CHRISTOPHE GODIN explains the difference between a jazz guitarist and a rock guitarist

Christophe Godin gave a workshop entitled "Kartoon Guitar Clinic" at the Schorndorfer Gitarrentage 2014. I found his humorous exploration of the differences between jazz and rock guitarists worth posting here.
WARNING!
This video contains humor!
If you know that you do not have a sense of humor please don't watch the video!
If you notice that you don't at least smile while watching, please consult a doctor urgently.
Recorded with my Pana Lumix TZ61 pocketcam on May 31, 2014.

[@cozmovox]

"a jazz guitarist doesn't know how to use a bridge pickup"

[@GustavoIzurieta]

hahaha

[@paulgilbert3139]

they do, but use it only when they tunes their guitar

[@janneboman8573]

Also: no palm muting. Never.

[@inyokutse]

Wait. There's a BRIDGE pickup now? 🤯

[@rockinrobin]

rock guitarists see Maj7, diminished chords, 13th chord, and will play that all in power chords.

[@alexdattel2757]

What chord are you playing? Uhh 7

[@hariearyatama436]

@@alexdattel2757 just play 2 5 1 in f#

[@RJW14]

or hybrid pick the adds in between chords.

[@crimsun7186]

The music scene is cleary missing people like this guy. Musicians nowadays, regardless of genre, always seem so square and always taking themselves ultra seriously.

[@discover_hypnosis]

Has anyone else even noticed he has an amazing singing voice and and that he can actually play the shit out of the guitar for real??

[@TheSkipjack95]

He's actually quite renowned in the french guitar community, and writes a column in the biggest guitar magazine in france

[@dickgitaar2012]

He can, but here to much talking..pff rather boring

[@hhaahhaahhaa11]

Holy cow he just turned himself into John Scofield!

[@unoaotroa]

hhaahhaahhaa11 Best comment in this video. Hahaha.

[@evetsnitram8866]

I saw Scofield at a jazz club in LA a couple decades back and he left fusion to return to bebop with a fine trio. However when he came out and started the first tune he held his head way back and grimaced like he had pulled a groin muscle or came on to something. That was short lived though and he returned to normal playing chords and melodies together in some good tunes I hadn't heard before.

[@KowboySantos]

jazz: 5000 notes, 3 people in the audience. rock: 3 notes, 5000 people in the audience.

[@KowboySantos]

***** nah more like 5

[@StratOnFire]

+Kowboy Santos Jazz: The art of making difficult playing look easy Rock: The art of making easy playing look difficult

[@KowboySantos]

hahah yes

[@ShoyuTao]

+Kowboy Santos That's 3 "Chords" not "Three Notes"!

[@KowboySantos]

there are chords?? lol jk. thank you! yes, correct.

[@geoffreywarburton]

Rock: Play four chords to an audience of thousands. Jazz: Play thousands of chords to an audience of four.

[@Rextum]

😄

[@gillesnaviliat549]

Christophe is just a pure genius !

[@cozmovox]

"Wen you see someone playing a big guitar with a small amp, that's a jazz player....someone with a small guitar and a big amp, that's a rocker...."

[@Rextum]

Actually, I do get the feeling, that quite a few talented jazz/metal/jazz metal musicians have a good sense of humour, but that it is us fans that take our favorite music and bands and players way to seriously. Having a good laugh does not mean that you don’t take your music seriously, do your best, try to break barriers and create something new. Sometimes people just fail to see the humour, because the music is too technical for our small minds to understand, I guess😃👍🏻🤘🏻

[@prieto21]

I feel like no one caught the extent of his sarcasm... I loved his bit.

[@virgult]

He now looks like a crossover between The Rock and James Hetfield.

[@cpamiseso]

Bald, that 'charismatic' face, seems like Devin Townsend rock guitarist tutorial to me, LOL :D

[@konoharf]

the face of kratos haha nice guitarist

[@alvarolblanco]

I'm both guitarrists, I love Jazz and Rock, why not?

