How to Play Smooth Jazz Guitar

Smooth jazz guitar has a charm and finesse all its own, a style that invites you to blend technical prowess with a deep sense of melody and rhythm. If you've ever found yourself swaying to a George Benson tune or marveled at the effortless flow of a Wes Montgomery solo, you're not alone. What follows is a journey into understanding how you can capture that smooth jazz vibe on your guitar, bringing both the sound and emotion to life.

The Groove of Smooth Jazz

One of the first things you'll notice about smooth jazz is its irresistible groove. It's that laid-back, yet sophisticated feel that makes you want to nod your head and tap your feet. To achieve this on the guitar, you need to develop a sense of timing and rhythm that feels natural and fluid. This isn't about speed or complexity; it's about feel.

Start by working on playing along with some classic smooth jazz tracks. Focus on the rhythm guitar parts, even if they seem simple. Pay attention to the nuances of the strumming or plucking patterns. Often, it's the subtle accents and the spaces between notes that create the groove. Don't rush it; let the music breathe.

• Practice with a Metronome: Spend time playing with a metronome to develop a steady sense of timing. Start slow, and make sure you can play each note or chord change cleanly and on time.
• Listen Actively: Analyze recordings of your favorite smooth jazz guitarists. Try to identify what makes their playing sound so groovy. Is it the rhythm, the tone, or perhaps how they use silence?
• Experiment with Dynamics: Play around with the volume and attack of your strumming or picking. Smooth jazz often features a wide dynamic range, so don't be afraid to play softly at times and then bring out certain notes with more emphasis.

Chords That Speak

Smooth jazz is known for its lush, complex harmonies. This means you'll need to get comfortable with a range of chord voicings beyond the basic major and minor shapes. Think seventh chords, ninths, and even more exotic extensions. These chords add color and depth to your playing.

One of the best ways to learn these chords is to start with the seventh chord family. These include major 7, minor 7, and dominant 7 chords. Once you're comfortable with these, move on to ninths and thirteenths. The key is to understand how these chords are constructed and how they can be used to add richness to your playing.

• Learn the Shapes: Spend time learning and practicing different chord shapes. Make sure you can move between them smoothly and with confidence.
• Use Chord Charts: Keep a chord chart handy as you practice. This will help you visualize and memorize the different voicings.
• Apply in Context: Try incorporating these chords into songs or chord progressions you already know. You'll begin to hear how they change the feel of the music.

Improvisation: Telling a Story

Improvisation is a cornerstone of jazz, and smooth jazz is no exception. However, unlike some other jazz styles, smooth jazz solos often focus more on melody and feel than on technical fireworks. The goal is to create a solo that feels like a natural extension of the song, almost like you're telling a story with your guitar.

Start by learning to play the melody of the song you're working on. This will help you understand the structure and key musical ideas. From there, you can begin to embellish the melody, adding your own touches and interpretations. Think about using slides, bends, and vibrato to add expression to your notes.

• Learn the Scales: Familiarize yourself with scales that are commonly used in smooth jazz, such as the pentatonic, blues, and major scales. These will form the foundation of your solos.
• Focus on Phrasing: Pay attention to the length and rhythm of your phrases. Try to play in a conversational manner, as if you're having a musical dialogue.
• Use Repetition and Variation: Repeat certain motifs or ideas, but vary them slightly each time to keep things interesting and engaging.

Tone and Texture

The tone of your guitar is a huge part of what makes smooth jazz so, well, smooth. Achieving that velvety sound involves a combination of technique, gear, and a bit of personal touch. You're looking for a tone that is warm and rich, with just the right amount of sustain.

Start by experimenting with your guitar and amp settings. A clean tone with a touch of reverb is a great starting point. You might also want to try using the neck pickup for a warmer sound. If you have a semi-hollow or hollow-body guitar, these can be excellent choices for smooth jazz as they naturally produce a more mellow tone.

