How to Play What You Hear for Jazz Guitarists - Lesson, Q&A and Tutorial

Take your jazz chops to the next level

How to Play What You Hear - for Jazz Guitarists - Lesson, Q&A, and Tutorial

In this video, we'll look into three interesting (and complementary) aspects to playing what you hear on your instrument. This is NOT an easy task! But hopefully, with these jazz guitar tips, you can learn to increase your hearing abilities.

First tip:
REDUCE the number of constraints
(Time Stamp in Video: 0:34 )

You're trying to juggle too many balls at once! That is when executing jazz guitar improvisation.
The trick? Simplify! Work on one precise thing and let your ears guide you.

Second tip:
Play and Sing, Sing and Play
(Time Stamp in Video: 5:02 )

Hum, whistle, or sing along to lines your playing on the guitar.
Or do like George Benson and scat-sing all along! There's an interesting anecdote on this one!

Third tip:
Practice "Vivid Aural Imagination"
(Time Stamp in Video: 9:36 )

Here's the book "Forward Motion" by Hal Galper:

Just use that precise exercise, as found in the video. Play a slow half-note line (C major scale) and then practice hearing this very loudly in your mind. After, add pickup notes while still just hearing the slow-moving line in your head.

This last exercise is an incredible tool to learn to
A- Play what you hear and
B- Master jazz improvisation!

Hope you liked the video.

--
OTHER PLATFORMS 🎸

Take your jazz chops to the next level

[philp]

For ANY kind of guitarists to play what you hear, play what's in your head. Excellent video.

[thormusique]

This is really very helpful, thank you! I've never heard anyone break down the process (and pitfalls) this way. But it's very encouraging.

[PatrickAllen]

Beautiful Marc! you scat just like Little Georgie Benson!

[andersnilsson]

About deraming a melody line... I did some years ago. When I awoke I remembered it. Chords, fingerings and all! I immediately grabbed my guitar and played it. It sounded like crap! Nothing of that sweet melody from my dream...
Guess I´ll have to improve my sleeping! ;)

The things you mention in this video... I´ll try and use them. Seems like good ways to improve.

Cheers!

[dogukansezgin]

I just wanted to let you know that you are always right Marc. Still playing horizontal baby :) adjacent strings :)

[bitrastornado]

Excelent tips Mark! I'll try them! Thank you very much!

[willinglive]

I received an email advertising how to play what you hear as a jazz guitarist but after watching the video for awhile I realized there was a lot of talk but no demonstration, which was disappointing. Love the idea that you were going to play consecutive 8th notes to focus on one element but then you never got there.

[henriquemarinho]

Should I start to sing along with practicing stuff like melodic patterns?

[renee]

I can find a melody on the guitar easily. It's harmonizing them with other notes that's confusing to me.

[christophegragnic]

I personaly would have called your "constraints" something like "freedoms".

[abelcarlo]

This is dancing about architecture. All talk and no music. Thumbs Down!