Mike's Master Classes

Soloing Using Chord Shapes - "Speak Low"

Paul Bollenback·
5.0 (4 reviews)·ADVANCED·Comping·1 lesson
$13.95
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Master the art of chord-shape soloing with renowned jazz guitarist Paul Bollenback in this comprehensive exploration of Kurt Weill's classic "Speak Low." This intermediate-to-advanced course reveals how professional jazz guitarists navigate complex chord progressions using strategic chord shapes as their roadmap, transforming your approach to improvisation through practical, position-based techniques you can apply immediately. Bollenback demonstrates how to "map" the fretboard using drop-two voicings and essential minor shapes, showing you precisely how scales, arpeggios, and melodic lines emerge naturally from these positions. You'll learn to construct solos that maintain harmonic clarity while exploring the full range of the instrument, using G minor 11, G minor 9, and related voicings as your foundation. The course covers harmonized scale patterns in sevenths, chromatic passing tones that land correctly on strong beats, and position-specific arpeggio exercises that build real facility across the neck. What sets this approach apart is its efficiency—rather than memorizing countless scale patterns, you'll discover how a handful of carefully chosen chord shapes unlock the entire fretboard. Bollenback shares the same systematic approach used by jazz masters from Eddie Lang to Pat Martino, adapted for modern performance contexts. Perfect for experienced players looking to break out of scalar thinking and develop a more sophisticated, chord-conscious soloing style that sounds professional from the first chorus.

Course Content

Lessons

  • Soloing Using Chord Shapes with the Tune "Speak Low"85

Reviews & Ratings

5.0
4 reviews
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DAVID TARDIO
Verified Purchase
8/21/2021

"Doing More With Less"

I really enjoyed this course because Paul took just a few chord shapes and worked his way around "Speak Low" in a very methodical fashion. This class shows you how to play some really good lines without knowing 500 scales and 800 positions on the neck. Highly recommended.

Miguel Rodriguez
Verified Purchase
9/11/2018

"THIS IS A KEEPER"

I agree with the other reviews, this is a great class!!! One that you can keep going back to and mining for more insight. Thanks Paul, this will keep me busy for quite awhile. Highly recommended.

Henry Schachte
Verified Purchase
4/29/2018

"Fabulous and practical lesson!"

From a simple chord mapping of the tune springs much light depth and wisdom! What more could you want! Thanks Paul for sharing your humble humorous approach with Just the right balance of freedom and organization.

George Cole
Verified Purchase
4/19/2018

"There is "Gold" in them there hills!"

The last 30 mins of this masterclass is solid gold! Paul lays it out and the stuff he plays is fantastic! Go get yer shovels! :)

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About the instructor

Paul Bollenback →
Paul Bollenback is not only a masterful performer, but a down-to-earth instructor. His approach to jazz is both inspiring yet attainable. Guitar master George Benson, a long-time supporter, has described Bollenback’s work as ". . .bona-fide playing, unambiguous, up-front and powerful," calling him “a versatile dynamo on guitar. His approach to jazz and blues has a uniqueness unto itself . . ..”. That comment has special resonance in that Bollenback counts Benson high among his wide range of influences; these also include Carlos Santana, Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell, John McLaughlin, Johnny Winter, and Jimi Hendrix (among guitarists), as well as such giants of improvisation and composition as pianists Herbie Hancock and Bill Evans, and saxophonists Wayne Shorter and John Coltrane.