLarsen]

Here are a few on Quartal arpeggios: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l32bmIaArbd4bKc I have made really a lot on upper structure triads in triad pairs and on dom7th chords. Here's a recent one on using sus4 as upper structures: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWndn4ennr6FoMk A few videos down there is one on upper structures in the diminished scale

[@sudheebk]

great video, thanks

[@JensLarsen]

+sudheendra bk You are very welcome! ☺️

[@ggh58]

Hi Jens: Love your videos. Much of each goes over my head though. Could you suggest a sequence to start with? So I can more systematically work through them? Or could you suggest a theory book that would augment your videos well? Thanks!

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you Gareth! I don't have a sequence, it really depends on where you are at now. The best I can offer is this playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLWYuNvZPqqcHcRM5XL8rGFh1Xqkft77Qk Maybe browse through it and see if there is something you feel like working on. You can always ask on a video if you want a suggestion of where to go next!

[@pablop.a.7275]

So, in the end, when you improvise on top of a chord, do you think on the actual note names (C,D,E,F...) or do you relate them to the key root with numbers (1,2,3,4...) instead? I guess the first approach is better for knowing the actual notes all over the fretboard, but the second approach allows developing patterns that work for any key easily. I am trying to learn the fretboard using the second approach, but another problem I see now is that the numbering relative to the key root may be misleading when thinking about the role of the notes on top of other chords of the key other than the I, as your example on quartal appergios shows at 11:27. How do you "read/think" the notes while improvising? Thank you for sharing all this great content!

[@JensLarsen]

Hi Pablo, I don't think about stuff like that when I improvise there is not time. I think you want to be aware of the interval as well as what note it is. Understanding only intervals makes it difficult because there is a relationship with the chord and with the key and they are different intervals. I have a video with more info about thinking while improvising here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmPZeYKgZ7R0m6M

[@pablop.a.7275]

@@JensLarsen So I guess the idea is to practice up to a level where you don't need to think conciously about what you're playing and let the music flow. Sounds cool but also hard to achieve haha. Thank your so much for your reply!

[@santiagosaturno891]

Loved the video! These scale practice tips have helped me a lot, but there's something that I struggle with a lot and that is arpeggios. I really haven't figured out a good way to practice or learn arpeggios that allows me to relate them to a corresponding scale. Is there any advise you can give me?

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you! Yes! Practice them in the scale! Do them ascending descending and remember to be aware of what arpeggio you are playing!

[@Rb-ys6xb]

Learned this scale till i memorized it, now to practice it the right way

[@trevorbayfield4006]

Such a great moment @ 11.03 :-)

[@JensLarsen]

😂 Thanks

[@tal_175]

These are all great ideas. What I found to be very important in scale practice is working on aural association of a scale with the matching chord (or chords). So I alternate scales with chords. I play ,say, a drop 3 Maj7 chord and play the matching, say, major bebop scale. I do that with different rhythmic variations (chord at the & of 4 then scale from 7th descending to 1). So I am practicing many things: - Playing scale while connecting different chord tones (not just always starting on 1 ending an octave higher). - Practicing different voicings of drop 2 and drop 3 chord, depending on which position I am playing the scale. - Most importantly training my ear to associate chords and scales. Ideally, one should be able to just hear a chord and play the chord scale anywhere on the fretboard completely by ear, without thinking positions, keys and what not. - I am also developing my time this way because you have to know where the beat one is when you're freely alternating chords and scales.

[@JensLarsen]

Sounds like a good and ambitious plan! 🙂

[@felipeelbrujosanchez1257]

Hi again,your videos are very informative,do you have one dedicated to Quartal harmony,its fingering,and diatonic scale,and is E,A,D the Quartal extension for a C major?double thanx.

[@JensLarsen]

I have quite a lot of videos on Quartal harmony and how to use it. Here are some of them: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpPUfneibc6jmbs

[@jaganathraspopovich]

I am appreciative of you. This simplifies so much-thank you!

[@JensLarsen]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kjv-public-domain]

My teacher always said, "if you think you're a good player, then let's see you solo in major".

[@JensLarsen]

Not wrong! :)

[@Howtochooseproperhandle]

Hi, I found your lesson so useful, but as a beginner, I donno what to start first. Can you line up your essential lesson for beginner? thank you

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you very much! I don't have an exact list like that, maybe browse through these videos and see if there is something you want to work on? kzbin.info/www/bejne/hqqriYFpi92bsJY

[@Penno335]

Sometimes ..... my brain just melts and I think I'll never get there!!

