Beginner Jazz Guitar Improvisation Lesson

This lesson teaches how to improvise over major ii-V-I chord progressions
using jazz scales and rhythms. Each of these exercises must be practiced
with either a slow major ii V I backing track or using a metronome.
All the examples are in the key of G major, but they should ultimately be
practiced in all 12 keys and in different positions across the guitar fingerboard.

Major ii V I Scales
The diagram below indicates three two octave scales which will be used to
improvise over the major ii-V-I chord progression. Practice these scales
ascending and descending slowly in eighth notes, with a light right hand touch
and firm left hand control.
This should be done until the point where you can smoothly switch between
each scale without making a mistake ten times in a row. This will ensure that
the correct amount of technical fluency is needed to move to the next step.
The harmonic formula is shown under each scale and will need to be
thoroughly learnt to complete the exercises in this lesson.

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Jazz Guitar Improvisation Rhythm 1

Now that each scale can be played through smoothly, it is now time to look at
how to use them in a stylistic and coherent way. In any kind of music, the
most important element is rhythm, not harmony.
Therefore, common jazz rhythms will need to be ingrained to the harmony
before the improvisation sounds like jazz. The first example shows a
common jazz rhythmic syncopation pattern in which the scale starts on the
and of four, instead of beat one.

Practice this rhythm over each chord continuously as demonstrated in the

example below.

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Jazz Guitar Improvisation Rhythm 2

The second jazz rhythm pattern is demonstrated in the lower of the two
octave A Dorian scales shown at the beginning of the lesson. Note that it
starts on the 6th of the chord as opposed to the root, like in the first example.
This example is certainly more challenging the first, but this is a classic piece
of jazz language which needs to be ingrained. This will ensure that the entire
range of the guitar is used and will also develop finger strength by playing on
the lower strings.
Apply this rhythm through each of the chords in a continuous way as
demonstrated in the first example.

Jazz Guitar Improvisation Rhythm 3

The final jazz rhythm is a shorter melodic idea that starts on the 5th of the
chord. Ensure that this rhythm starts on the 5th degree of each scale for the
next two chords to ensure that the exercise is played correctly.
Note that the first two notes should be played staccato.

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Jazz Guitar Improvisation Lines

The final step of this lesson teaches how to combine the different rhythms and
scales together to form jazz lines. The first example switches between all 3
rhythms in a numerical order. Straight out of the box, this produces a melodic
and coherent jazz line.

The second line starts with the second rhythm, then goes to rhythm 1 and
goes back to the rhythm 2 again. There are no set rules when combining
these rhythms. Try to combine them in a way in which you can connect each
scale without making any big intervallic jumps.

The rhythmic and harmonic examples in this lesson are for study purposes,
but once they can be played and understood, students should experiment with
the harmony and rhythm to create their own ideas.
For example, each of the exercises starts on a specific scale degree. Try to
play the same rhythms starting on different scale degrees. This would be
harmonic variation.
An example of rhythmic variation could be starting rhythm #1 on one and for
example. The broader and more long term concept of this lesson is that is
teaches how to hear different harmonic and rhythmic possibilities so that
these devices are available to you when improvising.

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