In this lesson, we dive into one of the most important aspects of learning jazz guitar: vocabulary. When transitioning from styles like rock or pop to jazz, the challenge isn’t usually technical—it’s about learning how to speak the jazz language fluently.
Using the classic tune “Autumn Leaves”, I’ve created a solo study to demonstrate how melodic lines can target specific chord tones, using tools like arpeggios, chromaticism, and bebop phrasing. I break down each phrase to show how I intentionally land on strong notes—like the third or fifth of a chord—at the right moment in the bar. These ideas come straight from the jazz tradition, but I approach them in a way that’s logical and repeatable.
Throughout the study, we explore:
- Targeting chord tones like 3rds and 9ths to create strong melodic resolution
- Encirclements, a bebop technique where notes surround the target note chromatically
- The use of E harmonic minor to outline B7 leading to Em
- Parallel arpeggio movement to create smooth transitions over minor 9 chords
- Recognizing the subtle difference between E minor 7 and E7♭9, and how that affects your note choices
This approach isn’t about copying licks—it’s about understanding the vocabulary so you can use it spontaneously in any key, with your own voice. Jazz phrasing is as much about intention and timing as it is about theory.
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