Josh Smith - How do you start thinking jazzy?

"The difference between a jazz guy and a rock guy or a blues guy, is that the jazz guy connects the chords". The renowned blues guitarist Josh Smith explains why there is a difference between playing over the changes and playing through the changes.
You can see Josh's concert at the TC HQ (recorded in 2018) by signing up to Music Tribe Community right here: bit.ly/joshsmith-concert-mtc

[@jcgood]

This is the best 11 minutes about the guitar on KZbin.

[@jurisblues]

YES!!

[@freto_cognito9001]

This guy might literally be the best guitar teacher on KZbin. I really gotta deep dive into his stuff!

[@captalex84]

yes

[@TheSoundConnoisseur]

AGREEEE

[@rjmoney9]

100% agreed!

[@MattFoleysGhost]

I feel compelled to say it again. Musicians these days don't know how good they have it when it comes to the Information Age bringing them priceless information that took previous generations decades or great luck/location to encounter. You don't need a good teacher or to grow up in a musical family to be great. All you need is an Internet connection.

[@msenecal]

I totally agree. All my life I wished for a way to get detailed information on how to play guitar for free and at my own pace. With KZbin and other apps I now have no excuse. I just have to put in the work.

[@jimijames6449]

I agree but you also need to apply it live. It’s no good being a bedroom guitar warrior copying stuff you see o the internet. You need to practice improvising live!

[@TheOriginalArchie]

Yup, back in like 1999 I was the only one copping Guthrie Govan licks on internet boards and stuff, solely because I bought Guitar Techniques every month. A quick YT search brings up 100k plus vides of people playing his stuff, and many of them very convincing. Only problem is, and this goes with myself too, sitting in a room with a perfect setup is a lot different than playing in a band setting. I just recently joined a band and it took me a good month before my hands did what my brain told them to do, because standing up and not having your perfect in home sound take away a huge crutch. Also, Ive seen people that can shred licks theyve learned on the internet but other than those licks they cant play much. So it can also be a double edged sword.

[@rookymusic6310]

Agree completely-when I learned there was no KZbin or countless online courses. I had 2 teachers who didn’t know the information so I went years without discovering this type of stuff . Also, I didn’t know what I didn’t know so I didn’t know what books or info to even seek out! Lol

[@Acekorv]

I agree. But guidance is very important. Like a good guitarteacher because when you are stuck or unsure where to go somebody is there to show you the possibilities where you can go. The problem today is too much information and making sense if that knowledge/information is something of importance, there is a lot of info that’s not going to help you because some information should come sooner and some information should come after and built upon the knowledge if it’s too early nothing of the info will make sense.

[@PlanetGareth]

All this in 11 minutes and 32 seconds. Brilliant. Utterly brilliant.

[@mattgilbert7347]

Yeah but could you follow it? Props if you could because I couldn't. t was too much in too short a time.

[@tonykennedy8483]

@@mattgilbert7347 Take each nugget of info and break it down, dont try to take it all in at once, take one bit and work on it and come back to this video only when you understand what Josh was getting at and you can use it in your playing

[@thewoodys_surf_instrumental]

Josh sure has a talent for expressing his knowledge.

[@paulcoleman3081]

The first time I watched this my brain exploded and trickled out my ear. I got my wife to pour it back in for me (even though she said it didn't seem to make any difference) and watched it again. The second time I watched it my socks caught fire out of pure excitement, but I didn't care. The third time I watched it, I thought I understood some of it, but the budgie died of nearly-jazz. Tough. The fourth time I watched it, I got a guitar out and tried to play along. Big, big mistake. The fifth time I watched it I put my pants on my head and went 'wibble'. I might be watching and learning from this eleven minutes for a long, long time. Josh Smith is the bee's knees.

[@marcusstoica]

This is a really, underrated, hip comment

[@KelpYT]

My jazz teacher has been telling me this exact thing for a year but hearing it from this guy really snaps it into perspective for some reason lol

[@thomasmartinscott]

I was one of those guys in the early 1960's who had to learn from "Whatever" was available... which wasn't much! I learned barre chords with Beatle Cards and a magnifying glass. ( for anyone who doesn't know, Beatle cards were like Baseball Cards, you got 5 of them and a piece of bubble gum for a nickel.) I would have sold my dog and my little brother to have had this kind of teaching available. You young players make the most of this. Don't take a bit of it for granted! This is worth GOLD!!!

