Mastering the George Benson Guitar Style: 6 Essential Tricks

Few guitarists have redefined jazz like George Benson. With his impeccable phrasing, fluid technique, and ability to blend jazz, blues, and pop, Benson has influenced generations of musicians. Whether it’s his signature octave runs, lightning-fast bebop lines, or the way he effortlessly sings along with his solos, his style is unmistakable.

So, how do you capture that George Benson guitar magic?

In this guide, we’ll break down six must-know George Benson guitar techniques that will help you sound more like the legend himself. Whether you’re a jazz guitarist looking to refine your chops or a blues player wanting to add some Benson-style sophistication, these tricks will get you there.

Here’s What You’ll Learn:

✅ How to play jazz chords like George Benson
✅ The secret to singing and playing in unison
✅ How to add chromatic passing tones for smoother solos
✅ Mastering sweep picking for seamless arpeggios
✅ Using minor pentatonic scales over dominant chords
✅ How to integrate double stops for a richer sound

Let’s dive into the world of George Benson guitar techniques and take your playing to the next level!

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1. Play Jazz Chords Like George Benson

Benson’s chord voicings are an essential part of his sound. Unlike traditional blues or rock guitarists who stick to simple barre chords, George Benson uses extended jazz chords that create a lush, sophisticated feel.

🎸 Common George Benson Chords:

✔️ Minor 9th Chords – These create a smooth, jazzy sound:

E|---7---
B|---7---
G|---7---
D|---5---
A|---7---
E|-------

✔️ Major 9th and 11th Chords – Adds brightness and complexity:

E|---3---
B|---2---
G|---4---
D|---3---
A|---5---
E|-------

🔥 Try This Exercise:
Take a II-V-I progression (Dm9 – G13 – Cmaj9) and play it with soft, rhythmic comping. Focus on smooth voice leading—this is key to sounding like George Benson!

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2. Sing While You Play for Melodic Phrasing

One of the most recognizable elements of George Benson’s guitar playing is how he sings his solos in perfect unison with his guitar lines.

Why is this important? Because it forces you to think melodically rather than just running scales.

🎵 How to Develop This Skill:

✔️ Start Simple: Hum along as you play basic melodies to develop ear-hand coordination.
✔️ Transcribe George Benson’s solos and mimic his phrasing.
✔️ Use call-and-response exercises to connect your voice and guitar.

🔥 Try This Exercise:
Pick a George Benson solo, like Breezin’, and learn it by both singing and playing. This will help you internalize his phrasing and improve your improvisation.

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3. Use Chromatic Passing Tones for a Smooth, Jazzy Sound

Benson’s solos flow seamlessly because he uses chromatic passing tones—small, in-between notes that create smoother transitions between melody lines.

🎸 Example: Instead of jumping straight to a target note, approach it chromatically:

E|---------------------------
B|---------------------------
G|---3-4-5-------------------
D|---------3-4-5-------------
A|---------------------------
E|---------------------------

✔️ Approach Notes: Slide into chord tones for a more polished jazz sound.
✔️ Chromatic Enclosures: Surround a target note with notes above and below before landing on it.

🔥 Try This Exercise:
Practice ascending and descending chromatic runs in a major scale. Then, apply this concept to your improvisation to sound more like George Benson.

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4. Use Sweep Picking for Fast, Fluid Arpeggios

Sweep picking isn’t just for rock shredders—George Benson uses it to glide through arpeggios effortlessly. This technique makes your solos sound fast, smooth, and ultra-clean.

🎸 Basic Major Arpeggio (Sweeping Technique):

E|---------7-10-7---------
B|-------8--------8-------
G|-----7------------7-----
D|---9----------------9---
A|------------------------
E|------------------------

✔️ Keep your picking hand relaxed and let the momentum carry the pick.
✔️ Use light palm muting to prevent unwanted noise.
✔️ Start slow, then increase speed once it feels natural.

🔥 Try This Exercise:
Take a C major arpeggio and practice sweeping up and down at a slow tempo, gradually increasing speed.

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5. Use Minor Pentatonic Scales Over Dominant Chords

Even though George Benson is a jazz guitarist, he frequently incorporates bluesy pentatonic scales into his solos. A signature trick is playing the minor pentatonic scale over dominant 7th chords.

🎸 Example: Over a G7 chord, use the G minor pentatonic scale (G, Bb, C, D, F). This creates a soulful, bluesy feel within a jazz context.

🔥 Try This Exercise:
Improvise over a dominant 7 backing track, switching between minor pentatonic and major scales to create tension and release.

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6. Add Double Stops for a Fuller, More Expressive Sound

A key part of George Benson’s phrasing is his use of double stops—playing two notes at once for harmonic depth and thicker melodies.

🎸 Double Stop Thirds in C Major:

E|---0---1---3---
B|---1---3---5---
G|---------------
D|---------------
A|---------------
E|---------------

✔️ Sliding Into Double Stops: Benson often slides into double stops, adding a vocal-like expressiveness.
✔️ Experiment with different rhythmic placements to enhance groove.

🔥 Try This Exercise:
Replace single-note melodies with double stops in your solos. Slide between intervals for extra smoothness.

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Next Steps: Master George Benson’s Guitar Style

By incorporating these six George Benson guitar techniques into your playing, you’ll develop a richer, more expressive jazz guitar sound.

📌 Internal Link:

Want to improve your phrasing? Read Blues Guitar Riffs: Master the Fretboard and Unlock Your Sound with FretDeck.

📌 Outbound Link:

Learn more about George Benson’s playing style and influence in this detailed biography from JazzTimes.

🔥 Join the Guitar Freaks Hangout on Discord! Connect with other jazz and blues guitarists to share tips and get feedback. Click here to join.

Now grab your guitar and start playing like George Benson! 🎸🔥