Tim Lerch - Don't Just Play Memorized Licks. Make Music in the Moment!

[@mwpv11]

The best definition I ever heard about improvisation was when Jim Hall asked a student to sing a line. The student looked dismayed and Mr. Hall told him sing a line, just make one up and sing it. With trepidation the student took a shot and sang a short line. Mr. Hall then looked at him and told him to play what he just sang on the guitar. The student did it, then looked at Mr. Hall. Mr. Hall then said to him, "that is improvisation!" I never forget those words of wisdom.

[@RichardAlvey-q7k]

Hi Tim, I'm 81, have never had a lesson, well, except once, when a someone tried to teach me to read music, which I simply cannot do :( I started in rock, a very long time ago and have done all kinds of work. I really wanted to be a danceband player and was reasonably successful in holding my own playing with local bands. Over time, I worked at improvisation, alone, and somehow got to make what some thought were acceptable contributions when I weadled my way into a couple of jazz bands :). Those guys were very supportive and allowed me to experience playing with some very fine musicians. I ended up for the last thirty years in a duo with my dear friend Pete Jenkins working weddings, and other various gigs. Now arthritis has ended any performance abilities but I play every day and enjoy trying to learn from such as yourself. I enjoy your playing immensely, and I thank you for your time and relaxed but spot-on instruction. My best wishes, Rich Alvey, UK :))

[@TimLerchGuitar]

Please like and subscribe to help me continue to create new and interesting content.. thank you. 🙏

[@joerogan5433]

Where can I get the tabs to this Tim?

[@TimLerchGuitar]

No tabs yet sorry.

[@joerogan5433]

@@TimLerchGuitar Tim, you’re a great player. Jazz guitarist myself. Good smooth lines brother!

[@sandyshalk]

You said “Dance in the realm of fluidity.” Beautiful! That’s a beautifully expressed goal for so many things in life we try to achieve. This is a paradigm shifting video. Great job! Thank you.

[@dcreade4793]

I heard an interview on a public radio program once- I think it was "Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz"- with a jazz musician whose name I no longer recall...anyway, he told a story about saxophonist Ben Webster who was a master of ballads, walking offstage after playing the last song, cussing himself. Someone asked him why he was so upset, and Webster replied "I forgot the words." That's a telling clue as to what a soloist needs to know in order to get inside the music of songs as well-crafted as, for example, the standards of the Great American Songbook that are so often used for the basis of jazz improvisation. You need to actually establish a rapport with the way the lyrics and the melody reflect each other. Which means that you have to enjoy listening to the songs you're learning- to incorporate them as some of your favorite music, not just as clever exercises in musical changes, or as an excuse for a flashy solo break. (I'm addressing the readers who are hearing and learning these jazz standards as "new music", and having a background of growing up listening to mostly electric music and pop music from eras after the Songbook standards were big hits and got a lot of airplay, etc. People like myself.) The easiest way to do this is to listen to the vocal versions. Listen to Dinah Washington doing "Lover, Come Back To Me" live; Rickie Lee Jones, doing "On The Street Where You Live"; Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Chet Baker, Joao Gilberto, Betty Carter, Mel Torme, Jose Feliciano, Tierney Sutton... There are dramatic differences in emotional tone and mood between, say, the melodies of "I Get Along Without You Very Well", "I've Got You Under My Skin", "Greensleeves", and "Green Dolphin Street." The audience needs to hear those differences in your guitar playing. Ballads are stories. Whether you're singing or playing an instrument, the goal of performing them is to tell the story.

[@DaleyWard]

I think you raise a very important point here. The thousands upon thousands of amateur guitar players (like me!) who very much enjoy the guidance of teachers like Tim Lerch need to interpret that pedagogy and even overcome it in order to express our own feelings through music. In the jazz or any other realm, there may be certain traditions, modes and accepted ways of playing. However, to look at but three contemporary celebrated jazz guitar players… say, Pat Metheny, John Scofield and Julian Lage…it’s clear that to really become a guitar player you have to bring something of yourself to the dance in order for it to be meaningful. I think it’s also important to say that you don’t have to be as good as those celebrated players, you might be a veritably basic musician, but if you are expressing yourself truthfully through music that can be reward in itself.

[@sylviofourastie673]

Bonne anne 2022 lerch 😮👍

[@keithpatel6584]

That sounds so beautiful and artistic, reminds me of my late teacher and mentor who was the resident guitarist for the Percy Ellington Big Band at Ronnie Scott's in London. Johnny Fourie is his name and John McLaughlin user to sell him strings etc while working at the local music store. They became very good friends and John donated his '63 Gibson Johnnie Smith to Johnny.I used to play that guitar often when I attended lessons. Jim Hall actually invited Johnny Fourie to come and join his group in the 🇺🇸. RIP JOHNNY my hero.

