New to guitar

[IrwinMFletcher]

First off, hello to everyone. I must say, this appears to be a fantastic forum with dedicated members. Hopefully you all will be able to help a newbie out.

Unlike many of the beginner posts here, I am not just new to jazz guitar but to guitar in general. In other words, a total newbie.

I have spent a few days going through many of the beginner posts, but most of them are geared towards people that are new to jazz guitar but already know how to play another style.

So, what is everyone's recommendation as to where to begin? I have picked up Leavitt's Modern Method, but is there anything else you would recommend?

Any suggestions on how I should structure my practice time? I have a full time job, so I only have 1.5hrs a day to practice, so I want to ensure that I gt the most out of my time.

Also, i live in the San Francisco Bay area. I know there are a lot of jazz guitar instructors here, but should I wait until I am a decent player before I work with one?

Thanks in advance for all your help.

[cosmic gumbo]

Getting a competent teacher ASAP will save you lots of time.

[Dad3353]

Good evening, Irwin, and welcome to the forum...
I'm with Gumbo on this; you're lucky enough to have excellent tuition on hand, and it is the best way of avoiding early mistakes or bad habits that are very hard to shift after the event.
Define your goals, make a reasonable list of techniques or qualities that you wish to obtain, and find a teacher who can put you on that road.
Nothing wrong with Leavitt; there are many others too. Your teacher can help by guiding your steps.
Just my tuppence worth; hope this helps.

[TruthHertz]

Hey Irwin. That's great! I can say that the enthusiasm at the start of a journey is a singular one. I wish you well. As far as suggestions, I can only say what works for me and my students and that is to become familiar with the instrument itself, acquire some proficiency in reading and train your ear to hear things.
I'll say that one way to do this is to get some kind of reading method, I use Aaron Shearer Classical Guitar method and get to know how sounds move on the guitar along with the notation that is associated. Classical approach also has the advantage of introducing voice independence and voice leading as well as right hand finger independence. You might think about what kinds of sounds and what music you want to emulate. Find some good ear training resources, online or otherwise so you can recognize individual notes and intervals. These are all things that a teacher will help you with and they are also things you can, with a little more effort, do by yourself. I'd take a look at Mick Goodrick's Advancing Guitarist for a comprehensive look at the depth of the guitar as a musical tool, and yes, finally, Go see a lot of live music.
The length of time is not as important as setting a goal you want to accomplish each time you enter the guitar world. The time will fly by once you become engaged.
Let us know how it goes!
David

[Sailor]

"I'll say that one way to do this is to get some kind of reading method, I use Aaron Shearer Classical Guitar method and get to know how sounds move on the guitar along with the notation that is associated. Classical approach also has the advantage of introducing voice independence and voice leading as well as right hand finger independence."

yes...yes..yes. A good foundation in reading and playing classical RH exercises pays off over and over. I also use very basic guitar books even with my older students. If you can't sight read Mel Bay #1, you are not ready to move on.

I love Arnie Berle chords for popular and jazz guitar...a great chord book with a nice approach to theory. I made the mistake of playing Barre chords and pent minors for twenty years...you just don't get much better with this typical approach. Read, learn chords, listen to tunes, watch youtube vids, transcribe, play along with backing tracks.

It's a life long endeavor...if you are up to it it is very frustrating...and rewarding.

Sailor

[jscjr64]

Irwin, I was in the same position as you are now 18 months ago. I played woodwinds all the way through school and with some very good college jazz bands, but put the reeds away after school was over and only decided to take up an instrument again twenty years later. I've been learning to play the guitar and to play jazz on the guitar somewhat simultaneously with the help of a good instructor. After about a year just getting comfortable with the instrument and learning to play the open chords, I've now progressed to the point of learning some basic jazz voicings and working out how to use them to comp to tunes out of the Real Book (my primary goal is to play solid rhythm guitar, not to solo).

There are frustrating days (especially given that I used to be quite competent on another instrument and not being able to just pull out a tune and sight-read it drives me nuts; I understand now why they call them f-holes!), but the increasingly frequent (but brief) moments when it sounds as if music is somehow coming out of the guitar make the journey worthwhile.

FYI, I've had good success with this book, which breaks you in a bit more gently than Mickey Baker or some of the others often suggested here. This would make a good introduction to jazz guitar harmony once you've got some of the basics of the instrument under your fingers.

Practice it, and it will come, or as one of the regulars here always says -- time on the instrument . . .

[IrwinMFletcher]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. It sounds as if getting an instructor is the way to go.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good instructor in the San Francisco area? A quick online search comes back with a lot of options. How do I tell if they are a good teacher, as opposed to just a good player?

[jdazey]

Taking lessons has really helped me get started. Finding the right instructor can be a challenge though. I took lessons from a national champion picker, but we couldn't get on the same page. He might be a fine teacher for some, but not for me. I've moved on to another teacher who helped me get off of tab, listened when I told him I was interested in jazz, and has me working on Black Orpheus (Real Book version). I'm thrilled, but it was frustrating getting here.

Joe

[ten left thumbs]

Hi Irwin, I am using Leavitt, and starting a study thread on this book, which you are welcome to join. The book progresses fast imo and can cover in a page technical and reading skills which could take a complete newbie weeks and months of work. I am sure a teacher will guide you.

[ten left thumbs]

Originally Posted by IrwinMFletcher

How do I tell if they are a good teacher, as opposed to just a good player?

Ask them how they teach. See how comfortable they are in replying.

[jtizzle]

Originally Posted by IrwinMFletcher

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. It sounds as if getting an instructor is the way to go.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good instructor in the San Francisco area? A quick online search comes back with a lot of options. How do I tell if they are a good teacher, as opposed to just a good player?

Randy Vincent.

[seikialice88]

Originally Posted by TruthHertz

Hey Irwin. That's great! I can say that the enthusiasm at the start of a journey is a singular one. I wish you well. As far as suggestions, I can only say what works for me and my students and that is to become familiar with the instrument itself, acquire some proficiency in reading and train your ear to hear things.
I'll say that one way to do this is to get some kind of reading method, I use Aaron Shearer Classical Guitar method and get to know how sounds move on the guitar along with the notation that is associated. Classical approach also has the advantage of introducing voice independence and voice leading as well as right hand finger independence. You might think about what kinds of sounds and what music you want to emulate. Find some good ear training resources, online or otherwise so you can recognize individual notes and intervals. These are all things that a teacher will help you with and they are also things you can, with a little more effort, do by yourself. I'd take a look at Mick Goodrick's Advancing Guitarist for a comprehensive look at the depth of the guitar as a musical tool, and yes, finally, Go see a lot of live music.
The length of time is not as important as setting a goal you want to accomplish each time you enter the guitar world. The time will fly by once you become engaged.
Let us know how it goes!
David

I also think so.
__________________
Watch The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Online Free