Turnarounds! Blues to Jazz - The Ultimate Guide (Guitar Lesson)

*NEW! Access all lesson materials by becoming a Patreon at the link below for just a small monthly fee!..
/ alexfarranguitar
If Patreon isn’t your bag, you can purchase the lesson materials for this lesson alone, directly at the link below;
smogfalls.gumr...
Book in for a private Zoom lesson!.. just choose a slot at the link below;
tidycal.com/al...
Essential chord voicings from triads..
• THIS is what you shoul...
Tri-tone Substituion..
• Tritone Substitution 1...
Turnarounds are a grey area for many players.. never quite sure of what or how they should work. In this video, we look at the typical 2 bar turnaround as found in bars 11 and 12 of a 12 bar blues, or in the final 2 bars of the A section in many jazz standards.
We start simple and build things up from there, covering a ton of options along the way.
You will leave this lesson with a much deeper understanding of turnarounds and their role within the music.
Also remember that these turnarounds function really nicely as intros and outros too!
I would highly recommend downloading the lesson materials provided at the link above.. all of the topics covered in this lesson are typed up nice and neat and provided in both guitar pro and PDF formats. Having these to hand whilst following along with the video will certainly make things much easier to absorb.
Thanks for watching and please do leave a comment down below, and if you could hit the like button and subscribe to my channel, that would really be so appreciated.
After many months of people asking, I've finally taken the plunge into starting a Patreon!.. I will be posting there very regularly, making exclusive content and lesson materials for supporters. I thought I'd keep it simple and just have 1 tier to avoid any confusion! So, if you're interested in gaining unlimited access to lesson materials, bonus content, Q&A's, behind the scenes Vlogs etc, please do check it out at the link below and kindly consider becoming a Patreon..
/ alexfarranguitar
You can also buy me a coffee at this link; www.buymeacoff...
And I post most days on insta: / alexfarranguitar
#jazzguitar #jazzlesson #djangoreinhardt #guitarlesson #gibsonguitars #gibsones125 #fender #musician #swingguitar #charliechristian #guitarteacher #learning #tuition #guide #howto #music #blues #jazz #guitar #guitarra #bebop #jazzstandard #gypsyjazz #jazzmanouche #vintage #artdeco #chordmelody #guitarra #chitarra #vintagemusic #guitarsolo #jimmierivers #blues #guitarsolo #bluesguitar #wesmontgomery #barneykessel #jimhall #joepass #herbellis #georgebenson #jazz #blues #country #folk #americana

[@alainkempa2139]

Perfect lesson, I saw nobody explaining turnarounds like you do.

[@AlexFarranGuitar]

Thank you my friend, glad you found it useful 🙏🏻

[@randyyount6293]

I learn more from your videos than just about anything else. Thank you so much. Barney Kessel, yes please.

[@AlexFarranGuitar]

Oh man, that’s amazing to hear! Thank you so much! And yes, Barney Kessel lesson coming very soon for sure 🙏🏻

[@tavijov]

Oro puro es esta lección. Muchas gracias ! Saludos desde Argentina.

[@AlexFarranGuitar]

Glad you enjoyed it my friend! 🙏🏻🧡

[@patrickmckinney8610]

I wanted to say how much I appreciate your videos and your sheet music. Having the notes plus TAB is really helpful. Also including the chord above the music is really great. Many teachers don't include that. That really helps me understand how the lines you've transcribed relate to the changes and that makes it so much easier to take those riffs and apply them elsewhere. Your' breakdowns are detailed but to the point, not excessive talking, but still personal. Plus as I've said before, the quality of sound and video is very pleasing. Plus you show music styles that are right up my alley. I just joined over at pattern and am excited to unpack all the content there. Peace my friend.

[@AlexFarranGuitar]

Ah Patrick, you just made my day! Thank you so much for the words of encouragement and for your support here and on Patreon. I’m so glad you get something out of these lessons and it’s great to meet fellow musicians with similar tastes! Very glad to have you here buddy. Thanks again 🙏🏻

[@Trombonology]

Alex, you've really hit upon a way of distilling large amounts of musical information into a reasonably-sized video. You cover loads of ground and never miss with the artists you mention for reference -- always favourites of mine.