[@sin77777]

what a story

[@smoovegittar]

Can't read the map and stay on the road at the same time. Know the way; enjoy the ride. Thank you for this, Tim.

[@VitalBigras]

Thank You so much for sharing this "Public service announcement" 🙋🏻‍♂️ really inspiring!

[@eohippusone]

Liked the "almost nothing" passage. Very jazzy sound!

[@burnedoutgolfer]

Love the 3 points at 8:50 😁 Great lesson and playing as always Tim thank you!

[@shredder777]

This is a great lesson, i always get caught up making sure i stay inside and when changes happen i go outside,get scared and find myself going into autopilot not being aware of what notes im playing. I tend to forget its all about music and dynamics.

[@jfmax2000]

Wow Mr Lerch You are Really Something Bro.... My Dad was a Jazz Guitarist a Montgomery/Kessel/Almeida/Jobim/Benson Ect Ect Head and He Would Have Really Loved You and Your Amazing Playing and Playing Style.. You are a True Force in Guitar My Good Sir and I'm Sending Out a Huge Thank You for Sharing Your Great Gift of Guitar Mastery with Us All ☺☺😎👊💯💯💖

[@jfmax2000]

..And That Tone Big T.. Just Absolutely Beautiful 😎💯💯💖

[@seannolan2259]

As soon as you played it the way you wanted to, your breathing changed..like you were singing the phrases..there’s the lesson right there.

[@RossHelmot]

Agree with all you say here Tim...learning to improvise by learning licks is not improvising at all. It's so much more fun learning the essence and then using it to create your own thing.

[@g.k.dickenson9259]

Tim, we grew up in the same town in Indiana I believe. You did a beautiful job in this lesson. Great seeing you again!

[@bluezach244]

Fantastic lesson! This is why the underappreciated Kenny Burrell is in my pantheon.

[@brucecowan4738]

music is something you can't write down and thanks for pointing in a good direction. regards

[@cliberg]

Oh man, the timing/syncopation so sweet...

[@joeurbanowski321]

I’ve never even tried to play jazz..but I’ve played bass in “jam band” groups,such as Allman Brothers and Chicago blues… the most fun I’ve ever had was the improvisational sections of the songs we played… I totally get what you’re saying here..👍🏼. thanks

[@FranPetraroli]

That tone!❤

[@peteandrews7169]

Great vid, and eye opener, thank you

[@nicoeffem3483]

Yessir. Often I hear improv and it is just doodling... sometimes impressive in facility...but not music. Thank you :)

[@dgeps7969]

I watch a lot of videos as a part of my journey through getting into this music. This truly touched on an aspect that is so often neglected- MUSICALITY. It's so easy to get into a mode of learning where you almost forget the whole point of making music and having fun/expressing yourself in so doing. Will definitely be watching more of your content.

[@davidskinner8351]

I hear you, Tim. As you say, we learn in a somewhat regimented (teachable) way, and the challenge is to take the information and make music with it. Easier said than done, but your encouragement helps to clarify the objective. I guess the path to get there is for each individual to explore and find for themselves.

[@TheDjangojunkie]

Great lesson. Thanks Tim

[@GuitarWithDofka]

Creating in the moment rather than using all our safety licks… I need to apply that more. You are on another level, great video!

[@jamescopeland5358]

Tim, I really enjoy your music and the instructions you teach us. Thank you so much

[@waitaminute7257]

Dang nice guitar and great relaxing playing!

[@billbyrd]

Very nice Tim! "Live within the music"!

[@anthonyshaw8698]

Excellent!!! Looking forward to more of your teaching.

[@StoneColdFunkateer]

Excellent lesson! This is the chapter that is missing from most "how to play jazz" courses and videos. It's the magic sauce that gets added between what most videos teach you about how to learn to play the changes, use chromaticism and enclosures etc. and the epic solo the teacher plays at the end of the lessons which leave you wondering why, having studied the material, you still sound nothing like the end solo?

[@estevao69]

Wise words, man! Exactly as I think, we must feel and express our music insted repeating the same schemes. Thanks and congrats for your music.

[@filippomarangoni5402]

What a great and clear lesson.. it’s (i think) a common experience in studying to go wrong with to much notes and less attenction to get the rithm and dynamic variations in playing I really app reciate a lot your suggestion and inspiration to compose..in real time and to be relaxed and thinking to what we would like to say..not to what is “right” to play.. It seems “simple” but is maybe one of the difficult thing to get..just my opinion.. Thanks TIM

[@JohnA000]

Not so unteachable... you just taught me a lot. Thanks Tim. I thought this was a great lesson.