[@carloscortegoso7699]

Absolutely agree, I am not a good player, but I love guitar playing whatever the style. Currently I found a great peace trying to play jazz, bossa nova...and one thing is true at least to me, the chord progressions are really more complicated in jazz than in rock music, the harmony is beyond the progressions requires a lot of study. This point is not so important in rock with no clean sound...or even in blues. I found the jazzy finger style arrangements of rock and pop songs really clever and I love the sound of the new chords I must learn to play jazz. Anyway, I will queen playing rock,blues and jazz the rest of my life, depending of my mood condition I need one style or another.

[@Skinny_Karlos]

Me too. Started with classical as a kid, played in rock bands (still do) then to improve my improvising took to jazz. I love it all & as you say 'why not ?'

[@Skinny_Karlos]

Exactly. Who made a rule that like football you only support ONE style. Imagine if the great innovators, going back centuries, stuck to some 'rule' that stopped him/her from developing the music they heard in their mind. We'd still be banging sticks together. I say do/play whatever you enjoy.

[@alvarolblanco]

+Mark Thuaux and It's very important to appreciate various music forms, as you I like classical, rock, blues, funk, pop, and a huge list. But know I'm studing modern music at the university and we only play jazz there, also fusion jazz and bossa nova, latin, and more types, is awesome to have the oportunity to study music! :)

[@alvarolblanco]

+Carlos Cortegoso totalmente de acuerdo! greetings from Spain!

[@IGotSoupProductions]

Great video! I think the real difference is that jazz guitarists learn a lot of theory and a few techniques, whereas rock guitarists learn a lot of techniques and a little theory.

[@MartinLohmueller]

Hello guitarist out there: You can explain the difference much shorter: A jazz guitarist plays hundreds of chords for few people, a rock guitarist plays few chords for hundreds of people. Nuff said, isn't it ?

[@MartinLohmueller]

***** Please don't take my comment to serious. Same is for the clip here.

[@TheSkipjack95]

***** hundreds of guitarists*

[@MartinLohmueller]

+b232now As I have answered above my statement is just as ridiculous as the video. So my point is just kidding! No trolling for that, I know chords like Em7b5 or C69 myself, so nevermind. C69 sounds great at the end of a song if you add a G flat to it, that means a flattened fifth. Since I know all this stuff there is nothing you have to worry about;-).

[@ChrisDragotta]

And so, music had run its' course.

[@rerditirerthz5568]

The last that i remember it was a pop vs rock thing this joke

[@grahamb.4447]

Jan Akkerman A Rock Guitarist A Jazz Guitarist A Classical Guitarist A Blues Guitarist A Funk Guitarist A "Lute" Guitarist and any other styles that you can think of. Simply the best

[@wforkel1]

Exactly! Thanks Jan Akkerman!

[@shr3ddur]

There are no mistakes in jazz ! Classical guitarists are not allowed to make mistakes !

[@rogerlegends166]

Lots of rock musicians take the piss out of jazz , but never other niche genres like folk or country . You know why ? Because they can't do it and no-one in the jazz world cares about their egos or their 'shredding' millions of notes . You can just tell that this man has been at some point rejected by the jazz world and is still smarting from it .

[@avielp]

9:12 Oh he tried so hard to play simple and sloppy, but couldn't

[@hamnchee]

"Don't do anything too complicated" *plays super complicatedly*

[@temporarymomentary]

It's impossible to play sloppy when you are a talented musician.

[@a.p.5825]

Something I heard in my lessons was "amateurs practice until they can do it right; professionals practice until they can't do it wrong". Seems to apply here.

[@oldmanklc]

This shit cracked me up. 11 people take themselves too seriously.

[@BrianAuer]

Bahahaha... That was a good laugh man!!! Thank you!

[@heinzbauman403]

The difference between a jazz musician and a rock musician is that jazz musicians play 3000 chords for 3 people and rock musicians play 3 chords for 3000 people.

