Jens Larsen's lessons are the best I have found on the interwebs. He's not only a wonderful jazz player and teacher, his lessons have perfect (for me) pace, clear explanations and useful visuals. Jens also has an ineffably positive energy that says, "you can do this!"
I listen to your videos at least on average three hours a day. I've gotten to the point that when I listen to lines like these, that I can hear the chord changes and other lines also. Although I haven't been able to use all of your material in my compositions, it is very exciting when I can alter functional harmony and melodic phrasing to join various music genres together to form different kinds of music. New and exciting musical ideas. Although I have become more knowledgeable in so called technical terminology in music, the vast majority of the time I still rely on my ears. I get in pretty deep and find that stopping to try to explain what my ears are telling me just slows me down. This particular video does seem to go a long way towards a simplified approach to using my ears. I can't possibly imagine how anyone could write the lyrics to popular music without studying Jazz. Jazz is pretty much everywhere you could possibly look over the last sixty or seventy years in popular music.
A little bit of jazz theory helps with any genre. I like to dedicate about 10 mins to direct listening, so playing a scale or arpeggio, chord etc and allowing my inner ear to be fully focussed on the sound/vibration. It seems a little boring and tedious but it definitely creates usable connections in the brain which come out during playing. 😎🌌
@daynemin It isn't just Jazz, but also Blues, Classical, Country, and World Music etc. The flow and ornamentation of the melody, particularly in Jazz, does seem to be well played upon in modern pop music vocals. It's not that I don't put the work into going over the material; it's that I find myself doing other things around the house and am inclined to listen to my TH-cam list. When I don't have the time to practice my guitar and mimic the notes with my voice, I plug an 1/8" cable into my tablet and play through auxiliary on my boom box.
Dear Jens ! Thank you so much for this very rich Yt channel ! About this video, just on question about the BEST arpeggio exercise (3:12) : what if the tonality is in minor, should we adapt the same arpeggio exercise like this : A-7, B-7b5, CM7... etc ? Thank you !
It always puzzles me that somebody says that bebop scales are a waste of time, but at the same time uses Barry Harris as a reference. For example. Take the Barry Harris sixth diminished scale, something that is often given to beginners before his chromatic scale. Now guess what this scale is ... the bebop major scale! If you know that Barry Harris and David Baker are closely related and the main forces behind a similar bebop theory , that shouldn't surprise you. David Baker relied heavily on Barry's idea's. After reading a lot about David Baker it was clear to me that this would be not my cup of tea. Although Barry gave a lot of nice melodic idea's, once it goes deeper/more advanced I have the same 'no' feeling.
Great lesson Jens! You've taught these concepts before separately, but seeing the together, here and how you can connect them is very instructive. Thanks!
so, we all know we don't really wanna play like systemetically arpeggios and scales belonging to the chords, right. and do chromatic stuff and whatnot. But it kinda gets messy this way for me to organize.
and you would need to come up with just random stuff you like the sound of and hardwire that into your brain, and try not to become repetitive somehow. But that's like yeah.
It's better to start with arpeggios in the sense that it's easier to make pleasant sound and lines for a beginner. Resulting in a satisfying studying hours. At least that's my experience.
I also recommend everyone to check Jens' book on modern jazz guitar concepts, it gives a lot of material in very clear and concise way. Works great together with this channel :)
Thin guy is the very best! If you're a jazz beginner like me he is so great to listen to! Some stuff is way over my head but I ALWAYS get something out of his videos I can learn and then go back later for more!!! Fantastic playing and puts it at a level that even I can understand! I may not be able to play it yet, but I understand exactly what he is trying to teach! GREAT STUFF!!!
This is a marvelously topical supplement to Jens' "Jazz Guitar Roadmap." It's easy to be consumed by TH-cam "Learn Jazz" rabbit holes. I strongly recommend saving time and money by getting Jens' "Jazz Guitar Roadmap." Do that first and his "TH-cam" videos will really resonate. Cheers!
Very strong lesson Jens. An absolute pile of work and applications here. I know from experience its critical to get slow in learning this stuff, try to really hold your enthusiasm and take it slowly. There is so much music and potential in each of the segments. As always many, many thanks.
More than good lessons. I find Jens Larsen's videos inspire me to try harder, and learn more. I always find something in the video that I haven't tried, and that prompts me to work harder on my playing. Thanis, Jens, for giving me this knowledge and inspiration!
@@slicksalmon6948 There are 1000s of melodies based on arpeggios, to insist that arpeggios are not melodic is silly. I don't think you know what you are talking about, but feel free to explain why Moonlighe Sonata and Eine Kleine Nacht Music are not melodies, because they are both arpeggios.
@@JensLarsen I said arpeggios are melodic, but they are rarely by themselves melody. Play the arpeggio progression for Autumn Leaves, for example, and the melody doesn’t come falling out. BTW, I’ve been playing for 61 years, so lighten up on the name calling.
