The Real Reason Wes Montgomery Is So Important!

The reason Wes Montgomery sounds amazing is not octaves or chord solos. But as you'll see when we check out some of his solos, it is something else completely. And it is something that you can learn and develop in your own playing.

😎 3 Reasons Wes Montgomery Is Amazing And Worth Checking Out 👈

This Jazz Blues Solo is Perfect And Nobody Is Talking About It

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Content:
00:00 Wes Is Amazing!
00:30 Never Overplaying!
02:19 Making It Music
04:08 Call-Response
05:55 Motivic Development (or not?)
06:22 What makes Wes different
08:03 The Exercises That You Need For This
08:32 Like the video? Check out my Patreon page!

My name is Jens Larsen, Danish Jazz Guitarist, and Educator. The videos on this channel will help you explore and enjoy Jazz. Some of it is how to play jazz guitar, but other videos are more on Music Theory like Jazz Chords or advice on how to practice and learn Jazz, on guitar or any other instrument.

The videos are mostly jazz guitar lessons, but also music theory, analysis of songs and videos on jazz guitars.

My Gear:

[koho]

Just noticed, re that moving phrase at 3:40, Bill Laurence of Snarky Puppy did a very similar thing on Broken Arrow that is quite wonderful. Moving phrases around relative to the bar really tickles my ear.

[koho]

Danish mountains - ahahaha! And as always, great lesson. Listening to some Wes now.

[RCSmiths]

Wes has to be one of my most important influences in Jazz. Truly a unique great amongst the greats. Information so accessible to amplify the playing, it's a wonderful thing.

[RocktCityTim]

Another excellent analysis. One thing that I've noticed - when listening to Wes, I listen to his lines, but I also hear the complete ensemble. Many other Jazz guitarists are playing so many notes that their performance can overwhelm the ensemble and I end up not hearing the song.

[ohtravo]

saw the notification for this video's premiere on my phone when my phone alarm went off, I wanted to get up so bad but I slept in

[lbbrfarangkiinok]

A good music teacher shows a piece of music and allows the students to see the same joy that they experienced the first time their mind was blown by that piece.

See 1:10 for a great example.

[padzazor]

Wes was my introduction to Jazz Guitar - my dad handed me a copy of Boss Guitar and I was hooked. Lovely to see this analysis! (as an aside, I rarely see BG talked about much in comparison to The Incredible Jazz Guitar or Smokin' ... it is well worth a listen to those that haven't had a chance)

[benkatof]

Great video Jens. What I like most about Wes is, as you mention, his ability to "tell a story" with his solos. I particularly love his versions of Here's that Rainy Day, and Around Midnight.

[kevindonnelly]

Great video again Jens. When I read Music as an Undergraduate at Uni I was fascinated by Motivic Development. I'm grateful for that background. I'm no less interested in it to this day. Its use in following changes, acting as a repeated riff / phrase or call and response is powerful. I can still be guilty of playing endless (fairly aimless) eighth notes at my local Blues / Rock Open Mic nights too but I can (to some extent) voice lead them. The punters (audience) surprisingly like the voice 'led' (?) stuff a lot. Even if listeners know little of Music, they still like to hear patterns in it. They don't hear it anywhere else. The Exercise tips at the end of this video are great. Everyone ought to have a go at them. Now I have 'the guilts' from telling everyone else what to do. I like so many Jazz guitarists but Wes is SO easy to listen to.

[midnightblues]

This was fantastic Jens! I could listen to you breakdown Wes' playing all day, capturing the essence that is Wes. As great as Pat Martino, Kenny Burrell (two of my all-time favorites) and many others were/are, Wes, to me, will always be in a class by himself. Cheers! MB

[marcopasetti]

Great lessen! I think it’s one of your best👍🏻👍🏻

[markslist]

An excellent video Jens. Thank you for helping keep some of us centered, and focused on the things that matters.

[AdamLevyGuitarTips]

Excellent lesson, Jens. "Steps #1: Learn to Hear It" — yes!

[genec]

Agree about PM and so many other players. Too many notes. I have heard them all in person many times. Wes was the best and I believe, always will be.

[frankvaleron]

Really great 🎯 analysis Jens of particular aspects of Wes' playing. Very helpful as ever

[Mats.Fagerberg]

Great video! Wes is a great guitarist.

[djb]

Love love love love Wes!!! This is an awesome exploration of his technique

[bsorryrthatsit]

The concept of a guitarist 'breathing' like a horn player was then all in vogue. My jazz teacher told me that back in the 70's. But then faster player's like Martino, Dimeola, and Mahavishnu Mclaughlin cast it aside. Now everyone is a speed demon. Was Wes a lefty? Those octaves, he is still the best and though icons like Ritnour, Benson, even Hendrix, etc.. pop them out once in a while their stamina seems lacking.That Miles like blues tinge, the bitter if not sour notes. Wes could have played a blues slide guitar with his technique, and make's a mundane lick sound un-corny.Why no one plays the L-5 that much is another mystery ( other than cost)... I mean plywood? I like the analysis, Wes rhymes with best!

[RichardXDahl]

Interesting video, and I enjoy the humor 😂 That must have been Himmelbjerget....

[Coolcatgrooves]

well done Jens, just perfect and easy to understand. Be great to make a simple practice video for beginners using Wes examples.