George Benson plays the blues over rhythm changes
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- Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
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Outstanding! I took lessons from George in the late '70s, and have never forgotten what he taught me about being a musician.
Not sure why I'm the first to up-vote this in SEVEN years. Pretty darned cool.
Anything to share?
And what was that? Thanks
@@RiXFortuna The main thing I learned..was how to be a musician. He is a musical genus and at the time I took lessons from him, I had only been playing a few years. There was a lot of theory that I didn't understand. I came to met and take lessons because back in the late '70s, there was a jazz/blues club here in Dayton OH, Gilly's, and most jazz bands were booked for five nights. To supplement gig money, some would give lessons in their hotel room. George was charging $20/hr, which at the time was equal to $90..but what I did was buy two chickens ($0.26/lb), had my grandmother fry them, and he accepted that as payment because the musicians had to buy their own meals. I think the bass player had a hotplate in his room was eating canned soup and beans.
Did he explain anything then?? cos in this little video he doesn't explain jack shit.
"If George Benson put out a new trio album once a year the world would be a much better place "---Pat Metheny
u 2 pat...lol
Amen, my friend.....how 'bout one with YOU and GB ????
Pat...u too ...:-))
#BringBackthePMG
Yes greatest love of all listen to the lyrics of that.song George benson
Time to go practice
Jack Botkins id rather watch gear demos
dude literally me
lol, yeah. What i catch myself getting out my guitar and then my phone to play back song part i'm practicing and before i know it 30 minutes have gone buy and i've spent it watching instagram videos of other peope playing guitar.
Doesn't it just tear you up when someone makes it look easier than a walk in the park? Man he's GOOD!
There was a time when I was new to blues and a complete novice at listening to jazz when I couldn't hear the blues in George Benson's playing at all. I'm living proof that you can actually train your ears
Well said. I always ask students what they listen to; surprisingly, many young people who want to play jazz don't listen to it. It's like language. We learn first by copying, learning how it goes together, then we can express ourselves-hopefully! Ears, regardless of how good they are naturally, have to be trained. Great point you make-thank you!
I liked his singing most of all, accompanying himself
Ебанутый Веган Not only is he a guitar genius, he also has that smokey buttery voice. Incredible.
When I heard George sing live I was stunned! His voice is just incredible!
His Here Comes The Sun has *fantastic* vocals.
Nothing like being in the presence of a Master. I sat in Ronnie Jordan's living room once and listened to him play the guitar.. brought me to tears.
I mean, I would have paid good money to just sit and listen to this whole conversation in person. Benson is the fucking man.
I wouldn't say he is fucking here...
it 's interesting to see what complete mastery looks like up close.....
Colly Flour Yeah just watching it and i am like practising like crazy 6 years of all kinds of music on guitar and life is too short i guess to learn all i want to :D This is beautiful !
Like someone effortlessly playing crazy licks with just their thumb? 🤣
@@dekipopica learn what you need, not what you want
"George Benson plays the blues over rhythm changes..."
This may be the single most provocative title I have ever seen on UA-cam:
The most important set of chord changes in the Jazz Idiom are "Blues Changes;" the second most important set of changes are the changes to Gershwin's "I Got Rhythm," which is why they are referred to as "Rhythm Changes."
What Benson is demonstrating here is that when this music is played knowledgeably, the tradition requires of you that you not only play what you know "music theory" demands (or in Benson's case, "ears" demand), but that you also embrace, as a resource, the roots of this music, the Blues.
The most intellectual Jazz phrase ever played is only enhanced with a Blues punctuation.
(Getting to see Benson channel his "inner-Wes," up close, is such a treat!)
Good analysis
I love listening to him talk! I could listen to him teach all day.
George is a true genius. He is also very funny and kind and a true gentleman.
The personification of the music! God bless Mr. Benson!