[@JensLarsen]

Just keep at it, but make sure that whatever you are practicing is also something you use while playing, otherwise it will never stick

[@xxczerxx]

Great vid. Do you think you should always be aware of notes while playing? I've got this habit now where I'm always thinking of the interval (eg seeing a G as a 5th in C major, not really even heeding the fact it's a G note) instead. Should I really force myself to think of both? I've been trying to follow this approach for a while now, as I do neglect notes in my playing, but it's so hard to improvise while thinking of notes. Same with chords, I would really have to think about what the notes of F major 7 are. Then there's the whole "shape" thing, which again detracts from thinking of a note but just a pattern...in a way the confluence of "shapes" and the idea of scales has probably hampered my playing more than help it.

[@JensLarsen]

I think there are more ways to approach this. I can see it both ways with no problem. For me it is so that I am aware of what I am playing, so if you stopped me I could tell you what I was playing, but I don't really think about it while playing. Similar to a car, if you were asked whether you signaled to go left you know but you don't think about it when driving. So I tend to not want to think when I am playing, I am more busy with just playing and then I try to do the thinking while I am practicing. I also don't think of shapes while I am playing (I think) Does that help?

[@MetalDoraemon6]

My friend where can.i get the tab of that diatonic arpeggio sequence you just played??? Seems also like a.good ideia for.a warm up exercise ;) Good work mate

[@JensLarsen]

Thanks! The sheet music for this video is on Patreon, but if you point me to the place in the video then I can let you know if it is also in another video with a free download because I think it might be

[@MetalDoraemon6]

@@JensLarsen its at minute 4'50

[@JensLarsen]

That's also in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZWxq4ywgbl2ppY and there is a (free) pdf linked in the description

[@MetalDoraemon6]

@@JensLarsen thank.you very much my friend. You're the man. A lot of knowledge in music theory, a master! Keep it up

[@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 👍

[@mazubamwelwa9266]

I am just starting to play Jazz and i m having a problem with appegios. Can you do a video on that appegio exercise

[@JensLarsen]

Which arpeggio exercise exactly? I might already have a video on it 🙂

[@frankmcdaniel65]

What is the Ibanez guitar you're using? What pick thickness do you use? I have trouble with control unless i drag my little finger of picking hand on the guitar top; i notice you pick both with little finger up on KZbin and down when performing on stage. Any suggestions to help me get a little faster to keep up 😕 i practice using the"Modern Jazz Guitar Concepts." Thank you Frank

[@JensLarsen]

Hi Frank, My guitar is an old AS2630 from the 70s. The pick I use is (I think a 1.5). For me, the key to getting faster was practicing scales with a metronome and also spend a lot of time working on playing difficult things with alternate picking like arpeggios that are one note per string. If you search for "picking" on the channel you can find a few videos :)

[@frankmcdaniel65]

@@JensLarsen wow! Thank you so much for your quick response. I use a 1.1 mm pick and have a 60th anniversary Deluxe American Stratocaster. I just can't get a nice mellow jazz sound like you make. Thanks, I'll check the sites you suggested. 👍 Frank

[@Jameskeith1972]

Hi Jens. It’s been a while. So how do I explain to someone how to do all of this in a way that is comprehensive rather than a mindless repetitive exercise that doesn’t help us. Everyone is a different kind of student so... got any helpful information for that you’re interested in sharing. Thanks always!

[@JensLarsen]

Simple, practice your scales but be sure to change up the exercises so that you work on becoming flexible with them, which is also what I say in the video :)

[@Jameskeith1972]

@@JensLarsen thanks!

[@thomasa631]

Would you consider Spyro Gyra song Morning Dance. Good chords great melody. Thanx.

[@JensLarsen]

Thanks Thomas! I am not really into the fusion things, sorry :)

[@Shrimpilla]

When I'm learning the scale on all fretboard, should I call names of notes and know them and do that in all keys? Or that isn't necessary?

[@JensLarsen]

You don't have to say all the names, but you might want to know them in the long run? 🙂

[@AngelMartinez-qs3cf]

Hi Jens, you're videos especially this one are very informative and meaty! I have a couple of questions: I am an intermediate guitar player who has been playing for five years, and am primarily a rock n roll guitarist. My inspiration to take up the guitar was Stevie Ray Vaughn. I play Beatles, Stones, AC/DC that kind of music. I want to get into jazz. Can you recommend any books and/or videos intro so that I can get into Jazz. I saw Joe Pass playing Blues Juice and I love it. I have to build a foundation. I only follow guitar tabs. Can you help please? Thank you.

[@JensLarsen]

Thanks Angel! Maybe check this out: jenslarsen.nl/how-to-learn-jazz-guitar-suggestions-to-begin-studying/

[@jimmyc5498]

Jens, I’m new to your postings and enjoying the material. I do have some ideas about your quartal arpeggios section. Do you have an email to contact you directly?

