Guitar improvisation - phrasing lesson

Guitar phrasing video lesson  
Learning to phrase with the guitar is as important as learning to speak with your mouth. The word phrasing is more commonly used in jazz music than rock - however, by thinking in terms of "phrasing" and "improvisation" a rock guitarist can explore new territory.

This topic is way to big to be treated in one single lesson - so what I will give you here are some shortcuts which help me when my phrases need some improvements...

 

 

     What does "phrasing"mean ?

 

Jazz guitar improvisation phrasing
The word "phrasing" is comonly associated with jazz music - however, it and euqlly important notion for rock guitarists.

"Put a couple of words together and you have a sentence - put a couple of licks together and you have got a phrase..."

Now if you choose your licks carefully, taking the backing (or chord progression) into consideration, your chances of creating a cool phrase increases. Also, the more licks you know - the more phrasing variations you will have. And think about it - who would want to listen to someone who repeats the same sentence over and over again...? You want and need a musical vocabulary!

Read on and watch the video to get some quick-tricks to improve your phrasing repertoire.

 

     Scales for phrasing

 

All ideas presented in the video lesson revolve around these scales, so learn them well (mandatory!) - in order to understand the phrasing tricks presented.

 

D minor pentatonic - or F major pentatonic scale
D minor pentatonic - or F major pentatonic scale

F major/ionian scale
F major/ionian scale

 

     Video lesson

 

Make sure to practice these ideas separately - focusing on finding your own way of playing "one-note-per-string", "chromatic style" (etc.).

When you have found your own way of using these approaches, then is the time to combine them over a backing... and see how your phrasing has evolved!

-> Watch the first part of guitar phrasing video lesson .

Good luck!

 

Guitar Phrasing Backing (110 bpm)
   
Backing track slow
   
Tab TAB

PS Yes I am singing the intro of the backing track!



     Lesson Questions, Feedback & Comments





mucismaniac
post 31st October 2006


Member


nice video kris ;-) just what i need at the moment

(nice solo)
Rvddps
post 31st October 2006


Member


Great vid kris, i think it is what we really need, if you've been following your previous lessons
RIP Dime
post 1st November 2006


Member


Good stuff, very useful.
Kristofer Dahl
post 1st November 2006


Member


Glad you liked it - looking forward to hear you apply these techniques in your own recordings posted at the uplods board! smile.gif
RIP Dime
post 6th November 2006


Member


Part2 is great. I really noticed that you've gotten better at speedpicking, and phrasing in the awesome solo in the beginning of part1!
Guitar1969
post 15th November 2006


Member


Are Phrasing Parts 1 and 2 both combined in one video as I thought on the forum I saw 2 separate videos, but I don't see them here/
Guitar1969
post 15th November 2006


Member


Never Mind - I see it now - I need to slow down and read
Kristofer Dahl
post 15th November 2006


Member


First slow down - when it feels comfortable speed it up! wink.gif biggrin.gif biggrin.gif
beebo
post 10th December 2006


Member


nice
nowheretohide
post 16th January 2007


Member


I like the Staccato Phrasing you should put up some more excersises/example or w/e. =D
Ibanex
post 24th February 2007


Member


Which key should I choose to play along with this Backing track?
Kristofer Dahl
post 24th February 2007


Member


D minor pentatonic or F major! smile.gif
LiquidFusion
post 12th March 2007


Member


Does this work?
e|----------------------------------12-13--|
b|---------------------10-------11---------|
g|-9/109------------------10--------------|
d|--------10-------12----------------------|
a|-----------12-13-------------------------|
e|-----------------------------------------|
Kristofer Dahl
post 12th March 2007


Member


Liquidfusion: Yes absolutely - that's F major! smile.gif
Kristofer Dahl
post 12th March 2007


Member


Or does it sound strange when you try it?
edgor67
post 2nd April 2007


Member


Kris (Professor)

In the F maj Ionian scale in the above example (in phrasing)your "BOX" is starting on the sixth note of the Major and/or Ionian scale, since the Ion and Maj scales are the same. Am I correct? F is the 13th fret on the 6th E string. I was confused until I played it a few times. Your box starts on D, E, F etc (for F maj). Is this a new exercise (pattern)to learn? You are relentless! ed
Kristofer Dahl
post 10th April 2007


Member


Not sure I am with you but you can either see it as D minor or F major...
Carlos Carrillo
post 22nd February 2008


Member


Hey Kris!!!fantastic lesson!!!!thanks
montecristo
post 7th July 2008


Member


Hey Kris,
When playing the backing, the tab says play A minor (the chorus part). It doesn't sound like the backing though when I play the A minor. What are you doing exactly to achieve that sound?
ruben_mcn
post 26th February 2010


Member


Awsome lesson Kris .. hope some one could make new lessons similar to yours ..


Login in the top right corner to write a comment.