Wes Montgomery Single Note Soloing - Techniques and Concepts

[@JensLarsen]

Awesome overview of the solo and the lines and great observations on his melodic ideas and the connection from Wes to Metheny! Really enjoyed it!

[@johnsmith7140]

@Leonard Thaddeus lol

[@winstontripp8027]

Sorry to be off topic but does anybody know of a method to log back into an Instagram account? I stupidly forgot the password. I love any assistance you can offer me!

[@winstontripp8027]

@Ronnie Rayan I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site through google and I'm trying it out atm. Looks like it's gonna take a while so I will reply here later with my results.

[@winstontripp8027]

@Ronnie Rayan It worked and I actually got access to my account again. I'm so happy! Thank you so much you really help me out!

[@ronnierayan6610]

@Winston Tripp you are welcome :)

[@sermorel]

This solo made me cry for many times. This is a piece of art. Wes was a genius ! Thank you for posting.

[@garysimons3361]

Yes... it is so moving... absolutely beautiful solo.

[@thetonelockerstudio2414]

I'll second that - it's right up there with "Malibu Shark Attack', truly brings a tear to the eye.

[@louisvillechimneyrepair676]

brother, your encyclopedic knowledge, your depth of understanding, your passion for the art of music as presented through the six strings of guitar is nothing short of inspiring. I know I'm not alone in saying heartfelt thanks for all of this(from Frampton to the Dan to Wes- and all points in between.) Thank you for paying the beauty forward :)

[@ceili]

I been listening to this solo for years and it still knocks me out! One of the best solos ever

[@theguitarplayerschool]

Rick, this is the best online content ive ever seen. I've learned so much that I didn't know that I didn't know since discovering your channel 3 days ago. thank you for the killer content.

[@DavidHendersonMusicChannel]

Every Wes solo is graduate class in improvisation, yet they always sound so melodic and simple.

[@seags937]

The quality of your videos is getting better and better. Hard pressed to find jazz lessons this clear anywhere on youtube. Great work!

[@ericswolgaard1808]

I appreciate you touching upon the quality of Wes Montgomery that sets him apart from all others- his beautiful use of simple melodic lines that. when playing over complex changes and subs, create such a feeling of natural warmth and rightness.

[@MrMikenstein]

Thank you so much Rick. This was very inspiring to me and I wanted to appreciate the significant time and attention you devoted to carefully transcribing one of Wes Montgomery's masterpieces. This video really changed my life intellectuallty as a guitatrist. Thank you so much for explaining the inversions and/or substitutions as you describe them. Bless you for taking the time Mr. Beato.

[@hunterjessup]

My favorite album, my favorite song, my favorite artist, my favorite writer, and my favorite KZbinr reviewing it

[@dangreenwood]

I love these, thank you for the time, effort, and selflessness you pour into making these videos.

[@jdt1581]

Rick, I can’t say enough how glad I am that I came across you on KZbin. This was a master class on a Wes Montgomery solo! Thank you.

[@petersparker]

Excellent video! Informative, relaxed, fast moving with no long-winded or stammering over explanations. To the point, filled with useful breakdowns and observations on the solo, and Montgomery's playing overall. The chord changes appearing on screen are greatly appreciated. Just Incredibly helpful and useful knowledge for a player like myself. This is how you do it. Thank you so much!

[@swedenstu]

I think I speak for a lot of people when I say how incredibly greatful I am for these videos - the amount of time, effort and insight you've invested to give us something this valuable is remarkable. Thank you!

[@garysimons3361]

Brilliant study of this absolutely beautiful piece of improvisation.... love it.. love it.. love it... thank you Rick.

[@dondraufi]

Days of win and roses makes me cry tears of joy sometimes. Thanks for the concepts!

[@ThatOtherRaccoon]

Hey Rick! I was listening to Wes Montgomery at work today and KZbin popped this gem up in my recommended videos. Thank you for this Rick.

[@waloacme]

Wes always blows my lid off.

[@foggy4180]

Rick, I'm sorry to say that I don't know a thing about theory but I enjoyed every moment of it. In the second part tears were rolling down from my eyes, there's so much beauty in it. It sounds like Wes could go on and on and always find a resolution, no matter where he was on the neck of his guitar.

[@cristianb4502]

This was the first solo I triscribed from a jazz album! It is amazing

[@pnojazz]

thanks Rick, for sharing your knowledge and breaking down this superb solo from an icon of Jazz Guitar! More like this!

[@stevebadachmusic]

What a beautiful solo to go through. Thanks a lot

[@johnd.4536]

Great guitar lesson! Seeing where you play runs in relation to the chord shape and the solo melody is super helpful. The guitar with the P-90s has a great sound as well.

