What separates Henderson from standard textbook jazz players is his phrasing. He treats the guitar like a horn instrument, utilizing dynamic variation, space, and a highly evolved legato technique.
Before hunting for a PDF, you must understand Henderson’s philosophy. Unlike Alan Holdsworth (abstract symmetry) or John McLaughlin (spiritual intensity), Henderson roots his fusion in the blues. He famously states: "If you can’t play Blues, you can’t play Fusion."
Play to highlight the 9th (F# is excluded, focusing on B). scott henderson jazz fusion improvisation pdf work
+------------------------------------+---------------------------------------+ | Resource Title | Core Educational Focus | +------------------------------------+---------------------------------------+ | Chord Voicings for Guitar | Chord construction, extensions, comping| | Jazz Guitar Chord System | Inversions, voice leading, harmony | | Melodic Phrasing (Video/Book) | Rhythmic phrasing, solo dynamics | | Steppin' Out (Transcription Book) | Note-for-note breakdown of solo lines | +------------------------------------+---------------------------------------+
Many instructional jazz PDFs focus heavily on scales, matching one specific scale to one specific chord. Henderson famously argues against this mechanical approach. He emphasizes that improvisation should mimic spoken language. What separates Henderson from standard textbook jazz players
For Henderson, the Melodic Minor scale is a primary color palette, particularly when playing over altered dominant chords and minor major chords.
To integrate these concepts into your daily routine, follow this practice breakdown: Week 1: The Fusion Blues Practice backing tracks over a standard 12-bar blues. Henderson famously argues against this mechanical approach
He often views a dominant chord as an opportunity to create "outside" tension.
Pick only the first note of a phrase, relying heavily on hammer-ons and pull-offs.
Henderson often describes himself as a "blues player with jazz inclinations." This duality is the foundation of his sound.
Linear, stepwise scale playing can quickly become predictable. Henderson breaks up his lines by utilizing wide intervallic skips and arpeggio substitutions. Triad Pairs and Hexatonics