I completely agree with the video. I play the piano, and over the years I've realised that the most useful skills to play jazz (besides acquiring the jazz vocabulary by listening to a lot of jazz, which you need), are the basic harmonic skills that are used in any style: major scale, minor scale, and triads. You need to be able to play scales, broken scales, any major or minor triad, including inversions, like they are your multiplication tables. It should take no thinking. You need to be able to transpose a melody, do an improvised arrangement in any key without any preparation or memorisation beforehand. You need to master these skills like a pro, even if you only play pop music. That will already cover 95% of jazz standards. Of course you can always adapt your major or minor scale by adding or altering notes when it's needed, but that will be a small step, if you master these basic skills. Then the rest is phrasing, which you do by acquiring some jazz vocabulary. You shouldn't get bogged down with complex theory, but you should master basic theory inside out.
Jens, thank you for this lesson. I’m a new comer to the world of jazz guitar (being a predominantly self taught rock guitarist). I wanted to add a bit more harmonic variety to my improvisation and so I thought I’d look at trying to learn how Robben Ford uses the diminished scale for an “outside” sound but that didn’t work as I was hoping. I’ve been frustrated that despite learning the modes and targeting what I would call the flavour notes within the scale that it didn’t ever sound like jazz. This video hasn’t just explained why I went wrong, it’s given me directions to get where I want to go. All of your videos offer so much but this one was really illuminating, so thank you again. I really need to put my money where my mouth is and get on your Jazz Guitar Roadmap!
Its getting faster Jens .... I repeated this alot, and I still do this everyday for warm up 🙂 @Jens Larsen At 4:26 you play a lick or melody. Do you have more of these licks, because it forces me to put the fingers on the right place. And thats just what i need to drill .
@@JensLarsen I check the video and practice .. I trust you blind because your lessons made me a much better guitar player. I cant thank you enough 🙂.. Have a nice evening Jens !
Great video. Very clear & covers a lot of ground. The longer I play, 3rds & triads are a larger part of my playing. All part of finding your on voice on the instrument. Thanks!
Jens, Thank you for making so many not only informative,but also well edited videos. They all really come from the heart and I can hear that. Just wanna give thanks.
Love this! I’ve spent so much time running through every major mode across multiple positions on the neck around the circle of fifths that it now haunts me! I’ve been asking myself at what point does running scales become redundant? Think I’ve found my answer here so thank you! 😅
Pentatonic scales and bebop scales aren't scales, per se, although they are a subset of an ideology within scales that facilitate the making of music.😉🎷
The advantage of studying some basic general music theory is that the concept of a scale is clearly defined. In jazz the problem is that mostly one talks arbitrarily about scales without that. If you know what a scale really is, you won't fall into the trap of believing for instance that bebop scales are scales.
I’m not entirely convinced that music theory sources, with the exception of one, truly capture the essence of what scales are at their core. Starting a conversation by pretending to understand something without fully grasping it can be misleading. In jazz, musicians often express themselves freely, allowing them to explore and connect different textures without being strictly confined by theoretical rules. It’s this creative freedom that makes jazz so unique and vibrant.
@@leonideremeev7823 It's not about rules, but about communication. If we talk with each other but the words we use have a different meaning, then the result is a tower of Babel, confusion. If I use the word dog for a chair and say "I sit on a dog", the reaction will be "You abuse animals!".
Sure! I just needed to dig up some videos. I think it is something you develop by being busy with the music. You need to listen to a lot of Jazz and internalize a lot of music (preferably by learning it by ear) to start hearing phrases. There's a Barney Kessel clip where he talks about "stuff that you hear that is not worth playing". Often the play what you hear becomes a weird myth, so I would not focus on it directly and instead focus on exercises that help you move in that direction like improvising rubato over songs and learning songs and solos by ear. I talk about it in this video: ruclips.net/video/MXz5RW55rjE/видео.html (in two sections) And this video also discusses composing lines, which is also a way to let your ear decide and evaluate what you play in a tempo where it can keep up.
QUESTION: a lesson on how to tackle dominant seven chords. I cannot be the only one who struggles! I am consuming your arpeggios approaches as much as I can, am blending these with scales and modes but the dominant 7 remains elusive.. You recently did a video on the 6-7 levels of the pentatonic scale, which was amazing. Now for the humble D7 please..
