Jake Lizzio
patreon
Start Learning To Improvise On Guitar
🕑 Added 2026-01-23 16:00:10 +0000 UTCI've never really talked about guitar improv because it's such a big topic, but this is the first lesson in a brand new series I'll be working on over the spring to help finally explain my view on it. I expect it to be about 8 lessons total, and each one should take about two weeks to create. By the time you're done, you'll be able to apply whatever guitar skills you do (or don't) have and STILL create meaningful, enjoyable improvisations.
The reality is that improv is not about how good you are on guitar. Good improv does not require lots of technique, but instead, requires "wisdom." Which note are you playing, why, and when? If you're not a guitar player, I think this would be an excellent series to actually start learning from since the technique requirements are so low.
This is a massive topic to tackle so I'm breaking it into many different chunks. By the end, you should be able to work around the guitar fretboard comfortably in all sorts of harmonic environments, and actually participate in a real jam with strangers without freaking out!
I've added a one-page PDF for this lesson for Patreon/Site members, and the jam-track is available for everyone. If you're an advanced player, this Em jam track is perfect for practicing exotic scales over - Harmonic minor, Phyrgian / Phrygian dominant, Hungarian Minor, Dorian #4, Dorian, and many more, would all work over this simple minor tonic chord without clashing.
NAMM WEEK
This week is the biggest music retailer convention of the year, NAMM in Anaheim. If you're there do let me know and we'll meet up and jam on really expensive instruments!
COMING SOON
Since my site is officially built, and 98% of the buggy behavior is gone, I can finally go back to making what I want to make, which is helpful lessons! So once I return, we'll start doing two live streams each month: one Q+A and one live composing session. Along with that I'll be trying to create two improv lessons on YouTube each month (these kind of lessons take less time than my composing lessons to create, so I think thats doable).
Then in the meantime, I'll be slowly building the forum feature that I so desperately want for us all to share our stuff with one another and participate in group lessons. I do think that by March I'll have that all figured out, and you'll be the first to find out.
Thanks for being here, and I hope you enjoy this first lesson!
Comments
David Plante
This really is helpful and so looking forward to the rest in this series. I'm gonna have to check out the rythm and songwriting courses you recommended.
Jake Lizzio
😂 hope this series will be helpful
Aaron Shemon
I love how Jake makes these videos just for me!
