This is How Joe Pass Plays Amazing Solos

Joe Pass is a giant of Jazz Guitar! In this Joe Pass Lesson I will go over how he turns Li'l Darlin into a chord solo masterpiece. Especially with a focus on how makes fills with chords and voicings and how he harmonizes the melody.
This video analyzes the first part of the Li'l Darlin theme and breaks down the way the melody is harmonized with block chords and how Joe Pass embellishes the other parts of the song with fills and passing chords. It is a great example of a master guitarist at work on a medium swing tune.
For me Joe Pass was the most important influence when it came to chord solos. Both learning from his chord solo book and playing transcriptions of his solos was essential in getting the vocabulary and the skill to make melodies with chord voicings.
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If you want to check out the Joe Pass Chord Solo book I studied you can do so via this (affiliate) link: amzn.to/2kk2zei
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[@vikramjitbanerjeetuki]

My favourite album of Joe Pass is Virtuoso,I always go back to listening to it whenever a jazz gig comes up,it's like a facilitator to playing and improvising, great video Jens👍

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you Vikramijt! Virtuoso is a great album!

[@dkstott29]

My favorites are Unforgettable & Song for Ellen. Joe is amazing on a nylon string guitar on both these albums.

[@82dorrin]

Pass is a great one to study. His chord vocabulary is actually pretty straightforward.

[@tahsinthoughts]

Straightforward? Elaborate!

[@Lunch_theband]

cap

[@angeloreyes707]

@@Lunch_theband 🧢

[@anthonydemitre9392]

I went with my first teacher to see Joe Pass, Montreal in 1978 that a player! Lil Darling was my favourite tune from that show, tried to learn it back them but... Thanks, I will try it now!

[@JensLarsen]

Thanks Anthony! That must have been great! Good luck with it! 👍🙂

[@maddonotcare]

I'm pretty new to jazz and even thought my theory knowledgs is not always up to the task i just wanted to say that i really appreciate what you do with this channel, you are awesome!

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you! Good luck with it! Feel free to let me know if you have questions or suggestions for topics 👍

[@jonasemmitt7850]

i know Im asking the wrong place but does anybody know of a trick to get back into an Instagram account?? I somehow forgot my account password. I would appreciate any tips you can offer me!

[@emmettjulius7888]

@Jonas Emmitt Instablaster ;)

[@jonasemmitt7850]

@Emmett Julius I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site on google and I'm trying it out atm. Seems to take quite some time so I will reply here later with my results.

[@jonasemmitt7850]

@Emmett Julius it did the trick and I now got access to my account again. Im so happy! Thanks so much, you saved my account!

[@Alex-je1ll]

100% agree about this "Intercontinental" album! Love it! It was recorded in 1970, almost 50 years ago! But still sounds incredible today - music-wise and recording-wise.

[@JensLarsen]

Joe does indeed both sound and play great on that album :)

[@josephbasar5382]

I think this is Joe's best album as well. Not to diminish the monumental "Virtuoso" album, but "Intercontinental" is, in my opinion, an album that any jazz fan can listen to...all the way through. The quiet, late night jazz vibe is maintained throughout the various styles (swing, blues, latin, etc...) and played with restraint, taste and understated fire. All three musicians are listening intently and compliment each other from the first song to the last. There isn't a weak moment on the recording.

[@respectfullyleftinpeace7414]

Great to see a good jazz guitar teacher on here covering a legendary player.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you! :)

[@santiagoguevara1177]

Love your videos, Jens.... pure gold!

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you 🙂

[@vincentparrella272]

Jens,another great Lesson,thanks for all the explanation and details.

[@Cleveland_Chris]

Jens, I'm a long time subscriber. Your videos are a cut above most on the internet. I am thankful for your time and teachings. Many blessings, my friend.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you Chris! That is great to hear! :)

[@sockenfrank]

Hi Jens.Joe Pass with tablature, is a big gift for me.Unfortunately his books a just notaded.Thank you very much.

[@christophervolas7523]

thanks jenn for your excellent break down and look onto pass's playing joe is the guy that inspired me to explore jazz guitar solo

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you like it 🙂 Go for it!

[@ericeakes7733]

When an artist puts in the work to play like joe pass, and shares that info one simply says..... Thank you. Great stuff.

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you like it! :)

[@oleksandrnovakov4295]

Hi Jens! Thanks for your videos, they are always inspiring and motivating! Special thanks for letting me add subtitles to it. I tried to do my best.

[@Arycke]

Thanks for doing subtitles, it is appreciated.

[@stephenmcconnell7868]

Thank you for this. I’m just starting to learn chord soloing and chord melodies. Joe Pass is the best place to start.

