Unlocking Joe Pass Guitar Chords: Six Key Concepts

Tired of overwhelming chord books? Joe Pass's iconic book focuses on quality over quantity, showcasing just 150 essential chords and key progressions that reveal the secrets behind his legendary playing. This video breaks down the six key concepts that define his chord approach, giving you the tools to master jazz guitar chords and build your own unique style.
Learn how Joe Pass thought about chords, why he chose these specific ones, and how to apply his innovative techniques to your own playing. You'll gain a deeper understanding of harmony and unlock a powerful new approach to jazz guitar that will elevate your skills to the next level.
GET THE BOOK: Joe Pass Guitar Chords - amzn.to/46OEGV4
Yes, it's an affiliate link. I think I get about $0.02 if you click it and buy :-)
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ABOUT ME
I'm Dr. George Hess, I was a professor of music for 30 years at leading universities in the US and Asia and I've been performing with top professionals worldwide for over 40 years. I help busy adult guitarists start playing and having fun playing jazz guitar as quickly as possible.

[@GeorgeHessMusic]

FREE TRIAL LESSON lessons.jumpstartjazzguitar.com/freejazzguitarclass The Jumpstart Jazz Guitar Coaching program is specifically geared towards guitarist over 50 who are making the transition from rock or blues to jazz. My unique program provides a private lesson experience with custom lesson plans and unlimited video feedback, but made to fit your busy schedule. Click the link to schedule a free trial lesson and learn more about the program.

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

I did'nt hear a word only the beautiful tones that you got from that Guitar stick in my mind.

[@GeorgeHessMusic]

Thanks! That awful plug-in is only on the voice. Never again.

[@steveprager7862]

Great lesson!

[@GeorgeHessMusic]

Thanks! 😃

[@jimtessin4130]

I own the book and I was puzzled for a number of reasons. Appreciate your evaluation.

[@GeorgeHessMusic]

Hope it helps. Let me know if you have any questions

[@johnhussain9877]

Me to, this helped alot

[@gabrielgilguitar5407]

One book that doesn’t necessarily have the drop 2 joe pass style voicings. Specifically I have noticed Joe loves his major 6th drop 2 voicing. But one book for solo guitar arrangement and really understanding it. I highly recommend Howard Morgan chord melody and beyond book. That alone will make you unlock the next step to seeing what these guys mainly do and simplifying the mystery.

[@starrynightguitars]

Great video! Thank you so much. Now to find that book. 😊

[@GeorgeHessMusic]

There’s a link to it on Amazon in the description

[@thomassawicki2065]

Thanks for the lesson Uncle George. Very clear I understood perfectly.

[@GeorgeHessMusic]

Uncle George? I like it

[@bobtaylor170]

I had the same reaction to the Joe Pass book you did. I have it on my phone and am still quite mystified as I start to watch this.

[@GeorgeHessMusic]

I'm here to help. Questions are very welcome

[@kbkesq]

Great video. Good idea to highlight this book.

[@GeorgeHessMusic]

I think so too! It's the only chord book I recommend

[@shadracastrat]

👏 brilliant

[@GeorgeHessMusic]

Wow, thanks!

[@analogalien]

Fantastic lesson!

[@GeorgeHessMusic]

Thanks! 😃

[@mahmoudkchaou1799]

This is precious information, I watched some of your videos, I can see that your giving practical advices. I hope this type of videos get more attention, in contrast to the click bait "The unicorn 🦄 jazz chord" type of videos.

[@GeorgeHessMusic]

Thanks. I’m definitely here to help

[@tommakkoo1357]

Thank you sir

[@GeorgeHessMusic]

You're most welcome

[@kidpoker007]

Nice, I always complain theres way to much info on linear playing but not enough chords like Joe pass phrases

[@GeorgeHessMusic]

Yes, we spend most of our time playing chords, but most of our practice is on soloing. I didn't start playing jazz guitar because I wanted to shred.

