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Has anyone had any experience with Jens Larson Jazz Guitar Roadmap lessons?
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11-22-2021 11:34 AM
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Hi Steve,
I'm not familiar with his "Roadmap" lessons, but Jens has a ton of videos on youtube. Watch a few and see what you think. I like his stuff, seems to be a very good teacher. ..he used to hang out here, when he had more time.
-best,
Mike
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Yes, he does a pretty professional job of presenting material. Just enough detail to hold your attention, but not too much that it’s boring. He seems to focus on basic questions jazz guitarists usually ask concerning improvisation, so the videos are useful for dipping into. If he now has a comprehensive course, I’m sure it will be worth checking out.
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In going over the related student forum for Jens 'jazz guitar road map', it seems a lot of students don't make it beyond lesson 3. This is typical of any course, and of no a real concern for me.
I don't know Jens, but I do know he's from the Netherlands. I am english Canadian (eh). So, while Jens speaks english well, when he gives written feedback in english, does he understand the tone of what he is saying?
There is no doubt Jens is a very good 'bebop' jazz guitarist. My concern is on the teaching side - just because someone is good at something does not make them a good teacher. The ability to provide constructive feedback/criticism without pissing off a student is trick and sometimes unavoidable - depending on the student. A student must be able to take criticism.
I beleive that 'ya got to get your butt kicked a few times'.
So, in my quest for 'offbeat' perfection, i'll transcribe some Grant Green solos and see if it rubs off to improve my own solos.
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I haven't tried the roadmap, but I've bought some of Jens individual online lessons as well as his Modern Jazz book and I think it's good stuff. I really like his free YouTube videos too. My guess is the roadmap is similar to his other course material, just better organized along a pathway of learning. You could buy one of his courses, they're pretty affordable, to try it out. I wouldn't read too much into other people not completing it... it's easy to get distracted nowadays. Does he have a free trial period?
Side bar... I'm also a fellow Canadian and happen to be Halifax resident.
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Hi Steve,
Let me just clarify a few things:
1. It is actually not true that most people don't make it past chapter 3. Most people who post in the community actually go through the whole thing and 2/3 of the students go through all the material with or without using the community. If you look at online courses that is a pretty a high percentage (which I happen to be quite proud of).
2. I am not Dutch, but I am glad you think I am a good bebop guitar player
3. If I was paying for education then I would prefer my teacher to be clear and honest above vague and polite. If I say something to a student and have to repeat it several times because it is not getting across or gets ignored then I will re-phrase the message and gradually get more and more direct. That may become too direct, but I think it is better that you learn something and get annoyed instead of not getting anywhere while thinking everything is fine.
That is how I think about this.
If there is something in my feedback that you want clarified or wish to discuss then you can always reply to the comments or even send me an e-mail. Direct and clear communication is also better at resolving issues like this.
Does that help explain it?
Jens
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Hey LifeonJazz, and fellow bluenoser
Yes, the roadmap has a trial period. Altho i didn't notice its duration, likely 30 days.
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Hello Jens,
Understand, that I was not successful in obtaining 3rd party arms length reviews with respect to the 'roadmap' outside of the testimonials on the roadmap website.
Hence my queries here.
Notwithstanding, everything that I have heard here has been nothing but positive.
Cheers
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I don't personally know Jens... but I remember when he was on this forum. I liked him... seem like good player and open to becoming better and helping others etc...
I've also checked out some of his you tube vids. I think his vids are great for helping guitarist get to a technical and mental level to start performing jazz. By that, I mean you'll get to a level of playing... that you can begin to start having a playing style of your own. (playing in a jazz style isn't copying or playing what you have rehearsed).
The other side... he is trying to make $ right... what do you expect.
