need advice as to where to start

[burndog]

Hi, I am a complete beginner when it comes to jazz. As far as guitar goes, over the years, on and off I have learned basic chords. I have never learned to read music (to date using chord pics in books and more recently, tabs).

Although I continue to improve, I am certainly learning very slowly now. I would like to learn jazz or jazz blues. Being such a complex style of music I realize that I must now learn properly.

My question is this...what is recommended for a jazz beginner. I assume that one pretty much has to learn to read music (I wish it wasn't the case) and know some theory. In what order should I approach this.

Recommendations would be sincerely appreciated.

[ten left thumbs]

Hi burndog, a number of us here are using Leavitt's Modern Method for Guitar. You are most welcome to join us here on the appropriate threads. It seems to point the student in the right direction for learning jazz. It does involve reading music.

[burndog]

thanks for the quick reply ten left thumbs, I have just purchased the book on Amazon. Should I be seeking out a book on music theory, or would that be covered in the Leavitt collection?

[ten left thumbs]

Hi Burndog, that's great. The book moves at quite a pace, so do give yourself time to internalise the concepts. As regards theory, my own feeling is you're better off just getting to grips with reading music first. However, if you want something more, this is a good site:

Ricci Adams' Musictheory.net

This is a long road. The books don't teach jazz as such - just basic technique, and music reading. As far as theory goes, there is basic theory (call it classical), and then there is jazz theory which is much more complex but uses classical theory as a starting point. I am dotting some theory through the threads as we go. The idea is not to get too swamped all at once.

[pierre richard]

jazzology is the name of one book on jazz theory...for your information...

also check out bert ligons site..and jamie aebersolds site which has a free downloadable book called jazz aids...

angelfire is yet another site that has lots of free downloads of guitar technique books..

and this great site with all of it's advanced players and educators who share knowledge and experience with all of us..

time on the instrument...pierre

[burndog]

Originally Posted by ten left thumbs

Hi Burndog, that's great. The book moves at quite a pace, so do give yourself time to internalise the concepts. As regards theory, my own feeling is you're better off just getting to grips with reading music first. However, if you want something more, this is a good site:

Ricci Adams' Musictheory.net

This is a long road. The books don't teach jazz as such - just basic technique, and music reading. As far as theory goes, there is basic theory (call it classical), and then there is jazz theory which is much more complex but uses classical theory as a starting point. I am dotting some theory through the threads as we go. The idea is not to get too swamped all at once.

Thanks TLT, I am enjoying the Ricci Adams link. All is good so far, but I am having a tough time grasping specific intervals. I will take a rest for now, so I don't suffer info-overload. Maybe it will be clearer later. Although the site is for piano, I still find it very helpful.

the reading of music on the other hand is so slow...I really do have a tough time. Just a short C scale on guitar is so hard. I try to imagine the fretboard in my mind as I call out the notes, but I find it is easy to get confused doing so many things at once. It seems impossible now, but I imagine that is par for the course. the more I practice the more natural it should become. I hear that one should not worry about perfection before moving on to the next exercise but I feel I should try to nail the first before proceeding. I think I need the foundation solid before going further.

I don't have the book yet,( ordered online only yesterday ) but the "look inside" at Amazon has the first two exercises, so I will keep working with baby-steps until the book arrives.


You seem to be a whiz at piano, and I have to say that although you read music already, that I am impressed with how quickly you are picking up the playing of the guitar by note. I own a keyboard, but only play around on it from time to time, but I have to say that playing a C scale on piano is soooo much easier that finding the notes on a fretboard. Keep up the good work, you are doing very well.

[burndog]

Originally Posted by pierre richard

jazzology is the name of one book on jazz theory...for your information...

also check out bert ligons site..and jamie aebersolds site which has a free downloadable book called jazz aids...

angelfire is yet another site that has lots of free downloads of guitar technique books..

and this great site with all of it's advanced players and educators who share knowledge and experience with all of us..

time on the instrument...pierre

thanks Pierre, I have downloaded the free 56 page Jazz Handbook at Jamey Aebersolds site (under FREE JAZZ menu) I'm not sure if that is what you are speaking of, but I have glanced through it and it looks very interesting.

I will certainly check out the other sites as well...thanks!

[pierre richard]

yea burndog...thats the little book with much in it...

for a small fee you can download all the real books at scribd.com...and much more...

enjoy your stay at this forum...

time on the instrument..pierre

[ten left thumbs]

Originally Posted by burndog

Thanks TLT, I am enjoying the Ricci Adams link. All is good so far, but I am having a tough time grasping specific intervals. I will take a rest for now, so I don't suffer info-overload. Maybe it will be clearer later. Although the site is for piano, I still find it very helpful.

take it easy on intervals. There is time, and it's easy to get overloaded. The ricci site also has a section on learning notes on the fretboard. I went through exactly where you are now, learning notes on the guitar, between a year and six months ago. There is no easy way, it just takes time.

the reading of music on the other hand is so slow..... I think I need the foundation solid before going further.

sure, think how long it took you to learn to read English. You need to internalise these quite arbitrary symbols, and they are not designed to be easy to learn, only to give the musician a large amount of info in a short space of time.

You seem to be a whiz at piano, and I have to say that although you read music already, that I am impressed with how quickly you are picking up the playing of the guitar by note. I own a keyboard, but only play around on it from time to time, but I have to say that playing a C scale on piano is soooo much easier that finding the notes on a fretboard. Keep up the good work, you are doing very well.

I am very lucky to have learned instruments and reading music at a young age. The piano is a machine designed for the convenience of the C scale. Other elements of piano are much harder.

Do introduce yourself on the study group threads, you will get lots of support there.

[burndog]

Thanks TLT, I will look for the section on fretboard learning. I think that is the biggest priority right now.

I have also ordered the Mel Bay Grade one book (expanded edition), which I have heard is supposed to be a bit easier with lots more exercises to help learn the fretboard ( at least compared to the one the study group is using )

[whatswisdom]

Originally Posted by burndog

My question is this...what is recommended for a jazz beginner. I assume that one pretty much has to learn to read music.

Welcome. You're in the right place. Some great people on here who will show you the way. Make sure to explore the older threads--especially in the Getting Started category. You'll find much to help you and lots of shared instructional material. The Leavitt study group is a great way to get the right hands on from the start. Have no fear of reading music. If you put in the effort you'll be rewarded with the joy of reading great tunes and great jazz concepts by Bert Ligon, Randy Vincent and many other jazz educators. Enjoy the ride...

[burndog]

Originally Posted by whatswisdom

Welcome. You're in the right place. Some great people on here who will show you the way. Make sure to explore the older threads--especially in the Getting Started category. You'll find much to help you and lots of shared instructional material. The Leavitt study group is a great way to get the right hands on from the start. Have no fear of reading music. If you put in the effort you'll be rewarded with the joy of reading great tunes and great jazz concepts by Bert Ligon, Randy Vincent and many other jazz educators. Enjoy the ride...

thanks whatswisdom for the word of encouragement. Last night I started with learning the fretboard, C last night, and B tonight and then i think I will take your advice and start looking over the old posts in getting started. I have already been given some wonderful links, but I am sure there will be much more valuable goodies in there...thanks.