VIDEO
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Guitar Lesson
How To Play "Honest I Do" By John Scofield - Guitar Lesson
A bar by bar breakdown of exactly how to play "Honest I Do" by John Scofield.
The included bass line requires a hybrid picking technique explained in the video.
In 3/4 this composition moves through three key centres and as I work through the tune I explain the harmonic progression. At the end of this video I perform the entire arrangement.
Theory
Adding Chromatic Approach Notes
In this video I demonstrate how you might add chromatic approach notes to your lead lines to add interest, creating more of a jazz sound. By way of example I've used the Dorian mode as the basis for my line and step by step show you some different approaches to add the chromatic passing notes.
Triad Exercise
This is a fun and fascinating triad pattern. I'm using root, 1st inversion and 2nd inversion major triads in a pattern of 1,3,5,3. The third of each pattern then moves up a semitone to become the root of the next triad which happens to be a perfect fourth above the previous triad and so it is possible to go through all twelve keys around the cycle seamlessly with endless variations.
Tunes
'James' - Pat Metheny
'James' is a song from Offramp, the third album by Pat Metheny released in 1982.
'Play' - Mike Stern
This is the head of Mike Stern's great tune 'Play'. I worked this out by ear having been captivated upon hearing it for the first time. The whole album 'Play' is a superb example of modern jazz guitar playing so well worth checking out if you are interested in this style.
'Little Walk' - John Scofield
Here's another tune that I worked out by work out by ear that was quite challenging. Scofield's playing and composition is very unique and sophisticated so it took me some time but I was happy with the end result. John Scofield has remained the most influential guitarist for me for over 30 years.
'Mood for a Day' - Steve Howe
As a young teenager I was massively influenced by the music of Yes and especially the guitarist Steve Howe. I've been playing this piece since I was 14 years old. I also learnt many other Yes tunes and guitar riffs at this time which definitely laid a great foundation for my technique.
Improvisation
Rock Guitar
I'm improvising here over a static F# minor chord groove. There are many things you can play in this situation beyond the obvious scale approach. These are subjects I cover in my advanced guitar lessons.
Jazz Guitar
I'm improvising here on the most important chord sequence in Jazz, the 11 - V - 1 progression. I still find it amazing that the possibilities of what you can play over this progression are endless.
Solo Guitar Arrangements
'My Funny Valentine'
This is a solo arrangement I worked out for a student. I have arranged hundreds of songs over the years in this way. It's very gratifying to move beyond just playing the chords of a song to combining the harmony and melody into a single piece. If you have some favourite songs that you'd like to play in this way I can compose an arrangement for you.
'Lovin' You' - Minnie Riperton
Another solo arrangement I worked out for a student.