Jazz Rhythm - The Most Important Aspect of Jazz

Learning jazz is often mostly about playing 8th note lines, but if you listen to amazing musicians like Charlie Parker then you can hear that he doesn't only play dense 8th note lines. He also plays very interesting rhythms. So we need to learn to hear rhythms like that.

In this video, I am going to go over an exercise that you can apply to the songs that you play and help develop your ability to play much more interesting solos with more inspired rhythmical ideas.

Content:
0:00 Intro
0:15 Parker wasn't all 8th notes
0:52 The Exercise and it's goal
1:21 The Song: Take The A train
2:03 Example 1
2:23 Analysis and how to work on the first rhythm
2:51 Start with one chord
3:42 Who inspires you when it comes to rhythm? Leave a comment!
3:58 Example 2
4:12 Analysis and Rhythm #2
4:38 Breaking down Example 2
5:09 How to practice this exercise
5:53 Example 3
6:06 Analysis
6:55 A few technical suggestions
7:15 Like the video? Check out My Patreon Page!

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Edited by Luciano Poli

Snapchat: jenslarsenjazz

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[SharpElevenMusic]

Agreed! There seems to be an overfocus on melodic content (which scales, outside notes etc) and very little on rhythm. Almost all improvisation lesson are about the former, or correct me if i'm wrong.

You could check Paul Desmond out for rhythm, he is a main inspiration on rhythmic hooks per 2, 4 or even 8 bars. The "Bossa USA" solo is a great example of that.

[JSDJerry]

Great lesson on using rhythms in A Train. I'll apply it to your "Roadmap" course.

[harrym.]

Great video! Covering the essentials of musically playing!

[apikey]

Thank you Jens, I'm a saxophonist and consume all your videos: they're really amazing! Thank you so much for doing this for us!

One player that has is notoriously groovy and mastered rhythm to my opinion is Red Garland: everything this guy does grooves. Could you do a sort of analysis of his rhythmical vocabulary? This might also be of value to the guitarists who want to copy his comping style

[petejandrell]

Thanks for the fantastic content yet again Jens. I went to an improvising workshop for beginner guitarists last Saturday and the chap in charge let us into a secret when it came to rhythms and being creative ....Nursery Rhymes!! Humpty Dumpty anyone? :)

[RCSmiths]

Really good lesson on keeping and understanding rhythm, one of, if not, the most fundamental concept in Music! Nice work!

[ricknelsteel]

Nice on Jens, I'm using this with Giant steps and its really opening things up. It works really well when you use a note from the coming chord early, harmonic anticipation. Thanks.

[davidtardio]

Nice job. I'm playing along to Wes' Solo on Four on Six, and it is amazing how often he uses simple note choices but the rhythm is just so amazing that everything sounds incredible (hence the album title "Incredible Jazz Guitar"? )

[Fran-]

jens never tired to say thanks, youre really helpful, greetins from Argentina

[jonathanevans]

This is a beautiful technique for teaching newcomers how to use modes/positions to write melody, and an awesome foundation for writing with a drummer.. eg common rhythmic kick/snare patterns with ghost-notes to embellish. Good stuff Jens!

[ammiammi]

Thanks a lot. Such a great help. Would appreciate more of the sort. Rhythmic ideas for improvisation. Cheers.

[urkosh]

Jingle Bells... another great lesson, thank you, Jens!

[TheSmash]

First class again Jens. Thanks. Steve from Scotland.

[vhollund]

Rythmic freedom and sense og period is a never-ending quest
Jim Hall was incredibly detached from the rhythmical structure in the way he expanded motivic development over the chords
But was never lost

[thilokaal]

It‘s really amazing how u inspire me to dig deeper into jazz guitar every I watchnur videos. Great work!
Thx

Greetings from Germamy

[emersonward]

Jens, well done sir, your continuing efforts to educate are inspiring. I love your channel and website.

[joerimland]

Great lesson Jens! I finally know how to create a simple solo.

[JensLarsen]

Who Inspires You when it comes to rhythm or groove? 🙂
Content:
0:00 Intro
0:15 Parker wasn't all 8th notes
0:52 The Exercise and it's goal
1:21 The Song: Take The A train
2:03 Example 1
2:23 Analysis and how to work on the first rhythm
2:51 Start with one chord
3:42 Who inspires you when it comes to rhythm? Leave a comment!
3:58 Example 2
4:12 Analysis and Rhythm #2
4:38 Breaking down Example 2
5:09 How to practice this exercise
5:53 Example 3
6:06 Analysis
6:55 A few technical suggestions
7:15 Like the video? Check out My Patreon Page!

[anthonydemitre]

a wonderful way to get used to a rhythm Thanks

[jazzman]

Jonathan Kreisberg - New for Now and Gilad Hekselman - split life, are two exemplary jazz guitar albums for rhythmic variations including polyrhythms, unusual time signatures, melodies and comping with many rhythmic permutations & combinations.