Instruction
Includes Audio Download
Along with clear notation and TAB, all examples and solo studies include free downloadable audio, allowing you to hear every concept in context and practice creatively with full band backing tracks, created by Jon and some of his Steely colleagues.
Whether you’re a rock guitarist exploring jazz, a fusion player refining your harmonic vocabulary, or a seasoned improviser seeking deeper melodic control, Jazz-Rock Fusion Guitar Soloing offers a clear, musical pathway to more expressive, sophisticated lead playing, straight from one of the world’s most respected voices.
Jazz-Rock Fusion Guitar Soloing
Harness the Power of Implied Chord Changes to Master Modern Fusion Lead Guitar
How do great jazz-rock and fusion guitarists create solos that sound harmonically rich, fluid, and intentional – even over simple grooves and static vamps?
The answer lies in implied chord changes.
In Jazz-Rock Fusion Guitar Soloing, Jon Herington (Steely Dan) reveals how elite improvisers suggest deeper harmony without changing the written chords, instantly elevating their melodic language and sense of forward motion.
Rather than memorising endless scales or abstract theory, this book shows you how to think harmonically, phrase musically, and solo with purpose, using the same concepts Jon applies on stage and in the studio with some of the world’s finest musicians.
What You’ll Learn
This book is a practical, player-focused guide to sounding more sophisticated, expressive, and confident in your solos.
You’ll learn how to:
• Create richer melodic lines by implying chord movement over static harmony
• Think in chord movements instead of scales for faster, more grounded note choices
• Add authentic jazz momentum with implied ii–V motion over dominant chords
• Unlock fresh colours using dominant-to-dominant and tritone substitutions
• Push modern fusion tension with altered dominants and diminished sounds
• Simplify complex harmony into clear note targets, guide tones, and usable shapes
• Develop phrasing that makes even “outside” ideas sound musical and intentional
These concepts are applied across real musical contexts: dominant grooves, modal tunes, minor modal blues, and harmonically rich progressions, so you’re always learning ideas you can actually use.
Next-Level Improvisation is Within Reach
Jazz-Rock Fusion Guitar Soloing bridges the gap between knowing what notes work and sounding like you truly mean them.
By the end of this exciting course you’ll…
• Sound harmonically advanced without overthinking
• Easily create tension and release that feels natural and musical
• Move beyond scale boxes into melodic storytelling
• Solo “outside” with confidence
• Develop a flexible improvisational toolkit you can apply anywhere
Just as importantly, Jon places equal emphasis on phrasing, rhythm, articulation, and melodic shape, teaching in detail how great solos are built – not just from note choices, but from how those notes are played.
Visit my TRUEFIRE PAGE for information on my courses and channel
TRUEFIRE Infinite Ear IQ Channel
Jon’s TrueFire channel is the place to go to get his point of view on all things musical, especially the guitar. Subscribers will have access to hours of videos as well as accompanying charts, tablature, and audio tracks - everything published in the channel. The channel is archived with a lot of valuable instructional material and lots of other fun musical stuff. If you would like to explore the channel, a free 7 day trial is available via this link.
Private Instruction
Private instruction with Jon is available in New York City as well as online. Please email bookings for information, rates, and scheduling.