[@kidpoker007]

@@GeorgeHessMusic It would be so cool If someone wrote a book on just Joe pass 2-5-1 phrases and 1-6-2-5 phrases

[@GeorgeHessMusic]

@@kidpoker007 Take a look at Joe Pass Guitar Styles. There's a lot of licks and patterns in that book

[@Guilherme-nc5li]

Amazing video. You have the charisma of a documentary presenter

[@GeorgeHessMusic]

Wow, thank you!

[@tallperson9422]

Most enjoyable video. The guitar has a very mellow sound. can you tell me the model?

[@GeorgeHessMusic]

Thanks. It's a Peerless Gigmaster Jazz, similar to a 175, but with a slightly thinner body

[@feggymango]

Newbie here, what’s the name of song you play in opening. Anywhere to get tabs for it?

[@GeorgeHessMusic]

It’s Misty by Errol Garner. Sorry, I don’t do tabs

[@j.garnergtr]

This is a fantastic video! You're helping a lot of people. One thing, though. The book breaks things into 6 chord types, but Joe only thinks in 3 types. Major, Minor, and Dominant. All chords relate back to those three types. This is stated in other of his books. He also told me exactly this, when I was 19 years old and went to see him play solo at the Iron Horse Cafe. He spent his whole break and some time after the show talking to me and 2 friends. We had gotten there 3 hours before doors opened and sat 6 ft away, eyes glued. He was such a great, kind, generous and funny dude. Anyways, other than that, this is a fantastic video. And I hate to be that dude, but I think it's important to really reduce things to simplest possible forms/terms.

[@GeorgeHessMusic]

Thanks for the insights. I never met Joe, so I'm just going by what is in his books. I have Guitar Styles where he talks about those three types in the substitution section, but he also lists six chords types in other sections. But not the exactly same ones as in the chord book. In one of Joe's videos, where he says he doesn't think of arpeggios and then proceeds to demonstrate a lick using arpeggios. I think all of this is helpful in understanding how he thought. Thanks again.

[@Talisk3r]

Great video! And that book does benefit from a player insight like yourself. 3:10 no minor6 voicing? Ain't minor 6 chord the same as minor 7 flat five chord (-7b5), the sixth category that you mention?

[@GeorgeHessMusic]

You're right that minor 6ths and minor 7b5s are inversions, but that isn't how Joe seemed to think about it. He doesn't list any of the m7b5 voicings in the minor chord category.

[@Talisk3r]

@@GeorgeHessMusic Oh that is waht you meant. I see. Anyway thanks for that video. I will revisit that book. I was not ready when I first look into it.

[@cmacdhon]

As Joe once said: "never play anything hard".

[@GeorgeHessMusic]

Exactly. I took that as gospel. :-)

[@hectorwicabgutierrez4125]

Delco me Maestro Gracias por esta lección!!!!❤️

[@kbkesq]

5:13 playing without the root is important for playing with bassists or pianists as he did.

[@GeorgeHessMusic]

Joe was great a making us hear the bass line, even when he wasn't playing it

[@maestrophilkell]

Useful information and well presented, but I have a technical complaint. Every time you speak, I hear a high buzzing sound. I was listening on my porch and I thought it was crickets, but no, it’s the video. Unless my ears are my iPad are messed up.

[@GeorgeHessMusic]

I used a new plugin on the voice this time. I can almost hear what you are talking about, but it's up in a frequency range my old ears don't hear very well. Is it distracting enough to justify pulling the video and fixing the audio?

[@maestrophilkell]

@@GeorgeHessMusic that’s a tough call. I’m curious if anyone else hears it. Definitely try to fix it for future vids.

[@GeorgeHessMusic]

@@maestrophilkell Thanks. I'll ditch the plug in for future videos

[@madcyril4135]

@@maestrophilkell From u.k. I have 67 yr old ears, when tested were 7 out of ten. I can hear it also. Good video though. It’s too cold for crickets here!😂

[@GeorgeHessMusic]

@@madcyril4135 Anything above 10-12k is a distant memory for me. I'll ditch the offending plug-in on the next video

[@wrtoomes600]

That book is no longer published.😂

[@GeorgeHessMusic]

Yes it is, by Mel Bay now. You can get it on Amazon

[@lucydayLucida]

There are old scans around online downloadable too. Out of copyright scans, I'd guess.