Taking the plunge

[learningguitar]

Hi

I have now found myself with alot of spare time and have decided to pick up the guitar again after 8 years of not playing. This time.. instead of trying to be the next Steve Vai I want to learn to play like Joe Pass and Martin Taylor

Now my skills/memory go as far as playing a few chords and basic scales on the guitar.

Have a couple of questions:

1. How should I approach leaning? Is it best to spend time with the head in theory books before looking at Jazz specific stuff? Getting a jazz specific teacher is not really an option

2. Is the Ibanez Artcore AF75-BS a decent first Jazz Guitar?

3. Can anybody recommend any good books which helped them out when first starting with Jazz?

Thanks!

[Dad3353]

Originally Posted by learningguitar

Hi

I have now found myself with alot of spare time and have decided to pick up the guitar again after 8 years of not playing. This time.. instead of trying to be the next Steve Vai I want to learn to play like Joe Pass and Martin Taylor

Now my skills/memory go as far as playing a few chords and basic scales on the guitar.

Have a couple of questions:

1. How should I approach leaning? Is it best to spend time with the head in theory books before looking at Jazz specific stuff? Getting a jazz specific teacher is not really an option

2. Is the Ibanez Artcore AF75-BS a decent first Jazz Guitar?

3. Can anybody recommend any good books which helped them out when first starting with Jazz?

Thanks!

Good evening, learningguitar... (What a strange pseudo; how did you come up with it..? ), and welcome to the forum.

To answer you questions (others will add more, surely...)...

1. Some theory is a good idea; this...

The Jazz Theory Book

...is an excellent investment, imho (and available on this site..!).

2. Yes (there are others, but 'yes' anyway...).

3. Mickey Baker, Vol I was my first choice, 40+ years ago (seems almost like yesterday; if only...) and I've never regretted it (worn it out or lost it and bought it again several times over the years, but it's not expensive, and worth much more...). Many years of progress in there.

I would also recommend the Jody Fisher series, which complement Baker very well, I find.

Now I'll pass over to the real experts...
Hope this helps.

[gingerjazz]

Hi learning guitar i have an af 75 and think it is great value for money.I personally think the light gauge strings they come with dont do it justice.I REPLACED mine with flatwound 11s and i think it gives it a much jazzier sound . Of coarse its all personal taste.I also had to alter the trussrod to compensate get a professional to do this if you are at all unsure about setting up guitars.Please ask if you need any more info about the IBANEZ.

[backliner]

Welcome!
If you read some of the posts at this very site and maybe take advantage of a link or two you'll be in good hands.

I used (and still use sometimes) The Berklee Modern Method for guitar by William Leavitt. It's not jazz specific, but I think jazz demands you know music and your instrument and it is slanted towards future work in the jazz genre. There are others that people relate to and recommend. I supplemented it with a few lessons from a jazz guy. That helped.

The Ibanez AF-75 is fine. I've had a couple. I put wooden bridges on them but that's just me. eventually I put better pickups in the neck positions of each of the ones I had but it's just a nuance thing. The stockers ain't bad.

[knuckle47]

I am certainly no expert but I have been playing on and off for over 51 years. I am now 57 and find that theory goes a long way but more importantly, your statement about not being Steve Vai and more like Joe Pass STRIKES a BIG chord ( no pun intended). I have been in both places and as a 16 year old in 1969 I struggled to play like Jimmy Page and was in bands that did that exact thing. Over the years like wine, I have mellowed and enjoy just sitting down to entertain a few friends OR EVEN JUST myself. You might enjoy looking into Robert Conti's methods of simply showing you how to play some beautiful jazz melodies and chords, assembling a sweet sounding song and moving on to something else. It works for me...but that's me.

I ran into Bucky Pizzarelli a few weeks ago and in our discussion, he invited me to come over for a free guitar lesson. I STILL wonder if it is one of theory ( which I suck at ) or playing a few great chords together. I hesitate to respond from fear of embarrassment

I will never be a pro player but to sit and make a few beautiful chord melodies....wow!

[jbraun002]

Lots of folks like the Artcore guitars, but for variety (and because I think they're great guitars) I suggest trying the Godin 5th Ave (with or without the P90).

The Godins are very affordable, especially used, have great playability and sound pretty much like you might expect a es-125 or old harmony to sound. They might even be cheaper than the Ibanezes, and have (once again, imo) more vibe.

As far as books/methods, I recommend Guitar College (99centguitarlessons.com/JazzLessons.html). I personally like the way he teaches, and the lessons are cheap and focussed.

[cosmic gumbo]

If you are ready for the plunge, these are highly recommended...

[backliner]

Originally Posted by jbraun002

...I suggest trying the Godin 5th Ave (with or without the P90)...

+1 to this.

If you don't already have the Ibanez, the Godin is what I moved to after the aforementioned "a couple of AF-75's."
The body is a bit bigger on the Godins, the top and the finish a bit thinner (more acoustic sound for practice when unplugged), the P-90's sound vintage-y, and it's vibe is "ginchier" (only geezers usually know what that is).

[Dad3353]

Originally Posted by backliner

...and it's vibe is "ginchier" (only geezers usually know what that is).

Good afternoon, backliner...
I looked it up and found...

Canadian English. def: Resembling or relating to men's underwear briefs.
Smells all ginchy in here.

...I'll stay with my Hofner, I think.

[backliner]

Yeah but that's not even spelled right.

I meant more along the lines of Austin Powers: "It's ginchey, Baby!!"

On the other hand, some of my solos ARE absolutely ginchy.