LanceRichards
Verified buyer
07/01/26
50 Jazz Rock Licks You Must Know
Great group of mini lessons, I am learning a lick here a lick there and it's fun.
50 Jazz Rock Licks You MUST Know
50 jazz rock guitar licks you must know inspired by the greats
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About this course
Jazz vibraphonist Gary Burton and Larry Coryell collaborated on Duster back in ’67 evoking wider use of the term ‘jazz rock’ and stimulating broader appreciation for what was then a very fresh-sounding new genre that fused jazz and rock. Coryell can certainly be credited with attracting guitarists from both sides of the fence to the jazz rock scene but Miles Davis’ highly improvisational Bitches Brew with John McLaughlin (recorded in ’69) blew minds and made jazz rock history. Listen carefully and you can hear Miles snapping fingers to set tempos, assigning solos to players and whispering direction such as, “Keep it tight.”
James Hogan’s 50 Jazz Rock Licks You Must Know takes you on whirlwind sonic tour across the fretboards of legendary jazz rock guitarists such as John McLaughlin, Larry Coryell, Allan Holdsworth, Jeff Beck, Pat Martino, Al DiMeola, Larry Carlton, Jay Graydon, Pat Metheney, Robben Ford, John Scofield, Mike Stern, Frank Gambale and Scott Henderson to name just a few.
You’ll also be treated to very tasty lickage from lesser known but equally important guitarists such as Bill Connors, Carlos Rios, Steve Khan, Hiram Bullock and Tommy Bolin. James even includes a few essential lines from horn and piano players Miles Davis, Michael Brecker, Jan Hammer and Chick Corea.
James first presents the lick over a rhythm track and then breaks it down note-for-note showing you all of the requisite techniques including legato, alternate picking, sweep picking, hybrid picking, string skipping, bending, vibrato bar and many other tools of the trade. You’ll also be introduced to the harmonic world of melodic minor, dominant bebop, half-whole diminished scales, exotic pentatonics and a few cool chord tricks to ice the cake.Everything is tabbed and notated, plus you’ll get all of the rhythm tracks to practice with on your own.
As Miles would advise... keep it tight!
James Hogan’s 50 Jazz Rock Licks You Must Know takes you on whirlwind sonic tour across the fretboards of legendary jazz rock guitarists such as John McLaughlin, Larry Coryell, Allan Holdsworth, Jeff Beck, Pat Martino, Al DiMeola, Larry Carlton, Jay Graydon, Pat Metheney, Robben Ford, John Scofield, Mike Stern, Frank Gambale and Scott Henderson to name just a few.
You’ll also be treated to very tasty lickage from lesser known but equally important guitarists such as Bill Connors, Carlos Rios, Steve Khan, Hiram Bullock and Tommy Bolin. James even includes a few essential lines from horn and piano players Miles Davis, Michael Brecker, Jan Hammer and Chick Corea.
James first presents the lick over a rhythm track and then breaks it down note-for-note showing you all of the requisite techniques including legato, alternate picking, sweep picking, hybrid picking, string skipping, bending, vibrato bar and many other tools of the trade. You’ll also be introduced to the harmonic world of melodic minor, dominant bebop, half-whole diminished scales, exotic pentatonics and a few cool chord tricks to ice the cake.Everything is tabbed and notated, plus you’ll get all of the rhythm tracks to practice with on your own.
As Miles would advise... keep it tight!
What you'll learn
- Execute wide interval bends
- Master complex sliding techniques
- Create jazz-rock fusion licks
- Develop multi-string bending skills
- Understanding Phrygian and Spanish Phrygian scales
Release date: 07/08/2013 • 1h 52m runtime
Sample lessons
McLaughlin's Vishnu
Lick 1
Free Spirit
Lick 2
Mutola
Lick 10
Lydian Pentatonic
Lick 37
What's included
52 lessons • 50 charts • 50 Jam Tracks
50 Jazz Rock Licks
Hi, I’m James Hogan and welcome to 50 Jazz Rock Licks You Must Know. This course is designed around fifty of my very favorite licks and phrases from such legendary fusion guitarists as John McLaughlin, Larry Coryell, Allan Holdsworth, Jeff Beck, Pat Martino, Al DiMeola, Larry Carlton, Jay Graydon, Pat Metheney, Robben Ford, John Scofield, Mike Stern, Frank Gambale, and Scott Henderson to name a few!
I’ve also thrown in licks from lesser known but equally important jazz rock guitarists such as Bill Connors, Carlos Rios, Steve Khan, Hiram Bullock and Tommy Bolin.
If that’s not enough there are some killer licks from Miles Davis, Michael Brecker, Jan Hammer and Chick Corea too!
Some of the techniques I’ll be covering in this course include legato playing, alternate picking, sweep picking, hybrid picking, string skipping, bending and vibrato bar techniques, among others. In addition, we’ll dive into the world of the melodic minor, dominant bebop and half-whole diminished scales and we’ll explore some exotic pentatonics and a few cool chord tricks.