[@twinspeaksful]

The biggest difference is that rock guitarist don't give a shit, jazz guitarist cry about being better than everyone who is not into jazz.

[@Acoustic_Guitars]

Grossen Dank fürs Einstellen! Großartige Performance von Christophe :-)

[@Yuna-Chan]

Geez guys i'm a jazz guitarist, i love rock, and i'm laughing my ass off what is it that makes you people so angry?

[@mrjimmienoone2130]

The only difference between a rock guitarist and a jazz guitarist is that a jazz guitarist can play guitar.

[@Skinny_Karlos]

+b232now Jazz & blues share much. Jazz was born from the the blues. Rock was too but illegitimately lol.

[@HawxGaming]

+Mark Thuaux Not gonna lie I lol'd...

[@Skinny_Karlos]

+led96zeppelin Really ?? A talented comedienne & a great player of at least rock & jazz guitar, but you're right, sedate him. All of the audience who loved him and his self deprecating humour are wrong, you're right & I'm sure you know best in, well, Everthing. Thanks soooo much for everything !!.

[@led96zeppelin]

Mark Thuaux I don't think you understood my comment, at all. I loved the video, I just can't stand the attitude of some jazz guitarists, have a good day (night, whatever)

[@Skinny_Karlos]

+led96zeppelin You're right, I didn't understand your comment. Apologies for any shit I inadvertently or misunderstandingly threw your way. You have a good ne too. Thanks for not biting my head off for getting it wrong. 👍👍

[@LaurenceCha]

J'adore! j'en pleure! Enfin un luthier guitariste qui a de l'humour ! et merci à CG d'avoir lancé un bon gros débat qui visiblement fait recette compte tenu des commentaires précédents :-))

[@richyrich5049]

This guy kicks ass. I totally respect Jazz guitar, though.

[@orejotus]

hes a great performer with a good sense of humor like frank zappa

[@rambache]

the tone volume... hahahaha

[@johnhguitar]

Leave it to somebody French to dismantle jazz guitar. Sure, make fun of jazz people, make fun of rock people, but I still love that music in the very depth of my soul. How should I feel about this video? I guess you just can't take it seriously right? Just kidding right? You'd better hope so or what's the point of even trying?

[@nelsonventura7374]

The funny thing about jazz,is that you never know if the guys really know how to play,or if they are doing that thing called jamming,which any idiot can do.-FRANK ZAPPA-

[@matejfele9971]

Not true.

[@ericliang4744]

When did he say this?

[@danialm8122]

Don't ever bring false thing.

[@edphaze6550]

Great stuff! There needs to be more humor in music. I'm a guy who plays both jazz and rock, but I can attest that I also have a healthy sense of humor!

[@grantwright8071]

Performance is about ENTERTAINMENT, not Music.. The Emmanuel Brothers got that, ages ago..This is gold !! Full marks from Australia !! (Before I go DOWN)..

[@rodsreel]

One of the guitarists that impresses me is Jimmy Rosenberg who as a young Gypsy could play amazingly by the age of 10 technically and musically. He learned by listening and playing along. He was never taught any theory or music just like many of the other great musicians. No Clinics, no institutes ,no standard books, lesson etc. Just have a passion and let your character bring out the music on the instrument.

[@xxXthekevXxx]

Jason Richardson is a famous metal guitarist and he plays with his guitar up that high. You can witness it in the Don't Ask Don't Tell by Chelsea Grin music video.

[@jland12]

The proper structure of the joke is as follows - rock guitarists play three chords in front of thousands of people whereas jazz guitarists play thousands of chords in front of three people.

[@casidiablo665]

Symphonic/Progressive rock begs to differ

[@melvesh]

And then........ There's Guthrie Govan

[@BenoitAdam]

Played with him in masterclass. Love this guy !

[@fairsonance]

a jazz guitarist plays the guitar, a rock guitarist plays the distortion(s) and the guitar

[@discover_hypnosis]

This guy made me laugh! :D Take it in the spirit it's intended people!

