The 3 Bebop Licks You Need To Know

Obviously, you are not going to learn to play Bebop by just studying 3 licks, but if you want to add that sound to your playing and mix in some bebop in your solos then this is not a bad place to start. And you want to make sure that you know these jazz licks if you want to play Jazz.
As you will see in the video, I am showing you some basic lines, but also how you can work on them making building blocks and things you can use as a part of your sound, not just static licks to copy-paste in there.
Octave Displacement - The Secret To Bebop Melodies:
• Bebop Magic - One Of T...
Jazz Blues - 3 Easy Techniques
• Jazz Blues - 3 Easy Te...
Content:
00:00​ Intro
01:02​ #1 Triplet Arpeggios
02:08​ Learn Building Blocks
02:35​ #2 Honeysuckle Rose
03:46​ Bebop is a form of composition
04:39​ #3 David Baker Lick
06:25​ Why I don't Like Bebop Scales
06:58​ Bebop and Blues
07:04​ Like the video? Check out my Patreon page!
Get the PDF on my website:
jenslarsen.nl/the-3-bebop-lic...
Get the PDF and GuitarPro files on Patreon:
/ 47359810
🎸Check out my Online Course, The Jazz Guitar Roadmap: bit.ly/JazzGtRm
🔴 Subscribe for more free Jazz Guitar Lessons and Videos: bit.ly/JensLessons
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✅DOWNLOAD A FREE E-BOOK with 15 II Valt I licks!
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▶️ Check out my latest video: goo.gl/G16gVx
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My name is Jens Larsen, Danish Jazz Guitarist, and Educator. The videos on this channel will help you explore and enjoy Jazz. Some of it is how to play jazz guitar, but other videos are more on Music Theory like Jazz Chords or advice on how to practice and learn Jazz, on guitar or any other instrument.
The videos are mostly jazz guitar lessons, but also music theory, analysis of songs and videos on jazz guitars.
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[@electorize]

Of course, we are interested Jens, we are interested in everything you can teach us! :)

[@JensLarsen]

Great! :)

[@RahulDas-zy6ut]

yup❤️❤️

[@AmandaKaymusic]

Hear, hear.

[@rylandbriar6085]

i dont mean to be so off topic but does anyone know a way to log back into an Instagram account..? I stupidly lost the password. I would appreciate any assistance you can give me.

[@vancejeremy7939]

@Ryland Briar Instablaster :)

[@mikelemon1111]

« Octave displacement video »... damn yes !!

[@luxtrevis9445]

yesss

[@nicanorgomez7135]

Hi sir, I'm Nick Gomez from the Philippines. I'm been playing the guitar proressionally since 1972.I learned jazz during the year 1977 from my Japanese friend. But I wasn't able to use it. There are none available gigs for jazz during that time. Now it's pandemic and I'm jobless up to present. I decided to watch your KZbin channel as a reviewer but I'm impressed to your kind of teaching. Thank you so much. God bless you.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you Nicanor! I hope you get through this rough time for live music :)

[@GPRTV13]

Hello sir nick, pinoy here. 😊

[@ae3898]

I was the recipient of 1997’s “Most INCORRECT Notes” honor. I’ve always wondered who it was who took the medal in the other category that year. :)

[@JensLarsen]

Great! Well, slightly delayed congratulations :)

[@captainkangaroo4301]

My Favorite Jazz guitarist has always been Grant Green. 50+ years ago I used to sit in my room with my guitar and play his records over and over and try to figure it out. It was the way most of us learned back then. Very slow progress but you really developed an ear.

[@SharpElevenMusic]

Couldn't agree more about the "compose your own lines and write them down" part! This is so essential, it's getting stuff from the unconscious to the conscious, and after you've done it and studied it, you can let is slip back into the unconscious,only just a lot better and controlled. Apparently Warne Marsh had his students compose two chorusses on a Blues every week for at least a year. I think it's an amazing way of learning, because you can also avoid repeating yourself over and over again. You are basically forced to come up with new lines, so it's a great way to be creative too (at least, unless you have no problem with repeating yourself a lot in improvisations 🙃)

[@JensLarsen]

Interesting! One of my first Jazz teachers was also really big on writing and learning your own solos as an exercise, it was painful for a new reading guitarist whose lines sucked but it did work quite well. The 2 chorus solo could be an interesting 30 days video :D

[@SharpElevenMusic]

@@JensLarsen sure, that's a great idea actuall! I mean, I did it a few times, but would be a good kick in the butt to for practising what you preach actually here 😂. If it would be for 30 days everyday, maybe 1 would suffice. I guess everybody should be able to manage that. And then you end up with 30 chorusses! wow

[@JensLarsen]

@@SharpElevenMusic We'll see. I am 95% done with editing the video btw :)

[@SharpElevenMusic]

@@JensLarsen ah nice! What a blow to learn Chick just left us in mean time.

