The Chord Solos of Wes Montgomery - Techniques and Concepts

In this episode of Everything Music we explore the chord solos of the great Wes Montgomery! We discuss how his solos always follow the same order of single notes to octaves to chords. I will also show you the kind of voicing’s (Drop 2) that he likes to uses in his chord solos. The songs that I focus on are “Cariba” from the Full House record and “Fried Pies” from the Boss Guitar record.
Links To Follow:
If you are interested in purchasing The Beato Book please email me at [e-mail]
Skype Lessons are available on a limited basis. If you are interested please write me at [e-mail]
If you would like to support my video creation, you can hit the SUPPORT button on the sidebar of my main page
KZbin - / rickbeato
Artist Facebook - / rickbeatoproduction
Personal Facebook - / rick.beato.1
Instagram - / rickbeato1
Follow On Twitter - @rickbeato
www.nuryl.com
www.rickbeato.com

[@apkrishnadas]

I’m a super beginner and have almost no idea what Rick is talking about but I just keep listening cuz I know it’s amazing...

[@josh_7569]

Great intuition, because that was accuratelt said. And you'll get to understand at his speed in a couple hard working years.

[@philgallagher1]

I know exactly what you mean. I "know" & to a lage extent I "understand" all the words Rick is using, but it still sounds like a foreign language to me! At one point I'm sure he was just shouting out random numbers and letters. Despite my ignorance of the language Rick is using, I can't help but stare at the screen - it sounds amazing!

[@dangatton7138]

well this is not cowboy music or 3 chord Rock lol

[@stalkerfactory4172]

Yeah! That's the spirit!

[@ryanmcyuh]

same

[@irishmuso7129]

Is there anyone more knowledgeable and generous with that knowledge than this man?

[@jerryk3280]

Ted Greene was pretty awesome.

[@royarlan1]

Mickey

[@karlaranjo744]

my teacher WILLIAM G LEAVITT was the same type of guy, a walking generous encylopedia

[@doordashh]

equally as knowledgeable, yea jens larsen.

[@loontil]

Yes. Me.

[@giusepperesponte8077]

I take a lot of inspiration from Wes Montgomery, I started late and so did he, Wes started playing guitar when he was 20 and went on to be one of the best.

[@BennyWitchfinder]

Playing guitar is pretty easy. Having musical genius is a totally different story

[@_left_eye]

Rick, the fact that you’re giving this for free to the world out there is crazy.. I know musicians who could keep their student unaware of this for years, just to guarantee themselves a consistent income. I guess I’ll go over this as long as I memorise it all👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@Terribleguitarist89]

I'm a metalhead but Wes and Django hold a special place in my heart. Love the channel and all the knowledge you're giving for free.

[@elester7456]

4:09 he means to say "F" instead of "G." Turned into a calculus test for me for a second. Glad I figured it out, figured I'd share.

[@loontil]

Thank for that breau.

[@Bronco541]

stupid youtube got rid of annotations so people can fix mistakes like that anymore....

[@JohnZipperer]

Ya thanks for saying that...

[@sitarnut]

Rick- Man alive.. I just have to tell you that my Bro. Tom and I bought the first two Riverside LP's "Trio" and "Incredible Jazz Guitar" new in the early 60's.. and we never stopped buying and listening and trying to play like him. You do the same things we did.. the "knocked out" facial expressions, shaking our heads, and finally being mentally whipped, we just shut down the old Magnavox Hi-Fi unit and passed out. No guitarist has ever grooved us like Wes... you did so well in capturing his chords and sharing with us all. You're a bad Mama Jamma... and yes, folks can learn the chords a bit, but trying to PLAY like Wes...Ha ha ha ha.. that Bluesy touch and the rhythm, feel and Soul.... we always say how bloody lucky we were to be born at a time when we could witness his magic. He's sorely missed. If you haven't scored Adrian Ingram's softcover, "Wes Montgomery" don't stop until you have a copy... we say, "No one's cut him yet!" ...blessings from Texas. Jim and Tom.

[@ledseblin]

I'm not trying to sound mean but since you signed it with both your names... Were you composing that comment sitting in front of the screen together or how does that work?

[@Pretzels722]

hands down best youtube channel for musicians on youtube. everyone like his videos!

[@robblockjazz]

Bob Saturday

[@rrdwiki]

20 minutes of stupid talking

[@SqueakyWombat]

rrdwiki well its not a tutorial.