• Adjust Your Amp Settings: Play around with the EQ settings on your amp. Try boosting the mids slightly and rolling off the treble for a smoother sound.
• Use Effects Sparingly: Effects like reverb and delay can add depth to your sound, but use them subtly. You want them to enhance your tone, not overpower it.
• Experiment with Pickups: Switch between your guitar’s pickups to see which one gives you the sound you’re looking for. The neck pickup is often a good choice for a round, warm tone.

Developing a Repertoire

Learning specific songs is a great way to deepen your understanding of smooth jazz guitar. Not only will this help you improve your playing, but it will also give you a set of tunes you can perform solo or with others. Choose a mix of standards and contemporary pieces to give yourself a well-rounded repertoire.

As you learn each song, pay attention to both the chord progressions and the melodies. Try to identify what makes each piece unique and why it works as a smooth jazz composition. This will help you internalize the elements of the genre and apply them to your own playing.

• Start with Standards: Songs like “Breezin’” by George Benson or “Mr. Magic” by Grover Washington Jr. are great places to start.
• Transcribe Solos: Listen to recordings and try to transcribe solos by ear. This will improve your listening skills and help you understand how great guitarists approach improvisation.
• Play with Others: If possible, find other musicians to play with. This will give you a chance to apply what you've learned in a real-world setting and get feedback on your playing.

Rhythm and Comping

In smooth jazz, the role of the rhythm guitarist is crucial. Known as comping, this involves playing chords and rhythms that support the soloist or vocalist. Good comping adds texture and depth to the music without overshadowing the lead parts.

To become proficient at comping, focus on developing a strong sense of rhythm and timing. You should be able to maintain a steady groove while also being flexible enough to respond to changes in the music. This requires both precision and creativity.

• Syncopation is Key: Smooth jazz often features syncopated rhythms, where the emphasis is placed on off-beats. Practice playing these rhythms until they feel natural.
• Master Different Strumming Patterns: Experiment with different strumming patterns and techniques, such as fingerpicking or hybrid picking, to add variety to your comping.
• Listen Actively: Pay attention to how professional guitarists comp on recordings. Notice the choices they make and try to incorporate some of these ideas into your own playing.

Exploring Modal Harmony

Smooth jazz often incorporates modal harmony, which can add a unique flavor to your playing. Unlike traditional harmony that revolves around major and minor scales, modal harmony uses modes to create different tonal colors and moods.

To get started with modal harmony, you'll need to understand the seven modes of the major scale: Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, and Locrian. Each mode has its own distinctive sound and can be used to bring new dimensions to your music.

• Learn Each Mode: Practice playing each mode on your guitar, paying attention to how they differ from the major scale.
• Apply Modes to Chord Progressions: Try using different modes over various chord progressions. Notice how they change the feel and emotion of the music.
• Improvise with Modes: Use modes as the basis for your improvisations. This will give you new melodic options and help you create more interesting solos.

Building Confidence in Performance

Playing smooth jazz guitar is not just about technique; it's also about confidence and expression. Whether you're performing for an audience or just jamming with friends, it's important to play with conviction and feel.

To build confidence, practice regularly and focus on both the technical and expressive aspects of your playing. Record yourself and listen back to identify areas for improvement. Over time, you'll become more comfortable and assured in your abilities.

• Practice Performance Skills: Set up a mock performance situation and play through your repertoire without stopping. This will help you get used to performing under pressure.
• Engage with the Audience: If you're performing live, make eye contact with the audience and communicate through your music. This will create a more engaging experience for both you and the listeners.
• Stay Relaxed: Tension can hinder your performance, so focus on staying relaxed and loose while you play. This will allow your natural musicality to shine through.

Final Thoughts

Playing smooth jazz guitar is all about combining technical skill with expressive musicality. By focusing on groove, harmony, improvisation, and tone, you can create music that resonates with listeners. And if you're looking to deepen your skills even further, consider exploring resources like Riffhard, where we've gathered lessons from some of the best guitarists in the world to help you achieve your musical goals.