[@JensLarsen]

@@SharpElevenMusic yes, that was a shock. I will probably put a 30 second video in front of it and mention that. The video is still 1 hour long :D

[@TheMegansdad]

Yes to the 8va displacement video .Great lesson as usual Jens. Thank you

[@petewelsh9978]

OK that's a year's worth of study in one video!!!

[@markhenstock3757]

Thank you Jens for all the inspiration, knowledge and enthusiasm for jazz. You have taught me so much, and I can't wait to learn more. BEST CHANNEL ON KZbin!

[@JensLarsen]

You are very welcome Mark! Great to hear that you find the videos useful 🙂

[@evanelliott8231]

I died laughing at the most correct notes award. Man does that sum up that sort of our musical journey in the part. Awesome video

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you liked that part Evan :)

[@tomcripps7229]

Great lesson Jens and you're swingin' hard. My improvisation lines weave their way through major, minor, blues, diminished scales while connecting chords. I like to experiment, push some boundaries, see what I can get away with. But my main objective is to build support systems by way of rhythm, melody, syncopation and space. And my favorite bebop or hard bop guitarist is none other than Barney Kessel.

[@josephslusarski7384]

Yupp, Octave displacement would be a great video! Thank you!!! Great videos!!

[@Kinda___Happy]

Jens you are the man! The drop arps is a game changer for me, it sounds great and opens so many options for writing/connecting lines. Excellent video thank you!

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you! Glad that was useful! It was indeed an eye opener for me as well when I learned it 🙂

[@longdickjohnson4126]

I went to jazz school and no one taught like this. So practical, I can turn around and use it immediately and sound good. Then I can add more on my own

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you! Really glad you find it useful, even at your level 🙂

[@Crowsinger]

Same! They taught us which scales were compatible with which chords, not melodic movement concepts. I really started grasping the point because of Jens' channel.

[@terada1444]

Great stuff Jen's. Thank you once again. This really helps.

[@JensLarsen]

You are very welcome!

[@dtrio3996]

Yes mr. Larsen i would love a vid about octave displacement

[@mattchun652]

Jens, thanks for another great lesson. Would love an entire video dedicated to octave displacement

[@docbenson7462]

Thank you so much for adding the Honeysuckle Rose lick to the lesson....

[@mjones6983]

Love your ideas, always useful and insightful

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you like them!

[@kico31kc]

Great video! Would love to see a lesson on octave displacement!

[@rogerheltonmusic]

You really have a gift for doing this.

[@Boyanbo]

I have always been in the "correct notes" area...for many many years, but you are quite correct Mr. Larsen, that does not jazz make :)

[@littlejohn725]

Pat Martino is my favourite bebop guitarist, followed by George Benson. Wes and Django are my favourite all round jazz guitarists.

[@jackdolphy8965]

Jens you 'rock' man. Wonderful to see the 'Grandstand' Lp show up behind you at the beginning.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you 😁

[@louispearson8306]

This is the single best jazz lesson on the internet. This should be where all lessons begin

[@JensLarsen]

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

[@alexpavchinski]

Fantastic lesson - you can learn more from Jens than the jazz instruction books - octave displacement, embellishing arpeggios, enclosures, etc.

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you like it 🙂

[@thefungai1]

Super smooth and very informative

[@tommyburnhamsmusic]

Excellent stuff as always. Thank you

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@salimbaghli8040]

Another great lesson. I still have a hard time improvising over Jazz but I am getting there. I put together “pure imagination” from Willy Wonka and the chocolate factory tune on jazz guitar with melody and basic comping. As you said in your video, trying to create your own phrases will make it even more personal. Will try to continue to build on it using your advice. Thank you Jens.

[@pascalk1922]

Thanks a lot for this lesson Jens.. Like your philosophy about the approach to learn bebop or other stuff... helps to avoid dogmatic thinking . Would certainly be interested in the "octave displacement" video .

