Fast Jazz/Funk guitar licks

Blues Guitarist · November 13th, 2012, 01:47 PM

I've been getting into Jazz recently (I'm a fairly accomplished Blues/Soul/Funk guitarist). Speed has always been a problem for me as I like to just the stuff I hear in my head, right off the bat. Until now it's been working well for me (I can play some relatively fast licks) but I'd really like to nail those fast, funky, soulful Jazz guitar licks you hear being played by the likes of George Benson.

At the moment I've started spending 45 minutes doing pentatonic scale runs, 5 minutes slow, then a minute fast, and Im improving noticeably. Am I on the right path?

Once I build up some speed will I be able to improvise these kind of licks or is there something more Im missing?

Examples of what Im talking are the runs Benson does in Breezin' or what the guitarist on Gil Scott Heron's Reflections does on several tracks (like in his solo on the track 'Gun')

Sorry for the long-winded post!

Thanks

good rhythms · November 13th, 2012, 04:30 PM

i suggest you get something like "four and more" by miles davis and practice off the up tempos there

people practice stuff to metronomes but that doesnt really prepare you to play things against a rhythm section with a drummer who is interacting with you

at least with fast bop , practicing off the records, when you crack off a phrase, you will find out very fast if it fits against the swing of the rhythm section...the "play along records" try to keep some civility, but they lose the edge of a real rhythm section playing balls out...

and if you can cut fast bop, when you take the tempos down, you should have a buoyancy that is desirable and feels really good, and you will be thinking quick on the forms

November 13th, 2012, 01:47 PM	#1
Blues Guitarist Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 3	Fast Jazz/Funk guitar licks I've been getting into Jazz recently (I'm a fairly accomplished Blues/Soul/Funk guitarist). Speed has always been a problem for me as I like to just the stuff I hear in my head, right off the bat. Until now it's been working well for me (I can play some relatively fast licks) but I'd really like to nail those fast, funky, soulful Jazz guitar licks you hear being played by the likes of George Benson. At the moment I've started spending 45 minutes doing pentatonic scale runs, 5 minutes slow, then a minute fast, and Im improving noticeably. Am I on the right path? Once I build up some speed will I be able to improvise these kind of licks or is there something more Im missing? Examples of what Im talking are the runs Benson does in Breezin' or what the guitarist on Gil Scott Heron's Reflections does on several tracks (like in his solo on the track 'Gun') Sorry for the long-winded post! Thanks

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November 13th, 2012, 04:30 PM	#2
good rhythms Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 617	i suggest you get something like "four and more" by miles davis and practice off the up tempos there people practice stuff to metronomes but that doesnt really prepare you to play things against a rhythm section with a drummer who is interacting with you at least with fast bop , practicing off the records, when you crack off a phrase, you will find out very fast if it fits against the swing of the rhythm section...the "play along records" try to keep some civility, but they lose the edge of a real rhythm section playing balls out... and if you can cut fast bop, when you take the tempos down, you should have a buoyancy that is desirable and feels really good, and you will be thinking quick on the forms