[@jackgriffith9229]

Super Beginner?? Good News !! I don’t always get everything that Rick teaches and I have to go back and re study/learn the Beato content as it is exactly what I need to know!!! Do not give up !! Continue learning!! It worth it!!!

[@mbmillermo]

Trick for learning chord shapes: Play the diminished chord on the three high strings (e.g. frets 1-2-1-2 on strings 4-3-2-1, using fingers 1-3-2-4). Now make any of the four notes ½ step higher -- move on fret higher in pitch on one string. You usually have to move your fingers around a bit. The note you raised a half-step is the 7th of the half-diminished chord you are now playing. Do that on all four strings to get all four half-diminished (minor-7-flat-5) inversions. To the the four that Rick is talking about, in that order, you would first sharp the note on string 2, then string 3, then string 1, then string 4. When you move a diminished chord three frets, it is still the same diminished chord, but the 1, ♭3, ♭5 and 𝄫7 switch strings. So with the half-diminished, you move it up three frets, almost -- the ♭7 (your sharped note) moves two frets to become the tonic and the ♭5 moves 4 frets to become the ♭7. You have also just learned four inversions for a 9th chord -- in every inversion, the note you raised a half-step is the 9th. To understand this, think of the diminished chord as a dominant 7♭9 chord without the tonic. To get four inversions of dominant 7 chords, instead of sharping a note, flatten it. That flatted note is the tonic of the dominant chord.

[@meadish]

This will take some experimenting; I can see it makes sense but my head has not quite grasped all of it yet. Thank you for sharing Mike!

[@tarekwayne9193]

Thx for this❤️

[@TheHesseJames]

I have the feeling you know what you are talking about. But I really don’t.

[@johnholmes912]

the diminished 7th is very useful as a pivot chord for modulation

[@xyzyzx1253]

Ah a Barry Harris fan I see! :) good stuff, secrets of playing jazz right here

[@rogerramjet6615]

Thankyou Rick. You are a great educator. It is so important to keep this great music alive in this time of great musical dumbing down.

[@paulsimmons5726]

Great video for musicians who already know theory. Wes Montgomery's music sounds so deceptively simple and relaxed, one of my favorite guitarists, period. Great video, thanks for your efforts, sir!

[@nkhmd]

In college we'd sit around, listening to Wes....transcribing his solos, I remember a more advanced player writing out "I've grown accustomed to her face"...the ONLY thing you failed to mention about Wes....(and I know how subjective this is) is how "familiar" what he plays sounds....as if you've been hearing it in your head since childhood...Thanks SO MUCH for these videos, Rick....I've subscribed, I've told others, I've left comments....I hope I've done everything to express my gratitude, dude

[@elToreodore]

If proper used, internet is full of brilliant things. That's the exact example. Thank you!!!

[@RickBeato]

Thanks Dimitry!

[@wolfgangfricke8555]

true, dmitry!

[@racejones8784]

Wes was so incredible. I could never play like that in a million years of practice.

[@AFaceintheCrowd01]

And neither can Rick Beato.

[@luckybag6814]

@AFaceintheCrowd01 I don’t think he claims too.

[@paulgibby6932]

Just wanted to add my thanks. For years I've admired Wes and looked at transcriptions etc. listened alot, but I wouldn't have been ready for this video (and your others) until putting in some work of my own. That being said, you lay it all out so well, the theory, the voicings, and with the obvious appreciation of Wes's brilliance. Keep up the good work!

[@williamolsen20]

I have that live record it is such a great album. I am a rock guitar play because i suck, but Wes is my favorite guitar player musical, melodic soloing really makes me happy.

[@curtismitchell538]

Great stuff! I'm a Wes fan and student from back in the '60's and this breaks down my favorite part of his style! Thanks!

[@37BopCity]

There's gotta be a few hundred Wes Montgomery guitar lessons on KZbin and this is the best one I've ever seen. Wow, thanks for showing me this, it's excellent

[@martinlehfeldt6916]

Wes's ideas were very straightforward. but damn, he went to town with them. I think a lot of guitar players fear this territory. Very tuff.

[@stephenn.larcovic2130]

Rick . . . Wes played it out . . . You laid it out! Both incredible! Thank you, Wes & Rick! 🎸❤️

[@nicolasignaciodiazcastro2036]

yes yes yes !!! More Jazz guitar Rick Thanks a lot!! :)

[@JariSatta]

Yahtzee! More complex harmonies

[@sunburntaquaticape6694]

Fantastic! Im just mesmerised everytime i listen to Wes! Hee hee! it was great to see a master musician like yourself be utterly amazed and full of of admiration for Wes' playing too! Brilliant! This music just transcends time!

