I transformed an 80 YEAR OLD Jazz Standard to MODERN FUSION! @QJamTracks

I transformed an 80 YEAR OLD Jazz Standard to MODERN FUSION! @QJamTracks

Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago

Just for the fun of it I came to this idea. Can I use an old but interesting Jazz Standard to turn it into a modern sounding Fusion and Progressive Rock sounding song? The answer is in this guitar lesson in which I’ll show you how you could do this by using the harmonic framework, but modernize the chords and rhythm.
This **guitar lesson** shows how to alter **jazz standards** to achieve a more fusion sound. We discuss the importance of **jazz standards** for **jazz improvisation** and how to modify their traditional sound. Learn how to **superimpose** different chord voicings and progressions to give them a fusion vibe.
At the same time, I’ll show you some improvisation techniques to create a melody over the modernized Jazz Standard.
And although most of the Jazz Standard are great as they are, I thought it would be interesting to create a Fusion-like cover of such an old song.

I wish you tons of fun with this short Fusion/Prog Rock guitar lesson!

Level 4 (of 6)

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like, comment, subscribe (with notifications on ;), become a Patreon or visit my e-book store to just take a look!

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**TAGS:**
#guitarlesson #guitartutorial #fusionguitar #jazzguitarlesson #jazzstandard #progrocklesson #progressiverocklesson #fusionchords #jazzchords #taketheatrain #superimpose #improvisationlesson #jazzimprovisation #fusionsolo #chordtheory #musictheory #modernguitarmusic #robvanhal #qjamtracks #taketheatrain

**CHAPTERS:**
0:00 Introduction
1:00 Transform Jazz Standards to Fusion
1:32 The original song: Take the A train
3:20 Modern sounding chords – Cmaj7
4:34 Changing the other chords
5:49 The “Fusionized” progression
6:17 Improvising!
9:30 Final thoughts

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*Neural DSP PluginS *
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(c)2026 Rob van Hal, Netherlands

$I transformed an 80 YEAR OLD Jazz Standard to MODERN FUSION! Just for the fun of it I came to this idea. Can I use an old but interesting Jazz Standard to turn it into a modern sounding Fusion and Progressive Rock sounding song? The answer is in this guitar lesson in which I’ll show you how you could do this by using the harmonic framework, but modernize the chords and rhythm. This **guitar lesson** shows how to alter **jazz standards** to achieve a more fusion sound. We discuss the importance of **jazz standards** for **jazz improvisation** and how to modify their traditional sound. Learn how to **superimpose** different chord voicings and progressions to give them a fusion vibe. At the same time, I’ll show you some improvisation techniques to create a melody over the modernized Jazz Standard. And although most of the Jazz Standard are great as they are, I thought it would be interesting to create a Fusion-like cover of such an old song. I wish you tons of fun with this short Fusion/Prog Rock guitar lesson! Level 4 (of 6) Please support this channel by engaging: like, comment, subscribe (with notifications on ;), become a Patreon or visit my e-book store to just take a look! My **E-BOOK STORE** with affordable crystal-clear higher level guitar lessons packed with audio examples: HTTPS://QJAMTRACKS.MYSHOPIFY.COM My **PATREON PSGE** for support and extra’s: HTTPS://PATREON.COM/QJAMTRACKS **TAGS:** #guitarlesson #guitartutorial #fusionguitar #jazzguitarlesson #jazzstandard #progrocklesson #progressiverocklesson #fusionchords #jazzchords #taketheatrain #superimpose #improvisationlesson #jazzimprovisation #fusionsolo #chordtheory #musictheory #modernguitarmusic #robvanhal #qjamtracks #taketheatrain **CHAPTERS:** 0:00 Introduction 1:00 Transform Jazz Standards to Fusion 1:32 The original song: Take the A train 3:20 Modern sounding chords – Cmaj7 4:34 Changing the other chords 5:49 The “Fusionized” progression 6:17 Improvising! 9:30 Final thoughts **SOCIAL MEDIA / CONTACT: ** https://facebook.com/QJamTracks https://instagram.com/QJamTracks https:// youtube.com/QJamTracks *Strandberg Guitars* https://strandbergguitars.com *Fractal AxeFx II* https://www.fractalaudio.com *Neural DSP PluginS * https://neuraldsp.com/ (c)2026 Rob van Hal, Netherlands$ $Coltrane Changes Explained on Guitar 🎸 | Master Jazz Harmony FAST! John Coltrane revolutionized Jazz Harmony with his Coltrane Changes by substituting the ii-V-I progression with a *cycle of fast changing key centres that are a major 3rd apart*. This creates a very *rich harmonic* landscape and *colourful* ways to improvise. This groundbreaking harmonic system is known by the name “*Coltrane Cycle*”, “*Coltrane Matrix*” and “*Coltrane changes*”. The technique cam e to a climax on the “*Giant Steps*” album in the title Song and in the song “*Countdown*”. This tutorial is all about the harmonic structure and harmonic music theory where I show you what it is, how to use it and how to start improvising using the Coltrane Matrix. Level 5 (of 6) Tablature, diagrams, examples and backing tracks will be available on my Patreon page: https://patreon.com/QJamTracks *Chapters:* 0:00 Introduction 0:39 All about John Coltrane 1:57 The concept of Coltrane Changes 04:45 Tonicization! (adding the V-I) 6:15 Adding the ii-V 8:19 The Coltrane Changes 10:14 Improvising over the Coltrane Changes 12:18 Giant Steps Analysis 14:30 Final Thoughts *Crystal Clear E-BOOKS with audio files:* https://qjamtracks.shopify.com *Tabs and tracks at PATREON: * http://www.patreon.com/Qjamtracks *Social Media/contact: * https:// facebook.com/QJamTracks https:// instagram.com/QJamTracks https:// youtube.com/QJamTracks *Strandberg Guitars* https://strandbergguitars.com *Fractal Audio (FM9)* https://www.fractalaudio.com Neural DSP https://neuraldsp.com/ (c)2025 Rob van Hal, Netherlands$

