I played with a Jazz Band for a very short time so I'll tell you to start learning songs. The more songs you learn the better you'll know how and where to apply those chords.
Of course, it's also about theory. Learning your theory will help a lot on everything but you can take it easy. You don't have to learn it al at once, take it bit by bit.
Joined: 29 Apr 2009 United States Lessons: 2 Karma: 23
By listening to as much Miles, 'Trane, Powell, Monk, Mingus, Duke, Lester, Blakey, Herbie, -etc as you can wrap yer ears around.
all the info you need is there for now.
later theory will play a role.
but really, like i said; have a heapin' helpin' of "the greats" , absorb what they give, learn the "why" before the "how" and yer on yer way..
Joined: 29 Apr 2009 United States Lessons: 2 Karma: 23
i was 'musing' about this this morning whilst having muh morning Bean with another (even older) geezer we call Phip, and realized that more info would be helpful to you , beyond the *"Ears First-Fingers Second"(*an olden axiom of mine i frighten my 'Jazzier' students with lol)
SO
A few suggestions in the "Finger Department"
1- Beyond soaking-up the 'greats'(read: 'my favs' lol)i mentioned, a venture i8nto 'guitar Jazz' will also help.
Rub the gamut; try some OLD Grant Green, Wes Montgomery(pre-63), Joe Pass, etc... to the "Fusion cats" like John McLaughlin(with Miles Esp), Mike Stern, Pat Metheny, and Pete Cosey to Newer Cats (since 80) like (my fav) Bill Frisell, James Blood Ulmer, the renewed)Mike Stern, Mike Ribot, Elliot Sharp, Sonny Sharrok, David 'Fuze' Fuskowski(sp?)(Screaming Headless Torsos etc) and the Young Cats forging newer ground in bands such as Dysrhthmia, Behohd!..The Arctopus, and so on and so forth.
2- (i know this sounds odd but) avoid 'laying like" (or trying to) the Git-Players and hone in on the MOST important and MOST OVERLOOKED aspect of "Jazz" in general(other than sheer Improvisation)The MELODY(sounds crazy no?)
2B- a GREAT way to do this is by listening to old 'Standards' (Round Midnight', 'Moanin', 'Blue Monk' to name a few) played by the folks who created them. It makes no difference at all whether the melody is carried by a Sax, Piano, or Glockenspiel, its still the melody and is well worth interpreting on your guitar.
3- and to that end (above) I would suggest doing what legions of folks do with Guitar "solo's" (if it aint improve it aint a "solo" imo) ... Learn the "LINE"
IE: Try playing Miles Davis's Trumpet line on 'Round Midnight' (LP of same name) Or Follow Thelonious Monks Angular (soaked in by Bill Frissel, quite often lately) Key(P)-Strokes of unbridled sonic beauty to the source melody (he "states" often) of say HIS version (he wrote it) of Round Midnight, Blue Monk, etc .. or Coltrane's insane Maj-3 leaps found on 'Blue Train' and 'Giant Steps'
its a huge huge lengthy study, but one i have NEVER seen "go wrong" or do anything but IMPROVE a players abilities...SURE; its frustrating as can be at first but Whoa! When ya DO nail one you'll be hooked fer life :)
(Its partly the reason i'm insane, chasing that 'Trane for 35 years or so and STILL learning every day .... inna padded room , of course!)
4- I have Tabbed many of these 'standards' (esp Monk) for my students and (if i can get the thang to obey, lol) will be happy to scan and post anything i can to help.
VIVA Jazz!!!
(a hush falls over Carl's sick lil brain bucket as he changes his Sig-Line this one time.....)
• Wes Montgomery is a great jazz guitarist to look for.
• Django Reinhardt (someone who I don't listen to enough) is no less than amazing (knowing that he could only use two fingers effectively for soloing)
Joined: way back United States Lessons: 2 Karma: 21
Jazz is crazy!! Just something I can't wrap my head around... though some good melodic jazz music always makes me feel better!! Look up the Reign of Kindo... not your classic jazz band... but they are crazy good with a lot of jazz influence.