@@slicksalmon6948 Just because you don't sound like a melodic masterpiece the first time you play a few arpeggios doesn't mean that all "arpeggios solos" are boring and difficult. Most likely some of your favorite solos are "arpeggio solos" you just don't realize. That is like saying bricks are not great building materials because if you throw 500 bricks in the air then they don't come down as a perfect house every time.
What is your advice for beginning Jazz? 🙂
The Most Important Scale Exercise For Jazz:
th-cam.com/video/2Ze22BNftAA/w-d-xo.html
I've been playing guitar (not jazz) for almost 40 years. I'm learning so much watching these videos! You are a great instructor! Thanks!
hands down the best jazz teacher on the internet
Jens Larsen's lessons are the best I have found on the interwebs. He's not only a wonderful jazz player and teacher, his lessons have perfect (for me) pace, clear explanations and useful visuals. Jens also has an ineffably positive energy that says, "you can do this!"
I listen to your videos at least on average three hours a day. I've gotten to the point that when I listen to lines like these, that I can hear the chord changes and other lines also. Although I haven't been able to use all of your material in my compositions, it is very exciting when I can alter functional harmony and melodic phrasing to join various music genres together to form different kinds of music. New and exciting musical ideas. Although I have become more knowledgeable in so called technical terminology in music, the vast majority of the time I still rely on my ears. I get in pretty deep and find that stopping to try to explain what my ears are telling me just slows me down. This particular video does seem to go a long way towards a simplified approach to using my ears. I can't possibly imagine how anyone could write the lyrics to popular music without studying Jazz. Jazz is pretty much everywhere you could possibly look over the last sixty or seventy years in popular music.
Lyrics to pop music and studying jazz!?! What am i missing?
A little bit of jazz theory helps with any genre.
I like to dedicate about 10 mins to direct listening, so playing a scale or arpeggio, chord etc and allowing my inner ear to be fully focussed on the sound/vibration. It seems a little boring and tedious but it definitely creates usable connections in the brain which come out during playing. 😎🌌
@@OnkelORK I don't know. It may be a matter of finding what your good at.
@daynemin It isn't just Jazz, but also Blues, Classical, Country, and World Music etc. The flow and ornamentation of the melody, particularly in Jazz, does seem to be well played upon in modern pop music vocals. It's not that I don't put the work into going over the material; it's that I find myself doing other things around the house and am inclined to listen to my TH-cam list. When I don't have the time to practice my guitar and mimic the notes with my voice, I plug an 1/8" cable into my tablet and play through auxiliary on my boom box.
There are no chord changes here,It is a static G7.
Dear Jens ! Thank you so much for this very rich Yt channel ! About this video, just on question about the BEST arpeggio exercise (3:12) : what if the tonality is in minor, should we adapt the same arpeggio exercise like this : A-7, B-7b5, CM7... etc ? Thank you !
It's the same scale, so I would not practice that separately.
Discipline yourself to become as good a music reader as possible. There’s so many great books to read 📚
Definitely ! Reading opens more doors than most people imagine.
Great guitar lesson, cool way to look at making jazz licks..
Glad you like it!
It always puzzles me that somebody says that bebop scales are a waste of time, but at the same time uses Barry Harris as a reference. For example. Take the Barry Harris sixth diminished scale, something that is often given to beginners before his chromatic scale. Now guess what this scale is ... the bebop major scale! If you know that Barry Harris and David Baker are closely related and the main forces behind a similar bebop theory , that shouldn't surprise you. David Baker relied heavily on Barry's idea's. After reading a lot about David Baker it was clear to me that this would be not my cup of tea. Although Barry gave a lot of nice melodic idea's, once it goes deeper/more advanced I have the same 'no' feeling.
Great lesson Jens. Advice for begining jazz... Be patient, good things take time.
Thank you, Ben! That is indeed solid advice
I can’t explain how much you have helped me along expanding into jazz!
That is great to hear 🙂
Great lesson Jens! You've taught these concepts before separately, but seeing the together, here and how you can connect them is very instructive. Thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
Transcribe your ❤ favorites.
Always solid 🙂
I would like to see him slowing over a jazz standard.
Like this? th-cam.com/video/fgSypb9oDyA/w-d-xo.html
probably I should just stick with the systemetical approach, get that down really well and then deviate from it. But that's like mind numbingly boring
so, we all know we don't really wanna play like systemetically arpeggios and scales belonging to the chords, right. and do chromatic stuff and whatnot. But it kinda gets messy this way for me to organize.
Great lesson Jens! I can see myself replaying this video many, many times. Full of great ideas yet so concise.
Thank you
6:09 That lick has got a lot of character.
and you would need to come up with just random stuff you like the sound of and hardwire that into your brain, and try not to become repetitive somehow. But that's like yeah.