Must know! Arpeggios in the Amazing Mixolydian b6 scale

Groovy & Uplifting A Dorian Funk Guitar Backing Track

$CHANGE KEYS smooth & easy with COMMON/PIVOT CHORD modulation Common chord modulation or pivot chord modulation is the smoothest modulation technique out there. In this crystal clear guitar tutorial video you’ll also learn about 7 other ways to modulate van one key to another. Modulation techniques in this video are Common chord modulation, Common tone / enharmonic modulation, Chromatic modulation, Direct / phrase modulation, Sequential modulation / rosalia, Chain modulation and Parallel modulation. 0:00 Introduction 0:54 Types of modulation 4:24 Common chord modulation in depth 5:28 Close related keys 6:48 Establishing the key 7:44 The pivot chord 9:08 6. The modulation 13:05 The procedure 13:40 Example in minor 15:38 Conclusion You can support me on my patreon page (also for tabs of the licks played in this video): www.patreon.com/QJamTracks Artwork: (c) 2021) Rob van Hal Used: Ibanez JEM 7vb (www.Ibanez.com) Ibanez RT Ibanez SD GR Bass (www.Ibanez.com) Schecter Banshee GT FR (www.schecterguitars.com/) Takamine GD930 (www.takamine.com) Castilla Classical Guitars Samson Concert 99 Wireless system Rode Microphone Axe FX II (www.fractalaudio.com) BIAS FX (www.positivegrid.com) Social Media/contact: www.patreon.com/QJamTracks www.facebook.com/QJamTracks www.instagram.com/QJamTracks www.youtube.com/QJamTracks (c)2021 Rob van Hal, Netherlands Subjects in this video: Common chord modulation, Pivot chord modulation, Modulating, How to modulate from one key to another, Changing keys, How to change keys, Common tone modulation, Enharmonic modulation, Chromatic modulation, Direct modulation, Phrase modulation, Sequential modulation, Rosalia, Chain modulation, Parallel modulation, Music theory lesson guitar, Music theory, Guitar tutorial, Guitar lesson, Rob van Hal, QJamTracks, Q Jem tracks, Q jam tracks$ $Remarkable way to improvise over the ii-V-I with chromatic pentatonic shifts In this lesson you’ll learn to create beautiful jazz solos over the II-V-I progression by using minor pentatonic scales that are shifted in a chromatic way. 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Tablature, diagrams, examples and backing tracks will be available on my Patreon page: https://patreon.com/QJamTracks *Chapters:* 0:00 Introduction 0:58 Chord types in the II-V-I 2:45 Idea for the ii-chord 4:48 Idea for the V-chord 7:05 Idea for the I-chord 8:31 Putting it all together 10:29 using min7 arpeggios 12:30 Daring alternative 13:41 Final thoughts *Crystal Clear E-BOOKS with audio files:* https://qjamtracks.shopify.com *Tabs and tracks at PATREON:* http://www.patreon.com/Qjamtracks *Social Media/contact: * https:// facebook.com/QJamTracks https:// instagram.com/QJamTracks https:// youtube.com/QJamTracks *Strandberg Guitars* https://strandbergguitars.com *Fractal Audio (FM9)* https://www.fractalaudio.com Neural DSP https://neuraldsp.com/ (c)2025 Rob van Hal, Netherlands$ $ALL ABOUT the sound of the PHRYGIAN MODE! - Crystal Clear Lesson With examples and Tabs. In this video you will nail the secrets of the Phrygian Mode and Phrygian scale and learn how to put this dark and oriental beauty into daily playing over Phrygian chord progressions and minor chords. I’ll explain everything about this scale and why it’s such a wonderful asset to you your playing routines. You can play this profound sounding Phrygian scale in different situations over different chords. That’s what you will learn in this video by examples in different styles with tablature on screen. Learn also a thing or two about the major 7 arpeggio and a Steve Vai Phrygian signature lick which is awesome to combine with Phrygian scale! 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Pimp the 12 bar stand major blues with diminished chords, altered chords and dominant 9 and 13 chord to create a beautiful jazz blues progression. 