[@Metal-Possum]

The difference is that people actually like rock guitarists.

[@ramroid]

I couldn't get past minute 2:52 but I hope he mentioned the huge divide in understanding moving harmony

[@shangzoo]

I did not smile when watching this video and I think there is nothing wrong with me.

[@AHAFilm]

Great video! Thank you for filming :)

[@AugustusCaesarTV]

Cool stuff. Excellent Channel. Was not expecting it to be that good. Keep up the greatchannel vids

[@Modes9]

He's so right. Image is not everything. Music is a hearing art.

[@rene.grondzi]

This man plays jazz like a pro bro

[@plantagenant]

Rock guitarists play simple cliches. Jazz guitarists play complicated ones.

[@Notsonice89]

plantagenant add "bad" in front of it and you are completely right

[@Kinda___Happy]

😂😂😂

[@mmmanutd]

It depends actually of what type of rock are you playing.

[@2011littlejohn1]

''I'm the best guitarist in the world except for this gypsy that lives in France.''

[@MarkR1957]

+jack freeman Is that you, Emmett Ray? Where have you been? Shoot any good rats lately?

[@2011littlejohn1]

:) Cool.

[@Derayes]

That was great, I like people with real sense of humor. And mr Godin plays really well!

[@ThePepsiman1000]

why are people overreacting to this?

[@wforkel1]

+Sky King Good question. "Classics", "Jazz" and "Rock" are like different religions but they all believe in the same god.

[@carloscortegoso7699]

I am not too religious, but I liked the comparison "with the same good". Actually, 2 years ago I bought a Godin Multiac Grand Concert, it is a nylon guitar with classical proportions, and I am playing rock, blues, jazz, bossa, finguerstyle...everything on it, yes, I know, it is a nylon guitar, but runs good to me with overdrive and other effects to play rock ...led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones...Foo fighters...I am not really keen on metal. I love this guitar and is quite suitable for all styles...at least covers my needs averytime I decide to play this or that. summarizing, It is music, and there are a lot of opinions, and preferences, but I am one of these guys that like almost everything related to guitar, and the fact of playing different styles, opens your mind and you get a richer way of playing.

[@Skinny_Karlos]

+Carlos Cortegoso I studied classical guitar first, as a kid, so I always have at least one good classical /nylon string guitar and for a lot of the music you were describing the nylon string instrument, with a bit more room between the strings & the fact that in Latin America where at least some of this music comes from makes it an ideal choice. It also goes a lot easier on the right hand, especially if you're using your nails. I play much modern music on my classical guitar and it really does often marry better with the music.

[@carloscortegoso7699]

Hi again Mr. Thuaux, It's nice to hear about someone who shares or at least understands my music preferences. I do prefer to play with my nails...actually with my fingers end tissue...due to my work I can't let my nails grow enough. I'm spanish, and as you said, latin america musicians are great and the different guitar styles are really interesting. I play a lot this kind of music...It's a bit weird the fact of what listen to in car, hifi at home...is not what I like most to play...I don't know if you understand...I mean, I listen to rock (end 60`s and 70´s)..Dire Straits.(love Mr. Knophler).. in my car, but lately, when I sit down to play...I took my Godin and start playing more complicated harmonies and crazy shaped chords...really far away from rock "dirty" riffs.

[@Skinny_Karlos]

I agree very much Carlos (and please call me Mark :-) ). Music, for me, is one great big candy store. Some things I don't like but most styles, I do. My mood can play a bit in what I'll play, after my daily practice work, and that can be anything from, as you said, winding up the gain and enjoying some power chords, meandering solos, pinch harmonics and, well those Van Halen, AC/DC styles. Other times I'll reach for my es175 with a totally clean sound and try to emulate the Jazz styles of Wes Montgomery or Emily Remler. I do feel sorry for those people who are so engrossed in one style that they are aggresssive towards others. I don't get into hip hop, modern dance/club music and some others but I figure if the people who play and listen to those styles get enjoyment from it who am I to say 'Oh that's crap'. We're all different ( thank goodness) and it really is a good thing we are. I'm from Australia, which is of course now very 'multiculural' but to grow up in Spain, the home of the great Andreas Segovia, must be wonderful. Maybe I have a romantic idea of flamenco sounds coming out whenever and the 21stC has changed much. I'm sure that's true (the whole world is now one big melting pot) but the history and the culture of Spain has captivated since my youth.

