The Most Important Scale For Jazz

Jazz is not about learning 100s of Jazz Scales. In fact, there is just one scale that you should focus on in the beginning. That scale will give you a solid foundation.

✅ 5 Solos That Will Teach You Jazz Guitar 😎

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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.

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[kevindonnelly]

When I used to teach, I would always tell students 'Everything comes from the Major Scale.' Most times they would stare back at me in disbelief - as if to say 'How can something as boring as a Major Scale give rise to melody, chords, licks, riffs, solos et cetera ?' I asked the same questions too once. Thanks for the video Jens. You explain things very well. Cheers, Kevin.

[analogalien]

Jens, you are by far and away the best jazz guitar teacher on YouTube!

[andywilberding]

I’m 70 years old and have been chasing jazz since the mid 70s. Your insights have finally got moving in the right direction. Now if you could just impart playing good chord solos. Thanks for everything!

[pimpdaddy]

Thank you kindly Jens. What a great lesson Brother. This guitar theory is so important. I'm one of those guys who struggled for years getting stuck in nodes. Since I have been putting these guitar ethics into practice the quality of my solos has skyrocketed!. Thanks a million Jens!!!

[fullmetalfunk]

this was a real breakthrough for me! i was having a hard time understanding and visualizing what i should be practicing and how i should be thinking when approaching soloing over chords. in rock music you just play the minor or minor pentatonic scale in the key you're in and eventually you'll find something that sounds cool, but i was having issues with making sure i was playing the notes of the chord over the changes when trying to play along to jazz, it just wasn't sounding right. around 4:30 when you go over the chords as arpeggios it finally started clicking, it was an "aha" moment for me!

[boliston]

Congratulations, Jens, this is one of your best lessons yet. It's so clear and concise, and chock full of valuable information. I think this synthesizes very nicely several other videos you've done, with some great exercises. Thanks!

[jelmar.manuel]

Hey Jens, I have been following you for years and sometimes did not understand some of the videos you made. But this one is crystal clear and very well done. I guess I have also grown. I can see this is, at least a three or four year program that you are describing here. One thing that I would love your take on is the following: All of these things are perspectives that are true and complementary. But its so hard to combine them. Much like that rabbit that's also a duck, but you cannot see them both at the same time, I find when soloing, either I am using a scale, a mode, a triad. They all interlock, but are so hard to keep in front of the minds eye (or ear!) at the same time.

[dougsmith]

This lesson is just what I need at this point on my Guitar path. I have been immersed in learning the Caged system and playing Blues. I met with local Jazz Musician/Instructor here in Denver.
I showed him Jens lessons, told him that I love these lessons… He said he is well aware of Jens, and that he has his students practice Jens material.
It is time to expand my playing…. Jazz will take me there! THANK YOU JENS!

[marcusaurealius]

Great lesson, Jens! Focusing on arpeggios and functional harmony helps me put practicing in a more workable context!

[burgerboi]

Thanks Jen’s. I was really struggling with trying to put together things but after I’ve watched this video a couple times and practicing for awhile I’ve finally been able to put something together that sorta sounds like jazz. I’m so happy I was able to do it and I can’t thank you enough

[carlosrelampago]

One of the best jazz tutorial vídeo i saw until today. Bravo.

[paulafranceschi]

So much gold in this video! And I'm so proud of myself for beginning to understand almost all of it. Playing it is a work in progress. Thanks, man.

[RadioactiveHax]

Your video presentation improved. Been subscribed for 3 years and it's fun to see the evolution.

[accadaccass]

Dude, such a holy thing you're doing here!
I was playing gutar more than 30 years, crazy about jazz but so scared to start playing it.
Every attempt turned into a nightmare, everything lookes so complicated and you just don't know where to start.
But then I came across one of your videos and it was so 'juicy' than I've decided to try and damn.. it worked this time.
You've just gave that push I needed.
Now I'm spending hours practicing, using your tips and hey.. it sounds JAZZ now !
Bless you again, dear Jens.

[tomtoweli]

Music theory was always something I thoght I could never understand, but you have the ability to explain it in a way that it makes sense to me.

[dieterheinrich]

Great lesson! Very motivating. You make jazz approachable, less daunting.

[brendanokeefemusic-]

Jens it blows my mind how much wisdom you continue to share. It never gets boring lol. Thank you 🙏 sir!🔥❤️😎

[enggent]

This is the most no-nonsense, concise, easy-to-understand/digest music teaching video I have ever seen on YouTube. The teaching approach of starting with simple concepts then adding layer after layer until you have simple and effective jazz tools is so useful and made me realise I knew a lot jazz ideas without realising I knew them. I will certainly now subscribe to this channel.

[astorina]

Dear jens
First I wanted to say how much respect I have for your YouTube videos
This one is really particular as it touches on the core of the solo, the rights first tools a student must know before thinking to do more « special » things
One thing is clear to me now (after many many years of learning jazz not seriously enough) is that a serious student must analyse the tune but also MUST know the progression by heart not only digitally but also know the chords sequence and the important moments (modulations or outside tonal center chords) in order to be capable to anticipate them and eventually hit a good/coloured note at the right moment
This can only be achieved, to me, by not looking at the score, otherwise your brain is too busy with symbols and cannot be free enough to keep a decent timing and targeting these notes/moments/motives all at the same time. As an intermediate student I believe it is very important to learn the chords sequence, eventually by reading it while listening to a recorded version but without the instrument
I am almost sure that you did a video on that
To summarise, jazz is being in the moment but involving also your memory of what will come next harmonically and rhythmically
Thank you for Barry tips, I will practice that with some chromatismes as you suggested
Brgds

[Yoshtremendous]

This is EXACTLY what I've been looking for. Thank you Jens!