![\"Joe](\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/joe-pass-jazz-guitar-intros.jpg\")
<\/p>\nJoe Pass had a remarkable ability to set the mood of a tune within just a few bars. His intros are never flashy or complicated for the sake of it, instead they establish the key, imply the harmony, and lead naturally into the song.<\/p>\n
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In this lesson, we\u2019ll look at five Joe Pass intros, drawn from recordings with Ella Fitzgerald and his solo work.<\/p>\n
Each example highlights a different approach, from chordal movement and extended ii\u2013V progressions to single-note lines and blues language.<\/p>\n
Joe Pass recorded four duet albums with Ella Fitzgerald:<\/p>\n
These records are a goldmine for studying jazz guitar comping: subtle voice leading, clear harmonic choices, and impeccable time. Check them out!<\/p>\n
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Download the PDF, GP files, and backing tracks with JGO+<\/strong> (click here to join<\/a>)<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Key:<\/strong> Ab<\/p>\n This intro is taken from the album Fitzgerald and Pass\u2026 Again<\/em> (1976).<\/p>\n Joe Pass opens with a chromatically descending sequence of 13sus4 chords resolving to 13 chords:<\/p>\n Ab13sus4 \u2192 Ab13 \u2192 G13sus4 \u2192 G13 \u2192 Gb13sus4 \u2192 Gb13 \u2192 F13sus4 \u2192 F13<\/p>\n The intro concludes with a ii\u2013V in Ab, ending on the tritone substitution<\/a> of Eb7:<\/p>\n Bbm7 \u2192 Eb7 \u2192 Ab7\u266f11<\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"Dowload](\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/download-pdf.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nJoe Pass Intro 1 – I’ve Got the World on a String<\/h2>\n