Free Jazz Guitar Lessons with Chris Standring

Beginner (level 1)

Key Signatures
Key signatures and how to remember them.

The Major Modes
Chris breaks down the seven major modes and how to apply them.

Major Seventh Chords
The application of major seventh chords.

The Major Sixth Chord
The major 6th chord, how it is derived and how to play it.

The Minor Sixth Chord
The minor 6th chord, how it is derived and how to play it.

Intermediate (level 2)

The Melodic Minor Modes
Chris breaks down the seven melodic minor modes and how to apply them.

Augmented Chords Explained
A simplified explanation of the theory of augmented chords.

Back Cycling Turnaround
Chris talks about the much used turnaround that typically presents itself at the end of a song sequence.

Building Chord Melody Vocabulary
Chris discusses playing jazz guitar chord melody, in particular over two-five-one chord progressions.

Diminished Chords Explained
A simplified explanation of the theory of diminished and diminished 7th chords.

Diminished Vocabulary For Dominant 7th Chords
Diminished ideas and the use over dominant 7th chords.

Half Diminished Chords Explained
A simplified explanation of the theory of half diminished chords.

Song Endings
Chris shows you three effective ways to end a jazz standard.

Take That Scale And Shove It
How to create some altered harmony in the most simplistic way.

Take That Scale And Shove It Further
How to add even more altered harmony by simply moving phrases up in minor thirds.

Target & Approach Tones
Spice up your melodic lines and give them an extra zing using target tones.

Advanced (level 3)

Crazy Triplets
Chris discusses how you can emulate those blistering lines that jazz masters George Benson and Pat Martino mesmerize us with.

Playing Outside
Adding an element of harmonic danger to a jazz guitar improvisation.

The Long Awaited Play What You Hear Volume Two Is Now Here!

It has been many years since the first edition of Play What You Hear (originally released in 2000). Now volume two is here with new ideas and concepts, complete with audio, video, traditional notation and TAB throughout. High resolution pdf available for printing the entire program. For intermediate and advanced players.

  • Part One: Melody

    Focuses on single note soloing. Learn how to effortlessly solo through complex chord changes.

  • Part Two: Harmony

    Focuses on chord melody. Learn new harmonic devices and understand chords in a whole new way.

  • Performances

    Study Chris Standring's six recorded solos, transcribed with audio and high def video.