[@AlexFarranGuitar]

Thank you so much my friend, as always, I really appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment. I’m so glad you find the balance to be decent.. I’m always conscious of putting enough in to be of value, but not so much that it becomes sprawling and messy! Glad you dig the examples too, I know for sure we have very similar tastes! ☺️🙏🏻

[@sukienukie551]

Yet another gem of a lesson on KZbin, thank you. There’s honestly nobody like you on here. Thank you so much!

[@AlexFarranGuitar]

Wow, thank you so much! I’m so glad you enjoy my lessons! Very happy to have you here 🙏🏻

[@richardgullison9980]

A very accessible lesson in chordal turnarounds. I`ve now added Alex to "must watch" vids along with Tim Lerch & Chris Whiteman. Thank you!

[@AlexFarranGuitar]

Wow, thanks Richard!.. I really appreciate the words of encouragement. Glad to have you here buddy

[@floydmorrison2025]

Wonderful stuff, Alex! There's nothing I love more than just plopping down on the couch with a guitar in my hands and watching one of your lesson videos. You somehow manage to pack a ton of very useful information into a concise, cohesive and VERY chill video. I'll just play along and fret the various chords, all very relaxed. Some voicings I use a lot, some never...maybe I used to play them but haven't in a while, some I've never even thought of or attempted before in my life hahaha. But a funny thing happens, because the next day or whenever I'll find myself playing stuff from your lessons, that I've absorbed almost via osmosis or something! 🤣🤷‍♂ For example I was playing a jazzy Dminor thing with a few friends last week, and I started doing that thing you showed in the 'Douce Ambiance' lesson where you circled the 1st, flat 3rd & 5th of a Dm arpeggio by approaching each note from above and then below, all the way up the neck.. As I was playing it, I thought to myself "holy shit...this is the thing that Alex Farran was doing in his video!!!" Osmosis, man!!! I learn a TON from your videos, Alex... You're easily the best guitar/theory teacher on youtube...there's nobody else quite like you! Or who can even do what you do!! You're invaluable. Thanks so very much!!! It's appreciated!! 🙏🙌😀

[@AlexFarranGuitar]

Oh man, I can’t tell you how much your comment means to me! Thank you so much for sharing that with me and for your kind words my friend. Really happy you’re getting things out of these lessons! Learning through osmosis is the way I reckon I’ve picked up most things! I hope we can meet in person and hang some day.. we have so much in common! 🙏🏻

[@floydmorrison2025]

@@AlexFarranGuitar Dude you are seriously my little brother from another mother!!! We definitely have a ton in common! The only thing we don't share is your incredible ability on the guitar!!! 😭😭😭

[@antoinenioi6863]

Thanks Alex … this progression chords open the ears 👍

[@AlexFarranGuitar]

Thanks for the comment buddy. Glad you enjoyed the lesson 🙏🏻

[@graemero5532]

Thank you for mentioning Hank Garland's version of "Polka Dots and Moonbeams," I had not heard it before and it is very cool. A suggested listening bit on the channel would be great if you felt so inlcined.

[@AlexFarranGuitar]

I’m so glad you enjoyed it! That whole “Velvet Guitar” record is just amazing. Hank Garland is for sure a favourite player of mine. Good call on including a “recommended listening”.. I’ll add that to all future videos 👌🏻

[@almannino3153]

Alex! You make me feel happy about learning and practice the guitar. Thank you. It's my favorite KZbin channel! 😊❤

[@AlexFarranGuitar]

Ah man, that’s so nice to hear!.. thank you so much! If you’re happy to practice, that makes me happy too! 🙏🏻🧡🍻

[@antoinenioi6863]

We also tea time in France my friend 😅 tea time eight days a week … but whisky time on saturday night … you’re welcome 😉👍

[@AlexFarranGuitar]

😜 sounds like a perfect way of life!

[@user-zd7up7yu8l]

What a fantastic lesson. It really opens up so many creative choices in chords and voicings. Thanks!

[@AlexFarranGuitar]

Thanks for the comment!.. I’m so glad to hear that 🙏🏻

[@gerardo8982]

Once again i love this one !!

[@AlexFarranGuitar]

Thanks buddy, glad you enjoyed it!

[@hanzzee]

Great lesson! The content, but also the way you play the examples are very inspiring. And yes, a lesson on Barney Kessel is always a great idea. Particularly a lesson on his playing on the Julie London album since accompanying a singer or soloist in a duo setting is the ultimate challenge for a jazz guitar player (at least I think so).