Hi Robert, Try this: ruclips.net/video/EZK2zOctCMo/видео.html for some creative options and this for a bit of theory: ruclips.net/video/FPodTAY0SAg/видео.html And then other appraoches here: ruclips.net/video/gRuaCs1FPPU/видео.html ruclips.net/video/Rfx-95xOec4/видео.html Does that help?
Hi Jens, Thanks for the video! However, not sure I follow. Could the 2-5-1 minor (B - E - Am) progression also be viewed as a 7-3-6 (C) major progression. And then still using the (C) major scale for soloing. I like the sound of the G# though ;-)
In attempting to simplify your understanding, you are over complicating it.. First, you need to go back to the basics, and build chords in basic keys to understand better. Also, realize that even though one tune may traverse through more than one key center, it will usually be referred to as being in a specific key. The more you learn, the less confusing things get. Good luck Berno!
Hello Jens, I bought a course from you, but I am learning the Mixolydian Ionian enz.... scales too, Is that wise? I have a book with the scales arpeggios and the chord that I use. Do you think I must continue with this?
hey jens, im a jazz pianist but recently bought a guitar to learn, how would you suggest i build up the technique on guitar to catch up to my theory knowledge from piano, so i can play the lines in my head fluently
@@JensLarsen I’m even more annoyed that I love the sound of Eskimo Hexatonic 2. It’s easier for me to think of Lydian Augmented without the 6th than to call it Eskimo Hexatonic 2, ha. Ok, sorry. We have derailed!
@@JensLarsenI think he means he wants to see and hear you play (more). You are such an inspiration and source of knowledge to us. I too would like to hear you play more😊 Greetings from Norway🙌
@@JensLarsen Very nice! One of the things that makes your videos good, is that you’re very effective and to the point (I heard that was pointed out in an interview with you recently). But still, I would love to hear you play more in your videos, showing the theory in your playing like in a whole tune. Maybe you do that sometimes. I haven’t seen all your videos. A personal wish😊
@@ivindholm2031 Yes, I understand that some of you would like that. But my experience is that it never works on RUclips, so including that here is not an option. That is for Patreon and courses where people are more invested in the content 🙂
Do you agree with the order of the scales? 🙂
The Biggest Misunderstanding About Jazz Chords
ruclips.net/video/P-P-gM7VJx4/видео.html
I completely agree with the video. I play the piano, and over the years I've realised that the most useful skills to play jazz (besides acquiring the jazz vocabulary by listening to a lot of jazz, which you need), are the basic harmonic skills that are used in any style: major scale, minor scale, and triads. You need to be able to play scales, broken scales, any major or minor triad, including inversions, like they are your multiplication tables. It should take no thinking. You need to be able to transpose a melody, do an improvised arrangement in any key without any preparation or memorisation beforehand.
You need to master these skills like a pro, even if you only play pop music. That will already cover 95% of jazz standards. Of course you can always adapt your major or minor scale by adding or altering notes when it's needed, but that will be a small step, if you master these basic skills. Then the rest is phrasing, which you do by acquiring some jazz vocabulary. You shouldn't get bogged down with complex theory, but you should master basic theory inside out.
Jens, thank you for this lesson. I’m a new comer to the world of jazz guitar (being a predominantly self taught rock guitarist). I wanted to add a bit more harmonic variety to my improvisation and so I thought I’d look at trying to learn how Robben Ford uses the diminished scale for an “outside” sound but that didn’t work as I was hoping. I’ve been frustrated that despite learning the modes and targeting what I would call the flavour notes within the scale that it didn’t ever sound like jazz. This video hasn’t just explained why I went wrong, it’s given me directions to get where I want to go. All of your videos offer so much but this one was really illuminating, so thank you again. I really need to put my money where my mouth is and get on your Jazz Guitar Roadmap!
Its getting faster Jens .... I repeated this alot, and I still do this everyday for warm up 🙂
@Jens Larsen At 4:26 you play a lick or melody. Do you have more of these licks, because it forces me to put the fingers on the right place. And thats just what i need to drill .
