Aebsold Vol 3. Patterns

[chrisp]

Hi there,

I've got myself a copy of the 2-5-1 volume from Aebersold to help me 'master' the progression. In the supplement are a whole bunch of 'patterns'. Is that just another word for lick?

It advises learning the patterns in all keys but, with guitar, is it the same just moved up or down the fretboard to get to a different key?

Instead should I learn the pattern with the 'root' note on different strings?

Thanks

[FatJeff]

Yes, "pattern" is another word for lick.

Yo have to understand that Aebersold is coming from a horn and piano background and doesn't understand that the guitar is a completely different animal. I've used other teaching materials which recommend learning a pattern in all 12 keys as well, but what I've gotten more mileage out of is to instead play the pattern in two keys (usually Bb and F), and then play them in every conceivable place on the fretboard, as you said with the "root" note on different strings and starting with different fingers. I use the Jimmy Bruno shapes a lot when learning new patterns, so for each key I play them in 5 different places, plus an octave higher where possible. Same thing would apply to you if you use CAGED.

For pianists and horn players, each different key has different fingerings, so learning all these patterns in 12 keys takes a lot longer, but once they learn them, there is only one fingering for each key.

OK. Now that that's out of the way - are you new at jazz guitar? IMNSHO, there are a lot better and faster ways to meaningful improvisation than the Aebersold "method."

[chrisp]

Thanks for the response that makes perfect sense now.

Yes, I'm completely new to jazz. I wasn't sure HOW to start tackling this massive genre but knew that the 2-5-1 progression seemed quite important. Do you have any other suggestions on where I start? Perhaps more guitar specific?

[BigDaddyLoveHandles]

My first jazz teacher was a great guy (he would make me a mix tape every week! This was back when you had to buy LPs and I couldn't afford many) but he played sax and knew nothing technical about the guitar. He would get me to do "in all key" exercises, but in my teenage laziness I'd use maybe two fingerings and just go up and down the neck

Now I realize the challenge it to pick a stretch of neck, say frets 4 to 8, and play a whole exercise, moving as little as possible.

[jeffstritt]

Ideally you want to be able to put your hand any where on the fretboard and play anything in any key. Realistically, that doesn't always work out, but that is the ultimate goal. Get a Real Book and start learning tunes. Analyzing the melodies and chord changes of standards is a great way to get a feel for how things work in jazz, and there is plently of material to work on.
Unless you go to play in a group called the Chromatic ii-V-I's learning some real book tunes is going to get you where you need to go a lot faster than Jamey Aebersold.

[BigDaddyLoveHandles]

Are you taking lessons? Learning jazz guitar on your own is like learning to dance on your own. Online, the Jimmy Bruno Guitar Institute gets good reviews around here, and it's not expensive.

[FatJeff]

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles

Are you taking lessons? Learning jazz guitar on your own is like learning to dance on your own. Online, the Jimmy Bruno Guitar Institute gets good reviews around here, and it's not expensive.

Ya beat me to the punch BDLH. Definite +1 for JBGI.

[jbraun002]

Well... here's a disenting opinion - I like Aebersold's materials. I think starting out with them, without a teacher, is possibly difficult and unproductive, but that being said they're a great way practice. And there's plenty of Aebersold records (CDs - you know what I mean! ) that cover standards.

You might try getting Volume 24 and Volume 1 first, though. The latter has very basic progressions that are more suited to getting your feet wet, and the former will help you master your major and dorian scales (and some simple progressions).

None of that means you should neglect your Real Book.

Also, I haven't used the JBGI, but I used another ArtistWorks site for banjo, and it was extremely helpful, and Jimmy seems like a good teacher based on the materials I've seen.

Best of luck!

[gingerjazz]

does anyone have any samples of them playing over the aebersold 251 cds i wold love to hear them as i struggle to make my lines sound like im not just playing preconcieved licks

[abracadabra]

I have a whole bunch of Aebersold books, including the 2-5-1 one. I've used it a little, but found that I got much more mileage out of learning an actual song, backwards and forwards, and then improvising over it, rather than playing 2-5-1s in every key, which is pretty hard to do at first. I recommend the 'Maiden Voyage' one, I don't know the number.

Anyway, it has Autumn leaves which is pretty accessible and has lots of 2-5-1s to practice, major and minor, and you'll get a lot more satisfaction out of playing over a song with a melody and an interesting progression than just over the 2-5-1 book.

You can improvise around the melody, around the Gm scale, and use arpeggios/approach tones etc. and it will all sound pretty good pretty soon. It was more helpful to me anyway than learning pre-set licks and playing them in all keys. I actually found the path I took easier.