Australian learning Jazz

raptor1946 · #1 09-26-2009, 07:25 PM

Hi All

I have played guitar for 50 years, mainly light rock and pop in Victoria and now in Queensland.

For a number of years I barely touched my guitars but over the last 10 years I have played with a Big Band with around 75 members, and recently with smaller Jazz/Swing Bands. My main role with these was rhythm but I just used the same old chords and styles that I used in the 60s and 70s.

The current Jazz/Swing band has 16 members and I am now being called on to play Jazz soloing and Jazz Comping. So I am enjoying the huge task of learning the Jazz style of playing.

I have just purchased Band in a Box and look forward to reaching new heights with my guitar playing, not bad for a 63 year old. My goal is to be playing when I am 94 just like Les Paul was before he passed away.

I am playing through a Fender Frontman 65 R Amplifier which is a step up from my 28 year old Fender Sidekick Reverb 30 amp.

I replaced my Squier Stratocaster with a 1965 Gibson L6S about 10 years ago which was definitely a good move. However due to the age and some deterioration I have recently replaced the L6S with a Korean made Gretsch 5125.

The 5125 has a good sound and I really like the feel but as it has DeArmond single coil pickups and some of the venues and especially our rehearsal rooms are full of electrical wiring the loud hum is very hard to control.

I am considering replacing the pickups with TVJones Classic pickups and would appreciate any comments about the Jazz tones that this would produce.

I look forward to chatting with you and learning as I go

Greetings from Oz

derek · #2 09-28-2009, 09:38 AM

75 members? That is a BIG band. Welcome to the group.

raptor1946 · #3 09-29-2009, 05:11 PM

Hi Derek,

The BIG band certainly helped get me into swing and some jazz. I was swamped by the brass and woodwind sections, so not many others heard my mistakes most of the time.

It was a good place to start, but the internal politics soon convinced me to find a happier smaller group, but then I had to play better.

Eventually I found myself in a very good band and we have been chosen to play in the Queensland 150th celebrations as a lead in to the main entertainment event.

Hence my coming to this forum, as now I need to improve as I can clearly be heard.

My playing has improved dramatically since I found this site 3 months ago. I am a reborn guitarist - Yeah