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Ah, publish or perish
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Thank you Reg! I really appreciate that
Originally Posted by Reg
Jens
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Jens, do you have any thoughts on the time commitment required. I am a working stiff with some young children. If I spend 30 minutes a day on guitar I am lucky. Originally Posted by JensL
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That depends on where you are at now of course, but at most it is a question of just taking a bit longer with some of the sections. To be honest, I think most people will move faster and slower through different parts of the course anyway Originally Posted by charlieparker
Jens
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Just callin it like I see and hear it... Originally Posted by JensL
Thank you Reg! I really appreciate that
Jens
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I am not really a jazz guitar guy. But there are times when the jazz world is helpful to me in pursuing the way I play guitar (not at a particularly high level). This is mostly when I was/am exploring specific areas that intersect with the jazz guitar world like the use of scales in practice, questions about modes, and so on. Finding answers to these questions often led me to Jens' Youtube video's (and to many others as well).
Based on what I saw in Youtube land there is nothing out there better than Jens 'stuff'. If a more formal/structured dive into jazz guitar ever became an interest, anything from Jens would be very high on my short list.
dave
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2026 and still seems to be going strong, he must be doing something right.
So I just signed-up to the Road map programme.
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I've tried really hard to get into his videos but, they're just not my style I guess. I can't seem to get anything out of them.
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I'll let you know how I get on.
The material he covers on his YT vids are sort of bitesize sessions. The Roadmap course seems stuctured, and that is what attracted me.
I'm inconsistent in my practice and need structure.
Once on the course, you have access to a community of peeps studying on the programme so hopefully there's mutual support.
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I didn't like his videos until this year. It all went over my head and seemed like months of work in each video.
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Are you referring to his actual course material or the YouTube vids he regularly posts that are freely available to all? Originally Posted by AllanAllen
I can only say that after having started working myself through the first chapter of the actual course programme, the approach is clear and structured in a way that provide a good sense of direction.
So, so far so good.
I have over the years, mainly been working with books. And have accumulated quite a stock. I typically pick one or the other every once and again working over a section for some time and then it goes back on the shelve.
I have acquired a reasonable understanding of the fundamentals in terms of chord theories etc.. but what led me to give this course a shot is that it could get me into adopting a consistent approach to practicing hoping it will help me gain fluidity in my delivery when improvising.
And there's only one way to find-out as I see it, it's to dive in.
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Thanx. I'm also on a learning journey. Just to compare notes? What are your goals? Where do you hope your path takes you? Originally Posted by Zack
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Just the YouTube videos. I'm doing this the stupid and hard way, floundering around, without a regular instructor. Originally Posted by Zack
Don't Do What Donny Don't Does (from "Boy Scoutz 'N the Hood") #simpsons - YouTube
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I've been wandering from book to YouTube video to YouTube video for years too. I'm even studying with instructors currently. Originally Posted by AllanAllen
I've always wanted someone to say, what to you aspire to? Then say OK, 1. Do this, then 2. Do this, then 3. Do this...
I still don't have that plan or clear path but, I feel like I'm finally getting to a point where things are starting to make sense. Lightbulbsd are starting to go off, I feel like I know now what I have to practice and, just as importantly, how to practice.
What are your goals? What kind of guitar player do you want to be when you grow up? What kind of gigs (if any) do you want to play? What style of jazz do you want to play? What role(s) do you want in the band?
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Originally Posted by AllanAllen
Been there and yeah, there' s a lot of interesting stuff but I found myself spending an awful lot of my time filtering them out, and quite often my attention be taken by other unrelated stuff. So looking back over the last 2-3 years, I can honestly say I have not regressed, but nor do I feel I made any true progress either.
As I see it, it is as much as consolidating all those fragmented pieces of useful additional bits of knowledge I accumulated and turn them into a robust box of tricks I can pool from as and when I need to, than it is about gaining purely new tricks under my sleeve.
Being on the course, I have a solid structured session at a time and can stay focused.
Cost wise,
My wife's private piano tutor cost us around 55USD /week. In comparison, I'm a lot cheaper to please still.
I'll try to reduce my spend on wine to compensate
... or maybe not...
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Jens,
I would just like to thank you for all of your free YouTube videos! I've watched a bunch of them over these last couple years, and learned a lot. One of the best things on YouTube, imho. I'll check out the Roadmap when I get a minute. Cheers.Last edited by Flat; 03-17-2026 at 05:11 PM.
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