From "Impossible" to Improvising: How One Bassist Transformed His Jazz Guitar Playing in 12 Months

A case study in what makes the difference between struggling and succeeding in your guitar journey

The Problem That Stops Most Guitarists

Julien had a problem that plagues thousands of guitarists: he knew what he wanted to do, but he couldn't figure out how to get there.

As a musician since the 1990s and primarily a bass player, Julien wasn't new to music. He understood theory. He could play his bass at a high level. But when it came to guitar, something fundamental was broken.

"I was very blocked by the fact that playing chords, one after another, in time, was impossible to me," Julien recalls about his pre-CGA days. "I knew that I could do it somehow but I didn't know how to get there. Same for playing with the pick."

This wasn't just a technical problem. It was a mental block. Despite being an accomplished musician, Julien felt "very blocked" by these seemingly basic guitar skills. He could play some open string chords from mainstream songs, but chaining them together? Forget it. His shell voicings had "random fingerings," and navigating past the B string left him lost.

If you've ever felt like you "should" be able to do something on guitar but can't figure out the path forward, you understand Julien's frustration.

The Skeptic's Dilemma

When Julien first considered joining Chase's Guitar Academy, he wasn't an eager convert. He was skeptical and for good reason.

"I was afraid that it would be the same bad approach as a lot of other online lessons: lots of theory (that I already know) and no clear explanation of how to use it," he explains. "Like the chord scale approach, or the transcribe on paper one for example."

Julien had seen it all before: courses that dumped information without bridging the gap to practical application. As an experienced musician, he didn't need more theory. He needed a clear path from knowledge to execution.

What finally convinced him? The approach was different. Instead of abstract theory, CGA focused on "learning how to get to language, with explanations and demos on how to do it. And the variety of topics to get there (technique, repertoire, ear training...)."

The Goal That Changed Everything

When I asked Julien what he wanted to achieve in his first year, his answer was modest but specific:

"If I were able to do a correct basic comping on a song and play simple melodies with the pick as themes and solo, it would already be a huge win."

This wasn't about becoming the next John Scofield. It was about conquering those fundamental skills that felt "impossible." Chord progressions in time and controlled pick playing.

Setting a clear, achievable goal gave Julien a target to work toward and a way to measure progress. Too many guitarists set vague goals like "get better" or overwhelming ones like "master jazz guitar." Julien's approach was different: specific enough to know when he'd achieved it, challenging enough to require real growth.

The Master's Mindset in Action

What Julien did next reveals the key principles that separate successful guitar students from those who struggle and plateau:

1. He Showed Up Consistently: Julien attended many, if not all, live classes. This wasn't just about consuming content—it was about being part of an active learning community where he could ask questions and get real-time feedback.

2. He Engaged Actively: Rather than passively watching lessons, Julien interacted with the community, asked questions, and engaged with the material. He treated learning as a participatory activity, not a spectator sport.

3. He Embraced the Long-Term Journey: Julien had what I call the "Master's Mindset"—commitment to the long-term journey while maintaining focus on clear, short-term goals. He wasn't looking for quick fixes; he was building sustainable skills.

4. He Leveraged the Community: The CGA community became an integral part of his learning process. As he puts it: "This community plays an important part in the dynamic of the path I'm following here."

The Transformation

Twelve months later, Julien had not only achieved his original goals. He had surpassed them.

"Today, I can play a basic comping on a song, but I also can go with more sophisticated voicings, more interesting voice leading when challenging myself," he reports. His picking technique improved dramatically, allowing him to "play melodies and solos with more control and a better sound."

But the most profound change wasn't technical. It was philosophical.

"Technique is not as important as language," Julien discovered. "Today, I can speak jazz way better than before, on an instrument I'm still at a very low technical level. On bass, I can play almost anything, but I don't speak jazz that much better than on guitar."

This insight that musical language matters more than raw technical ability represents a fundamental shift in how Julien approaches music. It's the difference between playing notes and communicating musically.

The Universal Principles

Julien's story reveals four principles that apply to any guitarist serious about improvement:

1. Address Mental Blocks, Not Just Technical Ones

Julien's original problem wasn't lack of knowledge. It was feeling "blocked." He needed a clear path forward, not more information. If you feel stuck, examine whether you have a knowledge problem or a pathway problem.

2. Set Specific, Achievable Goals

"Basic comping and simple melodies with a pick" was specific enough to work toward and achievable enough to maintain motivation. Vague goals like "get better" don't provide direction; overwhelming goals like "master everything" kill motivation.

3. Focus on Language Over Technique

Julien's revelation about language versus technique is profound. Many guitarists get trapped trying to perfect their technique before learning to communicate musically. Sometimes, learning to "speak" the language with limited technique is more valuable than having perfect technique with nothing to say.

4. Commit to the Process, Not Just the Outcome

Julien approached learning with a "Master's mindset." He understood that real growth takes time and consistent effort. He celebrated progress while maintaining focus on the long-term journey.

What's Next?

One year in, Julien isn't declaring victory and moving on. Instead, he's energized by what's possible: "It feels really good to feel improving so much in such a short period of time, but it feels even better to look at all the improvements left to be conquered."

This is the mark of someone who's developed a sustainable relationship with learning. Someone who finds motivation in the journey itself, not just the destination.

The Takeaway

Julien's transformation from feeling "blocked" to speaking jazz language fluently on guitar didn't happen because he found a magic method or practiced 8 hours a day. It happened because he:

• Identified specific, achievable goals
• Found a learning approach that bridged theory to application
• Showed up consistently and engaged actively
• Embraced the long-term journey while celebrating short-term wins
• Prioritized musical communication over technical perfection

Whether you're considering joining CGA or pursuing guitar improvement through other means, these principles will serve you well. The question isn't whether you have enough talent or time. It's whether you're willing to commit to the process that creates lasting transformation.

As Julien puts it: "I'm just getting started."

Interested in learning more about Chase's Guitar Academy and how it could accelerate your jazz guitar journey? Learn more about our community-driven approach to jazz guitar mastery.