Jazz Guitar

Master sophisticated chord voicings, walking bass lines, comping rhythms, and bebop improvisation for jazz guitar.

Jazz Chord Voicings

Drop 2 Voicings
The foundation of jazz chord melody

Take a close-position chord and drop the second-highest note down an octave. Creates smooth voice leading.

Cmaj7 (Drop 2, E string root):
e|---3---|  (7th)
B|---5---|  (3rd)
G|---4---|  (Root)
D|---5---|  (5th)

Cmaj7 (Drop 2, A string root):
e|---0---|  (3rd)
B|---1---|  (7th)
G|---0---|  (5th)
D|---2---|  (Root)
ii-V-I Progression
The most common jazz progression
Dm7 - G7 - Cmaj7 (Drop 2 voicings):

e|---5---3---3---|
B|---6---3---5---|
G|---5---4---4---|
D|---7---3---5---|

Smooth voice leading, minimal movement

Comping (Rhythm)

Freddie Green Style (4-to-the-Bar)
Swing rhythm, 4 quarter notes per bar:
  1   2   3   4
| / | / | / | / |

Play on beats 2 and 4 for lighter swing feel

Jazz Improvisation

Bebop Scale
Major scale + chromatic passing tone
C Bebop Major Scale:
e|---8-10-12-13-15-16-17-19---|
    C  D  E  F  G  G# A  B  C

The G# is the added chromatic note

Video Resources

Jens Larsen - Jazz Comping
Visit Channel →
Jazz Guitar Chord Voicings
Search YouTube →
Jazz Study Tips

• Learn standards: Autumn Leaves, All The Things You Are, Blue Bossa

• Study Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass, Pat Metheny, George Benson

• Practice with iReal Pro backing tracks

• Focus on voice leading—move smoothly between chords