Mike's Master Classes

Jazz Guitar Masterclass

Blue Skies: Solo Fingerstyle Jazz Guitar Arrangement

Jake Reichbart·
0.0 (0 reviews)·INTERMEDIATE·1 lesson·1h 17m of video

About this masterclass

Jake Reichbart breaks down his solo fingerstyle jazz guitar arrangement of Irving Berlin's Blue Skies, in the key of G — bass, chords, melody and improvisation woven together by ten fingers. He doesn't just show you what to play; he explains the principles behind every decision, from why he chose this key to how he keeps the rhythm flowing without a band.

"Blue Skies" has been recorded by everybody from Ella Fitzgerald (Jake's favorite version) to Willie Nelson, and Jake plays it here at a straight-ahead medium tempo.

What's covered

  • Why the key of G puts the melody in the guitar's sweet spot — and when to consider changing keys
  • The AABA form and how this tune connects to the broader standard repertoire
  • The progressions inside the tune: the minor II–V opening, the classic I–VI–II–V–I, and the bridge's move to the minor IV
  • Right-hand fundamentals: playing the syncopated melody against a simple, steady bass line on the strong beats
  • Rhythmic tips for keeping the song moving forward as a solo player

Whether you're building your first solo jazz arrangement or adding another standard to your repertoire, Jake's clear, relaxed teaching style makes even the advanced ideas feel approachable. Full lesson runs about 77 minutes.

Lessons in this masterclass

Main Lesson

  • 1Blue Skies - Complete Lesson1h 17m

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About the instructor

Jake Reichbart →
Jake Reichbart won WEMU-FM’s Emily Remler scholarship for best jazz guitarist in 1991. Since then, he has been among the busiest guitarists in the greater Detroit region. As a sideman, he appears on countless recordings and jingles and has performed alongside Motown legends and jazz greats alike, logging over 4,600 live gigs. Reichbart’s passion, though, has always been solo guitar, citing Joe Pass, Tuck Andress and Tommy Emmanuel as his main influences, while creating a unique voice of his own. He can arrange for the guitar nearly any tune imaginable, drawing from any and every musical style. His CDs 16 Songs and Long Ago and Far Away have received nominations for best jazz recording at the Detroit Music Awards and have garnered rave reviews from such prestigious publications as All Music Guide, Just Jazz Guitar, and Cadence, as well as from numerous radio stations across the US and abroad. He has performed for two US presidents, the Michigan Governor's Inaugural Ball three times, and for countless other similar events. His instructional DVDs are distributed by the largest publisher in the world, Hal Leonard Corporation and he was featured on the front cover of the May 2012 issue of Just Jazz Guitar magazine, which included a lengthy interview and a transcription of one of his arrangements. Jake cites his most enjoyable solo work as being the “restaurant guitarist,” creating long-term relationships and enjoying a loyal following. For the past 20 years, he has been performing on Wednesday evenings at Ann Arbor’s most famous restaurant, The Earle.