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Jazz Chords, Arpeggios, and Enclosures

Gabriel Perez

Campfire Attention Holder
  • Nov 11, 2019
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    Salt Lake City, UT
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    Hi,
    So I’m doing some private jazz guitar lessons and for my jury I’ve been learning All of Me since it’s a fairly simple progression, simple melody but introduces me to different ways to go about solos that isn’t just staying in the pentatonic. I have been doing some diving into each chord and how they relate to the next. But I am really having trouble doing enclosures to land solidly on a target note. Are there any good exercises that I should do that might help?
    Thanks!
     

    Brian Haner Sr.

    Papa
    Staff member
    Legend+
    Fucking Legend
    Nov 11, 2019
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    It's all about arpeggios. On "All Of Me" (Key of C) Play a C arp going up, then an E7 arp going down, then an A7 arp going up, them a Dm arp going down, etc. Then reverse; C going down, E7 going up, etc. THEN do it in a different position. These are ALL "target" or "landing" notes.
    OK - now instead of just running arps, start picking notes from those arps; C note to G note back to C note over C chord, then B note to G# note back to B note over E7, then A note to E note back to A note over A7 chord, etc.
    Then start adding notes out of the arp; D, B, C over the C Chord, etc.
    Eventually you'll also want to add chromatic (linking notes) to your solo. C over the C chord, then just before the E7 chord a C# (passing tone), then a D B G# over the E7 chord.
    A good solo combines lots of different techniques. Stay in one spot over a couple of chords, then run a full arpeggio over the next chord. Enclosure over the next chord, etc. Link chords with chromatic notes. Mix it up.
    Jazz requires you really KNOW the chords and arpeggios. It's a long process.
    The very best advice I can give you is to listen to players who play what you want to play. This will condition your ear to different harmony, rhythm, etc.
    Hope this helps!