: Keeping a single melodic idea alive while the background harmony shifts. 5. Tone, Dynamics, and the Whammy Bar
Henderson loves playing pentatonic scales a half-step above the chord, then resolving. Example: Over Cm7 → play Db major pentatonic, resolve to C blues notes.
Instead of hunting for a pirated PDF:
Play a standard 12-bar blues using only Dorian scales and altered dominants. Scott Henderson Jazz Fusion Improvisation Pdf
(like Lydian Dominant or Melodic Minor)
Scott Henderson’s " Jazz Fusion Improvisation " is a foundational instructional resource for guitarists looking to bridge the gap between blues-rock and advanced jazz harmony. Originally released as a video in 1988, it is now primarily available as part of the DVD, which includes a printable PDF booklet containing all the diagrams and musical examples. Core Instructional Concepts
Fusion is defined by its tension and release. Henderson utilizes scales and arpeggios that push the boundaries of standard diatonic harmony: : Keeping a single melodic idea alive while
Henderson treats the blues not as a beginner style, but as the emotional core of fusion. Even when navigating complex jazz changes, his phrasing retains a vocal, blues-soaked quality.
: Henderson treats the blues scale as a home base. Even over complex chord progressions, he injects bends, vibrato, and aggressive phrasing.
to get that signature Henderson tone
Henderson doesn't abandon the blues; he expands it. He often uses the Minor Pentatonic as a "home base" but adds "color tones" from the Dorian mode or the Mixolydian scale to bridge the gap into fusion territory. 2. Visualizing the Fretboard
: He incorporates jazz legato, enclosures, and chromatic passing tones. This makes his lines sound fluid and sophisticated rather than rigid.