[@medicineman1202]

Thanks for the deep analysis of Wes...you have some serious knowledge and thanks for sharing it with the world!

[@johndettra8958]

Yeah Wes! Now you're talking about one of the truly great guitarists. That solo is also one of my favorites. It shows that you can really swing without speeding up the tempo.

[@alphabeets]

Great video, Rick. You amaze this jazzer with your breadth of knowledge.

[@alainvosselman9960]

Great video. Love how you break up the lines and explain in detail both the functional aspects in Wes's playing as well as the incredible beauty he creates when all these motives are stacked upon one another, sounding so complete like endless strings of musical lyricism. It's an art to explain that the way you do in this vid !

[@young0804]

Really really good lesson. Feels like Wes sitting right by my side

[@Bronco541]

thank you so much! I just started listening to We Montgomery; what an amazing guitarist!

[@jackdellad4602]

Brilliant stuff. Very helpful for me as a rock soloist and trying to understand the apparent 'changes' one can acquire by, (simplified version), moving a half-step up or down at the right time.

[@ssomnaed2720]

Great job Rick. Amazing!

[@robertferraiuolo2322]

Hello Rick, Thank you for taking the time to thoroughly explain this work. Extremely helpful.

[@StanBobbyJacobs]

Hi Rick , I really enjoyed the way you have taught this lesson , great tone and clarity in your playing , also your video on hard work and the result You achieved is capital COOL. I also enjoyed your break down of Wes Montgomery chord soloing and other videos you have posted. God Bless Stan

[@taopagan]

Your presentation is fantastic. Just brilliant! I'm really enjoying learning this stuff since I discovered your channel. Thanks!

[@sunburntaquaticape6694]

Famtastic video and analysis Rick, great playing and observations too! I really enjoyed this, and will probably watch it again! A couple of times! I just cant get enough of listening to wes! Thanks again!

[@NelsonRiverosMusic]

hi Rick thank you for this amazing analysis of Wes's solo on Days and Wine and Roses! I know this solo well since I transcribed it many years ago as well as other songs by Wes. it's so happens that at the end of the summer I'll be going to Bogotá Colombia to play a concert or two as well as do a couple of workshops. Part one of the workshops, I want to focus on the solos of Wes Montgomery. I'm planning on featuring a couple, analyze them and figure a way to teach them. I'm also shedding 10 Wes tunes for a gig next week!

[@vincentparrella3424]

what a great lesson,your amazing, great ear,great teacher,great player.

[@nkhmd]

my sentiments EXACTLY (just too shy to type that out!)

[@johnmcgrath8886]

A most rewarding video to study - thank you.

[@amorfati9861]

Love your video on Wes man :-) thanks for transmiting your love for music !

[@rogerball6265]

Rick you have done an excellent job in your analysis and presentation two thumbs up

[@jimwalsh2001]

Outstanding. My favorite: "Four On Six"...

[@artestra]

hahaha omg, i’m learning this song i can’t believe you love this much as i do. i’ve only got half way through the solo. nice one rick 💖

[@seanmunding9577]

Outstanding Rick!

[@chrismcdermott7766]

I agree about this solo! I learned it about thirty years ago but forgot the reharm. Great analysis!

[@j_drichmond]

Thank you for this... this solo is what got me into Wes

[@jazzchromaticdulcimer4223]

What a great lesson of one of my favorite solos!

[@seglord1960]

I'm gaining so much from watching you teach....thanks Rick 👍

[@billreeve3245]

Awesome. One of my favorite solos.

[@motorcitysmitty]

Fantastic analysis, as usual Rick!

[@lionelcampos9868]

Rick im very happy I found your channel great teaching and great player.......

[@robertraines8518]

Really outstanding understanding and teaching. Superb! Thank you!!

[@acialist]

I just, love this channel, and you, so so so much

[@acejohnson448]

Please do George Benson!!

[@NotRightMusic]

How come Rick Beato doesn't have more subscriptions and views? This is masterful stuff!

[@RickBeato]

+Not Right Music Because I have only been doing this for 6 months. It will take 6 more to really get going.

[@NotRightMusic]

Gotcha - well, good luck!

[@aimlessbutblameless2290]

Not Right Musi

[@paulgibby6932]

You talking about Wes Montgomery is about as good as it gets for a student like me. Thanks

[@hififlipper]

This is gold.

[@connordunckel8544]

I really like the solo for here's that rainy day, mostly single notes except for the octave parts

[@Guilhermefreitas5]

thats a awesome song and lesson, wonderfull melodies, very touching, thanks rick, youre a genius

[@liefLeif]

Wes, Joe, Pat, all my favourite players!! Please do Django Reinhart!!!