[@Zacharydderrick]

Agree with everyone. Most the most rewarding 11.5 minutes I've ever spent on guitar. You have to work out what he tells you, but when you do the dividends are incredible.

[@marcusstoica]

Do you believe in coincidences? I have been trying to understand jazz and bebop for about 8 years now, and after a whole lot of digging, I finally uncovered everything this fine gentleman spelled out so clearly just a few days before I saw this. I'm no jazz god yet. I can't burn through rhythm changes the way I want to. But I've played enough gigs to know my way around jazz. This is THE right way to begin understanding jazz. Play the chord tones on the downbeat, use chromatics and upper structure triads and altered tones to connect them, make sure you're leading into the next chord, know your ii V, diminished substitutions for chord progressions, and altered dominants in all 12 keys. The only scales you need are the major and minor scales. Add in the harmonic and melodic minor in for flavor, and just play the chord tones. Throw ALL THE REST of your scales out the window - what they contain are covered by the altered tones and the upper structure triads. Scale theory just isn't the way jazz is structured in my opinion. You shouldn't be asking what scales to play on a chord but what chord tones to be playing on a chord. You'll be amazed at how something this simple transforms your playing.

[@Geotubest]

I learned more from Josh in the past 2 days than I've learned from everyone else combined in 20 years.

[@RJRonquillo]

Josh explains it great. The term I was taught was "playing over the bar line", meaning, not just treating the changes as blocks of chords to play over individually, but being able to seamlessly go from one chord to the other.

[@haderhamdan3264]

WOW,YOU CAN SPEND A LIFETIME WONDERING HOW TO PLAY JAZZ,AND HERE COMES JOSH AND MAKES IT SIMPLE 1N 11 MIN.

[@marlonborreo]

This is it. The lesson of all lessons. Now it makes total sense how chords and scales and arpeggios all fit together to make MUSIC. This is the exact same thing I find and admire in Matt Schofield's playing (although his touch is something that can never be taught).

[@bloopville]

I had been a rock and blues guitarist for almost 50 years, and then I heard Josh explain this, and, by learning the arpeggios and adding the melodic minor scale to my repertoire, I played the first jazz solos of my life. These things had been incomprehensible to me until Josh explained them, and I will be forever thankful.

[@h1pst3r88]

Every time I listen to Josh talk about guitar (and demonstrate what he's talking about) I grab my guitar. Dude is one of the best guitar ambassadors going. Oh, and the killer feel and chops are just a bonus!

[@pallhe]

Josh is a very effective teacher, using storytelling to get the information across.

[@JuicyJonesHQ]

This is right up there with the Dweezil Zappa pentatonic lesson as one of the best guitar lessons I've ever had. And just in a few minutes!

[@ApolloSuns]

This is amazing. As a "rock" guitarist this was so helpful

[@monconillsegon]

I agree: This is the best 11 minutes about the guitar on KZbin.

[@tomcripps7229]

After being a rhythm guitarist forever and a student of jazz for the last 20 years I learned enough chord positions and chord scales that I started playing single line solos connecting chords because I could never get single line scales to not sound like scales. This was perfect timing. That 2-5-1 tactic has been beaten into my head for so long and now it makes sense. Thank you Josh.

[@benediktwimmer1848]

Awesome! Never heard anyone express this so well and relatable. A 100% true, it really is the key.

[@bobfrye448]

This is wonderful info and knowledge. My take is this: you should study all this, and integrate it into your playing and muscle memory and "ear" memory. But when on the bandstand, thinking should stop. Just trust your practice and ears, and be in the moment. Flow and let yourself (the ego, the "you") disappear. Let the music come... if you think while you're playing, you're dead in the water. Thinking and creativity, analysis and creativity are two different brain functions that cannot happen at once. John Cage taught me this

[@DennisdeLange]

music-theory in 11:32 total... makes total sence! Thanks Josh

[@twangbarfly]

A man who has the same consummate eloquence when talking about music as he has when playing it - which takes some doing when you play as well as Josh Smith. Hats off! This little jewel of musical wisdom reminds me of Leonard Bernstein, which is also saying a lot! Thanks Josh for posting this - and all your other extremely helpful videos.

[@noelflur8814]

What an amazing lesson Josh!!! Eye are wide open now 😳

[@joerobinson2538]

Wow-talking about cracking the code! Great immediately usable info!

[@l3wisgtr]

One of the best lessons Ever!!! Awesome Josh!!!

