Ronny Jordan’s acid-jazz cover of So What (composed by Miles Davis) was the first single of the late English jazz guitarist. It was released in 1992 on his debut album The Antidote and was a worldwide hit.
In this lesson, you will learn how to play Ronny Jordan’s version of So What, including the melody and the first two guitar licks that are featured on his recording.
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So What – Video
Harmonic Analysis
So What is a modal tune with an AABA structure.
The identical A sections are in D minor and the melody is based on the D Dorian mode.
The B section is in Eb minor and based on the Eb Dorian mode, a half-tone higher compared to the A sections.
D Dorian Mode
The D Dorian mode is the second mode of the C major scale.
It has the same notes as the C major scale, but its tonal center is D.
The characteristic note of the Dorian mode is the natural 6th (B in the case of D Dorian). Most other minor scales (except melodic minor) have a b6.
| C Major Scale | C | D | E | F | G | A | B |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formula | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| D Dorian Mode | D | E | F | G | A | B | C |
| Formula | 1 | 2 | b3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | b7 |
Here are the two most common fingerings of the D Dorian mode:
Eb Dorian Mode
The Eb Dorian mode is the second mode of the Db major scale, a half-tone higher than the D Dorian mode and C major scale.
It has the same notes as the Db major scale, but its tonal center is Eb.
| Db Major Scale | Db | Eb | F | Gb | Ab | Bb | C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formula | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Eb Dorian Mode | Eb | F | Gb | Ab | Bb | C | Db |
| Formula | 1 | 2 | b3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | b7 |
Here are the two most common fingerings of the Eb Dorian mode:
So What – Backing Track
So What – Melody
So What – Ronny Jordan Lick 1
So What – Ronny Jordan Lick 2
So What (Ronny Jordan) Guitar Pro File
Great lesson for an amazing tune! Thank you very much, I’m learning a lot with you.
That is so groovy Dirk, love that.
good job, thank you!
Thanks Dirk l love it
Thanks – a good choise
Wonderful job for a wonderful piece, both the original and Ronny Jordan’s version. I still remember vividly the first time I heard this one in 1994 in a small dance club in Antwerp, early in the morning, right across from where the legendary jazz café Gard Sivik used to be. I stood still in the middle of the dance floor for a bit and then, when I couldn’t hold it any longer, started dancing my heart out. And now I am playing my heart out with a big smile on my face. Thanks for that, Dirk.
Hi Eric, I used to go out there as well in the 90s! Did you see Ronny Jordan in the Pacific?
…. goeie tijden ;0)
Goeie tijden indeed 🙂
Small world! Maybe we even shared the dance floor. No, unfortunately I was abroad when that concert took place, but I was lucky enough to see him perform in the Blue Note club in NY, I think in 2009.
Hello Dirk! Thankyou for this – a great lesson and really well played. Very much appreciated.
Could you tell me what is the Tempo of the backing track, So What?
Hi, the tempo is around 210 bpm.
Thanks for the lesson. I like the Dorian licks. I’m using them to get used to the sound of that mode.
Any suggestions for comping ideas?
Hi Dave, quartal voicings are usually used on modal tunes like So What: https://www.jazzguitar.be/blog/quartal-chords-harmony-voicings-for-guitar/
Lovely song, amazing lesson … Thank you!
This is brilliant – as is the rest of this resource!
Thanks for sharing.
The Guitar Pro file is very usefull and I really appreciate it. Thanks
So great thanks for sharing. That piano solo on guitar would be a killer challenge…
Thank you so much for all the great lessons! Much appreciated.
Great, Dirk! Many thanks for this one. I love smooth jazz, acid jazz, jazz funk, bluesy jazz, besides jazz mainstream of course. Hope you do something from the repertoire of Lee Ritenour and Larry Carlton in the near future. All the best, Pedro Noleto
Thanks for the lesson. I was wondering if it is really the case that between the lick1 and lick2 sections there is a „space“ bar 65, before lick 2 starts at 66. And the same seems to appear before the piano solo.
Very nice! Thanks a lot!
Thanks. A great tune.
(There seems to be a problem with opening the guitar pro file)
Thank you for effort Ronny Jordan and Chuck Loeb are all time favourite smooth jazz players of mine
Fantastic tune and thank you
Thanks Dirk! Love this tune!
Thanks this is just what the doctor recommended!!!
Brilliant, well done and thank you.
Bonjour.
Merci pour ces morceaux de musique et ces tutos.
Même si je ne métrise pas l’anglais.
Je peux quand même, grâce ou fichiers mis à disposition étudier les morceaux de musique et m’entrainer sur ma guitare.
Cordialement.
jean-François
Hi Dirk, Bravo et merci
Thanks for this – Good licks I can play off of for more choruses.
Ideal lesson for intermediate jazz player. Thank you, as always.
Very good. I had listened to this version of Ronny Jordan about 15 years ago and I always liked his performance. A great lesson. Thanks!
Thank you, Dirk, once again.
Hi Dirk,
well done a great track and a good job excellent. Sibbs
Muito bom gostei muito .otimo. grato
Excelente lección. Muchas gracias maestro.
Hi Dirk, not one of the most well known for me but I really enjoyed listening and going through the lesson.
Thanks
Gracias! Muy buena onda!
So pleased to get this tune. Ronny Jordan is a favorite and this album hits on all cylinders. I attempt to play along by ear and now I actually have the tab. Looking forward to working on this great treatment but Ronny. Thanks for paying tribute to Ronny.
Great! Can you please post the downloadable mp3 version of the backing track instead of the youtube version? Thx
Super thanks!
Thanks struggle through it tonight.
Great job and thanks. Such a great song
Thanks, Jeff, great song indeed!
Great tune, great lesson.
Thank you!
Thanks, Tadeusz!
thx great job
thierry
Hi Thierry, you’re welcome!
Thank you for this and for all you do. Inspiration is priceless.