[@eldrinpaulgok-ong3450]

Fake.. he forgot the WAH pedal for rock guitarists xD

[@ΘΟΔΩΡΗΣΦΟΥΣΤΕΡΗΣ]

Where is Kirk Hammett at???

[@PaulaJBean]

Why is the drummer sitting behind a bulletproof screen?

[@mistahsusan2650]

it's a sound shield.

[@xxXthekevXxx]

It's called a sound shield and is usually used in smaller or quieter venues when you wanna keep the volume more controlled. The sound man can control the volume for a better mix live.

[@lesvieuxbriscards]

Bonjour J'ai une Godin XTSA mais je ne peux exploiter toutes ses possibilités car je n'ai pas le mode d'emploi en francais Comment utiliser correctement les vis de bloquages pour les cordes que l'on change (au niveau des mécanismes) Comment passer de l'éléctriique à l'accoustique ? En ce moment je joue comme si j'avais une simple guitare électrique en branchant le jack sur l'ampli guitare et c'est tout Merci d'avance...Jean louis

[@renjay3743]

Charlie Christian, Joe Pass, Wes Montgomery, Barney Kessel, Kenny Burrell, Grant Green, Herb Ellis, Monnette Sudler, Tal Farlow. Django Reinhardt, George Benson. Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Richie Blackmore, Tony Iommi, Jimmy Page, Pete Townsend, Slash, Robert Fripp, Dave Gilmour. They all influenced me in some shape or form but there is a man in the middle of all that who I have not mentioned. Nile Rodgers. He couldn't hold a candle to Joe Pass but then who cares. He's old school and has style. That's what it's all about.

[@sabatino1977]

The self awareness of this vid is amazing.

[@dinartelopes6165]

I love Rock music. But most (most, not all...) of rock guitarrists think, act and play like kids. Jazz is art. "tava mais bobo que banda de rock..." Zeca Balero.

[@boredombutcher5369]

E essa frase lixo desse m3rd4 chamado Zeca Balero eh legal ? A musica dele eh um lixo perto de qualquer banda de rock decente. Quem eh esse lixo pra criticar bandas de rock?

[@renefrater2394]

it was funny, but I feel also sad because Rock musician are always doing fun of us Jazz musicians and then they are asking us for help to teach them harmony not only power chords and also to teach them Jazz scales. it's not fair. :(

[@TonyJuanPailos]

Hahaha you're a jazz guitarist? Lmaoooo 🤣🤣🤣. Btw can you teach me some chords?

[@JackPonissi]

All you said is so true!

[@1mo4dro]

Rock guitar... just set the amp at 11*

[@HolyBison]

Same went for John McLaughlin in the Mahavishnu Orchestra days.

[@matinhaa2]

They also had the worlds best drummer....

[@bricknasty7080]

D minor for ballads, the saddest key

[@GraffitiPhysical]

Laughed my ass off. So funny, great work Mr Godin for brining some laughter to the world. I can see the Jazz muso's commenting below, sound pissed off. Lol.

[@Greenpeace465]

lol there is a reason why rock always draws the bigger crowds ..... like 10 fold

[@user-hq8mx7mn3u]

Enjoy both, take the piss of both. Respect the best things about each genre and if you're so inclined, combine them with each other in your own music.

[@MonsieurMammouth]

Thanks for sharing that great video!! :)

Frank Gambale / Yngwie Malmsteen

[@littlewing62]

the rock guitarist plays 3 notes being watched by thousands of people. the jazz guitarist plays a thousand notes being watched by 3 people.