Jens, you recommend not learning full arpeggios, what about learning arps on sets of 2,3,4 strings?
Allways enjoy your Lesson. I saw you have a Book in Paperform, is that easy to handle? I think to buy this one
It's better to start with arpeggios in the sense that it's easier to make pleasant sound and lines for a beginner. Resulting in a satisfying studying hours. At least that's my experience.
I have great respect for those who can do a lot. But I have even greater respect for the way of working to make a lot out of a little.
Another great video. Thanks!
Glad you like it Paul!
I also recommend everyone to check Jens' book on modern jazz guitar concepts, it gives a lot of material in very clear and concise way. Works great together with this channel :)
Thank you!
Thin guy is the very best! If you're a jazz beginner like me he is so great to listen to! Some stuff is way over my head but I ALWAYS get something out of his videos I can learn and then go back later for more!!! Fantastic playing and puts it at a level that even I can understand! I may not be able to play it yet, but I understand exactly what he is trying to teach! GREAT STUFF!!!
Thank you very much 🙂
also I feel like it doesn't really work
Thank you. So much to work on starting with basics. Ties in with bass basic patterns.
Glad it was helpful!
Why he sound like Giorgio by Moroder
Incredible lesson, thank you! :-)
Glad you liked it!
Always good to come back to the basics. Love the idea of just sticking with the arpeggios and work on making your lines more rhythmically interesting
Glad you like the video, David
This is a marvelously topical supplement to Jens' "Jazz Guitar Roadmap." It's easy to be consumed by TH-cam "Learn Jazz" rabbit holes. I strongly recommend saving time and money by getting Jens' "Jazz Guitar Roadmap." Do that first and his "TH-cam" videos will really resonate. Cheers!
fantastic
This is awesome stuff Jens... I can play all the arpeggios, but didnt know what to do with them! This gives me a basis to work from. ThankS!
Great Lesson!
Glad you liked it!
This is pure gold! Thank you sooo much!!
Glad it was helpful!
Very strong lesson Jens. An absolute pile of work and applications here. I know from experience its critical to get slow in learning this stuff, try to really hold your enthusiasm and take it slowly. There is so much music and potential in each of the segments. As always many, many thanks.
Pivot arpegios from Barry Harris, could be called kinda "drop arpegios"?
So grateful for these lessons mahalo Jens and mahalo Barry
Thank you!
@@JensLarsen ❤️❤️❤️
Thanks, Jens this is a great addendum to the roadmap course!
Glad you think so!
This is the essence of basic jazz approach, thank you for great lesson
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks!
Thank you for your support, Tom 🙏🙂
God Bless You Jens. You’re an inspiration.
Glad you like the videos 🙏
Thank You…Awesome as always:)
More than good lessons. I find Jens Larsen's videos inspire me to try harder, and learn more. I always find something in the video that I haven't tried, and that prompts me to work harder on my playing.
Thanis, Jens, for giving me this knowledge and inspiration!
Great to hear! Thank you!
Jens. I am so thankful for your videos. You are keeping this dinosaur active and learning new things! Going to become a Patreon!
Thank you Matt! Great that you find the videos useful!
Спасибо!
Glad you the video!
Very helpful!
Glad you think so!
Ah, bless you, Jens!
Glad you like the video 🙂
Good advice for a specific style of jazz
Christian McBride once said “The language of bebop IS the language of jazz” so maybe not so specific. Cheers!
fun!
Darn I missed The premiere! Great video jens!
No worries! The video doesnøt go away 🙂
@@JensLarsen lol for sure. I just like the live banter 👍
Thats great to hear! There is always next week
Arpeggios are melodic, but they’re not melody. Arpeggio solos are difficult and, frankly, boring.
Moonlight Sonata, Eine Kleine Nacht Musik, All Of Me, The Theme From Mission Impossible, The Imperial March?
@@JensLarsen Autumn leaves? Still Got The Blues? A million other memorable tunes? Nobody walks around humming a Joe Pass or Robben Ford solo.
@@slicksalmon6948 There are 1000s of melodies based on arpeggios, to insist that arpeggios are not melodic is silly.
I don't think you know what you are talking about, but feel free to explain why Moonlighe Sonata and Eine Kleine Nacht Music are not melodies, because they are both arpeggios.
@@JensLarsen I said arpeggios are melodic, but they are rarely by themselves melody. Play the arpeggio progression for Autumn Leaves, for example, and the melody doesn’t come falling out. BTW, I’ve been playing for 61 years, so lighten up on the name calling.
@@slicksalmon6948 Just because you don't sound like a melodic masterpiece the first time you play a few arpeggios doesn't mean that all "arpeggios solos" are boring and difficult. Most likely some of your favorite solos are "arpeggio solos" you just don't realize.
That is like saying bricks are not great building materials because if you throw 500 bricks in the air then they don't come down as a perfect house every time.