[@LeaAddams]

3:15 Oh cripes, I feel so called out, I play this EXACT LINE, way too much. 🤣🤣

[@TimLerchGuitar]

Don’t be ashamed just look at it as an opportunity to decorate it in a new way!

[@rprod9845]

Actually I find it pretty brave that you are publicly reflecting on it. Not sure brave is the right word but you probably know what I mean or maybe it is 🙂

[@displaychicken]

There is no musician on this planet without room for improvement.

[@TimLerchGuitar]

Myself included, that’s for sure.

[@joerogan5433]

Tabs?

[@longtalljay]

Tim, the theoretical directions/rules you speak of, taken for granted within the academic jazz fraternity, are themselves hard/impossible to access for us outsiders. After 100s of books and lessons (including yours on Truefire), I have found jazz educators shirking sharing that basic theory outside of conservatories. Once I have that, I can perhaps learn to mess with them myself, if I have a musical spirit and imagination.

[@selimrantapuroguitarist6931]

Great lesson! I think this is something we all should aim at as jazz musicians. Being spontaneous in the moment, keeping breaks and not playing compulsively constant eight note patterns. Keep it up! You’re a great player.

[@wobamusic]

Thanx for this essential content....that's precious....and presented in a pleasant manner...think positive and stay negative...regards from Germany

[@KeithTasker]

Wonderful lesson, Tim. A beautiful teaching of the 'how' often being more important than the 'what,' which applies to SO many things in life. Thank you!

[@bluessax5089]

Love your videos Tim!

[@__-cr6fv]

Excellent! Thanks

[@What_If_We_Tried]

Timothy, your 'nothingness' lesson was just what I needed to hear. Thanks again...

[@captainkoo]

Very enlightening lesson ! “Use the content of a simple motif”.

[@daveleoni8224]

Great lesson!

[@tacmason]

Brilliant points , natural flow 😮

[@Samuelee97]

A beast of a player ! Thank you!

[@ollitrop46]

Great lesson Maestro emphazising on the need of dynamics in music to produce feelings on the listener.

[@stevejones3956]

I am so excited to have found you. Your content is right for me at this time. Have a happy, healthy, and successful New Year!

[@mann2404]

great lesson sir!

[@gabrielfernandez9792]

Thanks for the pointers Tim. WIthout a doubt it´s the ryhtmic feel and the soft and loud accents that imbue life and musicality into the lines of notes. Thanks again!

[@Scratch_Monsters_Golf]

Very possibly the best guitarist going right now. Great ideas and playing as always, brother.

[@Bryantkh13]

Great playing and message. Loving the L7. It might have passed the 350 in my favorites

[@pjokivuo]

Absolutely great and extremely useful masterclass lesson for everyone interested in improvisation!

[@JSDJerry]

Thank you. The concept is clear to me, even though I am at the level of still learning the chord tones in the progression. For me, I first need to learn and practice a 2516 chord tone pattern. Once learned, I try to play different chord tones, Then I repeat in three places on the fretboard. Then I apply the same pattern in different keys. Call it a lick. But, Once I have that under my fingers, I can try doing what you are describing.

[@RobertoDiPaola]

Thanks Tim. Very true what you say. Would be wonderful to play every time in a always new way, even slightly different😊👍👍👍🎼

[@PaulMcKendrick]

I was thinking about this during your last video. You are right there, always in the moment and not on autopilot. Tremendous.

[@irishdog79]

Essentially..time, feel, phrasing and dynamics take the notes and make them exciting.

[@jazzey69]

Thank you Tim for a great lesson..yeah, i call it add the Django juice...Happy new year..:-)

[@sgazzz]

Great lesson and beautiful playing. Love using the same pool of notes but changing them up in all the ways you mentioned to get so many interesting sounds.

[@bobparsonsartist564]

I love those chords at the end! Inspiring words and content…

[@DaveLynchJazzGuitar]

Excellent Tim. It makes a lot of sense in what you're saying. I need to work on this aspect of my playing much more.

[@Steve-vb8gd]

Well said, and played sir. Your spoken eloquence is beautifully woven into the melodic resonance of your notes.

[@floaty10]

This is a fantastic lesson, relevant to all improvisers regardless of your instrument. Thanks.

[@nicholasharris9681]

A really useful lesson and your thoughts are greatfully received. I find myself falling into this trap. Thank you Tim, I'm off to spend some time with my guitar.

