The Jazz Guitar Chord Dictionary
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  1. #1

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    Hello fellow jazz fans. I have been playing music since I was eight years old, I am now retired and have eight Grandchildren. I am going to let each of them have a go at playing guitar to see if any of them show an interest in learning music. Although I suppose after all these years I must have achieved some level of competence on the instrument I believe teaching to be another skillset. My plan would be to maybe get them to learn some basics and if they show an interest and are prepared to do some practice to then pass them over to a professional teacher. I imagine teaching youngsters to be an even harder task because you need to keep there interest and not have them start to associate guitar practice with boredom. So finally to my question. What would be the first things you would show/teach a youngster just starting out. Obviously parts of the guitar being the first thing. But after that should it be just cowboy chords or would you dive straight in to teaching intervals, the major scale and its triads etc. Thanks in advance.
    Last edited by Luddite; 06-26-2021 at 04:10 PM. Reason: missed something out.

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    The Jazz Guitar Chord Dictionary
     
  3. #2

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    Quote Originally Posted by Luddite
    Hello fellow jazz fans. I have been playing music since I was eight years old, I am now retired and have eight Grandchildren. I am going to let each of them have a go at playing guitar to see if any of them show an interest in learning music. Although I suppose after all these years I must have achieved some level of competence on the instrument I believe teaching to be another skillset. My plan would be to maybe get them to learn some basics and if they show an interest and are prepared to do some practice to then pass them over to a professional teacher. I imagine teaching youngsters to be an even harder task because you need to keep there interest and not have them start to associate guitar practice with boredom. So finally to my question. What would be the first things you would show/teach a youngster just starting out. Obviously parts of the guitar being the first thing. But after that should it be just cowboy chords or would you dive straight in to teaching intervals, the major scale and its triads etc. Thanks in advance.
    How old are the kids?

    When I taught young kids way back when, I started them on learning the melodies to their favorite songs. Pop songs, songs they heard in their favorite TV shows and such.

    Start with what they like. Get them interested. They have their whole lives to get into scales, chord, and the like. Spark that curiosity and the rest will follow if they will it.

  4. #3

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    Well if they are at least 9-10 they can learn from "Method Book 1" (fill in the blank, Hal Leonard, Mel Bay, etc.). They are big enough, strong enough, and smart enough to run with that - if they want to. Let them work at their own pace but suggest a minimum practice time - and - let them know that the more they practice the faster they'll progress.

    If they have strong musical preferences (it would have been the Beatles or some other pop/rock heroes for me) even better, because they can also buy a book of their songs and learn basic versions of them, if not transcriptions/accurate renditions. This is a much bigger motivator than "Book 1", but do both, not either/or.

    Also, show them some 3 chord songs using cowboy chords as you said, so that they are not solely dependent on written music. (C, F, G7. Am, Dm, E7 etc.) In that fashion they can begin to relate to the guitar, strumming, picking, and music in an independent sense. "Book 1" will have that anyway, but show it to them "off page" too, as a seperate concept.

    Gently suggest some guitar intensive music for them to listen to if they have yet to form strong preferences. Ask their parents to assist in that area too. Suggest a little bit of everything (pop, rock, blues, R&B, indie, country, classical, jazz, etc.) You may be surprised by what they like/want to learn. Explore styles as interest is shown.

    If they really like the guitar and music they'll grab on, if not, not. Once they get to book 2 you will be more challenged as a teacher, so if you have a promising student get ready. When/if you get there don't take a massive leap forward. Keep going step by step. (In addition to Mel Bay there are other leveled courses of study out there to keep you grounded - RGT, etc.) Once they get to about level 3 some strong style preferences/focuses should start to form.

    I had success with kids like that. Now, little kids? I don't have the skills to teach little ones, and would just assume leave that to someone else anyway.

    Have fun!

  5. #4
    Hello and thank you for replying. The kids range from newborns(obviously too young yet), to 10 and eleven year old. So if I fail to spark an interest in the older ones I have more chances as the younger ones grow.

  6. #5
    Hello and thank you for replying. The kids range from newborns(obviously too young yet), to 10 and eleven year old. So if I fail to spark an interest in the older ones I have more chances as the younger ones grow. 

  7. #6
    Hello Don and thank you for your very thoughtful reply. I will not be taking any of them very far but merely seeing if any of them show an interest in learning before taking them to a professional teacher. I worry about starting them off the wrong way at such young ages and doing some damage that might discourage them from music. If it was up to me I would have them diving straight in to music theory because I am a theory junkie, but I know with youngsters this might not be the correct approach and I might well scare them off. Thanks again for your advice, you gave me lots to think about. All the best.