[@richdaigle]

That Dbmaj7 in the turnaround is c’est magnifique

[@TKMajor-TK]

A really informative, helpful lesson. Just what I needed right now. Might take me more than a while to absorb it all, but more's the value! There's a whole lot of info -- and a lot to think about -- in this vid.

[@Shuzies]

So sweet...This is a great video lesson...one of your best...ron castro

[@nickyjames1430]

Rick, thanks for another awesome video. Wes was so incredibly gifted and you clearly explained what he did from start to finish. I had to laugh at the 23 thumbs down. They probably also think that Leonardo Da Vinci was no big deal and Oscar Peterson played too many notes.

[@kwamethver2.033]

He did play to many notes

[@ruggerobelloni4743]

Those who can't become critics. Aesoph nailed it in his fable The Fox and the grapes.

[@FranciscoBIdo]

Absolutely brilliant. Thank you. Did Wes know how to read notation or some degree of music theory? I'm thinking, i could be wrong, that he did it all by ear which is pure genius in my mind. He had incredible ears, like yours, for sure.

[@RickBeato]

He knew music theory very well. There's a video kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKTGgIajgbmYoLM Start at 15:00 Wes explains all the key changes and sub chord changes as they rehearse the tune. People think that because Wes didn't read music (like many of the great guitar players) he didn't know anything about theory. All great jazz players understand theory. By ear and to explain it.

[@Anashwaran]

A pity! This video is not online anymore.

[@DaveZula]

Thanks Rick, I found this really helpful.

[@alanwilson2089]

Great lesson, Rick...thanks.

[@joeecorsomusic]

Thank you !!! Rick fantastic lessons

[@RichardLloyd1951]

Tremendous knowledge and awesome videos. Thanks so very much.

[@Horus18303]

Awesome !! Thank you for this video. Wes is my favorite jazz guitar player since I was a tennaged boy. I wish some day you can do the version of "Bésame mucho " in the same album "Boss Guitar".

[@ailtonalves145]

Great work Rick I loved !!

[@stevekellar1403]

GREAT LESSON ! THE BEST EVER ! WONDER FUL GUITAR SOUND TOO !

[@gusbarros]

Really great job! Cheers from Brazil.

[@davidbeckertribune607]

That's because as Joe Diorio told me, "Wes was always thinking sounds made up from major, minor, augmented and diminished triads and chord shapes combined with chromatic and diatonic passages". He wasn't thinking scales!

[@rupertlay7684]

Soo true soo true...lots of us (guitar players) try to reference scales...but Wes was operating on harmonic content all the time...well said Becker.

[@eddiejames2404]

I am in shock from watching this video , I just started to learn guitar , and my goal is rock , jazz isn't my style , but the complexity of wes , and the level of thinking , and the detail of your video , makes me want to quit the guitar , because I could never even come near the knowledge you presented here , so what should I do now ?

[@dangreenwood]

E AA It's just a language, you wasn't born able to read and speak from the get go, you pick it up as you go through life. You can listen to the architecture of the phrases and start understanding how they are constructed. Remember, you are seeing Wes' and Rick's countless years of research, practice, and listening habits. You'll get it soon enough, the journey is the best of playing an instrument.

[@eddiejames2404]

Dan Greenwood thanks Dan , I understand what you mean , but still is overwhelming , I want to do improv , and I can't stand all the videos on playing fast , speed is relative and simply playing in subdivisions of tempo at high rates of speed means almost nothing , it won't bring the creativity I need

[@obus4186]

Wes created his own melodies within his solos, melodies that seem to be influenced by the era or region that inspired the song. Nica's Dream and Besame Mucho (Boss Guitar) are my favorites

[@ArnaudSiemons]

Besame did it for me.

[@doradalvi]

Awesome lesson! Thank you!

[@jujutay]

very helpful analysis - thanks!

[@jimshelton115]

Watch Wes on Nica Dream he has to constantly tell the rhythm sect what beat sound he wants . Wes was a genius so one thing you have to know he’d lead you into what he wants to feel & this how Wes played by feel & his fantastic ear . I’m glad Wes never sounded anything like you’re to analyze.

[@icymars]

A great lesson absolutely, thanks a lot!