[@carlostupiggia4376]

I would like to play like you Tim. Great teaching. Thank you 🤗

[@bigbokiptd]

Magnificent video Tim! Thank you so so so much

[@gregh2930]

Thank you Tim. You are very inspirational.

[@dannyman60001]

Powerful and very needed words from a Master player and great teacher. Thank you Tim.

[@jackgriffith9229]

Tim!! You sound fantastic!! Continue to post performance and lessons as I find them to be very helpful in my own playing which is getting rather stale repetitive and shallow………………….🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

[@Rampersand]

Hey, Tim, I've listened to a ton of your videos, done and am doing some of your Truefire courses, followed your Truefire channel for a while (will likely do so again soon), and I gotta say, for me this is one of your very best lessons. Dunno, maybe it just hit me just right at just the right time but... I'm just sayin'. And, yes, thanks. R&

[@heneverreturnasahorse9773]

Beautiful playing, words of wisdom, and beautiful guitar, as well!

[@110Azure]

So smooth, that it almost looks effortless. Thank you, sir.

[@freddymclain]

such a groovy axe!

[@ashishashen]

Great lesson. I struggle with the exact points you covered. Thank you!

[@SomeKindOfMadman]

Very inspiring lesson. Thank you Tim.

[@shadauntetucker4261]

Errrrrrmmmm this video was made because the universe knows it’s time to start climbing the next mountain… Thank you Tim 🙏🏽

[@jhagley]

What always impresses me in every single one of your videos is your breath control - super underrated skill

[@martyndormer]

I come from a rock and roll background, and everyone uses the same vocabulary, so I think that it is worthwhile trying to stretch out into different structures….

[@williamdunnill7996]

Superb playing sir! Great advice too

[@titobattaglia7932]

Tim Lerch aka the Motif Master. Take a listen around minute 7.00 and learn ye mortals ;D

[@pablomerighi335]

👍🏻 very helpful, as always! Thanks

[@Bflatest]

Do u have any videos on what modes go with what chords? thanks love your stuff the melodies on this examples were epic good

[@jazzatnoonmke659]

Totally. Correct. Will totally reinforce what I

[@jazzatnoonmke659]

B T W I have , a 1948 blond L7 from my father. Keep Dancin'.

[@JamesHindsW5ATJ]

Great lesson Tim 🎸

[@ZalMoxis]

Excellent lesson Maestro....

[@BrianOboylemusic]

Nice tone and axe

[@fer7068]

Thank you Tim for sharing! Really helpful tips’’’ 🌟

[@miguitarraesunaibane]

Very nice and very inspiring video!

[@sbingham1979]

This is so good. So inspiring. Love this lesson!!

[@davidradlin5955]

Thanks!

[@brendanivey7814]

You’re the best Tim

[@ThomasLastio]

Hey Tim. Do you breath during a solo like holding breath while playing a horn instrument? If yes, xsn you explain that? I think it’s clever!

[@TimLerchGuitar]

I don’t hold my breath, horn players don’t either. They have to blow into their horn. How can they hold their breath when they’re blowing in? 😀 No I’m just breathing along with the phrasing as if I’m singing. I tend to connect my breath with my phrases.

[@creativejamtracks677]

Love the lesson Tim and totally get your point. I would like to know how to pick up so much jazz vocabulary for want of a better word. I suppose it is down to listening to masters like Charlie Parker as you reference her and immersing yourself in it.

[@creativejamtracks677]

Here that should say.

[@themusiccovenant]

Guitar God 🎸

[@gilesjazzguitar64]

nice guitar

[@randyhetlage9202]

Right on Tim.☆♡☆

[@danlacey7114]

Ornamentation used sparingly and lots of breathing room as well Also, a good reminder (for me anyway) that the rhythmic content of the line is as important as the notes.

[@johnsolis7631]

For non blues inspired player just practice solo using 8th notes only till you can here to chords, then it’s pat metheny time!

[@kirkp_nextguitar]

Great message Tim. Hey, I noticed you’ve moved the RC1100. It used to be butted to the neck, as is mine. I’ve always been dubious that there’s much of a difference in tone between those two positions when playing over most of the neck. But when fretting high notes the pickup will probably get brighter when very close to the pickup, perhaps making it too bright. Moving the pickup away would reduce that effect. My L-7 has no cutaway so fretting that high isn’t an issue for me, but I wonder if that’s why you moved yours.

[@TimLerchGuitar]

I generally prefer that the neck pickup be just a hair on the bridge side of the Octave harmonic. It’s a slight difference but one that I prefer.