One of Henderson's most recognizable traits is his ability to weave seamlessly between "inside" (consonant) and "outside" (dissonant) concepts. He often uses familiar pentatonic scales in unfamiliar places to achieve this.
Standard Rock Phrasing: |[Beat 1] Start Line ----------> | End Line | Henderson Fusion Style: | Rest .. [Beat 2&] Start Line ---> | --------> End Line [Beat 4] | Use code with caution.
Used primarily over unresolving dominant 7th chords or IV7 chords. For a G7 chord, play D Melodic Minor. This yields a G7(#11) sound. scott henderson jazz fusion improvisation pdf work
Henderson’s approach focuses on bridging the gap between technical scale knowledge and melodic musicality.
This public link is valid for 7 days and shares a thread, including any personal information you added. This link or copies made by others cannot be deleted. If you share with third parties, their policies apply. Can’t copy the link right now. Try again later. One of Henderson's most recognizable traits is his
Put your pick down. Put on a backing track. Sing a short melodic phrase, then find those exact notes on your guitar. This breaks the habit of relying on muscle-memory shapes.
Scott Henderson's improvisational language is not just about the notes; it's about the emotional narrative and the tension-resolution cycle. By focusing on his unique blending of melodic phrasing, blues sensibility, and the intelligent application of outside playing, guitarists can unlock a new dimension of jazz fusion mastery. The key lies in methodical study of these concepts, ideally supported by his instructional materials. [Beat 2&] Start Line ---> | --------> End
While scales are the vocabulary, Henderson's method places a strong emphasis on phrasing as the syntax of a great solo. The "Melodic Phrasing" section, reinforced by the PDF, is a treasure trove of practical advice.
Owning the PDF is the first step; using it correctly is the key to improving. Here is a structured way to approach the material:
The phrasing feels familiar and soulful, but the note choices sound modern, unpredictable, and sophisticated. Enclosures and Chromatic Passing Tones