Jazz Guitar Lessons
Free Videos
Welcome to my favorite part of this website : the jazz guitar lessons free videos! You will find many embedded instructional videos (a few dozen actually) about different aspects of jazz guitar improvisation, comping and practicing.
You may be looking to improve certain areas of your jazz guitar skills and I'm sure you'll find something to sink your teeth into whatever your level.
I really believe that video lessons can get more information accross as you can hear me play, see the fingers and listen to explanations and practice tips. All in all, it's very close to actual one-on-one lessons!
I've created several categories to facilitate navigation on this page : quickie videos, key jazz rhythms, licks, scales, chords, improvisation, legendary players and "best" guitar lessons.
I want you to know that all the videos here have been shot, edited and uploaded by yours truly. 100% homemade, from my humble studio to your computer screen.
I'm often asked for transcriptions of licks from videos. Unfortunately, I cannot provide them. What I can suggest to you, though, is this small application called MySpeed. It allows you to slow down any video or audio content playing on the web. I use it daily.
Enjoy the free jazz guitar lessons videos!
Sixteen Chord Progressions + Improv Explanations
Oh, you are in for a ride! This 5-video series is the latest addition to the JazzGuitarLessons.net free videos lineup.
From *sixteen* common jazz chord progressions, each of the five videos covers improvisation with various scale choices. This video series was in fact a "weekend project" that turned out to have a lot more material than a single video in it!
PDF files of the 16 progressions are all on the page (in 7 different keys) as well as an audio introduction for guidance as to "what to do with all of this" ... (watch the 5 videos on this page)
Jazz Guitar : So What's the "Big Secret"?
Ever wondered what's missing in all of this jazz education panacea stuff? Why do certain player fail and other succeed at jazz? Here's an eCourse on "what's the big deal about jazz". Serious players only : this 15-minute video holds invaluable information for anyone serious about learning jazz. Little "gems" of information you can't find anywhere else ... (watch video)
Quickie Videos
A few short and sweet videos on various topics : chord melody, pick versus fingers, learning scales.
Jazz Rhythms
Using the Metronome on 2 & 4 - This is an invaluable technique for any musician practicing music "in time", with a pulse.
This short video will show you how to get going. It can be somewhat of a challenge at first, so here's the way to "set" the metronome in your mind and go... (watch video)
Displaced Half-Notes - Playing on beats 1 and 3 is an essential skill for all players.
This video deals with this simple figure and a few possible displacements of it within the bar of 4/4 ... (watch video)
Five Key Jazz Rhythms - Rhythms are what gives the general "feel" and flavor to jazz music.
The Five Key Jazz Rhythms found in this video are to be applied in comping but also in single-note improvisation immediately! (watch video)
Jazz Guitar Licks
Part One - The three jazz guitar licks in this video lays the foundation for the vast majority of jazz lines in history. (yes, that's right!)
Learn those easy II-V licks so you can create thousands of your own and...(watch video)
Part Two - This one a follow-up where everything from the previous video is applied to the minor ii-V-i progression.
Learn them so you can create thousands of your own minor ii-V-i licks and...(watch video)
The Bebop Lick - A classic lick at the core of genuine jazz vocabulary. It can be heard on virtually every jazz solo (in one form or another).
Learn this one and try to incorportate it into your own style of improvisation.(watch video)
Jazz Guitar Scales
Three Most Used - Ever wondered how to play through a II-V-I progression? Are you lacking the fretboard knowledge to do so?
In this video, I'll demonstrate the three most common sounds for improv. With this kind of material in hand (and ears!) you can basically play ... (watch video)
The Bebop Scale Demystified - The bebop scales are conceived from jazz rhythms. They simply help the melodic lines to be "aligned" properly with the bar lines. Historically, jazz musicians used more and more chromaticism... (watch video)
Bebop Modes - As a follow-up to my other "bebop scales" video, here are the modes of C major each played with a bebop passing note.
It will really open up new rhythmic possibilities and fingering...(watch video)
Diagonal Playing Lesson - The technique employed by all master jazz guitarists : connecting positions with shifts! Learn to play all over the guitar neck on any scale. Phrase more smoothly and accurately by using... (watch video)
Practicing Intervals - Here's how to REALLY learn scales in-and-out. This is a great musical tool ... and it's almost too obvious!
To me, working on intervals is better than learning licks, patterns or running scales up and down. All you have to do is... (watch video)
Jazz Guitar Chords
Triads by String Sets - Learn the basic component of harmony on the guitar. This straight-forward video will teach you a systematic approach to do so.
By proceeding by string sets and in one familiar key, we'll make this daunting task a little less heavy...(watch video)
Intro to Voice Leading - This is a sequel to the video right above. You'll be playing triads in diatonic cycles while maintaining optimal voice leading. Each note within the current chord moves *the least* amount possible to the next chord.
This helps in creating smooth sounding jazz guitar compings...(watch video)
*Comping* Transcriptions? - How learn the comping from a guitarist / pianist on a jazz recording ?
It's much harder than to transcribe single-note jazz. In this video, we'll discuss how to proceed to get the most out ... (watch video)
Play Exquisite Chord Melody
How to play the best chord melody ?
You don't have to pluck a chord each time you hit a melody note! Be creative. Use phrasing, articulation, counterpoint, etc... (watch video)
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... (watch video)
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"... (watch video)
Jazz Guitar Improvisation
Learning the instrument - It is of utmost importance that beginners (and intermediates alike) spend the time to learn the instrument thoroughly.
Good jazzmen know the notes, scales, arpeggios and melody inside out! Here's an overview to help jazz guitarists to ... (watch video)
Using the Metronome - Rhythms are omnipresent in jazz music. African rhythms and European classical harmonies meet in this American art form.
Working with the metronome is the first step in time awareness for... (watch video)
Using Major and Minor Blues Scales - Many elements of the blues are present in traditional jazz improvisation.
Learn how to use the "major blues" scale along the infamous... (watch video)
Improvising on Chord Tones - A simple and effective way to outline chord changes while improvising. Most great solos are anchored in the harmony (chords) of the given tune. Learn "what changes" and... (watch video)
Jazz Guitar Greats
Learning from Jazz Recordings - Jazz guitar is mostly learned in books and private lessons... but what about recordings?
I find that jazz recordings are the best source of inspiration and learning materials. Here's how to take full advantage of them ... (watch video)
My Top 3 Influences - As a jazz guitar teacher I'm often asked :
"What should I listen to?" and "What jazz guitarists should I transcribe?"
Here's my answer in a video.... (watch video)
Best Guitar Lessons
Jazz Guitar Transcriptions How To - A discussion on the many aspects of transcribing for jazz musicians : preparation, actual transcription process and what to do after you've lifted something from a recording. All those tips come from my personal experience of learning solos, songs, compings, arrangements, rhythms (etc.) from great jazz recordings...
(watch video)
What to look for in a private teacher - Looking for private guitar instruction? Make sure that you get the most out of it. A Good teacher should be :
In a good location, available, flexible, organized, experienced, interested etc.(watch video)
How to Practice Jazz - How to improve at jazz guitar ? (and practice jazz improvisation in general)
*Don't let yourself be discouraged!*
Spend time with your instrument, plan your practice and think long-term...(watch video)
Devising Your Practice RoutineHow to devise your own jazz guitar practice routine...
*Be prepared to take notes* This video may change your perception of playing and learning music...(watch video)
Improve Your Jazz Guitar Playing
with A Real Teacher
Related Pages
Jazz Guitar Chords and Jazz Harmony
eBook Compilation
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