Jazz Licks for the Progressive Guitarist

INTRODUCTION This collection of musical phrases (licks) is compiled for the student and professional musician who is interested in aquiring the ability to improvise in the jazz idiom. Learning and applying licks is a huge part of the learning process, and is paramount to the jazz language. The licks presented here are played by great jazz musicians past and present who have been and are today the main practioners of the art.

The licks are organised into the following categories.

Major

Minor

Dominat 7th

Major III - VI - II - V

Major II - V - I

Minor II - V - I

AUDIO FILES Backing tracks are supplied with each category of licks so that you can hear how they sound over the designated chords.

Although most jazz students and musicians can read, I regret that this isn't the case for all. For this reason TAB has been supplied.

TUNING NOTES To be sure that you're in tune with the backing tracks, tune your guitar to the guitar tuning on track one.

This text was written by Joe Willis, a professional session guitarist of many years experience at the cutting edge of the music business. He has played and worked with many of the biggest names in the world of music including, Tom Jones, Ray Charles, Cilla Black, Lulu, Dusty Springfield, Rick Wakeman, Englebert Humperdink, The Everly Bros, Irene Cara, and jazz icons, Kurt Edelhagen, Jan Luc Ponty, Attila Zoller, Dave Brubeck, Stan Getz, Art Farmer, Michel Colombier, Ronnie Stephenson, Shake Keane to name a few.

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Other books from this author can be downloaded from the following website. learnguitarscales-online.com

========================================== Soloing With The Major And Natural Minor Scales Soloing With The Pentatonic Scale Soloing With The Harmonic Minor Scale Soloing With The Melodic Minor Scale Soloing With The Diminished And Whole Tone Scales Soloing With Arpeggios Soloing Over The Major And Minor II - V - I The Blues From Basic To Advanced Modern Chord Progression And Rhythm Changes Jazz Licks For The Progressive Guitarist

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CONTENTS Page

Audio Track

Introduction And Tuning Notes....................................................................2 .................1 Chapter 1

Major Chord Ideas ...........................................................................................6 One Bar Major Licks....................................................................................6.................2 Two Bar Major Licks...................................................................................19.................3 Chapter 2

Minor Chord Ideas...........................................................................................25 One Bar Minor Licks...................................................................................25.................4 Two Bar Minor Licks...................................................................................37.................5 Chapter 3

Dominant 7th Ideas...........................................................................................47 Functioning Dominant..................................................................................47 Non- Functioning dominant ..........................................................................47 One Bar Static Dominant Licks....................................................................47.................6 Two Bar Static Dominant Licks...................................................................58 ...............7 One Bar Functioning Dominant Licks..........................................................68 ...............8 Chapter 4

Major II - V Ideas............................................................................................84 Two Bar Licks Over III - VI - II - V Chord Pattern...................................84...............9 Two Bar Licks Over III - VI - II - V (Semiquavers)...................................93 ...............10 Chapter 5

Major II - V - I Ideas.....................................................................................97 Two Bar Licks Over Major II - V - I.............................................................97.................11 Four Bar Licks Over Major II - V - I ...........................................................107..............12 Chapter 6

Minor II - V - I Ideas .....................................................................................137 Two Bar Licks Over Minor II - V - I............................................................137...............13 Four Bar Licks Over Minor II - V - I............................................................144..............14

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Page

Audio Track

Major II - V - I Demo Solo........................................................................159................15 Coda.....................................................................................................................169

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CHAPTER FOUR

MAJOR II - V IDEAS

The II - V most often resolves to the related I chord, for example, in the key of C this would appear as follows Dm7 / G7 / | Cmaj7 / / / | . However, a common occurence in jazz is the II - V chain. This device is a II - V followed by another II - V a major second below i.e. in the key of C this would be Em7 / A7 / | Dm7 / G7 / | . This chord pattern is analysed as a III - VI - II - V. The following licks are over a III - VI - II - V in the key of C. Once again, play the examples in different positions, and also transpose them to other keys. You can also re-phrase them i.e. they don't have to be in consecutive quavers, so experiment with the timing.

TWO BAR LICKS OVER III - VI - II - V

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Chapter Four TWO BAR LICKS OVER III - VI - II - V IN SEMIQUAVERS track 10

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III - VI - II - V in s/q cont'd

Chapter Four

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CODA I hope the material in this book has been helpful and will contribute to your study of jazz improvising and your overall guitar technique.

If you intend to continue with the study of jazz and the scales applied to jazz improvisation, see the list of books on page 3. Each book delivers an in depth explanation of the scale's construction, diatonic chords and its application over chord progressions. Many exercises, licks and solos are presented along with backing tracks, giving the student maximum insight. They can be purchased from the following website. www.learnguitarscales-online.com

I wish you every success with your musical endeavours.

Joe Willis

The author reserves the right to change or cancel any part of this text without notice.

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