[@jimmrvos2930]

This is a terrific breakdown of one of my favorite songs. Thanks Jens!

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you Jim! :)

[@marvindias1377]

LMAO HE SAID ***WITH THE G7 SAUCE*** LMAOOOO IM DEAD BRUHHH youre hilarious and a fantastic teacher. This is my favorite Joe pass song. Thank you so so much for covering this man incredible content. Keep up the great work.

[@theps3god12]

This guy is by far the most informed and best all around jazz guitar teacher on youtube. I wonder where did you study music?

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you very much! I am glad you find the videos useful! I studied at the royal conservatory of the Hague in the Netherlands 👍🙂

[@thebomontellano4996]

Thank you for the lesson. Joe pass is my favorite Jazz guitar player and legend.

[@JensLarsen]

You're very welcome! Joe Pass is indeed fantastic!

[@josemolina959]

Thanks Jens! 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@BBState1]

Thanks for all your great informative videos. Now I’m going to try to get a grip on Joe Pass and his way of playing and maning music. And you videos really helps me.

[@kevinpatrick4670]

JENS... Wonderful material as usual!!! It must be nice to just do what you love consistently on a regular basis. Joe Pass was definitely a "GENIUS" not unlike yourself... I picked up the Joe Pass note-for-note book some years ago.. never got a chance to go through the whole thing, but it is chock-full of fantastic information for those interested in Joe's Chord melody approach. Thanks for sharing this lesson. YOU are an INSPIRATION.🎼

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you very much, Kevin! I am really happy you like the video!

[@jean-lucbersou758]

I met Joe Pass in 1976 (Palais des Congrés à Antibes ) and he plaid alone there for a little audience near 4 p.m .As he had finished his gig and was living the room with us I remember the short conversation we shared as I have tried to play Lil Darlin from his record and asked him for the key he answered me G refering to Basie -Nefti arrangement ....while He plaid another key when recording his solo album . So are the greats . Free .

[@jean-lucbersou758]

If i have to play Lil darlin I choose the original Key (G) and spice the melody with borrows I transpose from JOE PASS .

[@jean-lucbersou758]

Original key is F ....and the melody starts on G9 . the bridge is on Gm .

[@JensLarsen]

What a nice story! Thanks! Cool you got to talk to Joe. The original key is indeed F, but you already said that!

[@Joonsik_e]

Thanks for the analysis!! Your videos help me alot!!😆👍

[@JensLarsen]

Really glad to hear that! Good luck with it! Feel free to let me know if you have questions or suggestions for topics 🙂

[@DeffoZappo]

Watched the first 20 seconds and subbed

[@asifluger5429]

Awesome lesson Jens!!

[@JensLarsen]

You're very welcome Asif! Let me know if you have ideas for topics!

[@chrisnevers7565]

Great lesson! Thanks so much Jens!! 😁

[@JensLarsen]

You're very welcome Chris! 🙂

[@tomcripps7229]

That was excellent Jens.

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you very much Tom!

[@nickburmanmusic]

Jens, cut it out! All this amazing content? Honestly, I can't keep up... My Watch Later List is basically a list of your videos I'm working through. Such great stuff!

[@JensLarsen]

Don't worry I plan to make only bad videos from now on! 🙂

[@nickburmanmusic]

Phew, what a relief. Give me a few years to catch up, will ya ;-)

[@elasdebastos235]

So true, such a great guy, soo much jazz info.

[@Bobby007D]

Joe with Jens , hard to beat that !

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you 🙂

[@timbradley135]

Beautiful! Thank you very much!

[@JensLarsen]

You're very welcome Tim! I also really liked checking this one out! 🙂

[@davidroverski5054]

great one!

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you very much David! 🙂

[@phretbord]

Great lesson here, I'll come back when I have more time! Bravo!

[@JensLarsen]

Thanks Robert! I hope you find something you can use! Otherwise don't be afraid to ask!

[@Shuzies]

Out of The Park....on this one.......thank you

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you Ron! 🙂

[@baptmry3951]

thank you for this analysis!!!

[@JensLarsen]

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

[@DESIENASHOES]

i like sooo much your lessons - I became a Patron so I hope it will help to grow your patron community

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you very much! I don't recognize your name, but I am really grateful that you want to support the videos!

[@DESIENASHOES]

Jens Larsen Francesco -

[@JensLarsen]

Ah, I didn't get the e-mail until now :) I'll send you a message over there!

[@AlanKRiley]

Very nice, Larson. I use to play this tune in a duet.. Martin Taylor/Guy Barker version. Thanks for the theory, I just learn by ear👍

[@JensLarsen]

Glad you like it 🙂

[@JK.Fraser]

Cold solos. Cold melody. Ham -in ize.