Whether you’re an intermediate player in need of some new ideas or a seasoned pro just looking for a refresher, I think you’ll get a lot out of the material I’ll be presenting here in this 50 Jazz Rock Licks course.
For the record, all of the licks are laid out for you in both tablature and standard notation, and I’ve included 50 really nice backing tracks for you to jam along with at home!
So without further adieu I present to you 50 Jazz Rock Licks You Must Know. Let’s get to it!
I’ve also thrown in licks from lesser known but equally important jazz rock guitarists such as Bill Connors, Carlos Rios, Steve Khan, Hiram Bullock and Tommy Bolin.
If that’s not enough there are some killer licks from Miles Davis, Michael Brecker, Jan Hammer and Chick Corea too!
Some of the techniques I’ll be covering in this course include legato playing, alternate picking, sweep picking, hybrid picking, string skipping, bending and vibrato bar techniques, among others. In addition, we’ll dive into the world of the melodic minor, dominant bebop and half-whole diminished scales and we’ll explore some exotic pentatonics and a few cool chord tricks.
Whether you’re an intermediate player in need of some new ideas or a seasoned pro just looking for a refresher, I think you’ll get a lot out of the material I’ll be presenting here in this 50 Jazz Rock Licks course.
For the record, all of the licks are laid out for you in both tablature and standard notation, and I’ve included 50 really nice backing tracks for you to jam along with at home!
So without further adieu I present to you 50 Jazz Rock Licks You Must Know. Let’s get to it!
McLaughlin's Vishnu
John McLaughlin is one of the greatest and most important guitarists in history. In fact, Jeff Beck refers to McLaughlin as the "best guitarist alive."
While guitarists like Larry Coryell, Frank Zappa, Jerry Garcia, Jimi Hendrix and bands like Cream and The Grateful Dead may have been experimenting with jazz rock as early as 1966 -67 it is with Miles Davis’ landmark albums "In A Silent Way" and "Bitches Brew" where the genre really took off. Of course, John McLaughlin was in integral part of both of those brilliant works. In fact, Chick Corea has stated that "what John McLaughlin did with the electric guitar set the world on its ear. No one ever heard an electric guitar played like that before, and it certainly inspired me. John's band, more than my experience with Miles, led me to want to turn the volume up and write music that was more dramatic and made your hair move."" With statements like that John McLaughlin’s importance in the world of jazz rock fusion cannot be overstated.
This lick features a trademark sound from McLaughlin’s Mahavishnu era playing. It is based on the E Dominant Pentatonic Scale. (1 - 3 -4 -5 -b7) John frequently plays this sound over Dominant 7th chords. Like McLaughlin, I’m using alternate picking here.
While guitarists like Larry Coryell, Frank Zappa, Jerry Garcia, Jimi Hendrix and bands like Cream and The Grateful Dead may have been experimenting with jazz rock as early as 1966 -67 it is with Miles Davis’ landmark albums "In A Silent Way" and "Bitches Brew" where the genre really took off. Of course, John McLaughlin was in integral part of both of those brilliant works. In fact, Chick Corea has stated that "what John McLaughlin did with the electric guitar set the world on its ear. No one ever heard an electric guitar played like that before, and it certainly inspired me. John's band, more than my experience with Miles, led me to want to turn the volume up and write music that was more dramatic and made your hair move."" With statements like that John McLaughlin’s importance in the world of jazz rock fusion cannot be overstated.
This lick features a trademark sound from McLaughlin’s Mahavishnu era playing. It is based on the E Dominant Pentatonic Scale. (1 - 3 -4 -5 -b7) John frequently plays this sound over Dominant 7th chords. Like McLaughlin, I’m using alternate picking here.
Free Spirit
Larry Coryell is considered by many to be the first jazz rock guitarist. When most guitarists were still tied to archtops and playing traditional jazz, Larry and "The Free Spirits" were breaking new ground by combining jazz with rock music.
While his influence isn’t as widespread as fellow guitarist and fusion pioneer John McLaughlin, Larry is unquestionably one of the greatest guitarists in the genre. I particularly dig his earlier 70’s work with famed vibraphonist Gary Burton.
"Free Spirit" is based on the C Bebop Dominant Scale (C -D- E- F- G- A - Bb - B - C) and it’s inspired by Larry Coryell’s bop infused jazz rock playing.
"Bop" licks are used extensively in jazz rock fusion and can be attributed back to Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Charlie Christian, among other legends of Bebop.
You’ll hear this sound used a lot over dominant 7th chords in the playing of Larry Coryell, in addition to John Scofield and Mike Stern among others. Players who are deeply rooted in the jazz tradition and like to rock out! Make sure you swing the 8th notes.
While his influence isn’t as widespread as fellow guitarist and fusion pioneer John McLaughlin, Larry is unquestionably one of the greatest guitarists in the genre. I particularly dig his earlier 70’s work with famed vibraphonist Gary Burton.
