What does it take to get to the next level

[dwest2419]

Hi guys I was doing a little searching on george benson music. I need help getting to the next guitar level. Im no where near George Benson Daryl Darden Leon Perry Greg Haynes. I mainly play scales I would say 85% of scales and 15% of chords. I know in jazz there should be a balance between scales and chords 50% scales and 50% of playing chords, right? The reason is I stay a way from chords is that my organist whom I play with told me to stay away from chords you'll clash between each other. And he also said guitar players play guitar licks and thats all they do. So I thought I mightest well stick harmony. I see jazz players play there chords differently especially when it comes to accompany bass lines and stuff and it is so different. I already discovered a new style of playing by striking atleast one note twice very fast in a phrase. And that has help I came up with new several licks and stuff. So its been quite interesting. Im not good knowing changes in a song like George Benson knows. And Im not that good at knowing what chords to use on the fly. But what am good at is accompany the melody line or the harmony. What I hear in jazz is nice changes in songs all the time and I think to myself how do they do it - you know. And that's about it.

[funkStrat_97]

Hi guys I was doing a little searching on george benson music. I need help getting to the next guitar level. Im no where near George Benson Daryl Darden Leon Perry Greg Haynes. I mainly play scales I would say 85% of scales and 15% of chords. I know in jazz there should be a balance between scales and chords 50% scales and 50% of playing chords, right? The reason is I stay a way from chords is that my organist whom I play with told me to stay away from chords you'll clash between each other. And he also said guitar players play guitar licks and thats all they do. So I thought I mightest well stick harmony. I see jazz players play there chords differently especially when it comes to accompany bass lines and stuff and it is so different. I already discovered a new style of playing by striking atleast one note twice very fast in a phrase. And that has help I came up with new several licks and stuff. So its been quite interesting. Im not good knowing changes in a song like George Benson knows. And Im not that good at knowing what chords to use on the fly. But what am good at is accompany the melody line or the harmony. What I hear in jazz is nice changes in songs all the time and I think to myself how do they do it - you know. And that's about it.

Well first of all, your organist is a ......wait a second, this IS a Christian site.  You ask a lot of questions in this forum which is great, but you need to focus.  You can't do it all at once.  In short, to get to the next level you have to take it one step at a time.   

You say that you don't know "changes in a song like George Benson knows".  Benson is a monster player, but he applies pretty much the same basic knowledge that all musicians (not just guitarists) use when it comes to making music.  You can study his style of playing, but then it is up to you to apply what you've learned to your playing experiences.  There will be some trial and error involved and for me, that was a good way for me to learn.  As you listen to music, you will eventually be able to hear how certain chords can fit in a particular context even the chord may not be the theoretically correct chord. 

Also, there really isn't a set in stone "appropriate" ratio of chords to scales.  Do what best fits the song and is within your skill level.

[gtrdave]

It takes time, practice, sacrifice, motivation and more time.

[jonesl78]

This is what I did today ( Im a keys player)

- Played scales for about 30 minutes. I mostly played 16th note scales at 100-155 BPM
- 20 minutes: sightreading
- 20 minutes: noodled around a little bit and tried to incorporate new concepts and chords in songs

Broke down this video:

"I Need Thee oh I Need Thee"

Dude is sick on the keys and bass! He mainly uses the numbers system to teach

Then I learned this blues lick in this video:

Blues Piano Licks : Blues Piano Advanced Lick One

This guy has a fantastic series on blues/jazz techniques. He has an overhead view and sheet music available on screen.

Lastly, I picked up some new scales to practice from this guy:

2 Minute Jazz Piano #12: Creative Scale Practice

This guy had a side view of the piano. However he spoke the musician language so I was able to learn. Some of this stuff can be transferred to guitar.

I realize this is a lot of stuff and may actually be advanced to some. The point is that it takes hard work and dedication to go the next level. I have a long way to go. As a matter of fact, I will probably always have a long way to go. I like it that way. Train your ear, learn theory, read music, and develop good technique. Because of these concepts, I was able to pick up valuable things from each of these very different videos.

[Sweetplayer]

It takes time, practice, sacrifice, motivation and more time.

Amen,You can`nt learn,all this in a DAY.