[@JensLarsen]

Glad it was helpful!

[@insidejazzguitar8112]

Great lesson. Would love for you to cover octave displacement in more depth. Thank you!

[@ozkancanbay4963]

Fantastic dense information. Thanks so much.

[@JensLarsen]

Glad it was helpful!

[@overtonesnteatime198]

Homestly the ad that keeps playing before these videos is kinda starting to piss me off lol 😝 yeah i could take some course but this channel is a course on its own if you study it enough and incorporate jazz albums for listening 👂 you can accomplish so very much! Thanks Jens for years of knowledge I never would have learned without you.

[@docbenson7462]

Thank you so much for adding in the Honey

[@Geetarhed]

Great teacher, great player

[@oiseaupapillion]

Franchement j'en suis sûr que tu fais partie des meilleurs prof pour eux Merci beaucoup bcp bcp bcp bcp bcp bcp bcp pour eux 👏👏👏

[@Torino2006]

Just came across your site.Great lesson.Thanks.

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you like it 🙂

[@vicentesalvadorpitrelli2092]

Excelente ,gracias aunque tengo casi 64 años sigo estudiando ,eres un excelente musico y profesor ,te felicito,dsede Argentina te mando saludos y cuídate mucho...

[@lautaromarulanda1726]

Awsome teaching approach! thank you!

[@JensLarsen]

You're very welcome!

[@papunAlicea]

Thanks so much for share this video, brother. God bless 🎸

[@JensLarsen]

My pleasure!!

[@ukulelechriswilson]

Thank You so much.

[@maxperson590]

Yeah, Oktave displacement would be a great thing

[@stephenbryant3338]

Yes please do octave displacement video!

[@caurnelmorgan4934]

Melodic techniques, like octave displacement, should be taught alongside scales. I’ve used them haphazardly without knowing what they’re called. Now I’ll integrate them into solos on purpose. I’d like to see a video devoted to octave displacement and any related techniques I’ve probably missed because I’m self-taught. Thanks Jens.

[@JensLarsen]

They should indeed! Glad the video is useful :)

[@jamescopeland5358]

Thank you Jens, another fine time lesson

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you like it 🙂

[@nickpilgrim1966]

Great insights Lens

[@surprisedmike]

I took some classes with Barry Harris and studied with one of his students. Learning a collection of "bebop" type scales is certainly part of it. My impression, however, is that the purpose is not that you would necessarily play these as part of your improvisation, rather it is about getting the rhythmical feel and sound of what a bebop line is like with chord tones on strong beats, etc. I found practicing the Barry Harris scales really helpful in that regard and this has given me a framework for composing my own lines and certainly fragments of the scales show up. But arpeggios, neighbor and surround tones, 8th and 16th note triplets, etc. are all a part of it too, not just scales. Anyway I agree with your comment about composing your own lines but I think Barry's scales help you get there. Thanks for your lessons, I always enjoy and get something out of them. Howard Roberts in his 1950's recordings is my favorite bebop guitarist.

[@khumokganyago]

Shout from South Africa!!!

[@thefungai1]

Thanks for making bop accessible

[@JensLarsen]

Great that you can put it to use 🙂

[@jarma76]

Thank you very much for "legitimising" my, let's say, aversion to learning bebop-scales etc. Obviously I am familiar with them and how they work, but I don't really practice them. (just to note, I am not aiming to be professional, way too late for me, just wishing to improve in my middle age! :-D). I have a solid background in classical music theory from music school days which I have been able utilise when learning more and more about jazz theory and improvisation. At some point I thought that I should really learn all these scales to be able to play be-bop"properly", but luckily this seems not to be the case. I am a double bass and piano player (probably "intermediate level"), and I find that the solid knowledge of the chords and resolutions is much more useful than just knowing which notes go to which scale. I can also say that being aware of the bebop scales has also helped me to understand how the bebop language works. But approaching playing in terms chord tones and chromatisism seems to work better for me than thinking in terms of scales. I don't know how many non-guitarists follow your channel, but I am certainly happy that the youtube-algorithm brought it to my attention. :-)

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you! That is indeed close to my experience as well, but you will also find that a lot of musicians are not into Bebop scales 🙂

[@jimmiphaze5785]

i luv this its great .........thanks

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you 🙂

[@ruthandthekernel8077]

Most correct notes award for me 2021 just as I have finally learned to hit my target tones on All The Things You Are (thirty years in) -- ah well, you give me something new to work on. Well done! On a side note, in another exercise I am also moving through the changes using The (dreaded) Lick -- and transpose, or superimpose as changes call for. Am I jazz yet? Probably not lol

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you! I would probably suggest using more useful vocabulary 😁

[@danielmendez3098]

amazing thank you

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you like it 🙂

[@udomatthiasdrums5322]

cool stuff!!

