The booklet contains musical exercises and examples in both standard notation and guitar tablature. It also covers the basics of rhythmic and melodic motifs used to build solos, along with his conceptual approaches to phrasing. On-screen music included in the video reinforces what you see in the booklet.
Unlike rock improvisation, fusion requires playing behind the beat on purpose. Look for exercises in the PDF that force you to accent the "and" of 3 and the "e" of 4.
: He incorporates jazz legato, enclosures, and chromatic passing tones. This makes his lines sound fluid and sophisticated rather than rigid. Scott Henderson Jazz Fusion Improvisation Pdf
If you are looking for specific technical takeaways, his materials generally focus on:
To internalize the concepts found in Henderson's masterclasses, structure your daily practice into three distinct phases: Phase 1: Ear Training and Transcription (30 Mins) The booklet contains musical exercises and examples in
(Dm7–G7–Cmaj7), Henderson suggests shifting pentatonics: : A minor pentatonic (up a 5th). : Bb minor pentatonic (up a minor 3rd). : B minor pentatonic (up a major 7th). Triad Pairs
: Using specific arpeggios and triads to "color" chords, such as playing a major 7th arpeggio up a 5th from the root to achieve a Lydian sound. This makes his lines sound fluid and sophisticated
Fusion is defined by its tension and release. Henderson utilizes scales and arpeggios that push the boundaries of standard diatonic harmony:
: Use familiar shapes, like a D7 arpeggio, over a C diminished scale to connect unfamiliar sounds to known mechanics. Pentatonic Shifting : For a standard
If you were to download a comprehensive guide on his methods, it would likely highlight these specific improvisational techniques: 1. The "Blues to Jazz" Bridge