How to Play Like George Benson: His Techniques, Explained
Oct 29, 2026Short answer: George Benson's sound comes from a handful of techniques he uses over and over, not from endless licks. The core five are an even number of notes per string for fast picked lines, the sweep-and-slide arpeggio, the pivot arpeggio, a four-note diminished pattern to resolve, and "double arpeggios" that link related arpeggios over one chord. On top of those sit his ways of simplifying harmony and his pentatonic and chromatic vocabulary. Learn them one at a time, inside a tune, and his lines start to make sense.
I've made 39 videos on George Benson's playing, with over 850,000 views between them. This page is the map: each technique, what it does, and the lesson that teaches it. If you're new to Benson, start with the five techniques below, then work through the deeper lessons in the order of the table.
The five core Benson techniques
These come from my lesson on the five Benson techniques (the video above). â–¶ 0:04
| # | Technique | What it is | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Even number of notes per string | Fast descending lines built in groups of two or four notes per string | It's what lets the picking hand move across strings cleanly at speed â–¶ 1:42 |
| 2 | Sweep-and-slide arpeggio | Play an arpeggio, then slide the last note down a half step | It connects arpeggios smoothly and can set up the next move â–¶ 3:09 |
| 3 | Pivot arpeggio | Skip a string on the same fret (usually a 6th), then continue up in thirds | The change of direction makes a line more interesting than running straight up or down â–¶ 4:07 |
| 4 | Four-note diminished pattern | Half step, whole step, half step (for example Eâ™, D, C, B) | Benson's go-to way of resolving a line strongly â–¶ 5:20 |
| 5 | Double arpeggios | Link arpeggios from related chords over one chord, like D-7 into G-7 into Bâ™Maj.7 over Bâ™Maj.7 | Linking slightly different arpeggios sounds better than repeating the same one an octave up â–¶ 6:30 |
A tip on rhythm: most of the time, these even-notes-per-string phrases start on an upbeat, so the last note of the phrase lands on a downbeat. â–¶ 8:18
Go deeper: one lesson per technique
| Topic | What you'll learn | Lesson |
|---|---|---|
| The two chords | Every chord sorted into a "major type" or a "minor type", so one line works over several chords | George Benson's two-chord approach |
| Fast arpeggios | Triplet rhythms, linked arpeggios, sweeps, repeating shapes and his two-note-per-string arpeggios | How to play fast arpeggios like George Benson |
| Pentatonics on "Breezin'" | B minor pentatonic for the "pretty" sound, D minor pentatonic for the "bluesy" one, and how he moves between them | The two pentatonics in George Benson's "Breezin'" solo |
| Pentatonics on "So What" | Minor pentatonic a 5th above the chord, half-step sidesteps, and comping moves turned into lines | George Benson's pentatonic approach on "So What" |
| "Wrong" notes | Resolving dissonant notes by moving one fret, enclosing, or descending chromatically, and his F♯ minor pentatonic outside sound over Bâ™7 | How George Benson makes "wrong" notes sound right |
| A full solo | Two minor pentatonics, blues double stops, F minor ii-V-I lines and triad pairs over the "On Broadway" vamp | 4 solo strategies from George Benson's "On Broadway" |
More Benson lessons on YouTube
Arpeggios and lines - Benson's most powerful arpeggio shape - George Benson's double arpeggio secrets - I couldn't connect arpeggios until I learned this George Benson path - I couldn't play fast and musical arpeggios until I learned this George Benson path - I couldn't play fast until I learned this Benson idea - 7 fast George Benson style lines - George Benson's buttery bebop lines - George Benson plays this every time - The first George Benson technique you should understand - The George Benson technique that pros use but nobody teaches - George Benson's secret octave system
Solos and songs - 7 phrases from George Benson's "Billie's Bounce" solo - Breaking down George Benson's "The Ghetto" solo - The most underrated George Benson solo? - Jazz blues improvisation from Benson - George Benson's G7 tricks and Barry Harris' famous exercise - George Benson vs. Barry Harris - George Benson's most dangerous lick, with Dan Wilson
Background - The George Benson formula: untold stories and techniques - George Benson sold me his guitar and playing "Breezin'" on it
George Benson's guitar
In 2024, George Benson put some of the guitars he has owned and played up for sale on Reverb. I bought one of them: the prototype of his GB 45th SRR model, the first one made. I only realized afterward that it's the same guitar from the campaign for his latest album, which I was lucky enough to work on with his team. Watch the unboxing.
When the guitars went up, George Benson's official Facebook page (November 8, 2024) wrote: "Who better than to own THE protype, first one made of this model, but Chase Maddox who is an amazing instructor who has paid great homage to Mr. Benson's talent and unique playing style."
Frequently asked questions
How do I learn to play like George Benson?
Start with his core techniques one at a time: an even number of notes per string for fast lines, sweep-and-slide and pivot arpeggios, the four-note diminished pattern, and double arpeggios. Practice each one inside a tune you know, then study a full solo like "Breezin'" or "On Broadway" to hear how he combines them.
What scales does George Benson use?
Pentatonic scales are a big part of his sound, often with a little chromaticism added. They fit his picking especially well because a pentatonic scale on guitar has two notes per string.
How does George Benson pick so fast?
A big part of it is building fast descending lines with an even number of notes per string, usually two or four, so the picking hand can change strings cleanly.
What is a double arpeggio?
It's linking arpeggios from related chords over a single chord, for example D-7 into G-7 into Bâ™Maj.7 over Bâ™Maj.7. Benson does this a lot over major 7 and minor 7 chords.
Where should a beginner start with George Benson's style?
Start with the five core techniques on this page, then work through the deeper lessons in the order of the table.
Go deeper
Do you play like Benson? Take the free Guitarist Profile quiz: 10 minutes, and you get your practice mindset, your strongest and weakest skills, and a 28-day plan. Find out what kind of jazz guitarist you are →
The full George Benson Master Study is inside Chase's Guitar Academy: his picking, his approach to arpeggios, his vocabulary, song studies and analysis. You can try it free for seven days.
"If you decided hey you know what I just want to learn how to play like my hero whether it's George Benson, Wes Montgomery, Charlie Christian, Grant Green, Joe Pass, Pat Martino - you can do that at the academy. Not just learn licks or learn their favorite passages or tricks, you get a chance to take a deep dive into their style, their choice of notes, what makes each artist different from the other." Roger Cooper, CGA member
50+ five-star reviews from CGA members, most of them on video: read what members say.
Chase Maddox is a jazz guitarist and educator in Miami and the founder of Chase's Guitar Academy. George Benson has called him "an amazing instructor." More free lessons are on his YouTube channel.