Maybe this video: ruclips.net/video/kJ5tLJNu5RA/видео.html
I have licks in most of my videos 🙂
@@JensLarsen I check the video and practice .. I trust you blind because your lessons made me a much better guitar player. I cant thank you enough 🙂.. Have a nice evening Jens !
Thanks!
7:21 Am7(add4,11) Sometimes with a sharp 4
Always informative and inspiring......Thanks Jens...!!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great video. Very clear & covers a lot of ground. The longer I play, 3rds & triads are a larger part of my playing. All part of finding your on voice on the instrument. Thanks!
Great to hear!
Jens,
Thank you for making so many not only informative,but also well edited videos. They all really come from the heart and I can hear that. Just wanna give thanks.
9:25 and that sounds Funked up
This was an eye opener Jens, thanks very much 🙏
Glad it was helpful!
Very intresting Jens. Thanks
you're a great educator, and your methods help me get through those confusions that stuck for 10 years😄
Thank you! That is great to hear!
Saved this one for later... Thanks in advance Jens
Excellent!
I exclusively use the Enigmatic Ascending Scale in all my improvisations. It's all about phrasing and rhythm anyway.
😂👍
Love this! I’ve spent so much time running through every major mode across multiple positions on the neck around the circle of fifths that it now haunts me!
I’ve been asking myself at what point does running scales become redundant? Think I’ve found my answer here so thank you! 😅
Pentatonic scales and bebop scales aren't scales, per se, although they are a subset of an ideology within scales that facilitate the making of music.😉🎷
Again another great video, which gives material for endless practicing 😂
Glad you enjoyed it
Thx Jens
Glad you like it!
Congrats on 500,000 subscribers Jens. Do you have any plans to make a special video as a celebration?😊🎉
Thank you! I celebrated it more with posts than with videos. Not sure a video would really make sense for this? 🙂
@@JensLarsen Understood Jens. I look forward to when you reach 1 million subscribers very soon. 😃
@@thedonbishop55 Thank you! That might take a bit 😁
Это прям то что нужно. It's just what the doctor ordered. Спасибо!
Great video Jens! Would you recommend playing these scales 3 notes per string?
Thank you! Yes, I did that so that should be fine
The advantage of studying some basic general music theory is that the concept of a scale is clearly defined. In jazz the problem is that mostly one talks arbitrarily about scales without that. If you know what a scale really is, you won't fall into the trap of believing for instance that bebop scales are scales.
I’m not entirely convinced that music theory sources, with the exception of one, truly capture the essence of what scales are at their core. Starting a conversation by pretending to understand something without fully grasping it can be misleading. In jazz, musicians often express themselves freely, allowing them to explore and connect different textures without being strictly confined by theoretical rules. It’s this creative freedom that makes jazz so unique and vibrant.
@@leonideremeev7823 It's not about rules, but about communication. If we talk with each other but the words we use have a different meaning, then the result is a tower of Babel, confusion. If I use the word dog for a chair and say "I sit on a dog", the reaction will be "You abuse animals!".
Jens can you talk about the concept of "playing what you hear"? I always hear jazz musicians talking about improvisation in those terms.
Sure! I just needed to dig up some videos. I think it is something you develop by being busy with the music. You need to listen to a lot of Jazz and internalize a lot of music (preferably by learning it by ear) to start hearing phrases. There's a Barney Kessel clip where he talks about "stuff that you hear that is not worth playing".
Often the play what you hear becomes a weird myth, so I would not focus on it directly and instead focus on exercises that help you move in that direction like improvising rubato over songs and learning songs and solos by ear.
I talk about it in this video: ruclips.net/video/MXz5RW55rjE/видео.html (in two sections)
And this video also discusses composing lines, which is also a way to let your ear decide and evaluate what you play in a tempo where it can keep up.
Hypochondrian scale 😃
Hey! 😂
Makes me dizzy. 😵🤣🤣
😂😂😂
QUESTION: a lesson on how to tackle dominant seven chords. I cannot be the only one who struggles!
I am consuming your arpeggios approaches as much as I can, am blending these with scales and modes but the dominant 7 remains elusive.. You recently did a video on the 6-7 levels of the pentatonic scale, which was amazing. Now for the humble D7 please..