[@AlexFarranGuitar]

Thank you so much! 🙏🏻 I agree.. accompanying a singer is such a great learning experience. I will for sure cover some of Barney’s playing on that record. Probably “Can’t help lovin that man” first of all 😉

[@ericmintz6689]

Brilliant! Re: Barney Kessel and Julie London and the album "Julie is Her Name", there are already many YT videos on the intro to Cry Me A River, but I haven't seen any on the other cuts from that album. I always liked the strange, almost dissonant, melody of "I Should Care", though I don't presume that you should care!

[@AlexFarranGuitar]

Thanks Eric.. yes that’s a great track too. I was planning to do Can’t Help Lovin That Man, and Say it Isn’t so first of all.. but will do I should care at some point too for sure 👌🏻

[@jhwk1970]

It would be interesting and educational to have you help clear the mystery of the Kessel chording. Thumbs up.

[@AlexFarranGuitar]

I shall certainly do my best! Looking forward to making a video on his chord work. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻

[@robertgoodale362]

Great stuff, Alex. Thank you!

[@AlexFarranGuitar]

My pleasure! So glad you found it helpful! Thanks for the comment 🙏🏻

[@carlmcandrew7449]

Loved this Alex. So much in here to digest. Great stuff!

[@AlexFarranGuitar]

Glad you enjoyed it buddy, thanks so much for leaving a comment 🙏🏻

[@frankvaleron]

Hell of a lesson man

[@AlexFarranGuitar]

Thanks man, I appreciate that! 🙏🏻

[@davidwilkinson7519]

Superb lesson Thank u so much👏👏👏

[@AlexFarranGuitar]

My pleasure, thanks for the comment!

[@pereztube2]

Very useful thanks!

[@AlexFarranGuitar]

Glad it was helpful matey! Thanks for commenting 🙏🏻

[@jamesgaudette2036]

Awesome Alex!

[@AlexFarranGuitar]

Thanks buddy! 🙏🏻

[@andercoyote4170]

Great lesson! Thanks man. I subbed a few days ago, your channel is one of the best I’ve found in awhile. 👍🏽

[@AlexFarranGuitar]

Ah thank you buddy, that means a lot 🙏🏻

[@user-cq9pn3nm6b]

Cry Me a River would be a great Lundon track to cover!

[@AlexFarranGuitar]

Absolutely! It’s on the list 👍🏻

[@adamcherry434]

What makes a good turn around ? Mint tea for clarity and fingers like a tree frog. Turn arounds so essential, yet I find myself bluffing ,fumbling thru cos I haven’t taken the time to learn the pathways - thanks v much Alex.

[@AlexFarranGuitar]

Hehe fingers like a tree frog, love it 😂😂😂 You don’t need to do fancy stretchy chords for effective turnarounds.. most of my favourite pathways heavily involve the 3 note voicings. As you say, you’ve just gotta do the daily grind of getting a couple of your favourite options down into the deep depths of your muscle memory. You’ll get it man, I promise! 👌🏻

[@pg123ab]

That’s such a great lesson, very easy to follow and very well explained. 😊

[@AlexFarranGuitar]

That’s so good to hear! Thank you for the kind words, glad you enjoyed it my friend 🙏🏻

[@DeGroove]

Another masterclass…and I’m thoroughly jealous of your guitar…

[@AlexFarranGuitar]

Thank you kindly!.. really glad you’re digging the videos. This old es125 is magical, well worth keeping your eyes out for one

[@plantagenant]

This is like being taught guitar by Alan Rickman playing Severus Snape.

[@AlexFarranGuitar]

No idea what you're on about.. but thanks.. I think?!

[@matthewcasey892]

Am I allowed to be here if @5min 35 sec all I could here was “every body must get stoned”😂

[@AlexFarranGuitar]

PERFECT my friend! Haha. Any Dylan reference is always very welcome. Especially with him watching through the window at the back there 🤪😅

[@matthewcasey892]

Ha! I did not notice the photo in the background! I am really pleased to have found you. I have been looking for a blend of blues-jazz-theory instruction. I am a fan of Tim Learch and I like your approach and influences. I am going to join your full patreon and then see if I can get the time worked out for a lesson. I am in Australia. Cheers