Question:
Feel free to move this.
But I've been wanting to learn jazz guitar. How is it different from other types of music/what artists should I start with/what theory do I need to learn/how does one play jazz?
Very broad question, I know. I'll clarify if needed.
Answer:
Ok, you'll want to get a Real Book (preferably an illegal edition off the web...read the wiki article and you'll see why). Jazz guitar is mostly going to be rhythm stuff, unless you're soloing. You'll need to know lots of chords, chord progressions (most popular one being a II-V-I progression), maybe even inversions. You'll need to learn the notation for different types of chords (major 7, dominant 7, etc), aand...I don't have that much time, but this is as much as I can think of off the top of my head. Good luck, it's hard (at least, for a pianist it is...which would be me I am just learning all this stuff also).
Answer:
(most popular one being a II-V-I progression)
I think you mean a ii-V7-I.
Well, first it'd be nice to know what sort of jazz you'll be playing. Small combo? Big band? Solo? Bop? Fusion?
Your question is aobut as broad asking "How do I play rock?" .
I made a pretty good discourse on big band jazz playing here:
/forum....php?p=2216547
This stuff will change if you're more into the small combo type stuff. Then again, a lot of it will apply.
You'll develop your own comping and soloing styles (jazzier terms for rhythm and lead ). The main concepts, though, involve the jazz format of the head and solo sections and restatement of the head. The head is the melody based on the changes. The solo sections are intruments' interpretations of the changes and the melody, and the restatement of the head brings everything to the end (and ending with the jazziest chord possible is usually reccomended, try this next time you're on a piano - play a note, then play the major third, then a minor third, and then a major third, and then a minor... and so on).
The concept of the jazz combo and each instrument's role is paramount in the study of improvised jazz. Classically, and the easiest to picture, is the trio, the drummer, bassist, and pianist. Drums lay down the groove, bass pushes the tempo and the tonality, pianist creates the chords and comps down a rhythm for a solo.
Ask specific questions, I'll be able to help better.
Answer:
Well, I'm looking more at small band.
I'm taking music theory one right now. Is that enough theory to know for now?
Answer:
There's a fair bit of difference between "typical" theory you'll learn in a normal class (unless it's devoted to jazz), and jazz theory. Granted, you'll know how to outline the chords, but as far as what chords resolve to what, what added notes can be played on top of what chords, etc. It'll be a bit different. The concept of dissonance is also a lot different in jazz than in other styles of music.
As far as music to listen to.... I don't really know much guitar stuff (I might be able to find some though). For jazz in general, listen to plenty of Miles Davis, as well as Weather Patrol and any other smaller ensembles you can find (check out your library).
Answer:
Originally Posted by HeavenOnAStick Weather Patrol
Weather Report. And I wouldn't say that's the best thing to be listening to for small stuff, unless you really wanted to play like those style of tunes. Which you probably wouldn't be doing for a while anyways because a lot of those kinds of tunes are very complex.
Wes Montgomery is essential for guitar players. Get Smokin' at The Half Note, Full House, and The Incredible Jazz Guitar.
Charlie Christian is a must. The Genius of The Jazz Guitar is the one album that all jazz cats must own.
Kenny Burell and Jim Hall are good ones to listen to.
Pat Metheny, John Scofield and Mike Stern are great for modern stuff.
I'd also get into some trumpet (Miles, Clifford Brown), sax players (Sonny Rollins, Coltrane) and piano players (Monk, Bill Evans, Brubeck)
Anyone else got any other guys they'd throw in there for guitar? Or just other players in general?
Anyways: the theory class.
It will help to the extent, that you'll be able to start understanding how chords/scales are built, and maybe some of the alterations of them and possibly a little bit of modes. But that's probably all you'll get out of that class.
Otherwise. Learn voicings. Major, minor and dominant 7, 9, 11, 13, #9, b9, #11, #4, augmented, diminished... and I could go on, but you get the idea. Learn scales, patterns, modes. All the way up and down the neck. Triads.
And that's JUST the tip of the iceberg on the vocabulary. I haven't even talked about making the language sound like something yet. Jazz is something that's very hard to explain. So, I'd say, if you're not listening to jazz, start listening a lot. It really helps to listen to somebody play after you've practiced, because you might hear a line and recognize it as something you were just practicing. The primary benefit to listening of course is hear things and hear how everyone plays, and how you're supposed to act and react, what works over what changes, and so on. It's the best place to get ideas from, too.
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I'd also check out some Joe Pass, Django Reinhardt, and Bill Frisell for some more jazz guitarists.
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Originally Posted by Kenny C. I'd also check out some Joe Pass, Django Reinhardt, and Bill Frisell for some more jazz guitarists.
Thanks, I'm an idiot. I was 100% sure I was leaving out some essential guys, but I couldn't for the life of me figure out who. Good grief. Long day.
Yeah, what he said.
Answer:
Oh, and get a jazzbox.
A music theory class will help... but not as much as a jazz class would.
The number one thing first, though, is immerse yourself in the music. Learn how to listen to jazz. Start ear training, and particularly learn your chord voicings, what they sound like, how to play them, and try seeing what scale they could be related to.
Answer:
George Benson for phrasing, but not the backing (not my favourite, all that r'n'b stuff.
Django is awesome, buts very different to bop and more contemporary styles.
Joe Pass is more famed for his solo work as well, so bear that in mind.
Montgomery, Christian and Jimmy Smiths guitarist are good reads for their styles of jazz.
Also check out the great saxophonists and other soloists, as a lot of phrasing is often imitated between instruments.
Also, don't be afraid to just have a go. Try and get a backing track with progression and noodle.
Answer:
Thanks for the tips.
I've been listening to public radio a lot recently. They play lots of jazz. I'll go to the library soon and check out some jazz CDs.