"Free Spirit" is based on the C Bebop Dominant Scale (C -D- E- F- G- A - Bb - B - C) and it’s inspired by Larry Coryell’s bop infused jazz rock playing.
"Bop" licks are used extensively in jazz rock fusion and can be attributed back to Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Charlie Christian, among other legends of Bebop.
You’ll hear this sound used a lot over dominant 7th chords in the playing of Larry Coryell, in addition to John Scofield and Mike Stern among others. Players who are deeply rooted in the jazz tradition and like to rock out! Make sure you swing the 8th notes.
Beck's Repeater
Jeff Beck is one of the absolute greatest guitarists to ever walk the planet. Period. He’s an artist who seems to constantly reinvent himself, all while remaining easily identifiable. This lick is a common one heard during Beck’s mid 70‘s Blow By Blow and Wired era jazz rock playing. Essentially it’s Beck’s imitation of a Jan Hammer "pitch wheel" keyboard lick. Oddly enough, Jan Hammer often imitated guitar licks so this lick is probably Jeff imitating Jan Hammer imitating one of his own guitar licks!
The lick is played over a dominant 7th chord and is a "repeater" type of lick where you are essentially trying to mimic the sound of a keyboard’s pitch wheel. This lick sounds particularly great with an overdriven or distorted sound.
"
The lick is played over a dominant 7th chord and is a "repeater" type of lick where you are essentially trying to mimic the sound of a keyboard’s pitch wheel. This lick sounds particularly great with an overdriven or distorted sound.
"
Minor Conversion
Pat Martino has forgotten more about guitar than most of us will ever know. During the recording of his classic 1976 fusion album "Joyous Lake" Pat began to suffer from extreme headaches and mood swings. (As a side note, this album has given me many headaches as well in regard to transcribing his ferocious lines!) Unfortunately, Pat’s condition deteriorated in the late 70‘s and eventually led to him undergoing emergency brain surgery as the result of a near fatal brain tumor and brain aneurysm. The surgery left Pat with amnesia and he had no memory of the guitar or his musical career! Fortunately, with the help of friends, family, computers, and years of shedding his old recordings, Martino is back to playing better than ever!
This lick features Pat’s unique linear approach to playing lines. He has an interesting way of converting everything to minor which definitely sets his playing apart and makes him instantly recognizable. All alternate picking here folks! That’s another trademark aspect of Pat’s style. Like Pat, you should try this lick over Amin6, D9 and F#min7b5. These chords all share similar notes."
This lick features Pat’s unique linear approach to playing lines. He has an interesting way of converting everything to minor which definitely sets his playing apart and makes him instantly recognizable. All alternate picking here folks! That’s another trademark aspect of Pat’s style. Like Pat, you should try this lick over Amin6, D9 and F#min7b5. These chords all share similar notes."
Martino's Bop
This is a nice simple bebop lick inspired by Pat Martino. It’s based on the C Bebop Dominant Scale (C - D - E - F - G - A - Bb - B - C), lays nicely under the fingers and sounds great with either alternate picking (ala Pat), legato playing (ala Holdsworth), or a hybrid of both (ala Scofield).
Carlos Supreme
Like Jeff Beck, Carlos Santana is a guitarist who seems to constantly evolve. His style is blend of Latin-infused rock, jazz, blues, salsa, and African rhythms. These influences are evident in Carlos’ solo on John Coltrane’s "A Love Supreme" from his collaboration album "Love Devotion Surrender" with famed fusion guitarist John McLaughlin.
This is a 16th note based lick in the F# Dorian Scale (F# - G# - A - B - C# - D# - E) that features Carlos’ command of syncopated rhythms and his great feel. I recommend using alternate picking for this particular example.
This is a 16th note based lick in the F# Dorian Scale (F# - G# - A - B - C# - D# - E) that features Carlos’ command of syncopated rhythms and his great feel. I recommend using alternate picking for this particular example.
+ 45 more lessons
Reviews
21 results
SM
09/10/24
Highly engaging and fun
James Hogan is truly one of the best guitar educators I have ever seen. He brings absolutely fresh and properly curated jazz rock licks from the best of the best. If you love jazz rock and want to be inspired or play some of the licks the legends play then I highly recommend this. There's more than enough of challenging licks but also easy ones as well.
lx762
Verified buyer
08/21/23
All good 😀
dewaynepowell
Verified buyer
03/13/22
very useful licks. wish there was a little more theory talk about how to apply over chord changes ect, but small gripe.
keith w.
08/20/21
Essential lessons for any player...
A fantastic lesson for any player, but especially for players like me who started as a teen in the 70s, the fusion licks presented here are straight from Guitar Player magazine covers back then, all my guitar heroes are here and a few under the radar players, this is an invaluable course with great backing tracks that will expand your guitar horizon way past box shapes and will vastly improve your phrasing, note choice, rhythm sense and more, my goal's beyond....
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