  8. #7

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    Quote Originally Posted by Luddite
    Hello fellow jazz fans. I have been playing music since I was eight years old, I am now retired and have eight Grandchildren. I am going to let each of them have a go at playing guitar to see if any of them show an interest in learning music. Although I suppose after all these years I must have achieved some level of competence on the instrument I believe teaching to be another skillset. My plan would be to maybe get them to learn some basics and if they show an interest and are prepared to do some practice to then pass them over to a professional teacher. I imagine teaching youngsters to be an even harder task because you need to keep there interest and not have them start to associate guitar practice with boredom. So finally to my question. What would be the first things you would show/teach a youngster just starting out. Obviously parts of the guitar being the first thing. But after that should it be just cowboy chords or would you dive straight in to teaching intervals, the major scale and its triads etc. Thanks in advance.

  9. #8

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    I'm a grade school teacher, just for reference.

    Not music, I'm a learning specialist.

    Nothing quells curiosity like a method book. Actually, when I was 12 years old--the method books and learning how to read Twinkle Twinkle killed my motivation. I actually quit guitar because that was all that guitar teacher did with me. He was a washed out metal guitarist who didn't give a hoot about his students, figures.

    Find out what your grand kiddos listen to, even if it isn't guitar based. Get them to play along with a part of their favorite songs, even if it's a simplified melody, vocal, or bassline.

    Don't, I repeat, do NOT start the kids with a method book. That's me as a teacher, as a learning specialist talking. I might not be a jazz expert or professional, but teaching is my vocation and cultivating learning is my craft. DO start with what they like, however much you may like or dislike their music. Get them to make up their own music, even if it sounds like nonsense. Discovery and choice help spark curiosity, not methods... methods come later, once they are HOOKED.

  10. #9

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    Quote Originally Posted by Luddite
    ...So if I fail to spark an interest in the older ones I have more chances as the younger ones grow.
    I come from a large family and I have kids myself. I hope that you feel a spark from some of your grandkids but don't be surprised if you aren't sparking them. Either they want to do it or they don't.
    Last edited by lammie200; 06-27-2021 at 10:16 AM.

  11. #10

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    I don’t know if you’ve noticed PickMyEars, but kids don’t always seem very interested in listening to music. If you get one who wants to learn songs, life gets a lot easier, and your job becomes about facilitating their self directed learning and giving them the odd exercise. TikTok has popularised a lot of older music too, for the older kids (although there’s massive issues obviously around social media platforms for kids and I wouldn’t encourage kids to use them obv.)

    For everyone else you have to find a way in. A method can be really helpful. But things like Leavitt which are fantastically designed are also very dry, with very (to me) corny sounding pieces. So you have to supplement that material with other stuff IMO.

    When I was younger I was all ‘self directed learning’ and ‘no books’; theses days I’m ‘thank God, a syllabus! Now I can focus on teaching.’

    It’s weird though, some of my most ‘on it’ child students have no particular interest in guitar music; if they are interested in music they kind of don’t connect it up with the guitar at all. While I try to encourage this join up (learning pop tunes etc), I don’t mind this, I just teach them stuff in a structured, progressive way and they seem to enjoy the process of improving.

    I figure when they do get the bug, they’ll have the skills they need, and if not, it’s a nice thing to do as an activity. Not everyone has the fire in their belly in that way, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t getting a lot out of it.

    For beginners I really like material with backing tracks; it allows students to play a simple part in context. I always feel that playing one or two notes on its own is a bit boring. It also teaches them to play in time.

    Of course, even better, the teacher could play a part with it and that would be great, and maybe you could record a backing so that students can play with it in practice sessions.

    There’s a good book I use called Guitar Basics that while not perfect had many great things about it, including diversity of styles, adaptability and really fun (if occasionally confusing) backing tracks. It equips students with the ability to read notation, understand basic chord charts and tab. It’s also designed to be used in groups of up to classroom size and I would love to teach in a group setting at some point.

    (The second book moves much more towards classical solo playing.)
    Last edited by Christian Miller; 06-27-2021 at 04:17 AM.