[@asarcadyn2414]

I was there! Brilliant night. Thanks TC for the concert (and the free headstock tuner👍)o

[@JeremySteamsack]

I wish I watched this years ago - boy how I needed it to be explained like this!

[@RazvanCosti]

Amazing how this vid was super clear and i got it while at the same time it flew way over my head..

[@philthiest]

Wow! as a self taught guitarist jazz concepts always intimidated me, but the way he explained it so simply but still keeping it relatable and interesting really got the whole concept home for me. Thank you sir.

[@curtdupriez3775]

I'm new to Josh Smith (three days ago). Instant fan. Amazing stuff

[@sensiblynumb]

this advice for guitarist is worth every second. Amazing lesson for free. Cheers

[@mariomazza9235]

I’ve played guitar for years, never really understood jazz , but lightbulb moment , Thankyou Josh

[@michaelmercedes1772]

music theory teacher: C'mon It's not rocket science... Rocket science professor: uggh it's not music theory...

[@MetaphysicalMusician]

This is a bag of Jewels🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@rookymusic6310]

Josh is brilliant. This teaching + tons of transcribing and you’re GOLDEN

[@GrilledCheesemmmm]

Wow I'm really gonna wreck some blues tunes this week... 😂🤣😆😃😂😎

[@mhitc.4975]

there is tons of productive information about music but I can't digest by only watching one time,I have to watch over and over

[@dunhamchris]

This guy is amazing !! One of today’s best players

[@plantpotpeople]

What a gent and great player.

[@boogiejed5485]

John Abercromby said something similar about solo over chord changes, that it didn't matter if didn't know where you are but you must know where you are going (ie the next chord)

[@boogiejed5485]

You are correct , however then you'd be missing out on a whole world of beauty

[@elitecombatfitnesscentral6170]

Wow this guy really knows how to explain stuff so naturally and insightful it really shows you a different way to look at jazz guitar in the very nuts and bolts Style makes total sense

[@jamesstewart8054]

Thumbs up Josh. Cheers James.

[@MNGuitars]

Wowwww Josh and TC thanx so much, I've seen another video where Josh explains it similarly, for the first time I'm really starting to understand it

[@expatbizzum]

Great recommendation for the fantastic (Sir) Bruce Forman as well as the usual tasty playing from Josh.

[@thecreature1281]

Music Flowing like Water - and wisdom - wow. Thank you Josh!

[@lbattey]

Josh! You just put words to, and confirmed, what I have been feeling and wanting to do in my playing! You are the man!!! Thanks!!!

[@elrafa782]

Love this guy. Humility and passion. Plus the proof that theory is no bullshit, it’s main goal is to make music. One more thing : you can be a real roots blues man, and play jazz. All of this make me love music more and more.

[@barrysebastian9584]

Nice discussion - Bruce will love the nod😉👍

[@davidscott1052]

love this guy ...giving jazz guys their due

[@user-tx7li7sf1m]

The tips are great but let's be honest we all came to see this legend perform!!

[@IsraelPortnoyMusic]

Mind Blown. What a phenomenal teacher.

[@danielvelasquez5379]

What a great insight! It is really amazing how Josh was able to convey all those complex thoughts through that simple speech.

[@orsanbel3668]

Josh Smith is awesome man! He played with my guitar teacher Artur Tadevosyan in germany and I don’t know why, but I felt honoured and proud:-) thank you for this content josh. Much love from germany my man :-)

[@bmwcarrmann429]

Hello Josh I got it now you make me know what's going on it's now so simple it's easier learning.man I need you in my guitar life.i knew you were a guitar God when I saw the first time you played music to my ears.positively great man you just briged my gap thank you my friend.im a fan forever.keeo it coming.peace

[@Kadehr]

BIG thank you Josh!

Thank you guys for this lesson!

[@ninoaveni8234]

Gold, just gold right here.

[@tomsmyth4836]

Hands down the best and most informative video I have seen to date on Utube. Thank you Sir .... hats off!

[@jamesmurphy915]

Josh Smith is THE man! Wow! Amazing lesson.

[@JamesMartinBass]

This is the best thing ever, and explained with such clarity and humility.

[@robstack2986]

I had the lightbulb moment! I'm so happy!

[@JamieToddBand]

My most harmonically sophisticated solo for the blues was taken note for note from a sax solo on a Ray Charles recording. He's the man to study after you get a feel for this stuff.

