The C Major Lick You’ll NEVER HEAR at a Guitar Store!

In this lesson, you’ll learn a “IN OUT” lick In C major that will give you a taste on how to build tension and release structure to your lines In a unique, and modern way.

TL;DR
Short version: Here’s a C major lick that uses tritones and half-steps to create tension. It’s structured like modern jazz players think — clear ins and outs.

This phrase is arranged in a unique structure that gives us a glimpse into the fresh sound of modern jazz style playing in a way that you can easily implement in your own playing. When you listen to solos of great modern jazz players, you can tell that they are very organized both in their “In” and “out” phrases. Their motifs, tension and release, and beginnings and endings of each phrase are clear.

c major

How to Implement IN/OUT lines in Your Playing

  • Notice the different “out devices” I have used in this phrase – F# In relation to C Is a tritone apart, Db to C Is a half step etc.
  • Try and come up with variations inspired by the logic behind this line.
  • Immediately implement them in your playing. Improvise for a few bars using your current vocabulary, then play the lick.
  • Repeat this process while always focusing on the lick as the main motive.

By focusing on this lick as an aesthetic/logical idea you unleash your creativity into new possibilities.
And by doing so, you are taking take your improvisation to the next level.

This is exactly what I mean about building lines with purpose. The Fretboard Freedom Path shows you how to stack these concepts so you’re not just copying licks.
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Love to hear your thoughts and answer any question you may have.

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Key Takeaway
In summary: Use the F# tritone and Db half-step as your main out devices in C major. That’s your modern sound right there.