50 Jazz Guitar Licks You MUST Know

Crucial phrases, concepts and jazz guitar techniques you MUST know

Marty FriedmanTommy EmmanuelSteve VaiEric GalesEric Johnson

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50 Jazz Guitar Licks You MUST Know

About this course

Top performing and recording artist, jazz master Frank Vignola presents his hand-picked collection of 50 jazz guitar licks you MUST know, all of them integral elements of the jazz guitar vocabulary for developing motifs and fueling original improvisations. Vignola's range of phrases, concepts and techniques will help guide your development of the tools, techniques and vocabulary you'll need to take your jazz guitar playing to the next level.

You'll learn 50 of Frank's favorite go-to licks from many of his own favorite guitarists, including Charlie Christian, Barney Kessel, Joe Pass, George Benson and Django Reinhardt. These phrases have been chosen because of their versatility and application in a multitude of different styles and contexts as motifs for original improvisations.

Vignola covers Minor and Major 7th motifs, chromatics, ii-V7 lines, minor vamps, jazzed blues runs, shuffles, right and left-hand techniques, double-stops, melodic development and a useful variety of picking techniques.

After mastering 50 Jazz Guitar Licks You MUST Know, you'll have the knowledge to deliver powerful, evocative solos and improvisations within a broad range of jazz guitar style, from bossanova to blues, bebop to swing, funk to Gypsy jazz — your newfound knowledge will turn heads from the moment you take your first eight!

What you'll learn

  • Master ii V7 jazz improvisation techniques
  • Combine multiple blues licks
  • Create cohesive blues solos
  • Understand jazz phrasing and motif development
  • Develop jazz improvisation skills
Release date: 09/08/2009 • 1h 40m runtime
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Sample lessons
Major 7th
Major 7th
Lick 2
Jazz Blues
Jazz Blues
Lick 14
Minor Vamp
Minor Vamp
Lick 18
Funk Jazz
Funk Jazz
Lick 30

What's included

52 lessons • 50 charts • 50 Jam Tracks

50 Jazz Guitar Licks
Frank Vignola is your guide for 50 Jazz Licks You MUST Know as he shares with you the knowledge needed to turn the 50 licks included in this course into fuel to burn solos across all jazz styles. Covering many different concepts and feels, these licks will help you to develop serious improvisational skills and help break your solos out of the box.

You will learn Frank's handpicked licks from his favorite guitarists, including Charlie Christian, Barney Kessel, Joe Pass, George Benson and, of course, Django Reinhardt. These licks have been chosen as integral pieces of the jazz guitar vocabulary which can be used as motifs for original improvisations. These licks have also been selected for their versatility, and can be used in a multitude of different styles and contexts. These valuable building blocks are the key to building your own solos and taking your improvisational skills to the next level.

After mastering 50 Jazz Guitar Licks You MUST Know, you will have the knowledge to deliver powerful, evocative solos within any jazz guitar style, from bossa to blues, bebop to swing, funk to Gypsy jazz - your newfound knowledge will turn heads from the moment you take your first eight!
Major 7th
This lick has been used by all of the greats. The idea is to outline the major 7th arpeggio and then finish up with a major 9th to major 7th move - ending on the major 7th is a great way to wrap up a major chord. You can invert this lick to create a descending pattern again using the major 7th arpeggio. This concept offers up the foundation for creating cool licks that continue to be an integral part of jazz guitar's vocabulary.
Major 7th
This must-know lick is based on Barney Kessel's take on a classic Charlie Parker riff. The lick begins on the 5th, then moves chromatically from the D up to the 3rd, the E. The phrase ends on the 2nd, in this instance D. Learn this lick in other positions to drill down on your fingerboard knowledge. Try singing the lick as you play to really nail it.
Major 7th
This lick begins on the 9th, here a D, and relies on pull-offs to move down to the B - the major 7th. Use simple pull-offs, one finger at a time to get to the first B, then utilize a scalar pattern to descend to the next. The lick then features a hammer-on, pull-off move to arrive at the 6th, or A. This essential lick is courtesy of Joe Pass and is effective in many keys and tempos - try a few!
Major 7th
Here is a simple, effective riff that deserves a spot in your riff toolkit. It's another descending major 7th arpeggio that repeats the first two notes. Again, we are ending on the major 7th, offering a finished quality to the phrase. Learn this key riff in all keys and positions for maximum mileage.
Major 7th
This lick sidesteps arpeggios, relying instead on a scalar pattern. This bossa nova lick was featured on a Herb Ellis recording and begins on the 9th - G - then wraps up on a sweet sounding 6th to 5th move, or D to C. This one is a classic - learn it in all positions.
Major 7th
Continuing with scale-pattern based riffs, this Joe Pass inspired riff is in F major. This bossa-flavored phrase is a brilliant way to start off an improvisation. Beginning with the 5th, this riff works its way down the scale to end on the major 7th, lending itself well to other positions and fingerings.

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Reviews

24 results

Dave58

Verified buyer

12/17/24

Very useful licks

I have been taking this course for many years. It is years old but still stands today. I love his choice of licks, virtuosity and approach to learning. The Frank Vignola Jazz Guitar courses give you rapid progress in learning the jazz style. A fantastic teacher and guitarist. Highly recommended!

andywendt

Verified buyer

09/22/24

A Must have

Osokin

Verified buyer

01/15/22

Turn Heads With Frank's Super Jazz Licks!

Frank Vignola is a truly excellent guitarist and teacher, and has produced many great courses for TrueFire. Here he has hand-picked 50 jazz guitar licks that will help you take your playing to the next level. Great stuff!

Mariobucetti

Verified buyer

08/15/21

Excellent value. Great teachers. Great links to add to the armoury

ukuni

Verified buyer

07/04/21

This course has a lot of great tips

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