Luciano Magno
Keep God out of it! Things get all messed up when God praised as though he made it all possible
Let's forget how good of a singer George Benson is. The thing they don't mention is that all those lines he's playing, he's singing, whether he's moving his lips or not. He just happens to know where all those vocal notes are at any given moment. Totally inspiring.
The key is he is playing what he is singing and not the other way around.
One of my favorite players ever. I love listening to anything he does.
A true master of the guitar, George is never too busy to show how it's done.
George Benson is a national treasure!
OMG Oh My God this is the great Master! thank you Jody Fisher!!!
Wow! It's like he has every song, in his head, ready to feed a lick or chord, to the PRFCT spot. The Best.
George Benson plays like Wes Montgomery - with his thumb. Amazing.
He just has an incredible sense and conception of music and how to bring that out through his instrument. it's really incredible.
George Benson, you are a national musical treasure. One of the all-time best, guitarist/singer/musician.
Every time George plays and sings it makes me so god damn happy
So much soul behind what he plays!
There is an entire semester's worth of information in this mere 4 minutes. George Benson, as a jazz academic, is vastly UNDERrated! Pure genius.
Agreed!
I just stumbled across this and WOW!!! I guess I'm a George Benson fan now. Never heard of the dude before today, but thanks to the internet, I should be able to catch up quick. Gotta LOVE the internet!!!
A friend of mine, Leon Richardson, taught me that kind of playing. Leon played with the Sons Of The Pioneers. He played the same Fender Jaguar and Jazz Master guitars since he bought them in the 50's. Rest In Peace. Leon...
George is such an awesome musician. It's great to hear him discuss how he's doing what he does and to hear him speak on what's going on in his mind as he's doing it. The Host did a great job in bringing that out of him!
George Benson is such a natural he doesn't even know how to explain what he does. He just does what he does. Jazz guitarists have broken down and dissected his technique for years but they become technical at it. Just like Eddie Van Halen and Jimi Hendrix were naturals, anyone who copies them become technical. I hope that makes sense to somebody.
Yes, of course he can't teach how to be a genius.
Of course..Or just copyists without their own sounds. Many are natural thieves and proud of it!
No . Hendrix and Van Halen worked their asses off. Let's stop with myth of the "genius who just does what he does". Of course people have predispositions and some people take their discipline way ahead, but distinguishing between a "natural" and a "technical" makes no sense. Furthermore they copied the ones who came before them. In music you get better by copying the musicians you love, then naturally you create your own playing through that mixing of influence. But it takes WORK and PRACTICE for EVERYBODY.
Totalmente de acuerdo contigo,,,,saludos
Jimi, Eddie and George all "copied" several other guitarists themselves. Listening to other guitarists (or other musical artists in general) and learning from their music only enhances your playing. Likewise, learning to understand at least a bit of music theory only enhances your playing. Not being able to explain what you're doing isn't exactly a good thing. While it proves you are likely a natural, even then it also shows you don't have a deep enough understanding of the material to properly convey it to others. You can still be a natural and go back and figure out why you do the things you do and how that can be explained properly.
Yes,I'm out here,George! The way you pull it all together is Fantastic,no body does it better!!!
I had the privilege of being taken, by my dad, to see George at Ronnie Scott's in the mid 70s supported by the great Irish guitarist Louis Stewart. The set was entirely instrumental and utterly brilliant. I still beam at the memories.
Those two are having so much fun. Both excellent musicians. Love it. Love it. The skat singing. Always have loved George Bensen.❤
Man, that dude is an absolute LEGEND!!
George Benson is instant music generator! All those spontaneous phrases contain so much music and melody.
Ive seriously learned so much from this video.... this is my favorite guitar lesson video ever... George Benson is truly a genius and a master.
Sings like an angel, plays guitar awesomely . . . George Benson Live at Carnegie Hall was the first jazz guitar record I ever bought. I still listen to it today, 40 years later.
