5 Easy Jazz Solo Exercises That You Want To Know

A huge part of playing Jazz solos is following the chord progression. Learning how to solo over chord changes can seem difficult, but there are very useful exercises to help you develop that skill, and this video will help you develop your playing so that you don't end up failing to keep uå with the chords but instead naturally flow through the progression.

How to Learn Jazz Chords:

Secondary Dominants:

Get the PDF on my website:

Get the PDF and GuitarPro files on Patreon:

Content:
00:00 Intro
00:21 The Turnaround And A Surprising First Exercise
01:29 The Arpeggios
02:19 Barry's Scales
03:47 Playing Towards Target Notes
04:31 Choosing Target Notes
05:19 Create a Flow In Your Solo
06:19 Chromatic Motion
07:07 The Most Important Scale Exercise In Jazz
07:14 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.

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[JensLarsen]

What do you start with when practicing soloing over a chord progression?

[folchandre]

OMG, I'm 54 and this is the first time my guitar sounds a lil bit like jazz in my entire life... HOW DID YOU DO THAT? I'm amazed!! Something weird has happened to my fingers, I just sound RIGHT!!!

[iancnnr]

Thanks Jens your a breath of fresh air.

[MarcoCastilloWorld]

loved the samba skeleton...lol I'm from Brazil.Following you for a while, the best guitar channel on Youtube, Brazilian greetings from Canada!

[franrs]

You explain all the things my teacher does in person. It is so useful to be able to see the explanations again. Regards from Spain.

[brentwheeler]

A great piece of teaching here Jens. I am a long, long time follower and supporter of your work but I thought this was a stand out. Plenty of patience, fundamental useful material and "not scared" to be nice and simple. It helps the learning process so much... and that is the critical thing. Thank you for such an effort and taking the time to review and work so hard on how best to help us !!! It is appreciated.

[Earthstein]

I know everybody says it, but you are very generous with your free YouTube lessons. Additionally, if I didn't like your playing I wouldn't pay attention or learn from you. I appreciate your work very much.

[TarasSlipets]

This is one of the best, clear, and inspiring explanations I've ever seen about improvisation fundamentals.
Huge thanks!

[nekrovulpes]

I'm a peasant and I don't know shit about jazz or even much music theory, so the samba skeleton really helps keep me invested. Good work.

[music-collective]

This is a spectacular way to develop one's own concept how to solo over changes and actually make sense... 👏

[jayseb]

So simple yet so insightful... that's when you know you have a good video.

[RCSmiths]

It is always essential to learning the ins and outs of how to construct solos from a fudamental's standpoint. Great work!

[billmiller]

I got an Idea ! Buy a looper . Record one cord application. And play over it many many times . And then another cord .Maybe cut the tempo buy 1/2 and play over it till you get it if you need to .Then try the whole song at nomal tempo.

[Regicited]

I'm a jazz sax player and this video really helped

[benkatof]

When practicing a solo on a new song i start out exactly as you say - it's so sensible. But i really start with the head, get the chords and harmony in a few positions, the melody, do a basic chord-melody, and then work on the solo. - another wonderful lesson, by the way!

[eddierey]

This is fantastic, yet again. Love the humorous bits you add in your videos!

[Planatification]

You inspire me! I used to dislike jazz but I've come around.

[VitalBigras]

Thank You Jens, I am still working on your course : "Jazz Guitar Roadmap" and it is REALLY helpful!
I can now understand and appreciate more the improvisation ideas that you share in this video!

[aberhan]

This is very helpful, it simplifies what can become an overly complex topic.

[davidxedwards]

This video came at the perfect time for the Paul Davids NLP guitar course I’m taking, and the I-vi-ii-V jazz progression exercise I’m currently working on 👍