10 Essential Jazz Licks You Should Know

Let's dive deep into 10 essential licks that will take your playing to the next level. Whether you’re new to jazz or looking to add more expression to your solos, practicing this LANGUAGE will help you break free from simply running scales.

What makes these licks special? They’re drawn from the vocabulary of jazz legends. Each lick highlights simple, yet key aspects of the jazz tradition, from bluesy phrases to bebop lines, chromaticism, and more.

🔑 These licks are tools for learning the language of jazz, not just theoretical concepts. Practice them slowly, then integrate them into YOUR language.

CHAPTERS

0:00 Intro
0:44 The Importance of Language!
2:18 Forget About Being "Original"
2:59 Practice Tips for Each Lick
3:15 Lick 1 - Resolution to the Third
4:18 Lick 2 - Tonic Major / Dominant
5:00 Lick 3 - Minor 9 Arpeggio
5:50 Lick 3a - Minor 9 Triplet Variation #1
6:44 Lick 3b - Minor 9 Variation #2
7:18 Lick 4 - Tonic Major
8:38 These Licks Will Build Chops!
8:56 Lick 5 - Tonic Minor / Minor 7
10:13 Lick 6 - Minor Scale Phrase
11:36 Lick 7 - Diminish Arpeggio = Dom7b9
13:46 Practice Down By Key By Whole Step
14:57 Lick 8 - Bird Tonic Major
16:02 Lick 9 - Tonic Major with Triplet
16:52 Lick 10 - Altered Dominant
18:40 Practice these with your my own vocabulary
19:23 Combine Licks 3, 10, 2
19:51 Combine Licks 1, 8
20:18 Combine Licks 4, 9
21:16 Combine Licks 3, 1, 8, 9 along with my own vocabulary
21:38 Combine Licks 3, 10, 1, 8 along with my own vocabulary
22:26 Combine Lick 5 with my own vocabulary
23:06 Outro - TAKE YOUR TIME