5 Jazz Guitar Tips That Will Save You Years Of Practice

In this jazz guitar lesson, I go over 5 things that were game-changing for how I learned Jazz so that you can use those as well.

When you are in the process of learning something, like playing Jazz, then there is a part that is just hard work for a long time, and then there are moments that really change the way you think about something and help you progress a lot faster by practicing in the right way.

How To Solo Over Chord Changes:

The Most Important Scale Exercise in Jazz:

Transcriptions to learn:

Check out the article on my website:

Check out the post on Patreon:

Content:
00:00 Intro
00:20 #1 Think Ahead
01:55 #2 Arpeggios and Scales - The Right Way
03:23 #3 Keep it Simple
04:29 #4 Jazz Chords Done The Wrong Way
05:41 What Was A Shortcut That Helped You?
05:48 #5 The Thing That Ties It All Together
06:58 Bonus Tip: A Bit Of Healthy Realism
07:35 The Solos You Want To Learn By Ear To Play better Jazz Guitar
07:40 Like the video? Check out my Patreon page!

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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.

My Gear:

[JensLarsen]

What tip really fits you or didn't you like and what advice would you give?

[bartferguson]

Coming from a pentatonic/blues based background, I had a real hard time breaking free of those little boxes. I became interested in jazz in '73 (age 18) and, being from a small town in rural Oklahoma, my only resource to learn jazz was method books. I bought them all and played through them over decades. I acquired a solid knowledge of theory BUT I STILL COULD NOT IMPROVOSE. chords went by too fast, and scales and arpeggios were much to cumbersome. Finally, in '97 (age 42) I took lessons from the late, great Bud Dimock.
He simplified things for me enormously...and almost instantly by imposing temporary restrictions. He had me target the 3rd or b3rd of each chord, and connect each chord by an interval no larger than a minor 3rd. Once I could do this I discovered that when the root movement is in 4ths, the 7th or b7 always connect to the 3rd of the next chord. If your first 8th note is the 3rd and the last 8th note the 7th you have outined the harmony. NO MATTER WHAT the inner 6 8th notes are. The next step was using the b9 sound on all dominant chords that are resolving (or cycling towards resolving) Once I had internalized the diminished b9 sound, I could move on to #5, b5 and #9 sounds.
In a very short time after decades of not being able to improvise decently over any Standard in a way that sounds like jazz, I quickly reached the point where there were no "changes" that intimidate me.
Ironically, after I understood that guide tone approach, I began rediscovering the pentatonics in a completely different way.
I have to admit, though, that instead of being intimidated by "vertical" tunes, I am now more intimidated by static, or diatonic harmony. Harmonic motion generates it's own interest and internal momentum.

[marcuskingstanley]

My number one tip would be to practice everything you know in every key( its easier for guitarists ) its tedious and laborious at first but gets much easier and your ear will develop rapidly

[alexhoward]

Learning jazz feels like learning the guitar all over again. But damn it if it isn't addicting. And the best part is it never ends.

[ainsleystones]

I've taught over 50, 000 guitar lessons here in England since 1997. If it means anything, I'd like to thoroughly recommend Jens' approach to learning jazz guitar. I don't say that lightly! 👍🎸

[eddierey]

I spent 3 years of jazz training in college and feel like I never really "got it". This channel might just help me pick back up from where I left off and get there eventually! Love your straight to the point approach, thank you.

[Akwilliams_]

I’m a jazz trombonist. I really love guitar however, and have been learning jazz on guitar. This channel has been awesome for me!

[MorrisLess]

I'm hardly an expert, but one thing that's helping me now is learning to play what I sing. I can sing a solo over a backing track, then play what I've sung, then go over it again to see where I can add or take away tension, experiment with different rhythms, etc. I can even practice singing solos in the car.

And it's all good fun. I think having fun with it is critical.

[opiethrice]

22 years ago, I was playing in a jazz combo in college for a couple of semesters. I had one of my first recorded instances of what would later be determined as schizophrenia, forcing me to drop out of college. I have had treatment, both inpatiaent and outpatient and i have been playing again for the last 8 years and I am finally getting back to what I started over two decades ago having re-enrolled in college 2 years ago. I am stoked to be able to see so many things clearly now and jazz has been instrumental in helping me find my focus again. Thanks for posting such well thought out and effective training methods!!!

[JEbflo]

Fantastic video. The time flew by. Finally a teacher who gets to the point but still explains thoroughly. Best Jazz tip I ever heard was that there are no wrong notes, only wrong context.

[Raggo]

"Oh, no! He's stuck!" LOL!!!

I Love SRV & I Love JAZZ

[jorro]

Thinking Ahead is by far the best advice I’ve been given!! Another thing that really changed my playing is realizing that songs are in a specific key most of the time and not just individual chords moving around…

[slowjammerukdog]

Thanks, Jens, you're an absolute gem. I have a Post-it sticker on my computer that says: "Metronome! Sing along! Record! Learn whole songs!"
All great habits, none of which I stick to....

[Jazzaruz.Optron]

1. For me it was ATTYA, my first Jazz Standard i totally inheritated. Beginning with learning the form and structure, then the melody, then the barre chords, then with voicings, then with voice leadings, alternatives and fingerstyle.

2. turnarounds, to know what alternative chords to play when returning with a 1-6-2-5 back to a key (by the way it was one of ur vids),

3. chord progressions, to know why a progression progresses. my lack is still the technique, the ability to transfer all the knowledge in time. but it feels so good when u know what u r doing in slow tempo instead of being clueless or lucky when in full speed.

my wish for this channel's content so is more progressions. knowing that a 1-6-2-5 isnt just a turnaround or a simple maj7, min7, dom7 ... i wished to know what to play in between or alternatively.

[timthompson]

I discovered your videos last night. I'm a very old (classical) piano player. At this late stage of my life, I've developed an interest in jazz. Your comments are spot on that so many scale and arpeggio tutorials focus on the superficial rather than how to incorporate them into solos and make music. I like your practical approach. I also like your references to Barry Harris (in other videos) and his teaching methodology. He was one of the greats.

[williammorson]

How can we possibly disagree with you Jens? You are a master. Your playing demonstrates that you know exactly what you are talking about.we are merely pupils.

[djmileski]

The working towards target notes tip instantly improved my soloing. Thank u

[KennethGonzalez]

Learning songs is the single biggest thing to do to improve. It'll provide the context for everything else! Two enthusiastic thumbs up, Jens 😉

[Mrius]

The thing that elevated my playing was recording myself and listening back, without playing along.

[benjaminholt]

Learning tunes is sooo key. I used to suck at jazz blues until I learned 60 blues heads in 6 months. Every aspect of my playing improved just from that