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you 🙂

[@rogerheltonmusic]

After 2yrs of stewing in this, Its suddenly way more relevant.

[@jacquelamontharenberg]

Hello Jens. I am a smooth jazz saxophonist and recording artist. When I hear a lick in my head, I sing it then play it. If I am not capable of playing it, I record the idea by singing it into a mic and practice it until I can play it. This is how I compose my solos. Great way to incorporate bebop and blues lines into an existing track while coming up with new song ideas. The result is I create my own unique lines within my own style. Thanks for the tutorial.

[@wtfr1der]

the robot had my dying lol

[@markarolee]

Swingin' Jens!

[@mikiegood]

Jimmy Raney is my favorite

[@keithlye2956]

Has to be - the only true bebopper!

[@jaythorne6400]

Also yes to Octave displacement

[@sixstringsam8325]

this is great, more vids!

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you! I will certainly do my best!

[@cliberg]

Thanks!

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you like it 🙂

[@wernerposchenrieder8493]

yes, I am definitely interested in a video about octave displacement, I am

[@JensLarsen]

Coming soon! :)

[@nathanbouton6700]

Octave displacement. Yes, please.

[@danimuhammad3079]

thank you for the translation into Indonesian. I subscribe you from now on ❤🙏

[@tonepoet]

Oh, man, these are some great concepts. I fell like you're helping me cheat on a test as the teacher walks out the door!!

[@JensLarsen]

Haha, go for it 🙂

[@JustFiddler]

matur suksma.... i play fiddle and this is really helpful

[@JensLarsen]

Glad to. Hear that 8

[@themusiccovenant]

Legendary guitarist

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you! :)

[@Boyanbo]

More on enclosures and octave displacement, please.

[@haroldskelton3842]

Just coincidentally, this week I was listening to Chet bakers Just friends and I heard this nice lick at the end of a phrase. I picked it out and have been using it and practicing in all keys just because it seems strong and useful. Turns out it is the honeysuckle rose lick too..

[@JensLarsen]

Haha! Great 🙂👍

[@docbobster]

I'd like to know more about octave displacement.

[@GhostGuitars]

such an information rich video I had to slow it down! You could have made three videos with the content here, bravo sir

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you like it 🙂

[@ramirointrocaso3578]

Thank my lord

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you like it!

[@rogerheltonmusic]

Brother, I appreciate you

[@JensLarsen]

My pleasure

[@petejandrell4512]

Another vote for an octave displacement video please Jens.

[@JensLarsen]

Thanks Pete! I will certainly keep that in mind :)

[@XiaNingTian]

Favorite bop guitarist? I don't know if he has played bebop, but Brian Setzer has been a big reason why I've been adding more jazzier stuff into my playing

[@JensLarsen]

I think it is a stretch to call him a Bebop guitarist though :D

[@DaddySantaClaus]

Hi Jens. This is great vocabulary lesson. I finally bought a laptop and I am actually writing down my licks on paper to the computer and it's makes life much easier analysing material and so. Although I considering getting an interface, do have any recommendations on equipment that's not too expensive for a working class individual? 😅 Thanks

[@JensLarsen]

If you are only recording guitar then maybe a line6 helix stomp? I think that will double as an interface, the more expensive options like the Fractal or the Helix does. Check out @johnnathancordy for some videos on that

[@DaddySantaClaus]

@@JensLarsen thanks Jens. Have a good day mate

[@hanovergreen4091]

+1 for Octave Displacement please Sir!! Best Regards!

[@JensLarsen]

That's easy! Here you go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKbIe3p5iNh6odE

[@MrGeolm]

"more money made on bebop scales than bebop" so true, 100% agree with you about bebop scales, they don't make anybody fluent in bebop, it's overly simple. Better to work on enclosure IMO

[@tiagocandiani3958]

we are interested on a video on that

[@bohnulus]

I love your slow description….. keep this just saying 👍

[@JensLarsen]

It's difficult because people often massively leave the video when I have those segments in there 🤔

[@bondanbo46]

the best teacher..

