Easy rhythm change bebop Jazz lick
Here is an easy to learn bebop Jazz lick that I prefer to use over rhythm changes. Of course you can use this lick over any dominant chord starting on the tonic, but this is just my personal preference.
I apologize for the really bad photo of the lick, my scanner went out on me, actually it was my laptop, but both are crap anyway.
Here is a sound sample played on trumpet:
How to memorize this bebop lick in 12 keys:
First off, know that you’ll be starting on the tonic. Simply do a bebop standard lick starting on the tonic then going down a minor 3rd and doing the exact same thing over again. After this, do an advanced enclosure to the 3rd of the key, then simply do a diminished (stacked minor 3rds) landing on a chord tone of the next given chord.
That’s really all there is to this Jazz lick. Hope you enjoy!

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thanks,it is a great page…
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Kevin Reply:
I am assuming that you are slurring this. Is that correct? Thanks for this wonderful material!
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Sweets Reply:
I believe I am, either that or a light doodle tongue.
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Hi I was just wondering if you could post a transcription of the entire line that you played in this video over the bridge on the rhythm changes? It was really good and I’d like to learn it.
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Sweets Reply:
Glad you liked it, but you should take the time and transcribe it yourself. This would be really good ear training, trust me. The chord changes are E7 / A7 / D7 / G7
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Nice Bebop lick! I will begin practice this now! Just tell me one thing, where do you get this backtrack of Salt Peanuts?
PS: I love your site, your videos and jazz. I am a trumpet player for 5 years now, and I will begin to pratice bebop using your videos as a reference. Thanks!
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Sweets Reply:
I would search Pandora for a recording of Salt Peanuts.
Thanks for your compliments.
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Great for guitarists too
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Is the f sharp acting as a sharp 9?
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Sweets Reply:
Actually, the F natural is acting as the b9 of the E7 chord or the b6 of the I chord A
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Great lick!!! it’s very cool, thank for show us, in the rhythm changes bridge i got run of ideas
jajaja now with lick not anymore, jejeje.
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Thanks for posting these licks! One of my students directed me to your site, now I’m showing it to all of them. One thing that I have them do is at the end of your licks, put a “bebop” ending. Like this lick would end with E 8th down to C# 8th, or E 8th up to A 8th. Just a variation, thanks for putting this stuff out there!
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Thanks so much for you posts. I’ve been playing trumpet for about 5 years now and your site is taking me to a whole new level in my playing. I develop websites for a living so let me know if can give back by contributing to your site in some way.
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Hi Sweets,
I just found your site. Great playing. You’ve really got your bebop lines happening! Thanks for this post.
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Many thanks for posting this. I’ve been playing in a very amateur way for ages and recently noticed just how stale my soloing is – just a quick look at your website has put me back on the learning curve. It’s a great resource – I’m very grateful for the effort you’ve put into this site! Cheers, J
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