Jazz Guitar Course Content

Lesson 1: Chord Tones E

• Motivic Improvisation
Harmonic Awareness: Importance of Knowing the Underlying Harmony
• The Difference in Tonic and Dominant Harmony
• Focus Practice Time on One Area of the Fretboard
• Adding the 7th to the Root and 3rd

Lesson 2: Scales, Chords, and Arpeggios E

• Scales, Chords, and Arpeggios on Minor 7 Chords
• Major 7 Arpeggios on Minor 7 Chords—Up a Minor Third: b3, 5, b7, 9
• Major 7 Arpeggios on Minor 7 Chords—Down a Major Second: b7, 9, 11, 13
• Melodic Minor Scales and Arpeggios on Minor 7 and Dominant 7 Chords
• Dmin7(b5) and G7(b9) Scales, Chord Voicings, and Arpeggios

Lesson 3: Approach Notes on Major 7 Chords E

• Scales and Approaching Chord Tones: Major 7 Approaches
• Chords Tones on One String and Introduction to the Entire Fretboard
• Scale Tone from Above Approaches on Minor 7 Chords

Lesson 4: Approach Notes on Dom7 Chords and II,V,I Progressions E

• Dom7 Chords, Scales, and the Half Step below Approach to Chord Tones
• Embellished Scale Tone from Above
• Introduction to the II, V, I Progression

Lesson 5: Harmonic Minor and Minor II7(b5)/V7(b9b13) Intro E

• Explanation of Minor II7(b5) Chord
• Multiple Uses of Minor IImin7(b5) Chord
• Begin Use of V7(b9,b13) Chord and Harmonic Minor

Lesson 6: Harmonic Minor, Resolving Tension, How to Add Tension, Dominant 7(b9, b13) Drop-2 Chord Voicing E

• Harmonic Minor Patterns and Resolutions
• Introduction to Adding Tension with Secondary Dominant Harmony
• V7(b9,b13) Chord and Harmonic Minor Scale

Lesson 7: The Dominant Bebop Scale E

• The Dominant 7 Bebop Scale (Relationship to Mixolydian Scale)
• Starting the Dom7 Bebop Scale on the Third
• Starting the Dom7 Bebop Scale on the Fifth and b7
• Omitting the II Chord in a II/V Harmonic Progression
• The Dominant 7 Bebop Scale and Maj7(#11) Chords and Harmonic Anticipation

Lesson 8: Transcription Basics E

• What is Transcription? How Is It Done?
• Transcribing Short Phrases
• Building a Jazz Library / Some Great Improvisors and Some of Their Techniques
• Use of Harmonic Minor by Great Improvisors

Lesson 9: Learning the Jazz Repertoire E

• The Value of Knowing Repertoire
• Five Songs Every Jazz Guitarist Should Know
• Learning the Correct Chord Changes Through Listening

Lesson 10: The Minor 7 and Minor 6 Pentatonic Scales E

• The Minor 7th Pentatonic on Minor 7 Tonic Chords—Three Possibilities
• The Minor 6 Pentatonic Scale and Its Usage

Lesson 11: Intervals and Triads in Improvisation E

• Thirds: History and Use
• Arpeggiating the Major Scale in Thirds and Triadic Improvisation

Lesson 12: The Use of Space and Rhythm in Improvisation E

• The Importance of a Proper Time Feel and Space
• Even Eighth Notes vs. "Swing Feel"