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you! ☺️ Yes I do [e-mail]

[@Bablobiggins]

Jens this is a very late comment, but the only part of the video I didn't understand is when you stacked a Em triad on top of a Gmaj7 chord. I understand that the E is a relative minor to the G major, but how would you go about doing this with other chords contained within a G major scale?

[@JensLarsen]

Do you have a time in the video? Then I can maybe help 🙂

[@Bablobiggins]

Jens Larsen starting at 6:52, thank you

[@Bablobiggins]

I made a mistake, it was a G7. Do you have a video specifically covering "shell" chords and putting a triad on top?

[@JensLarsen]

I think you should practice relating triads to a root and then just do it for all roots and all triads in a scale, it is less work than it sounds and it is good to practice for a lot of things. In this case the Em triad on the G7 contains two chord tones (G and B) and one extension: E(13). I do have a video on upper-structure triad chords: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoPMnqmFYsmphqc Does that help? 🙂

[@Bablobiggins]

Yes sir, many thanks!

[@tridibsarker2343]

Hi can you make a video on what thia that if I play a C major chord and over that I play a Em that will sound like C major 7 and then how can I play a G7 or an A7 over that chord how a Dm is hidden in F major7 chord and how this are happening and elaborate the topic thank you

[@JensLarsen]

Do you mean super-imposing triads?

[@tridibsarker2343]

Yes. And another topic on modal interchange.... Plz

[@JensLarsen]

Here's one on triads over a Cmaj7: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2PCYoKvma6Jb68

[@JensLarsen]

And here is one on Modal Interchange: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIW1oGOlotqViLM

[@Rb-ys6xb]

Is it common to practice the scale for the triads of all the interval of a key. Ive been doing this for a while

[@jibicusmaximus4827]

Don't forget to play in C sharp and B and all other keys, I should do this too, I get passed off with A and E on guitar although I love E for that bluesy sound and some open string action, ultimately I want to be able to feel each note of chromatic scale although key of the music can restrict you unless you are a jazz guy and play outside a lot.

[@JensLarsen]

Well, in jazz we spend most of our time playing the flat keys so F to Db is the bulk of what you need to play 🙂

[@Djangoat68]

Great video - just a bit of constructive feedback in the way you edit some of your videos..... in 6.08 you talk about an important concept but at same time add a separate window with you playing stuff - quite distracting and not sure what it really achieves - This happens in several other videos (sometimes it’s a live concert etc....) and I find myself having to rewind a few times to fully understand what you’re saying

[@JensLarsen]

In general, using B-roll like that keeps people watching the video longer and which is a big part of why my channel can keep on going.

[@nitumonibaishya5012]

First starting jazz lesson new students

[@jetpaq]

music is a painful but rewarding addiction.

[@mwicks1968]

At c.4:50 Jens - “Diaronic Arpeggios” ... ? ;-)

[@JensLarsen]

The best kind! 😄

[@trevorfurness5695]

Hi Jens, thanks for these great videos, very inspirational. I just wanted to hear what your reasoning is behind the way in which you play a two octave C Major scale by sort of sliding from 2nd Position to some quite wide leaps in the fingers by the upper second octave. Might it be better to start in 2nd Position and then change to the 5th Position for the second octave as there would be no need to stretch fingers at any point by doing this? Any thoughts you may have would be very welcome.

[@JensLarsen]

If you think that you have trouble with stretching a major 3rd then you should look into the CAGED system which is based around avoiding stretches.

[@trevorfurness5695]

@@JensLarsen Hi Jens, good to hear that you appreciated my comment. Yes, I'm very impressed with the logic behind CAGED, though thank you for sharing your own understanding of the way to tackle the challenges of the fretboard. I've already picked up from you a degree of freedom which I have no doubt will be of great benefit to my playing. Having also only recently discovered your videos, I look forward to exploring more of your extensive collection, a really valuable body of work and a truly excellent find for me personally and anyone who is serious about learning to play the guitar. Thanks again for all your help.

[@tlincicome2957]

watching some videos is like eating popcorn and I really enjoy that but YOUR videos are like eating steak and I love them BUT it takes more time to digest steak as opposed to popcorn. If you ever come to the US I would sure like to know just in case I might have the opportunity to meet you.

[@JensLarsen]

Haha! Great comparison, I really appreciate that!

[@bucketofnoises7810]

the content of this video renders all my attempts of correctly playing a major scale useless. at least now I know how much I don't know on this subject. Thanks again!

[@JensLarsen]

Thx! Good luck with it :) It takes a bit of work but is not really difficult

[@anwyllonmusic]

Thanks Jens...out of interest, what program do you use to edit your videos?

[@JensLarsen]

You're very welcome Anwyll! I use Adobe Premiere Pro to edit. It's a bit complicated but can do pretty much everything!

[@anwyllonmusic]

Ah, Adobe Premiere! Thanks...it is a great piece of software!