[@b26com]

It's really amazing. I can listen to you for hours and I do. You explain music, chords and notes like a cook explain ingredients. You and Joe Satriani explain music theory at the highest level that people like me can understand. You're videos are here forever, for the next generation to listen and learn. I don't play much anymore, repetitive injury that Joe talks about, I practiced wrong. Great job. Thank you.

[@anthonysilva5312]

Rock-LOVED your Metheny lessons and now Wes.... so glad I found your videos. Mind blowing. Can't wait for the single note line lesson. I've seen several Wes videos and have been awed by how soulful, jazzy and bluesy his playing is and he rarely used his pinky on the single note lines. Keep up the great work!

[@diogocostajazz2234]

You are saving my jazz guitar playing man, thank you so much for your lessons. Favorite teacher on youtube.

[@christiankrueger221]

Thank you so much for sharing your in depth knowledge of his playing with everybody! Wes was a true gift to humanity and your lessons are a gift to all of us musicians who want to cary on his legacy and take influence from his genius!

[@charlesprovenza3665]

Another way to achieve these voicing on 4 strings( any set) is to move like this: the Bottom two notes move to the two highest strings while the higher two notes invert and move to the bottom two strings. This happens 4 times and then repeats up and down the neck. Works with any 4 different notes. Descending its just backwards the highest two notes move to the lowest two strings intact and the two lowest notes invert and move to top two strings. So the highest note in the set becomes the next bass note while ascending and the lowest note becomes the top note while descending. Perhaps that is obvious but its a handy way to find your way. Thanks for your channel amigo!

[@GaryFox11000]

Rick ; your truly amazing man . I'm from Indpls, Ind. When I was young 11-15 years old. My older brother was really into Wes. Dad told us that he listened to Wes at the small clubs downtown Indy . Remember listening to albums ; A Day in the Life / Down here on the ground . / Really blown away by Road Song . - incredible song . WES - was head of the curve on smooth jazz sound ! He died in 1968 at 43 years old. He's one of the most innovative guitar players ; Playing with his double jointed thumb ( no pick ) He just had a lot of raw talent . Didn't even get to technical about the guitar . Didn't read or write music . He was an incredible innovator !! God bless your soul Wes . You & your brothers we're incredible ... 🙋‍♂️🎶🏆

[@johnhendricks1998]

You never cease to amaze with your all around knowledge of music.

[@rpsig250]

Thanks for taking a lot of the mystery out of what Wes was doing. Even though I was familiar with those voicings, the way he makes them sound, well, it sort of sounds like something else. I really appreciate the level of the video, the organization of the material and the absolute clarity with which you presented it. Count me as a fan.

[@Ralphstrose]

Thank you so much Rick! Such a joy, getting an insight into Wes the genius Montgomery! Simply heavenly beautiful!

[@joelparness4371]

your love for wes s feel is contagious and a inspiration,,,,!!!!!!thank u so much!!!!!!!!

[@rogerball6265]

@Rick Beato - really enjoyed this presentation, good basic ideas, very good application of the ideas which is so important. One thing that is so distinctive of Wes's chord solo work is that his melodies he outlines with his chords are so melodic. It makes his work so powerful.

[@NickGranville]

I always have loved how Wes played Chord solos. Everyone seems to focus on his octave playing but the chord stuff I always found unique and tasteful.

[@edzielinski]

I'm working my way through your amazing catalog. Gold quality content like this stays valuable regardless if it is from today or a few years back.

[@jamminwithjambo7729]

Thanks for sharing such great musical knowledge!!!! Astounded by your boy... so gifted with ears of an Elephant and sings the names of the notes of the most complex chord layers without a squint... Wow!!! More of him please.

[@eddieperez9565]

I discovered Wes when I bought Boss Guitar back in the 90's...the man is/was a genius. Just saying.

[@alexandergallant6444]

Rick thank you now I can practice this because I understand the theory and structure of the inversion groupings.

[@galtun]

You not only show what he uses but also why and when he uses these particular voicings. Thanks much for this.

[@pnojazz]

Rick, thanks for taking time to provide insights into Wes' playing.

[@hififlipper]

Thanks man, that was an awesome lesson. The last 15 years I spend with the first 10 mins of an Emily Remler tutorial, who brought me into jazz chords and rhythm. She was talking a lot about Wes, too. You showed a lot here. Great work! Let´s see how far I go. Still I got some decades left to kill and nothing better to do, because there is nothing better to do.