[@seglord1960]

Rick thanks for this analysis 👍

[@KevinODonnelltelebanger]

Thanks for your channel

[@stevepomeranz4712]

Rick, this was a fantastic discussion. I've been working out this solo for the past for weeks so this was a perfect piece for me to further understand what he was doing. Here is an added thought: Much of what Wes is doing is about enclosures. For example in the Bbm7 in the 7th measure (not including the intro) the 3rd note (Db) goes to A natural and up to C. We see this in other places too. (14th measure-----the Bb13 to the G13---- -the triplet- (F-D#-E). What do you think? Thanks for your excellent work.

[@50CJAZZ]

tremendous breakdown.....Thanks

[@Len_J_]

What a breakdown of a song. Thank you so much. Amazing video. I’ve always found Wes to create the most amazing melodic solos and what is fascinating is the footage when he plays. There is no locking into positions. It’s very horizontal playing and I think the way he views the neck is incredible. His sounds, subs, and tonalities are just amazing. Also if you notice, Wes rarely uses his pinky, no evidence of a CAGED system at all. I think that by not using his pinky, his tones always sound great, because these are strong fingers to use on the neck, the pinky is the weakest and can sometimes sound it too, so he never suffers from that. Thank you once again for this break down. I don’t think there will ever be another Wes. Just a true master musician.

[@jeboccuzzi10]

Great video. Thanks.

[@roberteckert6081]

Rick, I read somewhere that you were looking for a great arch top. I just bought a D’Aquisto ( a real one, not a knock off) and it’s probably the only electric that I’ll play from now on. I have 2 Bryant Treniers and a John David Morse that you may really like. They are pricey but worth every penny. Let me know .......With a reply

[@auralfixxation6702]

Wes Montgomery? Now there's a name that rarely comes up. I tell people about Barney Kessel and I get that look like, who? Great seeing an old master get some air time. Thanks again for what you do.

[@trabrex7697]

Debussy always change dominant chords to minors. This is something that Wes always did also.

[@travelingman9763]

Trumpet players too!

[@LowCPro]

Awesome video Rick! Grant Green's solo on 'People' (from the series of albums he recorded with Larry Young and Elvin Jones) is one of my all-time favourite solos. Would be awesome if you could also break it down. Thanks!

[@gyorgykovacs3688]

Wes Montgomery was the best improviser and has developed very good system very soon . His playing is very difficult, mor e the George Benson etc..

[@coachwillridley1374]

Learning / struggling how to play lines that lead into the chord

[@rodrigomgart]

awesome!

[@Robbannno]

thank you for everything you do! at the moment you make my life haha!

[@j.miquelmontagut5966]

Thank you.

[@guyinpajamapants6892]

He couldn’t read music and didn’t know theory. Pure feeling!

[@ThePmfan]

@Ayustria Salma For sure he knew all the hard bop theory, and showed that in the DVD when he worked with that European trio.

[@PrashantSamlal]

Of the many 'new' directions in jazz i find the style of players like Avishai Cohen (bass) , Tigran Hamasyan , Shai maestro very interesting . Do you think you could do a video about something like that?

[@jayv999]

Great review, Rick. Hey, ever think about doing this video using your thumb instead of a pick?

[@bryanleigh6497]

Go pick your nose

[@seanronan4726]

great explantion

[@MaPaPir]

Can you explain why the the Eb7 can be substituted for an Emaj7? Thanks for the great lesson

[@RickBeato]

Tadupah It really interesting. I've not seen people do that ever honestly. It's a great substitution. Most substitutions are from Minor to dominant not from dominant to major seven.

[@Hexspa]

Well, a year later. I feel like there are two reasons people do anything harmonically: theory and voice leading. Voice leading includes common tones. Fmaj is F-A-C-E. That's your key center; Imaj7. Eb7 to Am7b5 gives you consecutive whole step half-diminished triads: (Eb)G-Bb-Db - A-C-Eb. He's shown use of step-wise ascending constant-structure movement in this piece - see mm15-16 - so the original harmony supports that. In contrast, if you play Ebmaj7 then now you have a D on top. While that chord would be janky if it led to the original A half-diminished, that D is now a common tone for the next five bars. Measures 7 and 8 drop that D down a half step for some juicy tension which provides forward movement into the next harmonic phrase. I always wondered about these weird-ass progressions. As soon as I learned about voice leading, and developed my ear, I realized I could come up with my own answers. TL; DR - no one knows why he did it but, if you break down the voices, you can definitely come up with a musically-valid explanation.

[@shon_e]

Very nice analysis! Do you think Wes think about all this techniques and concepts when soloing? Or does he just play without even thinking much?

[@jimshelton115]

All the time I was around musicians that knew Wes couldn’t read music & didn’t feel comfortable in the studio with other musicians that could . Who told me this my friend Dr David Baker we were friends in 1958 before David went to NY to play with George Russell