  12. #11

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    I think what djg said is wise. There’s a lot to be said in a family environment for just playing around kids, it’s great for them to see and hear music being made. If they are interested they will get involved…

  13. #12

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    Yea... great points. Over the years, too many. I've noticed that young kids that get exposed to pitch, the game of finding notes on piano or guitar... seem to develop really good relative pitch. Almost perfect, don't have an actual study, there must be out there.

  14. #13

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    I have taught a lot of kids (also teaching two of my nieces at the moment), and I think the hardest things for very young students are to relate guitar playing with fun (and not just effort and practice), and to get them hooked into listening to music and exploring it.

    If they are already music fans, it's a lot easier. If you have a chance to play for them at gatherings, or take them to concerts, rehearsals etc, it can make a difference. If the parents are into music it makes a big difference also..

    With many kids, I don't even teach them notes in the beginning, but use tablature, which is easier for them. We go through melodies, holiday tunes, film music, kids music, songs they like. If I teach notes I use books that are targeted at kids, or write my own etude studies (so easier stuff, basically we learn notes on the first 3 strings -you can also play most chords on the first 3 strings only for very young kids).

    Some kids will surprise you and really show potential. Maintaining a positive attitude and a fun lesson atmosphere is equally important as the guitar stuff you teach. If a kid does some lessons only to realize they are not really interested in guitar playing, but discovers how fun music can be, I still call this a win!
    Last edited by Alter; 06-27-2021 at 12:57 PM.

  15. #14

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    Quote Originally Posted by Alter
    If the parents are into music it makes a big difference also..
    Yes, this is big. Music in the home. Music in the car.

  16. #15

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    Quote Originally Posted by PickingMyEars
    I'm a grade school teacher, just for reference.

    Not music, I'm a learning specialist.

    Nothing quells curiosity like a method book. Actually, when I was 12 years old--the method books and learning how to read Twinkle Twinkle killed my motivation. I actually quit guitar because that was all that guitar teacher did with me. He was a washed out metal guitarist who didn't give a hoot about his students, figures.

    Find out what your grand kiddos listen to, even if it isn't guitar based. Get them to play along with a part of their favorite songs, even if it's a simplified melody, vocal, or bassline.

    Don't, I repeat, do NOT start the kids with a method book. That's me as a teacher, as a learning specialist talking. I might not be a jazz expert or professional, but teaching is my vocation and cultivating learning is my craft. DO start with what they like, however much you may like or dislike their music. Get them to make up their own music, even if it sounds like nonsense. Discovery and choice help spark curiosity, not methods... methods come later, once they are HOOKED.
    Method books are dry and corny, but that's why I supplement. Tell them that they are dry, but why they are valuable. (at least the first two books). They are valuable because they teach one how to read, they teach them things about guitar orientation, tuning etc. The book is always there for reference when needed. Like with any other subject they contain progressively challenging material and information. They also help a person track progress in a clear and tangible way that provides them with a sense of accomplishment ("Hey, I'm at level 2!", etc.).

    Just learning songs may lead someone to believe that they've learned everything they need to, when they have only scratched the surface. That happens with a lot of guitarists, and may be just fine for most. If, however, the student wants to get serious they will have been short-changed by the folksy casual aproach. I know I was. (It's the casual guitar culture that makes us say that method books are bad when other instruments start that way from the get go).

    Finally, I don't know if YOU can get them hooked. If they aren't enthusiastic and motivated about music and the guitar they'll surely quit, it's just a matter of when.

  17. #16

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    Quote Originally Posted by Christian Miller
    But things like Leavitt which are fantastically designed are also very dry, with very (to me) corny sounding pieces.
    Leavitt books are NOT for kids, and are not for beginners.

    They do indeed have that mid-century sound, but are masterfully conceived and arranged.

    I will say however that Leavitt's stuff can be pretty tough on the hands. People told him so, too. His chord solo studies in particular sound great but are not necessary. One can use standard songs and friendlier grips and sound great. My two cents.

