A jazz guitar newbie with some questions

[Tobi]

Hello all. I'm an aspiring jazz guitarist with a few questions and concerns regarding a few things.

1) I'm pretty much lacking in the way of standards (though I know some progressions), so are there any I should be expected to know?

2) I've kinda been developing a habit of using both cross-picking and my fingers to play. Is this an OK method of playing, or should I just focus playing one style?

3) Despite lots of study on harmony and chord progressions, I still don't fully understand the use of Dom. 7's when they aren't to the key. You know like E7 and C7 in C Major. Is this very short modulation, simply not in key, or what?

4) I hear a lot of stuff about college being a waste of time (talking music here). Is that true?

5) Does jazz make for a good career? I will always love and play jazz, but can it exactly put food on the table?

6) Anyone have sheet music for Sonny Rollin's St. Thomas?

Sorry if these questions should be more specific to forum, but I'm a it busy at the moment.

[cosmic gumbo]

1 yes
2 no
3 no
4 yes
5 no
6 yes

[fep]

Originally Posted by cosmic gumbo

1 yes
2 no
3 no
4 yes
5 no
6 yes

+1
except 2. yes, no

[ten left thumbs]

Originally Posted by Tobi

3) Despite lots of study on harmony and chord progressions, I still don't fully understand the use of Dom. 7's when they aren't to the key. You know like E7 and C7 in C Major. Is this very short modulation, simply not in key, or what?

Jazz does this a lot -drifts in and out of key centres. You end up playing the V of the V of the V of the V of the key you started out in. Randy Halberstadt's Metaphors for the Musician has an explanation that you will need a space suit for.

Sounds to me more urgently like you need a realbook with some standards to get you going. Also, many tunes are one Wikifonia.

You will also find you need to get really familiar with ii-V-I's in all keys.

[mike g]

St Thomas

[ybjazz]

To give you a more in depth answer:

You should sign up for lessons with a good teacher. Jazz has a lot of complexities that may seem overwhelming to most people that go at it on their own. Having a teacher is also great, because a good teacher sets the example for what you're trying to be and what you want to accomplish- they also keep you on track and force you to do things you might not otherwise do on your own. If you tell me what area you are from, I may be able to help you find a teacher. Most colleges and universities generally have a good, respectable, guitar teacher working with their music programs- so that could be a good place to look.

Secondly, college is not a waste of time. A degree in Music Performance is somewhat useless although I have managed to use it well, many people aren't as lucky. However, the benefit of going to school for music is the lessons, the opportunity to practice A LOT, and the opportunity to play in ensembles with other people. Most students that study music in college don't really take any of the above seriously, and end up not doing anything. It's also a good idea to consider a Music Education degree to fall back on. Many colleges now offer a 5 year Music Education Bachelors and Masters combined program.

In terms of your picking technique- you should be fairly proficient at using the pick, going fingerstyle, and playing hybrid with both. I think depending on the situation, I use each of those to their fullest. It's best to be well-rounded so you have the tools to accomplish whatever it is you may be working on. From personal experience, I developed really solid right hand technique for my solo guitar playing by really studying classical guitar for a long time (I still do!). It really transferred over to my jazz playing- so don't rule anything out.

Lastly, being a musician of any style of music (and as a guitarist, you should consider being a musician of many styles) can be a very rewarding career but it doesn't go without it's difficulties. I'm fortunate that I have a full-time gig with a military band, and I also teach about 40 students a week, and do a lot of gigging on my own.

[richard vandyne]

yb jazz thanks for a great answer for someone who needs help in unfamiliar territory. it was informative for us all----------------thanks

[Tobi]

Just dropping by to say thanks for the help and sheet music. So yeah... thanks!