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you!

[@joerogan5433]

Wow a phenomenal lesson from a phenomenal jazz guitarist! I became a better jazz guitarist in a half- hour even though I’ve been playing jazz for 40 years!!

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you! Glad it was useful 🙂

[@audiophilssociety]

Hi Jens! Proper Video - as ALWAYS. May I ask you what program(as seen in the video at about 3:50) you're using for composing/writing down your lines and licks? THANKS!

[@JensLarsen]

Thanks! It is GuitarPro7, there's an (affiliate) link in the description if you want to check it out.

[@audiophilssociety]

@@JensLarsen Thank you one more time for your answer!

[@bohnulus]

I’m totally interested in viewing an additional video outlining octave displacement …… 👍

[@JensLarsen]

That would be this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKbIe3p5iNh6odE

[@medericfourmy5852]

Thanks a lot for these videos! Technical detail: what notation software do you use? Any opinion of your pick versus Musescore?

[@JensLarsen]

I use GuitarPro7. I also use musescore, but for guitar tabs and diagrams GuitarPro is a ton better.

[@johnhardin8906]

I think octave solos make such music from ambient all the way thru folk, Jazz, not into metal but rock also.

[@timcoote1403]

‘Bebop scale’ always seems like an oxymoron to me.

[@DennisSheaPRM]

You mentioned a video on octaves. I have been exploring them lately. Not necessarily bebop but in general . do you already have some videos on octaves as they apply to building licks?

[@JensLarsen]

Not octaves, octave displacement 🙂 That is something else

[@hoshinohikaru907]

I was shocked when he said he didn't like bebop skill lol :)))

[@JensLarsen]

?

[@jacobjurgenbeckjurgensen7572]

Please do an octave displacement video!

[@JensLarsen]

I already did, here you go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKbIe3p5iNh6odE

[@GPRTV13]

Great lesson always. What is that software you use for notation?

[@JensLarsen]

It is GuitarPro7, there is a link in the video description 🙂

[@GPRTV13]

Thanks Jens! Keep your lessons coming. I'm planning also to share some lessons for beginners (because I'm not that superb like you in guitar) 😊 here in the Philippines and I hope I can use that in the future. Keep it coming. Big help! 🙏😊☝👏👊

[@frednagel1]

what notation program would you recommend for my transposing efforts?

[@JensLarsen]

I would not do that with software? 🙂

[@bluegoose555]

Hey Ba by I Hear (and trip el et 1) the Blues a Call ing ( and 2 and 3 and etc) ... Tossed Salad and Scrambled Eggs (Frazier)

[@JensLarsen]

Great example 👍🙂

[@docbenson7462]

I would be interested in a lesson exploring octave displacement....

[@rockstarjazzcat]

For sure, classic bop is definitely not about moonwalking robots.

[@TheHellYeah23]

I've noticed FM3 on your table. How would you compare it to ax8 based on your experience?

[@JensLarsen]

Just as good with slightly more power, but I only have it for a few weeks

[@TheHellYeah23]

@@JensLarsen so you will stick to ax8 won't you?

[@JensLarsen]

@@TheHellYeah23 No, it does the job just as well so I will stick with the upgrade. Maybe I can get the reverbs a little better in the FM3, that was the only thing I felt I never really nailed 100% in the AX8 (though I didn't spend time on it) There are other things about the FM3 being an audio interface that I might find very useful in the near future so that alone is worth the upgrade as well.

[@kewlfonz]

A lesson dedicated to octave displacement would be great. The concept itself itself is not that hard to understand - What makes it confusing, is knowing where & how to apply octave displacement within the context of say a 2-5-1 cadence or a song form...

[@SimpleManGuitars1973]

Charlie Christian is my favorite bebop player but do you consider Wes a bebop player? I just consider him my favorite "jazz" player I guess.

[@crashandburngaming5103]

OMG that is an awesome program! It picks out the notes? What is that called Jens?

[@JensLarsen]

It is GuitarPro, It doesn't transcribe what I play, though :)

[@halasimov1362]

You could use a fishman midi pickup and transcribe live!