Unlocking the Jazz Sound: A Guide for Rock Lead Guitarists
As a rock lead guitarist, you already know your scales and arpeggios well. But the jazz sound remains a mystery. This article aims to help you understand and achieve the elusive jazz sound in your guitar solos.
Understanding the "Jazz Sound"
The term “jazz sound” often refers to the specific note choices and phrasing that define the genre. One common approach is using altered dominant or tritone substitutions over dominant 7th chords and Lydian over major chords. This technique can drastically change the tone and feel of your solos.
Straying from Scale Routine
Many rock guitarists, including myself, have a habit of focusing on playing over the changes. In this approach, you might be using the A minor scale for an A minor chord progression, with some chromatic notes for color. However, the note choice may not always reflect the chord being played.
Focusing on Chord Tones
To achieve a jazz sound, it's essential to take into consideration the chord you are playing over. For example, consider the following progression: A minor - G - F - E minor.
A Minor Measure
Over the A minor chord, play the A minor scale: A B C D E F G
G Measure
Over the G chord, play the Mixolydian mode: G A B C D E F
F Measure
Over the F chord, play the Lydian mode: F G A B C D E
E Minor Measure
Over the E minor chord, play the Phrygian mode: E F G A B C D
Notice that the bold notes are the 1-3-5-7 arpeggio notes of the scale. Pay special attention to these notes as they are crucial for creating the jazz sound.
Setting Up Your Guitar for Jazz Tone
What about tone? A guitar with a jazzier sound can indeed enhance your playing. Many great jazz guitarists have used specific guitar settings to achieve their unique sound. For example, using the bass pickup on full and rolling down the treble and midrange pickups to around a half setting can help achieve a richer, more mellow tone. This setup can make your guitar sound more like a hollow-body jazz guitar.
Another key element is phrasing. Pay close attention to the way great jazz guitarists phrase their solos. Listen to artists like Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Pat Metheny, Pat Martino, and Joe Pass. Transcribe some of their brilliant phrases to internalize their approaches.
In conclusion, the jazz sound involves much more than just learning scales and arpeggios. It requires a keen focus on note choice, chord tones, and a unique phrasing style. By practicing the techniques described above and establishing the right guitar tone, you can incorporate this elusive sound into your rock lead guitar solos.