About Myself

[dmt]

Hi. I just thought I'd make an intro post before diving in.

I only just came across the forum last night. A Christmas music jazz guitar thread pulled me in. I've been learning "Let it Snow", just the chords and singing, but then yesterday I started improvising over it and my wife said it sounded really good. Anyway, I might learn a few more (might - I promise myself I'll learn some Christmas tunes pretty much every year, but I always start too late to have anything nailed before it's too late! So maybe this year I'll start in January...).

I've been playing guitar for like 25 years, but I'm a classic rock guy mainly, with heavy folk and blues influences, plus jazz and even classical (my dad was heavy into jazz, and my mom likewise into classical when I was growing up) -- but only as influences. I don't play any straight ahead jazz or classical.

But anyway, I have a little free time this February and I'm going to work on some straight ahead jazz playing. I might learn some songs like "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face", "Misty", "Autumn Leaves", and well, I don't know how much more ill be able to get to any time soon, especially as I'll probably do at least one other Christmas song. Maybe I'll do a semi-Holiday song, like "My Favorite Things", or I even saw "Wonderful World" included on a holiday song list.

I know a lot of theory, but more as it applies to music in general, rather than jazz changes, chord substitution and improvisation over jazz changes. I hope to learn more in this area from the forum here. I can read music, as I played clarinet and trumpet in school band from elementary school until a bit into high school, but with guitar, honestly I just usually go by ear or by tabs. I've only very occasionally sat down with a piece of standard music notation and tried to play it on guitar, and when I have, it's been for some classical thing, not jazz.

Cool Jazz is my favorite jazz style.

I just play for fun. I especially like to jam. As I get older, I find myself wishing I could do some chord melody stuff for when someone says "play me something", and I wish I could do a jazz jam session. The theory has always seemed too intimidating, but I'm going to give it a bit of a go and hopefully you guys can help me along!

[Franklin52]

Welcome to the forums dmt.

This is the right place to get in the right direction, a lot of great players and educators here on this forum to answer your questions.

[brwnhornet59]

Welcome aboard.

[va3ux]

Welcome Sir.

[pierre richard]

glad to have you here...you will learn much...

When I first came here I read all of the past posts (it took a while) and I learned so much...pad and pencil handy to take notes...

time on the instrument...pierre

[dmt]

Thanks, Pierre Richard, va3ux, brwnhornet59, and Franklin52!

[cosmic gumbo]

If jazz doesn't confuse you, then you're not normal. Welcome