[@washingtondigital6208]

As a lover of Wes Montgomery its great to hear an intelligent and thoughtful approach to understanding what Wes does with his chord solos..! very interesting... I am a Jazz lover and I find it odd that other people put Jazz down.. they just don't get what is going on... Thanks for your incites!

[@marksinger3067]

1959 I was 10 and started loving jazz and had several Wes Montgomery albums and i still enjoy his music..

[@vextract4662]

If you have to explain what jazz is to anyone they don't get it.-Louis Armstrong ( I think)

[@lbamusic]

​@@vextract4662..lol..Louie said, " if you have to ask what Jazz is, you ain't got it!"

[@waltercollins6066]

...a sincere appreciation...your guiding light in my tunnel - have long looked/listened at the art form of Wes and especially Bumpin on Sunset (a chord some 2 minutes and 9 seconds in) and interpretations in Eleanore Rigby and embrace them while soaking...have often felt his phrasing and repeated chords remind me of songs/sonnets in shakespeare... thank you

[@24gatesisawanker]

Thanks Rick , another great lesson. Bringing magic within reach of all aspiring guitar players. Great stuff.

[@bems5066]

Thanks a lot to share your experience and your precious knowledge Rick

[@christuxford4462]

Sweet! Very encouraging stuff! Working with a world-class pianist forced me to discover this stuff to stop me getting in his way during tunes and solos.

[@JimmerSD]

LOTS! Of lightbulb moments in this video. Thanks for taking the time Rick.

[@matteoscheidegger8048]

Love your way of doing these videos, just throwing so much good material in a simple and effective way its really super instructive thanks !

[@willmac12]

Unreal video! So much material to look at, great dissection of Wes' style.

[@joshuaallenzurbano3476]

Best video i've seen about Wes' solo concepts. Love the breakdown sir. Educational indeed! Beginners like me can understand. Thank God i've found this video.

[@nicholaspetergagg7769]

this is an excellent ,articulate and intelligent view into Wes Montgomery chords and harmony - a player who exclusively used his ears rather than music theory , Well done!

[@jlr022159]

Thank you so much for taking the time to do these videos - I really enjoy watching and I always learn something.

[@reyalmenariojr8884]

god bless you sir Rick for sharing your gift! sending love from the Philippines!

[@yourmomma6909]

Thank you so much Rick this is the most eye opening lesson into Wes style of playing

[@What_If_We_Tried]

Rick, thanks so much for this breakdown of Wes Montgomery's lush techniques.

[@fonagel]

Great! Thanks. Wes is my all time hero.

[@brettprice527]

Thank you Rick! I love these Min6/9 voicings. :) I wanted to point out to those who may be confused as I was but at about 4 minutes in on the 1st inversion you pointed out, that was an F in the bottom. Cheers.

[@luiselguera7056]

Rick, you are doing a fabulous service to us musicians and fans by schooling like in the best music schools.

[@swedenstu]

Thank you thank you thank you!! I've been trying to figure out this system for chord voicings forever. I just stumbled upon this video by chance and I'm so grateful you made it! I'll be practicing this a lot now!

[@fingal]

What a terrific breakdown. Thanks!

[@stumpshot70]

Thanks for all your insight Rick. I've worked a lot of this out too..but its great to get another persons thinking on the subject. Awesome! Wes was a truly amazing individual.

[@JCloyd-ys1fm]

I've had a Wes Montgomery Signature Licks book for a few years. I bought it way before I was ready for it, but I've been practicing my chords, arpeggios, scales and learning about theory. And after seeing this, I think I might be ready to tackle Cariba. Thanks.

[@tradbowseven]

Rick, this video confirmed my respect for you. Thank you sir, you are a real guitarist

[@delbedinotti6622]

Thank you for this. I noticed just using these groups of inversions over regular 2-5-1 opens up a lot of doors for me. But playing around with that flat 5 or tritone sub makes me chuckle every time. A channel for musicians.

[@eastweymouthchris]

I love that part of the solo too, especially the way Wes and Winton lock in telepathically.

[@Shafer.Jesse.Sandbox]

Cariba!!! What a great tune, one of the first jazz tunes a learned and was a huge challenge at the time.

[@Thom726]

Congrats on 2M subscribers, God bless you buddy, you’re kicking ass!! I have a masters degree and I learn from you every day!!

[@silvernatedogg]

Thank you Rick, may God continue to bless you!

