Wes Montgomerys Favourite Arpeggio and 3 places he used it

One of the things that Wes Montgomery often used in his solo was a 6 note arpeggio of a minor chord 11th. In this video I want will show 3 examples of how he uses it and also how good he was in making variations with the arpeggio.

Wes Montgomery is by most people considered the father of modern jazz guitar. His recordings and compositions are great examples of Hardbop jazz and the harmony and improvisation that is typical for that style.

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[JensLarsen]

Who is you favorite Hardbop Jazz Guitarist? ☺️

[mqblues]

Great mini lesson. Wes' extensions on Gm11 and other chords always seem tp make his solos soar out to another emotional level that I really enjoy. Thanks!

[jmounce]

You share so much great information, thank you for doing all this hard work and sharing! Fantastic

[fattymcfatterson]

I like when Wes superimposes an Am7 over the Gm7 on his 'Road Song' solo. It really highlights the extensions (9-11-13 -R) of the Gm7. Wes' melodic sense was incredible (not to mention his feel and sound).

[gustomizuka]

Awesome, just transcribed his solo on "The Incredible Jazz Guitar, " nice to see you analyze that first idea. More Wes videos Keep up the great stuff Jens, hi from Tucson.

[earl-larsen]

been subscribed for years i believe. watch a few videos here and there but they are always super informative. keep it up, Jens!

[jbowerman]

Jens, thanks, I took that first lick, changed it just a bit and used if in something that's been driving me nuts.
It's Just what I needed to make this sound!

[Dcham]

very solid video more of this kinda thing!!

[MrJimzovich]

Many years ago I read in a Guitar Player column, probably by Howard Roberts or Herb Ellis, that Wes would often use the major 7 arpeggio built on the flat 7 of a dominant chord. Being extremely lazy at transcribing licks, I don't know if it's true, but I can hear those sounds in his solos. I have used the idea ever since reading about it. It works really nicely on blues changes.

[cheiney]

Great video once again! I would love a video that attempts to pick apart some of John Coltrane's playing and how to adapt it to guitar, such as some of his "favorite arpeggios" and signature phrasing choices. One song for example that came to mind was "Cousin Mary" from the Giant Steps album, which has some pretty staple arpeggios (especially around 1:10 in the song and onward throughout his first solo) that are identifiable as real Coltrane phrases.

[KesslerWatsonMusic]

could you do or have you already done a video on Grant Greens stylings, such as licks that he uses a lot in Joshua Fit De Battle of Jericho, or Go Down Moses, Round Midnight, the chromatic 4-note slide turn around licks or things of that nature? He has a very usual set of licks he tends to use on just about most of his recordings.

[josiecrotwell]

Also “Soupbone” by Rodney Jones on Soul Manifesto, just a blues, but he does some amazing chromatic 4ths just ahead of the beat behind the beat, I wish I could take a blues where he does

[gritsgravy]

Grant green I'll remember april solo. Emin7 arp over Gmaj7...I think anyway. bunch of variations. SO GOOD!

[wlfar]

I remember hearing that descending minor 7th arpeggio sound for the first time in Jim Hall’s recording of You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To (Concierto). I believe it happens around the top of the 2nd chorus of his solo. He repeats it a bunch and then moves to another descending minor 7th. I really like that sound.

[seekcontacts]

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[NSinghJ]

Interesting. I’m weird I try and steal something that makes sense to me, something essential. What I took from this brief example is to break the arpeggio up into first note plus triad. Pasquale has the same system for his major minor six arpeggios. Except they start on the sixth, play the sixth as one note then quickly slide down to the root and pick the major and minor triad with one quick downstroke. So, a Gm6 arp would be E plus a G minor triad toot position. What I took from this is a G minor seventh arpeggio is G plus a D minor triad. Thanks Jens!

[mycloclo]

As always, your video is an excellent lesson ! Thank you so much for sharing, Jens 👏😎🤙

[SaltAndLight]

Love this! Know any good resources for more Wes material? A song or lesson book? Thx!

[Jamsville]

You hit the nail on the head, with how wes makes many variations on simple items. That's what I'm trying to learn how to do now!

Btw, you should check out Joe Pass on There Is No Greater Love, he likes to do the same thing where you imply the ii chord over a dominant like the Gm11 over C7 you showed here

[joehernandez]

Jens, great lesson. I have two similar ideas that I have heard and use in my playing. One is from Mike Stern and the other from Robben Ford. I will try to send you examples in tab form and some examples in actual tunes.