Learn Jazz Guitar

Here I show you some advanced cinematic smooth jazz guitar ideas to create a cinematic vibe in your smooth jazz guitar soloing. This includes the patterns which you can use on your soling which is Ab aeolon in the Abm7 chords and Db dorian on the Dbm7 chord. The chord progression is quite simple : Abm7 / Abm7 / Dbm7 / Dbm7 The licks work out the concept of working around the 9th's of each chord and also to use upper structure triads on each of the chords. Here you can download the files associated to this tutorial :

Here I show you how to play the tune " Ain't She Sweet " on jazz guitar. I am referring to the version of 1927 by Gene Austin. The theme is played in this C major scale pattern : E |----------------------------|-----------------7--8-------|| B |----------------------------|-----------8--10------------|| G |----------------------------|--7--9--10------------------|| D |-----------------7--9--10---|----------------------------|| A |--------7--8--10------------|----------------------------|| E |--8--10---------------------|----------------------------|| The chords I am showing you are either following the melody or are below the melody to not interfer with it. Here you can d…

This is the last tutorial of the jazz guitar essentials - modes series and I will be talking about the locrian mode. Even the locrian mode is only very rarely use in a modal improvisation setting it is still crucial to know the last of the 7 essential modes. You often use that mode with arpeggios in a IIm7b5 V7 Im7 setting or i a way that you prepare the improvisation for the next chord. In a modal improvisation it is hardly used but you can use the locrian mode as a preparation for the altered mode which is called " super locrian ". The difference between locrian and super locrian is that you change the 4 to a 3. Here you can download the files which are associated to th…

Here I talk about some ideas how to make your improvisation on the tune " Blue Monk " by Monk sound more cool and to fit it to the overall vibe of this cool jazz blues. This includes some explainations how you use the mixolydian mode in specific in a blues setting but also specific in this blues by taking the theme as an inspriation for your jazz guitar improvisation. Also I show you some cool tricks how you can use the mixolydian #11 mode on the Eb7 chord, the diminished arpeggio on the E dim chord and how to move a minor pentatonic motiv all across the fretboard. Here you can download the files associated to this tutorial : and here you can learn the theme in detail :

Here i show you the essential things you need to know when you want to play chords oder solo over the aeolian mode in a jazz guitar setting. Playing the aeolian mode is very close to the regular minor pentatonic playing mode which most players already know from blues, rock or other genres but still it's not recommended to go into that direction if you want to play jazz guitar. So here I show you the essential tips and tricks you need to know. Here you can download the files associated to this tutorial :

Here you can learn everything about the famous jazz standard " Autumn Leaves " as a smooth jazz version. The tutorial is devided into the following chapters : Introduction 0:07 Chords 3:42 Scales 10:29 Melody 20:03 Easy Improvisation 27:52 Advanced Improvisation 35:57 The chords which I used are displayed here : C-7 / F7 / Bbmaj7 / Ebmaj7 A-7b5 / D7#9 / G-7 / G-7 C-7 / F7 / Bbmaj7 / Ebmaj7 A-7b5 / D7#9 / G-7 / G-7 A-7b5 / D7#9 / G-7 / G-7 C-7 / F7 / Bbmaj7 / Ebmaj7 A-7b5 / D7#9 / G-7 C7/ F-7 Bb7 Eb7 / D7#9 / G-7 / G-7 The modes used are : G-7 - aeolian C-7 - dorian F7 - mixolydian Bbmaj7 - ionian Ebmaj7 - lydian A-7b5 - locrian D7#9 – phrygian nat. 3 G-7 - dorian C7 - mi…

Here I show you how to play the theme and the chords of Wayne Shorters tune " Footprints " which is a minor blues in 3/4. Beside that I give you tips which modes to use on the improvisation and some tricks on how to improvise in 3/4. Here you can download the files associated to this tutorial :

Here I show you the essentials you need to know to play the mixolyidan mode in a cool jazz guitar settings. This includes some essential chords, essential patterns and a selection of ideas and licks where you learn the essentials how to use the mixolydian mode. You always focus on the chord notes in the case of g7 this would be the G,B, D and in most cases you focus on the B ( 3rd ) and approach it with the A#. Here you can download the files associated to this tutorial :

Here you can learn the theme, the chords and an easy improvisation of the jazz standard " Black Orpheus ". First I show the theme as written in the real book, then the chords and then how you can improvise by playing around the melody. Here you can download the tabs of the melody and the chords displayed & the backing track I have used :

Here I show you my view on the essentials you need to know if you want to master the lydian mode. I show you some chords, useful patterns and some easy tricks to display the lydian mode. The trick is in fact to focus on the options in the lydian mode which in the case of F lydian is the G ( 9th ) and the B ( #11 ) - this creates the mystical feel if you want to outline the magic of the lydian mode. Here you can download the files associated to this tutorial :