[@charliearavena3030]

JOSH SMITH...#1 guitar player..Worldwide !!!!!!!

[@frannyp46]

Many thanks for the ii v information on chord changes. Made a difference.

[@jimheckert5383]

I can’t play a thing. But I do know when a guy knows exactly what he is talking about. Thanks Josh. Fantastic

[@DangerousGuitarist]

Phenomenal way to making something so much more approachable! I spent my few years doing jazz just feeling my way around in the dark (you’re only ever a half step away from “right”). Really wish I’d had this insight then! But I’m always looking for new things to add to the toolkit 👍🏼

[@meowmixe]

Right on Josh Smith. This cat is spot on. Great inside pitches of knowledge. Also neat to hear just how much "Blues" there is in Josh's melodic and harmonic Jazz lines. He connects these disparate dots rather well IMHO.

[@blueSpirit137]

I discovered Josh in a Pauls' David video and I am amazed how subtle his playing is, and how he makes everything to seem super easy. The II - V - I turnaround trick is GREAT (I will also need 10 years of practice LOL)

[@mikec4848]

Wow! That was amazing on so many topics seamlessly brought all together. Another 10 year adventure, haha

[@zaqintosh]

Wonderful player, wonderful teacher, wonderful guy!

[@vodoo5748]

Amazing lesson, one of the best of KZbin. To be melodic you have to be deep in the chords, scales are good but chords they give you the notes to target. And then you realise how crucial it is to know triads and arpeggios all over the neck....

[@JoergB]

Fantastic lesson, I admiring using these easy words! Thanks and Congratulations!

[@frankgreco]

Excellent info from Josh. Not many great players are good at explaining things. This was extremely well explained.

[@gabriel_levi]

Amazing lesson! Thank you.

[@travorkates005]

Josh is an amazing instructor, he explains so well, there's always something new to learn

[@joch2305]

I've heard him give this lesson before. Good stuff.

[@alligator69]

Great presentation. This is analogous with the concepts of "Bird changes" and "Coltrane changes" in jazz. Also Hendrix on things like Country Blues. Just what Josh is doing here, embellishing basic I, IV, V blues changes with additional chords that naturally resolve to the basic "root chords" both within and outside of the key or tonal center

[@oldrrocr]

One of the few good things about being in lockdown 2020 hell. Finding mind-blowing vids like this - thanks Josh!

[@bluelu6178]

wow. this was great. Thank you so much!

[@skovgaard2000]

Light bulb moment! Thanks Josh! #mindblown

[@johnnyboo8243]

wow! that just gave me a great boost! thanks so much!! I love how he gets a jazz look, when he plays jazz :)

[@henkkruidenier1238]

Fantastic Great Josh ~^^;;^^~ Greeetzzz Henk.

[@enricopallazzo2987]

I was always told you are what you eat. Or in this case, you are what you listen to and absorb. I didn't start thinking jazzy until I spent years listening to Gambale, Holdsworth, Wes, Miles, Coltrane, Scott Henderson, etc. Until I really absorbed the language and got other guys licks in my head, it was feelingless tabs and exercises. The horn player that I always thought translated the best to guitar was and still is Cannonball Adderly.

[@daddybliss3243]

Thank you, thank you, thank you so much.

[@javiermaldonado19]

A perfect, simple and inspiring explanation. Many thanks

[@alfredcakeburn1166]

Thanks Josh

[@emlyngriffith5846]

Excellent stuff 👍🍷

[@carlodevivomusicontent2138]

Best lesson ever

[@gius-pe]

excellent clip, but something important is missing: a big, fat applause from the audience at the end of this sharp, clear and to-the-point explanation. (consider yourself applauded, Sir.)

[@fvcostanzo]

This is huge - tremendous lesson.

[@tonym994]

I'm self taught, and as Lonesome George Gobel said, "I'm not a good student or teacher". it is magnificent to have free lessons at my disposal.

[@cirimaxg651]

Right now, in my opinion, he's the best guitarist in the world... by far!

[@paulbreaux909]

Awesome. Thank you.

[@fabiocecchelli9662]

Josh is AMAZING

[@clintbasham2598]

Great lesson! Thanks for the introduction to Bruce Forman as well!

[@hereigoagain5050]

Thanks so much! I don't play, but you videos make me a better listener.

[@AustinCobbMusic]

Brilliant. And so well presented.

[@scottt9382]

This is soooooo good.