[@kevinoconnor2921]

This was absolutely GREAT! Thank you for sharing this.- I'm a Huge Wes Montgomery fan, and this helped to understand is style a lot.

[@marcossastre1126]

I’m with you, Boss Guitar is my favorite Wes Montgomery record. Jimmy Cobb is the difference from his first organ trio record. The feel on “ For Heaven Sake” is phenomenal. Thank you for breaking down “Fried Pies”. Keep up the great work. Much appreciated.

[@ksmit]

Awesome breakdown. Thank you Rick!!!

[@teddypantelas]

You've done a great job on this video in opening people's eyes to the chord solo techniques of Wes in a straight forward way. The thing I like the most about this video I your enthusiasm about Wes! Wes is King! Is so great to see someone else who Is as enthusiastic as me when it come to Wes. Thanks for a great video and the joy you have in it. I never do this but because of your love for Wes I want to share me playing road song as a featured guest with a great high school jazz band. Feel free to look it up under my name. As I said I never do this but am feeling moved to share it with you after watching your video. You're being instrumental in helping so many people unlock a key to understanding Wes Better and for that you should be proud. Bravo Rick! Wes is King!!

[@NGBlad]

Rick, thanks for sharing your knowledge. I've only recently comemxto appreciate jazz guitar. Can't wait to apply this knowledge.

[@philsarkol341]

great..play like Wes haha..everytime you say :amazing..I realize how extraordinaire Wes his playing style his..let alone his masterfull musicianship..and contribution to Jazz as a whole..thx for your indepth explanation..great to know..thx Rick

[@MrMjp58]

He seems like the most knowledgeable of YT music expounders. I had an 'Arbiter' copy of that guitar. It sounded great, though it's over 40 years ago and I can't remember who I sold/gave it to. Wish I still had it [and a hundredth of Rick's skill and understanding].

[@NathanSotoGuitar]

I feel like that this is his best album not just because of him but also because of the saxophist with his amazing solos also. Also, the song set have so much flavor!

[@barryedwards5183]

beautiful straight to the point lesson Rick!

[@JFK1180]

Thank you. Just great. Will keep me busy for weeks.

[@gabrielesciortino2268]

oh man!! so good! I felt like I was there in that room with him, listening to Wes...great time thank you a lot Beato for this free spetacular lesson

[@bladerunner6282]

the best way to discover or learn, IMO, the closely voiced four adjacent string seventh chords (drop 2), and others, is to start with a fully diminished 7th chord (who's inversions share the same fingerings a minor third apart). all other seventh chords are easily derived from it by mostly moving one string up or down one fret, occasionally two.

[@sakremusic]

This channel is a big treasure of knowledge! Thank you!

[@martinlehfeldt6916]

Amazing video! Rick, your the best.

[@luckythelab2]

what an amazing well thought out and researched lesson. i love it and will try to to figure it out later!! thanks so much . s

[@nickknirk]

Loved this! My favorite video of yours so far.

[@joshsklair8356]

You got me where I live with this one Rick. Connected a couple essential dots for this old dog. Thank You 🙏🏼

[@jeba12]

Great vid !! lots of enthusiasm and tons of info , THANKS

[@shk73]

One of the best lessons! A great example of how to use simple concepts to infinite possibilites...I will be ear marking this to go back to ..although I do believe this would be too difficult for beginners

[@runningwill1354]

thank you so much. We need it. this is really good information. And your knowledge is beautiful. Blessings

[@midnightblues717]

Fantastic analysis Rick, thanks! Hope to see more on Wes in the future. Cheers, MB

[@kraigphillips9121]

Your stuff is fantastic Rick. Home run everytime

[@mjt11860]

great video & info. wes was such a great artist. you've turned me on to a great album that i'll have to get my hands on. thanx.

[@BananaAlert]

Rick Beato, I appreciate your good work..!

[@analogalien]

Your lessons area fantastic, Rick. You can learn so much from them. Thank you. :)

[@jamesguitard856]

Amazing lesson! Great insights into the technique of a genius guitarist.

[@lacuentadetutubo]

Finally something interesting and valuable. Thank you

[@joelhoffman1764]

What a great channel! I love Carriba and Fried Pies and appreciate the lesson. I’m surprised what a convincing tone you get from the solid body Gibson.

[@mcminimethec]

I really enjoy listening to you whole I'm working on just about anything. I always learn something! Thanks! And I'm goint to order your book for my son!!!

[@brianwood7237]

How did I JUST find this in 2021? THANKS RICK!

[@Clown321321]

Thank you again mr Beato! :) All the best!