0:00 Introduction 0:19 12 bar blues fingerstyle 3:08 Adding the II V I 4:32 Adding the #IVdim7 6:20 Rebuilding the last 4 bars 7:51 The turnaround 9:12 Another II V I 10:00 The whole Jazz Blues Progression 11:18 Conclusion You can support me on my patreon page (also for tabs of the licks played in this video): www.patreon.com/QJamTracks Artwork: (c) 2020) Rob van Hal Used: Ibanez JEM 7vb (www.Ibanez.com) Ibanez RT Ibanez SD GR Bass (www.Ibanez.com) Schecter Banshee GT FR (www.schecterguitars.com/) Takamine GD930 (www.takamine.com) Castilla Classical Guitars Samson Concert 99 Wireless system Rode Microphone Axe FX II (www.fractalaudio.com) BIAS FX (www.positivegrid.com) Social Media/contact: www.patreon.com/QJamTracks www.facebook.com/QJamTracks www.instagram.com/QJamTracks www.youtube.com/QJamTracks (c)2020 Rob van Hal, Netherlands Subjects in this video: Jazz Blues, Blues, Blues in A, A major Blues, Chord substitutions, 12 bar blues chord substitutions, Jazz Blues chord substitutions, #IVdim7 chord, #IV diminished chord, II V I, II V I progression, II V I progression in Blues, Jazz chords, Blues turnaround, Jazz turnaround, Music theory lesson guitar, Music theory, Guitar tutorial, Guitar lesson, Q jam tracks, Jazz guitar tutorial$ $I Discovered the Secret Chord for Writing Epic Prog Rock Songs! In this video we’ll explore a fantastic big sounding progressive Rock chord to sound like Plini, Intervals, Dream Theatre and the like. The chord is a harmonic versatile chord that can be many things. The great sound of this progressive Rock Chord will inspire you to come up with sophisticated Prog Rock and Prog Metal sounds. Tablature, diagrams, examples and backing tracks will be available on my Patreon page: https://patreon.com/QJamTracks The e-book The Ultimate Prog Chord with supporting audio files can be downloaded here: https://qjamtracks.myshopify.com/products/the-ultimate-progressive-rock-chord Xvive A58 wireless guitar system: https://shop.warwick.de/de/search?sSearch=xvive *Chapters:* 0:00 Introduction 1:00 Intermezzo (XVive commercial) 2:38 What makes a chord “Progressive”? 3:57 The Ultimate “Prog” chord 6:02 Harmonize scales with the “prog” chord 9:12 Variations on the “Prog” chord 12:21 Conclusion Photos: Animals as Leaders Grywnn, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Haken: kitmasterbloke, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Periphery: Markus Felix (talk to me), CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Scale The Summit: Robert Bejil from Bakersfield, Ca, USA, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Intervals: Kyle Gaddo, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons *Crystal Clear E-BOOKS with audio files:* https://qjamtracks.shopify.com *Tabs and tracks at PATREON:* http://www.patreon.com/Qjamtracks *Social Media/contact: * https:// facebook.com/QJamTracks https:// instagram.com/QJamTracks https:// youtube.com/QJamTracks *Strandberg Guitars* https://strandbergguitars.com *Fractal Audio (FM9)* https://www.fractalaudio.com Neural DSP https://neuraldsp.com/ (c)2024 Rob van Hal, Netherlands$ $12 Bar Blues: The Coolest, Most Interesting Way To Get Started On Guitar In video we’ll give 12 Bar Bles progression a make-over, so it will sound virtuoso, extremely cool, fast and exceptionally fun to play. Does one need more? ;) The concepts are simple and straightforward, based on only the pentatonic scale and some juicy faster riffs. Well also change some chords with chord substitutions for an awesome sound. Well change three12-bar Blues Rock progressions in a few steps to a much more interesting progression to play. *Chapters:* 0:00 Introduction 00:38 Make-over 1 (Blues in A) 03:54 Make-over 2 (Blues in A) 06:44 Make-over 3 (Blues in E) 08:59 Final thoughts Loek van der Knaap: https://www.loekvanderknaap.nl/ https://www.broekmans.com/nl/bladmuziek/knaap-l-v-d *Crystal Clear E-BOOKS with audio files:* https://qjamtracks.shopify.com *Tabs and tracks at PATREON:* http://www.patreon.com/Qjamtracks *Social Media/contact: * https:// facebook.com/QJamTracks https:// instagram.com/QJamTracks https:// youtube.com/QJamTracks *Strandberg Guitars* https://strandbergguitars.com *Fractal Audio (FM9)* https://www.fractalaudio.com (c)2024 Rob van Hal, Netherlands$

