Playing Jazz Horn lines On Guitar: The Benefits!
- Nate Fegan
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Why [short answer]?
Why might a jazz guitar player want to invest in playing 'jazz horn lines' on the guitar? The simple answer is this: jazz guitarists work on jazz horn lines in order to strengthen their timing, rhythmic awareness and creative ability to express. It's simply a great way to break out of a rut - plus, it's a lot of fun!
Each Instrument Inspires A Different Type Of Phrasing!
Each instrument [guitar, saxophone, piano, etc] tends to lean a player toward a certain type of phrasing. For example, sometimes pianists and guitarists have to work extra diligently in order to learn how to create musical space 'within and between' phrases since they don't actually have to stop and take a breath like vocalists and horn players do. Here is an example of what I call jazz-guitarist type phrasing [which is not a bad thing]: https://youtube.com/shorts/U5RxedqaeYg?feature=share
Connecting With The Most Musical & Expressive Parts Of The Brain!
The need to breath is just one reason why vocalists and horn players tend to phrase differently. Another reason is that vocalists and horn players tend to have a stronger connection between their instrument and the speech center / story telling portion of their brains. You will often see great jazz pianists and great jazz guitarists singing and/or mouthing their lines. These are players who have learned successfully how to make the connection between instrument and speech center! Keep in mind that our 'speech center' already has expression [rhythms, emotions and story telling] built right in!
So, if you happen to be a budding jazz guitarist and you would like to strengthen your sense of time, your general rhythmic awareness and your ability to be even more expressive on your instrument 'playing horn lines on guitar' might be right for you!
Saving Time!
If you want or need to make improvements while also saving time, I have created a series of mini-jazz-etudes that might be perfect for achieving your cross-training goals without having to invest any more time than needed.
Jazz Guitar Tab & Virtual Lessons!
With that said, I have jazz guitar tab available for the following mini-etudes [and more] and will be happy to set up one or more virtual lessons to help you learn just as quickly and just as thoroughly as possible!
Swing Jazz Groove No.1
Jazz Salsa Groove No. 1
Love Supreme Groove No. 1 [more advanced]
Afro Jazz Groove No. 1
Funky Jazz Groove No. 1
-------------------- Longer Etudes --------------------
Rhythm Changes No. 1
Follow This Link To Find Even More Jazz Etudes!
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