51 Modern Jazz Funk Rock Licks by Phil Short: Elevate Your Guitar Game

Phil Short's "51 Modern Jazz Funk Rock Licks" is a treasure trove for guitarists seeking to expand their repertoire with versatile techniques and styles. In this meticulously crafted course, Short delves into the realms of jazz, funk, and rock, delivering note-for-note breakdowns of essential licks while focusing on various advanced techniques such as legato, economy picking, arpeggios, sweep picking, and nuanced phrasing.

Mastering Essential Techniques:

Jazz:

Embracing the sophisticated harmony and improvisational freedom of jazz, Short's lessons offer insights into jazz-specific techniques, chord voicings, and melodic approaches. By delving into jazz concepts, guitarists can enhance their musical vocabulary and fluency, enabling them to navigate complex chord progressions with finesse and creativity.

Funk:

Short's exploration of funk guitar unlocks the rhythmic intricacies and syncopated grooves characteristic of the genre. Through dynamic rhythms, percussive accents, and slinky chord progressions, learners can develop a tight, funky feel essential for both rhythm and lead playing in funk music.

Rock:

From blistering solos to gritty power chords, rock guitarists will find ample inspiration in Short's rock-oriented licks. By dissecting iconic rock techniques such as string bending, palm muting, and aggressive picking, learners can infuse their playing with the raw energy and attitude synonymous with rock music.

Licks:

Each lesson in "51 Modern Jazz Funk Rock Licks" features meticulously transcribed licks that encapsulate the essence of the respective genre. These ready-to-use musical phrases not only serve as a source of inspiration but also as practical tools for enhancing improvisational skills and developing a distinctive personal style.

Legato:

Short emphasises the importance of legato technique, enabling guitarists to achieve smooth, flowing lines with minimal pick attack. By mastering legato, players can produce fluid melodies, execute rapid runs effortlessly, and add expressiveness to their playing through nuanced hammer-ons and pull-offs.

Economy Picking:

Through the study of economy picking, learners can optimize their picking motion for efficiency and speed. Short's lessons provide exercises and insights into this technique, allowing guitarists to navigate complex passages with ease while conserving energy and maintaining precision.

Arpeggios:

Arpeggios serve as indispensable tools for outlining chord progressions and adding harmonic depth to solos. Short's comprehensive approach to arpeggios covers various shapes, inversions, and applications, empowering guitarists to create melodic lines that seamlessly integrate with backing tracks and ensemble playing.

Sweep Picking:

Sweep picking, known for its fluid, cascading arpeggio patterns, is a hallmark of virtuosic guitar playing. Short breaks down the mechanics of sweep picking and provides exercises to develop accuracy, speed, and control, enabling players to execute dazzling arpeggio runs with confidence.

Phrasing:

Beyond individual techniques, Short emphasises the importance of phrasing—the art of shaping musical phrases with dynamics, articulation, and timing. By studying phrasing nuances, guitarists can imbue their playing with emotion, musicality, and narrative depth, transcending technical proficiency to deliver captivating performances.

Conclusion:

"51 Modern Jazz Funk Rock Licks" by Phil Short is more than just a collection of guitar lessons; it's a comprehensive guide to mastering essential techniques and exploring diverse musical styles. Whether you're a seasoned player looking to expand your skill set or a beginner eager to embark on a musical journey, this course offers invaluable insights, inspiration, and practical tools to elevate your guitar playing to new heights.

Techniques Covered:

• Jazz
• Funk
• Rock
• Licks
• Legato
• Economy Picking
• Arpeggios
• Sweep Picking
• Phrasing