[@JensLarsen]

Ok? 🙂

[@riosma1640]

Jens always on point! Any way we can get the transcription ?? thanks !!

[@JensLarsen]

There is a PDF through Patreon but it is not a complete transcription 🙂

[@Polartrucker]

Wow, nice album by Joe Pass! I've never heard Eberhard Weber play like that before!

[@JensLarsen]

Ah I didn't know that was him :) True, that's pretty different!

[@ryangcii2]

Fantastic

[@JensLarsen]

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

[@slydragon2776]

thanks for this video! do you have any videos on maybe an easier way to approach playing a melody all over the neck? this and playing a tune in every key is a recipe for a melted brain. do you have anything on this? thanks!

[@JensLarsen]

I think the important part of being able to do both of those is to have an overview of the scales and the key in all positions. There are many ways to build that. I talk about some of them here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXTCdop6bNulgcU

[@lovesticked]

How did you get the transcription for this? Did you do it yourself? If so, what tips would you give for transcribing him?

[@JensLarsen]

Listen a lot, learn the song and listen to it 50 times before you try to transcribe it

[@JensLarsen]

What is your favorite Joe Pass album? 🙂

[@JariSatta]

Virtuoso (1973)

[@JensLarsen]

Same year as me 🙂

[@underwoodvoice9077]

Mine also. Brilliant.

[@Trombonology]

Hard to pick, but let's put it this way -- there's not one I love any more than Intercontinental. I was really looking forward to this lesson after you mentioned it the other day. ... I actually prefer some of the live solo albums to the studio Virtuoso series, which seems at times almost too heavily ornamented (might sound sacrilegious to some Joe fans); I like #3 the best of those, as I like that it's different in having Pass originals instead of standards -- a nice change. Too, I love the albums with John Pisano playing rhythm; they had great rapport -- Summer Night; Appasionato -- they do Lil Darlin' in composer Neal Hefti's original F on that one. Excellent breakdown of Joe's magic on this tune!

[@manuell.4998]

Joe Pass at Akron University (1974)

[@andreluissilvakamla4548]

thank you so much

[@JensLarsen]

You're welcome! Go for it! and you can always leave a comment if you have a question :)

[@guitargod6997]

Jens, I too share your enthusiasm for the wonderful musicianship of Joe Pass. But I would respectfully suggest that in the initial phrase you put up, in the second measure the chord is an F followed by Fm6 and then a G chord with the e note sixth added segueing into the Cmaj chord in the third measure with the Fmaj, followed by the fourth measure E7 and the A7#5.

[@JensLarsen]

Thanks Jay! I suspect you are ignoring the bass and just trying to interpret the harmony from what I have written?

[@guitargod6997]

Not really, as when I play this tune '' I actually play the F as you have written and then the G chord as g-f-a flat -open b as if it were Gmaj7 with the rub of the g# or a flat. I realize it might be more a question of interpretation. I sometimes play an Abdim7 leading into the next measure. Of course you may have transcribed the phrase more accurately and carefully. In any case nice analysis of a great tune.

[@JensLarsen]

But why don't you hear that the chord symbol is the sum of what the double bass player and Joe Pass is playing? Ear Training is as important as understanding chords. And you have to watch out with you chord symbols btw: Gmaj7 is G B D F# which is not what you mean to say here

[@guitargod6997]

"...the G chord as g-f-a flat -open b as if it were Gmaj7 with the rub of the g# or a flat." My error. I was referring to essentially a G7 chord with the addition of the open b note on the second string and the g# on the third string. Not sure how to designate this note grouping, but I certainly hear it and play it just fine. It is not easy to hear the bass part on the actual recording easily on computer speakers, but I was thinking actually of how I play it this as a solo guitar part.

[@JensLarsen]

No problem Jay! But surely you are not expecting me to use the chord symbols that fit with however you might be playing it? I have no idea what you are doing with it...

[@larryrothfield9486]

Wonderful stuff! Do you have a pdf for Lil' Darlin that goes past the beginning? I'm unfamiliar with Patreon FB so if that's where I can find this can you provide me with a link?

[@JensLarsen]

I don't have a complete transcription as a PDF, also not on Patreon :) If you want a link for the Patreon FB Group then send me a message over on Patreon.

[@rivaldoluizcamargo7820]

Great lesson! Thank's! I'm from Brasil (Brazil) ! Sorry languange!

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you Rivaldo!

[@timfairfield407]

Good analysis. Do you think he use this in all of his performances or did he use variations on this. my question I guess is how much does the improvise this completely and how much is worked out ahead of time for performances?

