Recommendations for learning Jazz...lessons, books, websites, videos?

Steven Mal

Steven Mal

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Nov 30, 2016
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I want to learn Jazz guitar but I can't find a Jazz guitar teacher. Are there any recommended books, websites, videos, DVDs, lessons, etc. out there? All I have currently is the Real Book. I can read the sheet music but I want to go beyond simply playing the melodies and chords. Thanks.
 
jak3af3r said:
It's all about the ii V I

Here's a really good resource for pretty much everything related to music theory I think is explained reasonably well. I've linked to the beginning of jazz theory but it goes from fundamentals of theory to post-tonal theory.

Jazz Chord Basics

musictheory.pugetsound.edu
Click to expand...
This is excellent! And there I thought that if I played one wrong note, and followed it by a few more wrong notes, it was jazz! ;)
 
If you can read, have the Real Book, and play the chords & melodies, that's half the battle right there, you're well equipped to moving forward in your Jazz quest. Sounds like you want to develop more in the way of improvisation, so the lessons & vids focused on it will serve you well, there are tons on YT and online.

Another thing to consider and might help is learning about, and the music of Jazz players that you appreciate and inspire you.

Most importantly, when you start to acquire some improvisational skills to go along with your chord & melody playing, GET OUT AND PLAY THEM with whoever jazz players you can get with. Jazz is a music that exists and thrives on live spontaneous musical interactions with other artists, that is the core of it's DNA, and the growth and strength you get from it far surpasses anything you can get from video lessons and play along backing tracks.

Good luck in your journey.
 
One of the most helpful things to me was getting out there to play with other jazz musicians (ie- uni days included quite a few friends who were on the flipside in the jazz program).
Video lessons, backing tracks, and other things of the like have their merits, and it's certainly not a crime to use such resources if you have the time and the means to mess with them. But they're not a complete replacement for other aspects like the spontaneity you'll need and develop when playing with others.
 
Huggy, John, I'm going to try to find a Jazz club nearby. Maybe there's an open mic for Jazz cats I can sit in on. Who knows, I might even find a Jazz guitar teacher.
 
jak3af3r said:
It's all about the ii V I

Here's a really good resource for pretty much everything related to music theory I think is explained reasonably well. I've linked to the beginning of jazz theory but it goes from fundamentals of theory to post-tonal theory.

Jazz Chord Basics

musictheory.pugetsound.edu
Click to expand...

Whoa! From my alma mater. Didn't know that existed. Maybe I should have a look.
 
And so I will.
I'll leave the name and job stuff for the sig.
I bought my first PRS used in 1988 or so, a Std24. I had heard of these, and got lucky enough to find one. Wish I still had it, but I sold it to buy a Super 400...
I play Klein guitars a lot. I have three. I know Lorenzo German pretty well. (Please, if you're one of his former customers, don't ask me to help you get your guitar that you ordered way back there, I have one on order too.). I try to keep my GAS disease under control, but guitars are tax write offs for me, so it's pretty easy to justify them.
After years of looking at them again, I bought nearest diesel fuel station to me a Hollowbody Spruce from Brian Meader when he was still at Washington Music Center near DC, three years ago. Then I bought a Studio from him last year. I love that too. It sounds different, and I like that. I want a P22.
I play jazz. Not much rock and roll. But I do like to get a variety of sounds from a guitar, and these do it.
I really admire PRSh's drive to make a really good instrument. I've never met him, but I'd like to. He seems to be just a bit obsessed about making things as good as he can, and I really like that.
My job is in the Maritime provinces of Canada, and there's not much available. I'd like to try one of the new amps, but there aren't any near me there.
Guitars are more fun than just about anything else.
I'm in.
 
I like TrueFire for jazz lessons. There are some good teachers on there. Playing the tunes from the Real Book is another thing that's very helpful. You have to play songs to stick with it. Jens Larsen is good on YouTube.
 
Thanks Martin, I'll check out TrueFire. Believe it or not, I was watching a lesson by Jens Larsen before I read your comment. He's great.
 
Steve's addiction said:
YouTube is full of good lessons. I am currently working on jazz fusion chops. Tons of videos on this alone.
Click to expand...
Agree.

The Jazz Theory book by Marke Levine.
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When I have free time, I write essays on photography topics that can be used for free: Click for source
“Music will not lie. If there are things that have to be changed in our world, so it can only be accomplished by music.” - Jimi Hendrix
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