Az Jazz Guitar Lessons #24: How Do You Make Pop Songs into Jazz Versions?

A lot of people ask me about this. Like how do you take an Ed Sheeran song or a Taylor Swift song and make it jazzy?

I often ask back, "Why would you want to do this?"

The thing is that sometimes we get attracted to doing something because we think it's cool OR it will make it sound better. Sometimes, a song is nice just the way it is. It doesn't have to be "jazzed up" to be nice.

But, in case you do want to jazz things to a pop song.

Here are some tips:

1. Learn the melody of the song (like really know it inside out, preferably by ear)
2. Learn the original chord of the song (again by ear, if possible)
3. Learn to play the song, some version of it on your instrument (piano or guitar is good) in the original style, with the original chords
4. Experiment with changes in style or tempo to get a different (fresher or interesting) vibe
5. Once you figured out the direction of the arrangement, try to see if you need to:
   a) add more chords
   b) take out some chords
   c) change the chords altogether
   d) change the chord qualities in a subtle way
   e) do a mix of these thing
6. Most importantly, be open to trying different things AND trust your ears. If it sounds good, go for it.
7. In the end, record your take of it and listen to how it sounds like!

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If you're interested to learn more in depth on this topic or level up your guitar playing ,music theory or songwriting or composing skills. get in touch with me for private lessons in Kuala Lumpur or worldwide via Skype/Zoom/Facetime etc.

Contact me here: http://www.azsamad.com/contact

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My e-book, Jazz Guitar Licks and Etudes is available here:
http://www.azsamad.com/book2

My first e-book, Jazz Improvisation Uncovered is here:
http://www.azsamad.com/book

[Az Jazz Guitar Lessons]
Az Jazz Guitar Lessons #1: The importance of listening
Az Jazz Guitar Lessons #2: Learning the 5 Essential Jazz Chords
Az Jazz Guitar Lessons #3: Seven Guitarists to Check Out
Az Jazz Guitar Lessons #4: Enjoying the Process & Your Present State
Az Jazz Guitar Lessons #5: The Importance of Rhythm
Az Jazz Guitar Lessons #6: Learning Songs by Ear
Az Jazz Guitar Lessons #7: Learning the 5 Essential Jazz Chord Arpeggios
Az Jazz Guitar Lessons #8: Introducing the II-V-I Progression
Az Jazz Guitar Lessons #9: Learning the 5 Essential Jazz Chords - Part 2
Az Jazz Guitar Lessons #10: Learning the 5 Essential Jazz Chord Arpeggios - Part 2
Az Jazz Guitar Lessons #11: Modal Jazz Basics 1 - Classic Recordings
Az Jazz Guitar Lessons #12: Modal Jazz Basics 2 - Dorian Lines
Az Jazz Guitar Lessons #13: Improvising on Stevie Wonder's Isn't She Lovely
Az Jazz Guitar Lessons #14: Scales for Spain (Chick Corea)
Az Jazz Guitar Lessons #15: Bossa Nova and Samba - Classic Recordings
Az Jazz Guitar Lessons #16: Performing Brazilian Music over the Years
Az Jazz Guitar Lessons #17: Improvising with Clarity
Az Jazz Guitar Lessons #18: Finding Inspiration and Facebook Hate Posts
Az Jazz Guitar Lessons #19: To Learn Jazz, Play Jazz
Az Jazz Guitar Lessons #20: Tradition versus The Future
Az Jazz Guitar Lessons #21: Simplify Learning Jazz
Az Jazz Guitar Lessons #22: Macro and Micro Practice
Az Jazz Guitar Lessons #23: Simplify Learning Jazz Guitar

[Podcasts]
Az Samad | Az Jazz Guitar Lessons EP01 | 18.05.2018
Az Samad | Az Jazz Guitar Lessons EP02 | 19.05.2018
Az Samad | Az Jazz Guitar Lessons EP03 | 20.05.2018
Az Samad | Az Jazz Guitar Lessons EP04 | 21.05.2018
Az Samad | Az Jazz Guitar Lessons EP05 | 22.05.2018
Az Samad | Az Jazz Guitar Lessons EP06 | 25.05.2018

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