Jazz Guitar Chords
Video Lessons

Transcribing Comping from Jazz Recordings

How to go about transcribing *chordal playing* from jazz recordings?!

I know, it's much harder than to transcribe single-note jazz. In this video, we'll discuss how to proceed to get the most out of recordings by such greats as Ed Bickert, Lenny Breau and the likes... Enjoy!

Key points :

-Start with tracks without a sax or trumpet!
-If you can, start with a duo recording! (guitar / bass)
-Use a slow down softare such as this one...

-Explore different string sets for "hard spots"
-If too hard : get just the rhythm at first (and come back later)
-You don't have to write down on staff paper...

-Keep going! Take you time and don't get discouraged!

Check out this oustanding Ed Bickert recording:

Play Exquisite Chord Melody

How to play the best chord melody :

1- Learn the melody first

2- Accompany yourself (creatively please!)

You don't have to pluck a chord each time you hit a melody note!

Be creative. Use phrasing, articulation, counterpoint, etc.

Have fun and practice well!

Chords Found in Scales

Demonstration of chords derived from the major scale. Learn those and you'll be "master of your domain"... guitar wise, I mean!

Useful for comping, learning tunes and understanding theory. It's exactly the same as what's found in this jazz guitar chords chart.

Jazz Guitar Chord : Great Modern Voicing

This is a great "major 13th" chord. Learn to move this one "through scales" and you'll be able to use it in any context!

It sounds "modern" and works everywhere. The fourth intervals make this one sound like a "master key" voicing. It can be heard on numerous jazz guitar album (in one variation or another...)

Remember, it's possible to forget about the bass notes and play just the upper three notes (thus creating a quartal voicing, all in diatonic fourths).

Take a look at the PDF for fingerings and other ideas :

13th voicing (in 4ths) seven diatonic chords
in F major and F melodic minor

Jazz Guitar Chords : Triads by String Sets

Triads are the most basic 3-note chords in music. Jazz musicians use them all the time whether it'd be in comping chords or by outline upper structure triads in improvisation, jazzers

In this video, I'll show you a simple method to learn to apply triads (and INVERSIONS) on the guitar fretboard. We will proceed by string sets, making the task less daunting by isolating components to be memorized.

All of this video is using only the C major scale. In the future, it would be a nice idea to learn all of this in different and other scales (including melodic and harmonic minor). Also check out "spread voicings" for different sounds...

Happy chording!

Jazz Guitar Chords : Intro to Voice Leading

This is a sequel to my "Triads by String Sets" video. You'll learn how to play triads in different diatonic cycles by maintaining optimal voice leading. It means that each note within the current chord moves *the least* amount possible to the next chord.

We'll still proceed by string sets and *yes*, unfortunately, still only playing with triads. (-:

I'll be demonstrating a little bit of 7th chords towards the end. It's advisable to learn how to voicelead through progressions you know well, such as the IIm7-V7-I chords (wink, wink!)

All of this video is using only the C major scale. Once again, you'll have to apply the concepts in different keys, in different scales and I'd be a good idea to check out how voiceleading applies to spread triads.

Have fun!