Hi Robert,
Try this: ruclips.net/video/EZK2zOctCMo/видео.html for some creative options
and this for a bit of theory: ruclips.net/video/FPodTAY0SAg/видео.html
And then other appraoches here:
ruclips.net/video/gRuaCs1FPPU/видео.html
ruclips.net/video/Rfx-95xOec4/видео.html
Does that help?
Hi Jens, Thanks for the video! However, not sure I follow. Could the 2-5-1 minor (B - E - Am) progression also be viewed as a 7-3-6 (C) major progression. And then still using the (C) major scale for soloing. I like the sound of the G# though ;-)
Hi Berno, The minor II V I has an E7, and that is not a chord. That is not the III chord in C major which is Em7.
In attempting to simplify your understanding, you are over complicating it.. First, you need to go back to the basics, and build chords in basic keys to understand better. Also, realize that even though one tune may traverse through more than one key center, it will usually be referred to as being in a specific key. The more you learn, the less confusing things get. Good luck Berno!
Great as always but is it whole tone scale you show in the video around 9min in?
No, indeed. My editor put in the wrong scale, that is the augmented scale that appears a little later in the video.
Hello Jens, I bought a course from you, but I am learning the Mixolydian Ionian enz.... scales too, Is that wise? I have a book with the scales arpeggios and the chord that I use. Do you think I must continue with this?
No, just follow the course. Don't spend your time only practicing scales.
see you using the sheraton instead of your fancy ibanez or 335, do you find it being a fairly great guitar?
My fancy Ibanez was 1200 euro 🙂 does that qualify as fancy?
I have videos on the Sheraton if you want to know more about it
I had to look for you, you don't' show up in the feeds anymore thanks to RUclips's new algorithm
They hate to see us make progress 😡😡 the man wants to keep us from musical literacy
Beautiful guitar. I just purchased a Epiphone ES-339 and I love it.
Good choice!
hey jens, im a jazz pianist but recently bought a guitar to learn, how would you suggest i build up the technique on guitar to catch up to my theory knowledge from piano, so i can play the lines in my head fluently
500.000 subscibers, that's unbelievable. "Det' æ så ring'. " :)
Det ku' vær' møj ringer! 😁
“There are over 800 scales and musicologists are inventing more every day.” - Dr. Wally Wallace, The Saxophone Academy.
😁😁
Dr. Wally has a respectable sense of humor.😉
❤
Eskimo Hexatonic 🤣 Seriously, how much fun did you have while coming up with these?
That's a real scale! 😲 I did not make them up
@@JensLarsen Well, I’ll be damned! 😂 Now I really need to learn want to learn some Eskimo scales.
@@steellemonstudios Haha! I found a list with 600 scales
@@JensLarsen I’m even more annoyed that I love the sound of Eskimo Hexatonic 2. It’s easier for me to think of Lydian Augmented without the 6th than to call it Eskimo Hexatonic 2, ha. Ok, sorry. We have derailed!
Would love to see just listen to you play some mellow smooth jazz for a few minutes, no need to talk or explain, just groove some tune or jam.
I don't really play smooth jazz, it's not my thing 😎
@@JensLarsenI think he means he wants to see and hear you play (more). You are such an inspiration and source of knowledge to us. I too would like to hear you play more😊 Greetings from Norway🙌
@@ivindholm2031 Maybe, seems quite specific to me? 🙂🙂
But I do post live stuff: ruclips.net/video/pVtSSgcFrDM/видео.html
@@JensLarsen Very nice! One of the things that makes your videos good, is that you’re very effective and to the point (I heard that was pointed out in an interview with you recently). But still, I would love to hear you play more in your videos, showing the theory in your playing like in a whole tune. Maybe you do that sometimes. I haven’t seen all your videos. A personal wish😊
@@ivindholm2031 Yes, I understand that some of you would like that. But my experience is that it never works on RUclips, so including that here is not an option. That is for Patreon and courses where people are more invested in the content 🙂
If you know the major scale then you already know the pentatonic - just leave out two notes. 😅
So you also are fluent in dom7th(sus4,b9) arpeggios, since they are in the major scale 🙂
Wrong is right. Said Thelonius Monk to Larry Coryell.
wow
no double-N's in shenaningans
I hate blues lawyers
😁🙏
Bla bla bla and more bla bla bla
Weak bait
Why would you do this? Jens is a good teacher!