[@dannydaniel1904]

littlewing62 I don't think you know what rock is

[@littlewing62]

DZAP 194 godin gave me lessons. so no i dont know what rock is.

[@laurentcala924]

Excellent !!!

[@tankermottind]

He forgot the rock guitar pose where you hook your leg over the body of the guitar so the neck sticks out like a giant phallus.

[@NorbertBarnich]

A very good change from the usual stuff that take itself seriously. Just having a bit of a smile...

[@ThomasAtzinger]

I've been to Schorndorf at this time. Christoph Godin is a true freak! As funny as this performance was, I preferred to go to Carl Verheyen's workshop.

[@1985cactus]

Why is the drummer in the terrarium?

[@edmondmickelr]

so technically to be a jazz guitarist you should hold your guitar like john petrucci

[@j.p.7708]

...... some of the best jazz I ever heard!!!!!!

[@wahwah-tv]

Ganz fantastisch! Danke, Werner!

[@Swtorswtor]

The screaming bassist got me.. x'D

[@beyondthehorizon75]

GREAT!! ESPECIALLY the ending! Bon Scott forever!!!

[@MarkBoese]

The difference between the difference between a jazz guitarist and a rock guitarist? A jazz guitarist plays a 5,000 chords to 3 people, and a rock guitarist plays 3 chords to 5,000 people! lol

[@luisrayado3715]

saludos hermano, estuve en la clínica instruccional que diste en México en sala atonnal con Alfonso Quintero te mando abrazos de oso enormes

[@HunterTom3006]

so whats the difference from a rockjazz guitar player?

[@marcblum5348]

I love Christophe!

[@acocote2137]

hey! this guy's voice and attitude remind me a lot Frank Zappa... Kudos!... I wonder if he is related to Godin guitars in some way... anyways, it was fun...

[@jamespatagueule4599]

Nope it's just his name... And he plays Vigier guitars

[@onsesejoo2605]

What do you throw to a drowning guitarist ? His/Her amplifier.

[@sunnymallinson3353]

where can i get those wrist bands?

[@RedCarpetRoom]

1:44 - SteveT, the jazz guitarist

[@guidovivan5035]

Lol

[@onsesejoo2605]

Two guys were walking on the street. The other was a guitarist and the other had no money either.

[@tersan8547]

The worst thing is that he's absolutely right :)

[@oh033]

jazz musician: plays 3000 notes in front of 3 people rock musician: plays 3 notes in front of 3000 people it's a joke don't overreact

[@Korisaiko]

Reminds me a guy who worked in Veran Musique (a muusic shop in Annecy). Christophe certainly know him XD

[@cdreyes81]

I know this is a joke but my friend is a metal guitarist and he plays his guitar up that high. he swears buy it.

[@TheOrganist007]

Phantastic !

[@abruenin236]

ROTFL. Watching this over and over again, getting better every time :-)

[@hmcccpp]

jazz guitarists can not bend the string

[@WilliamSlaght]

hmcccpp well if you say so.

[@hmcccpp]

LinkBulletBill isnt it?i dont mean fusion guitarists ,i mean real jazz guitarist, it s just that kind of a "static" style of playing, you know not like blues rock or whatever,where you always bend...

[@WilliamSlaght]

hmcccpp Pat Metheny bends a string 1% of the time each concert.

[@jaw350]

+hmcccpp They can, they just don't want to.

[@hmcccpp]

+jaw350 no, they cant,

[@PiDev]

This guy is the Devin Townsend of Jazz Guitar.

[@JaneJohnson1951]

Very funny - Chris cuts it and shreds it with a bit of tweeedling on the side! Way kool!

[@plecksiboya5992]

genious, great,,,, though i prefer the blues,, but this represents those things

[@heavymetal369]

What no love for the whammy bar or wah peddle lol

[@GreenLlamaCK]

Brilliant! Just have fun, man! Just like Godin in the video! :)

[@Ace96x10]

Who is Schorndofter and why do they want him to die? He must be a jazz player....