Art of Solo Guitar - Part I

Master the sophisticated art of solo jazz guitar with renowned guitarist Paul Bollenback in this comprehensive exploration of chord melody techniques and real-world performance strategies. Drawing from decades of professional experience, Bollenback reveals the essential voicings and harmonic concepts that transform standard tunes into compelling solo performances. This course centers on practical application rather than rigid arrangements, teaching you to make intelligent musical decisions in real-time using 1-3-7 and 1-7-3 voicings, strategic chord substitutions, and melodic momentum techniques. Through detailed analysis of "It Could Happen to You," you'll discover how to support melodies with sophisticated yet playable voicings, navigate register challenges on the fretboard, and create movement during melodic spaces using Brazilian-influenced harmonic motion and augmented passing chords. Bollenback's approach emphasizes flexibility over memorization, showing you how to apply your existing knowledge creatively while building essential skills for professional solo performance. You'll learn to voice chords that respect both the melody and the instrument's natural register, handle common substitutions like the G7-G7aug-C7 progression, and develop the harmonic vocabulary needed for duo situations with vocalists or horn players. Includes 14 pages of detailed chord voicings and exercises. Perfect for intermediate to advanced players ready to elevate their solo guitar work from merely functional to genuinely musical, whether performing in intimate jazz venues or professional recording sessions.