lessons (Robert Conti)

[DDjazz]

just wanted to know if anyone here tried any of the lesson by robert conti series ( no modes no scales ) if so what do you think about the lessons i myself ordered the beginner set and i must say i have learned a couple of songs so if anyone have comments i like to hear them

[Drumbler]

If you like his approach then use it.

He's a super player.

I've tried out some of his free lessons and they are fine.

[markerhodes]

Yeah, I've looked at the free stuff too but haven't bought anything. The guy can play, no doubt. And there's a gruff charm about him too.

[Gramps]

You purchased the course. What do you think? Strong points/weak points?

[paynow]

There is another thread about Robert Conti's lessons from last month:

http://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/getti...is-method.html

It may give you some insight.

[Blues Traveler]

I think the big thing here is not that Conti says that learning theory is somehow not necessary or useful - even important. The point is that so many people begin to learn scales and theory and exercises and yada yada yada because they're told they'll never be able to play jazz without these skills, and they never actually learn a tune they really like. So they get bored and put down the instrument. His point is, get some music under your fingers, make some sounds you love, and you'll get excited about learning. Then there'll be no holding you back.

[Richb]

I think Conti's right on for a hobby-ist or amateur. Not for people who are really serious about playing at a high level...and in all honesty, Conti really can't play well at ALL...which doesn't make his materials less useful....it just needs to be taken w/ a grain of salt...

[pickguard]

I bought Conti's Chord melody assembly line book. Something to that effect,it will help you white out chord melodies maybe faster but not necessarily any better. Just different. As far as his soloing goes I prefer it to be a little more melodic. I personally do not like to hear wall to wall 8th or 16th notes. I like a little more space.

[bigbyte]

I agree regarding Conti's playing, although technically impressive its not really my cup of tea, an endless barrage of notes tends to make me switch off. However I have his 'Jazz Lines' book and have found the approach interesting and personally helpful. I think in his defence it is worth pointing out that throughout the accompanying video he says that the theory becomes more accessible and in some cases (my own I have to say) less of an intellectual interference to improvisation once the student is comfortable with his Conti's 'stripped down' hands on approach. I cant speak for the rest of his materials because I haven't seen them, but I own the Joe Pass 'Jazz Lines' video in which he also talks about simplifying the approach to improvising over complex changes, altered chords and so on. Conti's mantra about getting it under your fingers first, before having an intellectual discussion about which modes were involved is also accompanied by the often repeated 'dont copy me! when you get the point of this approach create your own lines find your own voice.

[raylinds]

He currently has a 30% off sale, so I bought the three beginner improv DVDs. Several years back I started studying jazz guitar, but got too bogged down in theory and scales rather than playing music, so it was more fun to go back to the blues playing I was used to. So I agree with the concept of playing music as soon as you can to keep the interest. However, I plan to also study theory and scales- there's no reason you can't do both.

I have the Jazz Conceptions book by Jim Snidero, and can already play the first song in it (Groove Blues). It's pretty simple but sounds very jazzy. It has really motivated me to work harder at scales and theory. It's just important for me to also take time to play music.

I am now more enthusiastic than ever to study jazz and practice much more than I ever have.

[raylinds]

My DVDs arrived, and I have started using them. The first song is Satin Doll, and he shows how to play a very nice sounding, but simple solo. However, while I am working on the solo I am doing other things, too. First, I learned to play the melody, next I started to augment the melody. Since I am a real newbie to jazz, I started doing that by just altering the rhythm on the melody, but keeping the same notes. Next I started adding passing tones.

The next thing I am going to do is start playing arpeggios through the changes and working those into the solo and melody augmentation.

I think his method is great in that it gets you playing very jazzy sounds quickly, but I want to learn the songs, not just solos.

I have created a rhythm track in BIAB and imported the midi file into Cubase and loaded up some very high quality samples of bass drums and guitar. This way I can change the tempo, etc.

It sounds great and I have never had so much fun practicing in my life. Any comments on my plan or suggestions for next steps are most welcome. After I progress a little further, I will post some audio files for feedback.

[Bigmagic]

I am a student at Truefire, they have one of the Conti courses.(JazzMaster) I have looked at it but there are so many better options available on the site.(IMHO) I have to find someone who I can stand to listen to and who plays a style that interests me. Mark Stefani is enjoyable as are several of the other instructors on the site. I think everyone has to find someone who they can connect with to get the most out of this type of instruction. Otherwise your DVDs lay around the house unused(I have a few of those).