Start / Jazz Guitar Insights / Songs before licks ep 25

Songs Before Licks (Ep. 25)

10 min • 10 november 2024

Hey there! In this episode, I’m digging into why understanding chord progressions is more important than just piling up licks. I’ll share my thoughts on why it’s so valuable to work on basic progressions, like the 12-bar blues, and why I believe focusing on form helps us become better players. This approach, what I call the “conveyor belt” of progressions, lets you play freely over any tune without getting lost.

Main Points

Think Progressions, Not Just Licks: It’s tempting to learn tons of licks, but without the bigger picture of the progression, it’s easy to lose your place in a tune.
The “Conveyor Belt” of Jazz: I explain why I see chord progressions as a “conveyor belt” that loops back around, helping you keep track of the form so you’re ready to improvise, comp, or play chord melodies.
Master the 12-Bar Blues First: The 12-bar blues is an amazing place to start because you can explore all kinds of variations once you know the form well. You’ll build a strong foundation for other jazz standards, too.
Real-Life Skills: Knowing the forms and structures of standards like rhythm changes and the blues helps you play confidently in any style, even if you’re backing a singer or jamming on a pop tune.

Try This Out
This week, pick a simple progression—like a 12-bar blues—and see if you can follow it all the way through, adding comping or solo ideas along the way. Aim to keep track of where you are in the form without having to look at a chart.

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