Jazz Guitar lesson#10 single note improvisation

this is a continuation of lesson #5 continued.i was asked to teach a single note intro over some chords.
i also explain how i improvise.i did this video because people are always asking me what scales and modes i use.when i tell them i don't use modes or scales,they ask me how i play without them.hopefully this will explain my primitive way of playing.since i'm self taught
this was not very well done as we had high winds and the electricity kept going out.so i was rushing this.
i know.excuses excuses!

about 50 years ago i was playing in a jazz combo and decided to learn scales to enhance my playing. after about a week i started sounding very mechanical without realizing it.i thought i was sounding cool.my fellow musicians asked me what i was doing different.i said i was learning scales.nice huh? they said i sounded way better just playing what was in my head.
i dumped the scales and never looked back.anyone can run chords,modes and arpeggios over chord changes.to me it's way more challenging and interesting to jazz around the melody and make up licks to by listening to the notes that fit the chord.it served me well for 23 years in the nite clubs.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• JAZZ
• GUITAR
• IMPROV.

[musictakeslife]

"Hard to play when you're not drunk" ahahahaha

keep the vids comin:) they help alot!

[freddym223]

@musictakeslife thx for watching ! and try to drink a lot while you practice ! LOL !

[qutqut]

man really thnx for everything

[freddym223]

@qutqut your very welcome !

[ashdinbharucha]

hi freddy, thanks for these beautiful lessons - simple and effective...

could you suggest some jazz albums i could listen to, the ones which had an impact on you/your playing. thanks

[freddym223]

thx ashdinbharucha ! i listened to barney kessel for chords. for single note, i used to scat along with a 24 hour jazz radio station without a guitar.then when i played jazz in the nite clubs it would automatically come out in my playing

[demejiuk]

@pickinstone I checked out Hal Galper man he's awesome that was a great tip thanx. So much knowledge being shared on youtube.

[demejiuk]

refreshing approach thanx

[freddym223]

thx pickinstone ! i do know theory,but i don't like to think when i play. it's like singing to me.when you sing your not thinking of modes,scales,chords,arpeggios etc. music comes from inside you.at least for me. :-) i just checked out Hal Galper.good stuff ! thx

[pickinstone]

freddy, you learned the right way. Music is an aural art and shouldn't be impeded upon my theoretical meanderings. Theory is good to COMPLIMENT your learning, but learning by ear should always be the priority. Watch Hal Galper's masterclass. Great playing as always, freddy.

[freddym223]

thx jazzbluesshred ! i've never studied arpeggios.i just play by ear what i hear in my head.when i was younger i listened to a lot of jazz so i think some some of what i heard stuck in my head.i really don't think when i play.it's like singing.you don't think when you sing.if i'm playing arpeggios it's by accident. :-)

[jazzbluesshred]

wow freddy! you rock! i was wondering, it look like to me you are actually playing arpeggios without even thinking :O i was wondering you say you sort of "jazz" around the chords, how do you know what the right notes are, is everything done by ear? ;O

PS youd make the coolest damn grandpa ever!

[freddym223]

thx glainz ! always nice to know my lessons are helpful !

[glainz]

thank you freddy this is a very inspiring lesson for us struggling guitarist. very helpful. hope you will post more lesson million thanks

[freddym223]

thx for letting me know you like the lessons rajemmott !

[rajemmott]

Freddy, your lessons are incredible. You are a great teacher of this music. I have learned a great deal. Thanks so much!!!

[freddym223]

thx getupanddosomething ! if you learn one tune very well and understand it before moving on,you will learn more than slopping over a bunch of tunes

[getupanddosomething]

Freddy, I want you to know that I'm in school studying jazz improv for guitar, and no one has explained things as simply as this. It's infuriating to see such fundamental aspects of jazz being glossed over like they are at my school. I know my playing is suffering. We never learn anything WELL, we always change songs or genres before we can really dig in, and therefore I have a passing knowledge of things. A passing knowledge is worthless. Thank you for your explanations and examples.

[freddym223]

thx a lot kyoshiromibu12345678 ! it's a pretty primitive way of playing,but it works for me.your comment means a lot as i consider you a very talented young guitarist !

[kyoshiromibu12345678]

I've really learned from this lesson!!! THIS IS THE BEST JAZZ LESSON I'VE EVER SEEN!!! THUMBS UP SIR FREDDY!\m/

[SIRONEDRAGON]

@freddym223

 Freddy Keep playing those pretty color tones : )))

[freddym223]

@SIRONEDRAGON thx Ken ! i guess i learned to play by just playing what i hear in my head and trying to add the pretty color tones

[SIRONEDRAGON]

Fabulous information : )) Great ideas !!

[freddym223]

thx tromboneJTS ! glad you learned something here.i'm not much on theory.i just play the old fasshioned way.