Ok, first of all, the man is 70?!?!?? He looks 40 honest to god
Second, he's such an incredibly awesome musician
‘Black don’t crack’
George Benson- fantastic guitar player, ultimate gentleman.
Yes, George....We’re out here, and we’re listening!
Love those little two note voicings he puts into his line. Like a pianist or jazz Chuck Berry licks - really fills out the sound nicely...
Benson = the master of all masters
legendary playing even today! :-)
Always come back to this video! And always learn something from transcribing parts of this. George is the man!
Over my head. Benson is just a master.
George, I've been mesmerized with your playing for over 40 years and the trip goes on :)
He's playing all the notes with his thumb and barley his other fingers. That's how legendary this man is
Seeing this made me think maybe I don't need to drill the life out of trying to pick fast. I'm 20 years a guitarist and I still can't pick particularly quickly. This style would suit me much more.
When I was doing that, my guitar teacher didn't call me legendary...
it also always goes do re mi fa so la ti do or at least in my head it does
He puts barley on his fingers? That must be the secret...
to be fair he wouldnt be able to play certain stuff with that techniche, 5 fingers will be allways faster than 1
What a master. He was one of my big heroes growing up.
Wow!!Bro.George is sooo in a class all by itself & since i met him with my awesome brother Stanley Banks back in 1998 at the GrandHyatt Singapore..this Cat has this extreme Intensity & Explosive approach to whatever Music he attempts!!!We got to sing "Moody's Mood" together in that Lobby w/nice reverb too, i must add, it was sheer magic to share that same Vibe & Space with him!!OD bless you Bro.George & hope to meet up with you again before TIME slips away from us!!TakeCare & PEACE be with too!
Was Odonel Levy still in Singapore then?
Wow! (I'm loving his thumb only picking)
I love how awesome guitarists such as Benson and Knopfler play 'everything' with their fingers. Extremely impressive and it sounds perfect.
This vid has inspired me to start playing with fingers only.
Barrie McAllister George Benson is better than Knofler.
JackBlackTGHD That's a matter of personal opinion. However, I'd agree wholeheartedly -- by a long shot.
All guitarists have there own style and sound. no guitarist is better than the other.
I initially played mostly with a pic for my first 20 years, sometimes fingerpicking acoustically. Then, inspired by Chet Atkins and Jeff Beck, I dedicated myself to just fingerpicking. I prefer using my thumb and first three fingers, as I feel a more 'direct' connection to the guitar (I use my pinky to rest on the pick guard, and nowadays, after some 16 years of fingerpicking, it comes naturally to me, and I never use a pick.
Take a look at Albert Collins playing someday. Amazing sounds he gets from a finger or two.
Thankyou Mr George Benson for sharing your music and teaching us more about the joy of music.
i just have to throw my guitars away and cry after watchiing this
Phil Maison
Yeah... I always end up like that when I watch George Benson's lessons.
hes a genius. dont worry
+Phil Maison yep i feel your pain ha
Use it as a positive and try to become better. Do not self defeat yourself.
do you ever feel you get stuck in the same kind of chordal inversion pattern?
Wow,i will never be tired to see and listen to Mr George Benson music ...
"Can you slow it down">> "Can you slow it down a little bit more"?>>>>"Can you slow it down even more"?>>>Me>>>STILL LOST
+bobbysbackingtracks loooololololol
Lolll.. Dude...
yep.
No shame in it. Mr. Benson is a grand master of jazz guitar. If you're "Lost," you're still miles ahead of me...
bobbysbackingtracks good idea!! 😯
George Benson is really a fountain of jazz ideas. A stellar musician plays with joy like that.
George was such a great influence in my becoming a musician , I named my last son after him.
That's nice, what's he called?
Gotta love George Benson!
George is a modern day Mozart with out any doubt. Thx Gorgeous George it's all in the swing and ya got that in spades. Im in love for ever more. Come on baby!!!!!
I first discovered George Benson as a young man, and over the years have treasured his music more and more.