Here I show you the essentials which you can play when you play the phrygian mode on jazz guitar. This includes cool chord combinations, some soloing with the pentatonic but also the phrygian mode and some ideas with some upper structure triads. In the case of the E phrygian mode the F and the F major chord or arpeggio are the most defining factors if you want to high light the phrygian mode and don't want to let it sound like a regular minor pentatonic improvisation. Here you can download the files associated to this tutorial :

Here I share my view what you can do in the improvisation to Wayne Shorters " Footprints ". I am using the melodic minor and lydian b7 modes to create a really mystic and open vibe in the improvisation. Here you can download the files associated to this tutorial :

Here I will be talking about the essentials you need to know about the dorian mode in jazz guitar. This includes : Essential Jazz Voicings: We begin by establishing a harmonic foundation with essential Am7 shapes, some extensions like Am9 and some typical dorian chord licks. The Scale Connection: Understand how your familiar Minor Pentatonic framework serves as the skeleton for the full dorian mode. Arpeggio Targeting: Learn to navigate the the Am7 arpeggio in combination with the D arpeggio to display the typical sound of the dorian mode. Jazz Phrasing & Ideas: Apply the theory through practical licks and melodic concepts. You will see how to integrate the additional…

If you want to start with jazz guitar and you already know a bit about blues this would be the very first lesson we would do to open up the door for jazz guitar for you. Here you learn how to do the 2 & 4 feel, to always follow the form in the jazz blues and fill in the right chords, with a 2 bar rhythm pattern and at the end to make combinations with a simple solo using the minor blues scale. Here you can download the files associated to this tutorial :

Here I will be talking about the essentials you need to know about the ionian mode in jazz guitar. This includes : Essential Jazz Voicings: We begin by establishing a harmonic foundation with essential Gmaj7 shapes, including sophisticated textures like Gmaj7(6/9). The Scale Connection: Understand how your familiar Major Pentatonic framework serves as the skeleton for the full Ionian mode. Arpeggio Targeting: Learn to navigate the G Major 7 Arpeggio to confidently land on the most important chord tones during your improvisation. Jazz Phrasing & Ideas: Apply the theory through practical licks and melodic concepts. You will see how to integrate the additional "color not…

Here I teach you the very basics which you need to know to play jazz guitar rhythm changes without any prior knowledge. It works with a cool 2 & 4 vibe and some simple tricks in Bb major pentatonics and some chord structures. When you finish this tutorial you are able to play jazz guitar rhythm changes in a cool and relaxed way. Here you can download the files associated to this tutorial :

Here you learn the very basics of bossa nova rhythm in your improvisation. The key is that you learn to count while you play along with the backing track and that you get able to play any on or offbeat note. Here you can download the files associated to this tutorial :

Here I teach you the first steps from switching from the minor and major pentatonic patterns to the mixolydian patterns in order to start playing the mixolyidan mode in a smooth jazz guitar setting. Here you can download the files associated to this tutorial :

Here we are making our first steps of soloing to a simple bossa nova track with the chord progression I-7 / I-7 / II-7b5 / V7 in the key of Am. The key to any improvisation is that you learn to follow the chord progression and the chords while you are playing. And here I give you some very first and easy exercises to train that.

Here we dive into some advanced ideas on a smooth jazz guitar improvisation on the popular song " Sunny ". I talk about how to combine the blues scale and the modes of the song with chromatic smooth guitar licks to a joyful and relaxed smooth jazz improvisation on " Sunny ". Here you can download the files associated to this tutorial :

Here I give you bluesy tips and tricks how you can give your bluesy guitar playing a smooth jazz guitar vibe by referring to each of the chords of the progression which are Ebm7 / Ebm7 / Abm7 / Abm7 / Ebm7 / Ebm7 / Bb7alt / Bb7alt The trick is that you always know where you are and to start to play around the defined key notes of each chord or add some simple figures in combination with you normal and regular blues licks. Here you can download the files associated to this tutorial :

Here I give you some cool ideas what you can play on a classic jazz guitar minor blues which is : Cm7 / Cm7 / Cm7 / C7alt Fm7 / Fm7 / Cm7 / Cm7 Ab7 / G7alt / Cm7 / G7alt Beside those ideas i give you some tips and tricks how to work with the 2&4 groove and also how you can work with singing ( forgive me my bad singing :-) ) to get a natural flow and vibe in your improvisation. Here you can download the files associated to this tutorial :

Here I give you tips and tricks on how to play some emotional smooth jazz guitar. It's not about shredding or playing many notes, it's about playing the right notes and listening to the music you can play with. Here you can download the files associated to this tutorial :

Here you show you a nice Neo Soul Guitar chord progression and give some easy and intutiv ideas for the improvisation over this wonderful and orange progression. The backing track is out of my own production line. Here you can download the files associated to this tutorial :

Here I show you the melodey and chords for " White Christmas " for jazz guitar. This is a nice jazz arrangment which I created and played all intruments you can hear. Here you can download the tabs and the backing track :