: To create tension, he utilizes the Diminished (Whole-Half) and Whole-Tone scales. A signature technique involves using the diminished scale over static minor 7th chords to generate "striking outside sounds".
Practice the Super Locrian (Altered Scale) over a dominant 7th chord.
The melodic minor scale is the backbone of Henderson's modern jazz sound. He utilizes its modes over various chord types to create "outside" colors:
: He uses a vintage-style Stratocaster bridge to scoop into notes, mimicking a slide guitar or pedal steel.
Unlike metal players who use the tremolo arm for dive-bombs, Henderson uses a vintage-style bridge to mimic the subtle pitch slides of a saxophone or slide guitar. Scott Henderson Jazz Fusion Improvisation Pdf
Used over non-resolving dominant 7th chords (e.g., IV7 chords or static funk grooves). It provides a bright, Pentatonic Substitution
Utilizing wide intervals, such as fifths and fourths (quartal harmony), to break away from stepwise, scalar lines. Wide intervals sound inherently more modern and less predictable. 5. How to Structure Your Practice Routine
and "breathing" between lines over constant streams of eighth notes. 2. Harmonic Application: The "What Do I Play?" Framework
to get that signature Henderson tone
Instead of resolving lines to the root of a chord, Henderson frequently targets the 9th, 11th, or 13th to create a more sophisticated melodic color.
) to create maximum tension before resolving to a tonic chord. The Whole-Tone and Diminished Scales
We’ve all been there. You have your pentatonic shapes down, you can rip a 12-bar blues in your sleep, but when you try to step into the world of Jazz Fusion, you hit a wall. The scales sound stiff, the phrasing sounds academic, and you realize:
Many guitarists download a and give up after a week. Here is why: : To create tension, he utilizes the Diminished
Henderson utilizes vocal-like string bending, wide vibrato, and aggressive dynamics derived from Albert King and Buddy Guy, superimposing these textures over complex jazz changes.
: Using standard shapes in non-standard ways to create "outside" sounds.
When you see a strange note choice in a Henderson tab, look at the underlying chord. Is he playing the #11? The b13? Understanding the interval is more important than memorizing the fret number. Conclusion: Finding Your Voice
To internalize these concepts without getting overwhelmed, structure your daily practice routine into three distinct phases: The melodic minor scale is the backbone of