  18. #17

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    Quote Originally Posted by Luddite
    Hello fellow jazz fans. I have been playing music since I was eight years old, I am now retired and have eight Grandchildren. I am going to let each of them have a go at playing guitar to see if any of them show an interest in learning music. Although I suppose after all these years I must have achieved some level of competence on the instrument I believe teaching to be another skillset. My plan would be to maybe get them to learn some basics and if they show an interest and are prepared to do some practice to then pass them over to a professional teacher. I imagine teaching youngsters to be an even harder task because you need to keep there interest and not have them start to associate guitar practice with boredom. So finally to my question. What would be the first things you would show/teach a youngster just starting out. Obviously parts of the guitar being the first thing. But after that should it be just cowboy chords or would you dive straight in to teaching intervals, the major scale and its triads etc. Thanks in advance.
    I started my 7yo grandson with John Denver's "Country Road". He knew the whole song by heart from watching Wash Caps Hockey. I started off with me playing and him singing. Then, I had him pick through the melody a few bars at a time (over multiple sessions). Finally, we worked on easy cheat chords in Key of G. I think the real key was finding something he knew very well and could sing with. Good luck and enjoy your time with your grandson... JD

  19. #18

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    Quote Originally Posted by Donplaysguitar
    Leavitt books are NOT for kids, and are not for beginners.

    They do indeed have that mid-century sound, but are masterfully conceived and arranged.

    I will say however that Leavitt's stuff can be pretty tough on the hands. People told him so, too. His chord solo studies in particular sound great but are not necessary. One can use standard songs and friendlier grips and sound great. My two cents.
    People do teach them to kids though. Not me, lol. But I've inherited a few students who were on the Leavitt books.

    This is personal taste, and quite beside the point, but coming from someone who plays and listens to a LOT of mid century music, as well as composing music in that style, I just don't like Leavitt's pieces very much.

    Mostly I have personally used Leavitt's sight reading books. It always feel like a chore TBH, at least when I got good enough at reading to actually get interested I what I was playing.

    Challenged to find sight reading resources I do like, I would recommend Adam Levy's sight-reading book. Those examples are all great music and systematically presented. The book's just a little short. But sight reading can be really fun when you enjoy the music, it turns out (not that that's how it is when you are a pro, always, but it certainly incentivises practice.)

    Leavitt's method books are very well designed, I have a lot of respect for the methodology, but I don't use them.

    Anyway this is all fairly irrelevant to the OP.
    Last edited by Christian Miller; 06-27-2021 at 06:54 PM.

  20. #19
    Hi Lammie. I really hope my post did not come across as an old man determined to force his Grandkids in to music just because it is what I love to do. I am just wanting to make them aware of what music is and see if they might show an interest. If it turns out none of them have a desire to persue it then that is fine with me. Thank you for your reply.

  21. #20
    Thank you Dono Yes as we get older we become very aware of how precious time with our loved ones is. Hopefully even if none of the anklebiters pursue music they might at least be left with happy memories of time with Gramps. Thank you for replying.
    Last edited by Luddite; 06-27-2021 at 07:45 PM. Reason: spelling

  22. #21
    Thank you djg, I think the idea of just picking out familiar melodies is a great one. What a great forum this is.

  23. #22
    Thank you Reg. I have seen some of your videos. You are a wonderful musician/guitar player.

  24. #23
    I like to start with the natural notes for 12 frets on each string in different time groupings and some easy chords and promote playing by ear and basic reading. Its like sobriety its for people who want it not just need it. Ive taught students whose parents wanted them "well rounded" but young person didnt really want the lessons and these types never work out very well for long. They have to want it pretty bad for the first barre chord to sound clean.

  25. #24

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    Quote Originally Posted by Christian Miller
    People do teach them to kids though. Not me, lol. But I've inherited a few students who were on the Leavitt books.

    This is personal taste, and quite beside the point, but coming from someone who plays and listens to a LOT of mid century music, as well as composing music in that style, I just don't like Leavitt's pieces very much.

    Mostly I have personally used Leavitt's sight reading books. It always feel like a chore TBH, at least when I got good enough at reading to actually get interested I what I was playing.

    Challenged to find sight reading resources I do like, I would recommend Adam Levy's sight-reading book. Those examples are all great music and systematically presented. The book's just a little short. But sight reading can be really fun when you enjoy the music, it turns out (not that that's how it is when you are a pro, always, but it certainly incentivises practice.)

    Leavitt's method books are very well designed, I have a lot of respect for the methodology, but I don't use them.

    Anyway this is all fairly irrelevant to the OP.
    Not to split hairs but I meant a young kid, and beginner. Now, after a few years? Sure, they may indeed be able to handle Leavitt.

    And on any potential notion of using it as a sole resource? No way, Jose.

  26. #25

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    I also think you should ask them the song they want to learn be it a popular song or a TV show theme song. To get them started I use a method that requires only one finger play the a with one finger and move up and down the fret board to each chore you want. This shows them that all in all the guitar does not need to be a complicated device. After they use that method and are good enough show them cowboy chords.