Everytime I listen to this guy, then practice some licks; I feel like I haven't done shit to my guitars, but HE IS MY FAVOURITE OF ALL TIME!!
Sizwe Ndlanzi: I feel the same way. He too is my favorite guitarist of all time. Thankfully, I've been listening very closely to him for 40 years now. He is a grandmaster of the guitar, and really can play any style.
..would you believe he's just a tad intimidated when in Brazil and being around all the Bossa Cats that can turn chords inside out and super slippery rhtyms to boot!
Beautiful!!!
In my opinion is not surprising that blues goes so well over these jazz progressions, as blues was an extremely important evolutionary aspect of jazz, and its so important to understand and feel before you move into jazz.
Paul Gilbert has said in the past that blues is really an extension of jazz
"Blues is an extension of jazz" - totally dig that
Both Blues and jazz have similar chord progressions the 251
Jazz is an evolution of blues as blues came first i think.
"Jazz" in the broad definition really is the convergence of blues and the spirituals as they meet the pop songs of the day after the explosion of New Orleans trad jazz (written by Gershwin and co.). Despite how "shoulders-up" today's jazz musicians attempt to be, the forerunners of the genre from Lester Young to Charlie Christian to Charlie Parker to Wes Montgomery to Benson have all utilised the blues to link arpeggio-laden phrases and really follow the changes whilst incorporating the flattened fifth and other outside notes. As a consequence of the modern masturbatory sound and definition, these players would always fit more into a bluesy category than a jazz one.
Such happy and soulful sound all in one instance. GB truly loves to live the life that he sings about in his song (BB King's Lyric). Live the music! Thanks.
Every guitarist who watches this hits the woodshed immediately after.
I was thinking, "shit, that's not fair- playing the guitar is not easy"
This video never gets old!
Embarrassed to say this but I never knew he was such a brilliant guitarist. I only really knew the name. I'm going to really start listening to his stuff.
He is one of first Jazz-oriented music I bought back in 1976. Weekend in LA (live) is a classic.
It happens like that sometimes. Can't get it all at once right?
@@BigEightiesNewWave 👍
@@willkoestner4159 👍
He is more widely known as a singer, but he is one of the great jazz guitarists when he wants to be.
Yes,thank you very much for these free music classes you gave on this program mr George Benson !
2:13 What a lick. I will be lifting that one for sure.
apperently in a music store, a kid walked in, asked to try a gat.. he played that the staff went , whoa, this kid can play, became , THE Master. Lesson to all music store owners.. we don't all pick up a guitar and ..smoke onthewater.. orstairway to hev...Real .aveagoodaymate. Try Tommy Emannuel..ave a look, trust me. Pete.
Master! master senior! boss master senior, oh my.... it is so good to listen. How amazing to see how tradition flows through his fingers. All jazz gods are there, just on his shoulders.
Love the harmonized triads and blues based double- stops George uses. Sounds so in-the-pocket and simple -- it's not.
Not everyday that you see jody fisher and George benson together this is great stuff
its more like jazz than blues, but still, its my ambition as a musician to beable to navigate the fret board as freely as this guy!
me too mate, me too 😂 don't worry you'd get there if you want it bad enough
You can do it bro!
But, jazz music was heavily derived and created from the Blues.
Traditional jazz is merely an advanced form of blues....often very advanced.
Wow,i have been learning all the George Benson' s technics.He is fantastic wonderful guitar player i admire since my childhood !
2:06 through 2:12. The greatest example of hybrid country blues with double stops. reminds one of Charlie Christian, Chet Atkins, Rosetta Tharpe, and brothers Phineas and Calvin Newborn. Blues tells a deep story. Write yours.
I'm shocked you said it Rosetta Tharpe I just found out about her because i had to back this singer up on one of her songs man most people don't know who she is.
Clones have none! Intellectual dishonesty!
