Jazz guitar for dummies.

[jp_nyc]

I’m giving up on blues instruction book because the numerous bends aggravate my ulnar nerves. I would like to learn to play some jazz guitar, but I tend to run right into a wall of chord charts and music theory that bogs me down. Is there a jazz guitar lite course that can ease me in without getting bogged down in the theory?

 

[LittleSnakes]

Personally I have a hard time imagining playing jazz without getting into the theory. It's largely improvisational and while many jazz musicians have learned to play by ear most of them traditionally did it by spending a long time copying their idols which is no less tedious than learning theory, IMO. But that might be a good place to start. Transcribe & memorize players you like. Charlie Christian, Jim Hall, Grant Green are 3 very different types and they all tend to play at reasonable tempos for transcribing.

 

[Tig]

I bought the Frank Vignola jazz chord melody course:
http://truefire.com/jazz-guitar-less...-chord-melody/
It is an intermediate level course. I haven't spent enough time to know just how good it is yet since some of the chord shapes are challenging and I need to master them a little more before continuing.

 

[Help!I'maRock!]

 

[Scott_Abene]

My advice is start learning standards and then start breaking down the chord tones into improv solos.

 

[B Valley]

My advice is start learning standards and then start breaking down the chord tones into improv solos.

I would agree. If you're looking for something for solo guitar, maybe some chord melodies might be more like what you're thinking of. Check out this version of 'Caravan'.

 

[LittleSnakes]

I’m giving up on blues instruction book because the numerous bends aggravate my ulnar nerves. I would like to learn to play some jazz guitar, but I tend to run right into a wall of chord charts and music theory that bogs me down. Is there a jazz guitar lite course that can ease me in without getting bogged down in the theory?

http://www.jazzguitar.be/jazz_guitar_lessons.html has some good introductory theory lessons

 

[nuke_diver]

I found Frank Vignola's Jazz 1-2-3 very clear and simple and you can play along too. The theory and the way some do jazz boggles me quite often. This didn't
Some of it is free

http://truefire.com/tftv/?channel=123-jazz&videofile=

 

[Chuck1016]

If you want to fake it, just get a jazzy beat in your head and play all those blues licks, but instead of bending do a half step slide into each note that requires a bend. It's not "jazz" but it's fun to play with until you learn something a little more high-brow.
(PS: IMHO the only jazz worth playing was recorded before 1950)

 

[Help!I'maRock!]

If you want to fake it, just get a jazzy beat in your head and play all those blues licks, but instead of bending do a half step slide into each note that requires a bend. It's not "jazz" but it's fun to play with until you learn something a little more high-brow.
(PS: IMHO the only jazz worth playing was recorded before 1950)

You're missing out on some great big band stuff recorded for the new LP format that really took off in the 50s and came into its own in the 60s.

 

[Scott_Abene]

You're missing out on some great big band stuff recorded for the new LP format that really took off in the 50s and came into its own in the 60s.

Having grown up with a Father that is pretty much considered one of the greatest Big Band writers and arrangers of our and his time I have to concur with the above. If you think that the best Jazz was recorded pre 1950 then you are pretty out of touch.

Get out there and listen. I love a great loud distorted guitar but I serious love me some Big Band BeBop too!

Listen!

 

[Modern Saint]

You are entering a big conundrum. To play both styles of music takes alot of listening as well as jamming with others. Jazz is an odd animal as you can learn to read the head (melody line) but for me it has taken a milestone to remember it without reading. I have had to listen to the point that it stuck in my head. I am in heavy easy listening stage (Sinatra, Nat King Cole, etc.) to become more familiar with the vocal standards. Many of which are played instrumentally in jazz. Some examples are: All The Things You Are, Night And Day, Someday My Prince Will Come.

If your intersest lies into learning jazz, start with the Jamey Abersold Series - Book 1. This will help you get a foundation of the music. For learning chords on the guitar, the Baker book is good place to start. Bottom line is that you will need to learn the basics to chords forms, arpeggios from hell and comping. Forgot to add Real Book for song standards.

Gotta ask what type of jazz are you interested in playing?

 

[Kerouac]

You're missing out on some great big band stuff recorded for the new LP format that really took off in the 50s and came into its own in the 60s.

78s or Die! cop0

 

[Scott_Abene]

Thinking about this a little longer I have to say that you should start with a nice easy Bosa ala Jobim

My long time Guitar mentor Allen Hanlon handed me this within the first 2 months I was studying from him and the sheet / arrangement date back to fall of 1974. Learn the melody, then the chords. Then mix and match chord tones with melody and some accidentals (think chromatic).

Try to avoid open strings for leads and begin to think in positions or via your modes aligned to the chords / key signtaure.

Hope it helps.

 

[Scott_Abene]

bump

 

[LittleSnakes]

If you're coming from a blues background you might also consider starting with some jazz blues. Bird has tons of them. Also Blue Monk, All blues (sort of a modal blues in 6/8 time), Cool blues, Mr. PC (a great minor blues that can be played at lots of tempos), St. Louis Blues, etc. all offer good launching points. Bird's blues in particular will get you playing ii-Vs which are part of the basic jazz language.