[@JensLarsen]

Good question! I have the impression he was pretty loose about it actually, so. I think he improvise quite a bit. Are there no albums with alternate takes? 🙂

[@timfairfield407]

Jens Larsen possibly at his level it’s mostly improv. I’m in Toronto canada and our local hero Ed Bickert seemed to be able to seamlessly do the same thing. You are right listening to tons of performances of the same tune from the same artist would give us insights on the chord melodies and how much they re use. What about yourself? Do you pre shed a tune and when you perform do a loose copy of your pre worked improv or do you just play what you hear in your head which may or may not be some of what you did before?

[@JensLarsen]

I do a mix of all three, but if you approach your chord melodies as open to interpretation then they will be. That said, you are often stuck with certain places in certain keys because of the limitation of the instrument.

[@jaycayssa7155]

There's a Joe Diorio video in which he says he once asked Joe Pass that question. Joe Pass replied that he ALWAYS played off the top of his head, everything was improvised. I've checked different takes on the same standard from different concerts he played in the late 80s and 90s and it seems to be true, he never played them in the same way twice. How you can do that is beyond my comprehension, Joe was truly amazing.

[@tuaacoustic]

อธิบายได้ดีมาก

[@jrguitarco]

I would agree that InterContinental is a great record ( just about wore it out back in 1981) but is it his greatest? Thats a hard call, he had so many.

[@JensLarsen]

It is hard to really discuss taste. It is certainly my favourite.

[@paulholmes8885]

Aye right!!!

[@zampano00]

Good stuff, Jens! U have likely already been asked this, but...about the blue fuzzy scrunchie on the base of your headstock...practical, decorative, or both?

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you! It's hairband that I use as a mute for open strings, but it does not really do anything when it is behind the nut- I sometimes use it while recording or practicing legato

[@andreluissilvakamla4548]

Hi, thank you, I would like to ask, what scales I can use ? and what scales Joe pass used?

[@JensLarsen]

Just focus on the major scale first then add harmonic and melodic minor later. Really that is all you need 🙂

[@rivaldoluizcamargo7820]

Great lesson! thank's ! I'm from Brasil! Sorry languange!

[@andreluissilvakamla4548]

I like so much jazz guitar and I play but I have very difficult to solo.how I do that?

[@JensLarsen]

Ok. I think you should try to learn some simple solos like Kenny Burrel Midnight blue and then try to also practice stuff like this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hqqriYFpi92bsJY I don't know what level you are at, so this is a guess... Does that help?

[@sblack48]

Great video. But why does your headstock look like you stabbed Cookie Monster with it??

[@DoJazz]

Chord solos?? I'll Pass... I'll see myself out now...

[@JensLarsen]

Haha! 👍👍 Take a cup of Joe and give it another try!

[@JensLarsen]

You should check out this lesson in your Pass-time not while you are working!

[@tomcoryell]

He’s here all week folks!

[@donharrold1375]

How do you go about transcribing something like this Jens? Do you work mostly by ear? I find trying to breakdown chords by ear very difficult unless the chord progression is quite standard and obvious.

[@JensLarsen]

I listen to it really a lot and in this case I knew the melody as well. When you know the melody and the chord that is there then it is a lot easier to hear what voicing is used. But if you are new to transcribing I would not start with chord voicings, do 10+ solos first :)

[@kidpoker007]

I still don't get how comes up with so many chords in between whats written...Did he know theory, was it trial and error...or is he just a prodigy with an amazing ear?

[@lewisbirkett4428]

Why is that voicing of it always called f7 (a string 5455) when it's a 9th

[@JensLarsen]

That is really simple: In jazz the one playing the chords is free to interpret the chord symbol and add the extensions and alterations that fits how he or she is playing. For that reason I usually try to stick with the chord type and not specify the extensions like 9 or b9. In this case it is extra clear: 1 beat later it is a F7(9,13) Putting all the extensions in there is not really practical. You have to rely on people reading the notes and understanding the context (they have to anyway to play the music)

[@長男ネイチャー]

4:47

[@zecalimazeca]

JUST DISCOVERED THIS TREASURE. SUBSCRIVE, LIKE , COMMENT AND BELL. TKS FROM BRAZIL

[@JensLarsen]

Thank you 🙂

[@kidpoker007]

when you watch Joe pass his 1st finger is almost always barring all the strings

[@RBanks-qw9mm]

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzx

[@RBanks-qw9mm]

I have a lot of fun with this app and tttt

[@walterlacayo6503]

your speaking too fast and not truly explaining the theory . Your are missing a great deal.