Wow, that was amazing! Thanks for reminding me of George Benson.
This is what i aim in life
His voice is pure gold as his flawless guitar playing.
When you ask them how they do it, jazz guitarists divide into two groups, the academics and the geniuses. The academics explain their playing with higher mathmatics whereas the geniuses go: "deepndoobedoobedap, dapn dap boodeeboodee da da dapn doo doodam..."
Ahah you're kinda right man
Jazz nerds are boring
Ah, hi Steve! Nice hearing from you again! Back from Japan?
Or maybe some jazz guys play by ear, whereas others don't.
Calling them Jazz guitarists "geniuses" is like calling a Taxi driver a genius. They're good at doing a menial task that most could learn. It doesn't take a great mind.
I am only calling a small group among the Jazz guitarists geniuses.
Always enjoyed Mr. Bensons music.
It's mind boggling to me how he was able to articulate each note with such speed using only his thumb.
every single note pops. i'm dumbfounded by this.
One of the best guitar player since early 80's his song & voice is magic too me I remenber in 1882 at LES ARCS 1800 in France making Ski with is song in my ears thousand of time I see him in Santa Cruz de TENERIFE in 2003 was great moment !
His song never put me down his a GREAT GUY :)
Let's also commend that Rhythm Guitarist. You have to be a virtuoso just to play rhythm for a master like George!
Jody Fisher is a legend in his own right! Superb teacher and player
@@tombstoneharrystudios584 Yes.
wow..absolutely a clean demo on the subject rythm on blues with scatting as well(..unique with ease of George..as always..) both up tempo and slow as asked by Jody..very valuable besides the pleasure of watching ( especially his thumb plucking all thru..) and listening to this rare legend, we are very fortunate in this generation..God bless him as always..warm cheers..thanks for this little but lovable upload..siva..India..
Just imagine sitting there....and George Benson sits there next to you, doing his mojo....making his faces at you while pulling of these amazing things....next day you come home, see your house burned down...you would just shrug and laugh.
I love both of these guys. It's cool to see them play together.
Amazing that he can finger-pick his fusion magic with his thumb ONLY. .... Benson is at some level WAY above what we call Mastery.
Right!?!?
Man is pure melodic soul. Had the pleasure of seeing him in the round in the early 90’s.
GB is the Michael Jordan of jazz guitar.
fabulous duo on the highest level !
Ok, so I just came back to this lesson after about a year and I undestood just a little bit more from it. See you soon!
Maciek Skorupa Same here!😂 I transcribed some of it and I just when u think it can’t get any more bluesy... George Benson teaches us that there is blues for days
Brilliant playing , by both!
Great sounding, too.
too much talent in one man
I love him more than ever
damn.. and he only used his thumb yet it sounded great
Alot of people work on their speed. speed is but a tool that can improve your playing, but a true mastery of the instrument doesn't come from that. Musicians like George Benson and Wes Montgomery achieved such amazing musicianship, despite their lack of technique.
" lack of technique". Both George and Wes have/had extra-ordinary technique.
Troy Sanders Yet non traditional.
@102045235217591344252 Changing the issue won't work. You said they both lacked technique which is 100% false. Now rather than admit that you were wrong you now add "traditional". That may apply to Wes but please explain to me how George lacks "traditional" technique. You can start by defining that term with supporting links.
Troy Sanders Yeah, with a pick George is able to improvise faster lines than anyone I've seen. I mean anyone can practice to play a thing fast, but to improvise it like Benson...
Sheer genious. Every note is music and music is all notes. Wow.
You never hear his fingers slide against the strings. Soooooo clean.
hes got those flatwounds
I can only dream of this. George is so good. sounds so good
Master!!
Totally humble genius - willing to demonstrate. God bless GB.
Some say the fastest animal on the planet is the cheetah, it's actually George Benson's thumb.
If anybody has bragging rights.. it's George.. I still can't wrap my head around his playing..