Take The A train Jazz Standard

$Steve Vai Style BACKING TRACK in the beautiful E LYDIAN mode An awesome sounding modern rock @QJamTracks guitar backing track in the style of Steve Vai, filled with improvisation ideas, scales and arpeggios presented on screen. An educational and enhanced guitar backing track video to practice the lydian scale, pentatonic scale, minor scale, lydian arpeggios, Steve Vai signature lick and pentatonic substitutions. For guitarists who want to improvise in different keys and modes. This awesome modal backing track let ‘s you play different scales, which are visualized onscreen. Excellent for improvising, learning modes, scales, chords, licks and arpeggios. This Q JAM TRACKS jam track provides a visual representation of the chords and scales in diagrams as they appear in the backing track. Extra theoretical information is shown in the video. It is a high quality backing track and handy tutorial (lesson) at the same time. Contents: 0:00 Start 0:08 What is the Lydian mode 0:28 Improvising in the Lydian mode 0:48 Superimpose a pentatonic scale (lydian) 0:56 G# minor pentatonic scale 1:23 Moods of the Lydian Mode 1:45 E Lydian: B major diatonic scale 2:14 G# minor diatonic scale 2:40 Lydian arpeggio (1) 3:04 Lydian arpeggio (2) 3:28 G# minor: adding the blue note 3:57 Steve Vai Signature Lick 4:22 Lydian: Major 7 arpeggio of the Vth degree 4:47 Superimposing the pentatonic scale of the Vth degree (G# Minor) Artwork: Rob van Hal Main illustration: Pixabay CC0 licenced photo’s (www.pixabay.com) Used for recording: Ibanez JEM 7v (www.Ibanez.com) Ibanez SD GR Bass (www.Ibanez.com) Takamine GD930 (www.takamine.com) Castilla Classical Guitars Samson Concert Wireless Microphone system CR99 Axe FX II (www.fractalaudio.com) QJamTrack Uses: BIAS FX II Cakewalk by Bandlab Social Media/contact: www.patreon.com/QJamTracks www.facebook.com/QJamTracks www.instagram.com/QJamTracks www.youtube.com/QJamTracks (c)2020 Rob van Hal, Netherlands Subjects: Guitar backing track, Guitar Jam track, Backing track, Lydian backing track, E Lydian, Lydian backing track for guitar, E lydian backing track, Steve Vai style backing track, Modulating backing track, The lydian mode, Modes, Progressive rock backing track, Modes for guitar, Jam track E lydian, Spacy backing track, Dreamy backing track, Uplifting backing track, Emotional backing track, Modal backing track, Lidian backing track, Fusion backing track$

I transformed an 80 YEAR OLD Jazz Standard to MODERN FUSION!