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Hi All,
I've been playing guitar since I was a kid. I've a rock/country player. But I've worked on Jazz for a couple of years. My lessons have just been randomly watching youtube...no real focus to my practice. I know basics like arpeggios and standard chords.
I need a real instructor I think. And I'd like to find some people to play with.
How did you guys find your teachers and jam buddies? I live in Southern CA so there should be a lot of choices, and I'm not opposed to online lessons. I feel like I'm getting better all the time but it's just so chaotic how I learn
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10-21-2022 02:54 PM
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I think Jonathan Stout is in southern CA. I’d start with him.
For people to play with, I go to open blues jams and meet horn players.
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Originally Posted by AllanAllen
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I had to create a Facebook account to search for blues jams. Might be worth a shot.
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Originally Posted by AaronMColeman
I have students from all the world.
Check me out here
Double A Jazz - Jazz Guitar Workshop, Jazz Guitar Workshop
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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@Aaron,
I highly recommend forum member Pete Sklaroff for online lessons -- he will bring order to your chaos!
On top of getting a good teacher, "playing with others" is probably one of the best ways to increase your skills! "So Cal" is a huge area (I'm originally from Orange County), but like others have said, find the open jams, "jazz hangouts," local coffeehouses, and maybe even consider posting on Craig's List (augh! of course, you may be killed/robbed, but you may also find some cool players!).
And have fun!
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Originally Posted by AaronMColeman
1) play with a looper; alternate between lead and rhythm playing; also play to backing tracks
2) try and push some jazz tunes on your rock playing friends
3) join Frank Vignola’s Jazz Channel on TrueFire $10/mth. Very easy to post videos of your playing that the community (and or Frank) can counsel you on. Also contains a lifetimes worth of quality learning material by Frank himself
4) concentrate on learning songs and not chasing “methodologies”
5) be careful about getting too involved with YouTube “gurus”….spend time on your instrument and not the computer
6) get Garrison Fewell’s book Jazz Improvisation for Guitar: A Melodic Approach
7) get the DrumGenius app
8) learn how to read music
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Originally Posted by marcwhy
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Originally Posted by alltunes
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Originally Posted by AaronMColeman
[Not sure how up to date his web site is, but contact Ron Kobayashi and see where he's playing! He used to play a lot in Fullerton, and he did some jam sessions here and there -- and he's a cool cat!]
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I am studying online with Richie Hart. I highly recommend him. He is a monster player and teacher with 50 some years of experience. He teaches how to use your ears as the primary tool for playing. He will make you work hard.
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- Learn to read music (opens so many doors)
- Ear training (will help in more than just jazz)
- iRealB app. Will play the chords, bass, and drums for pretty much every jazz tune. You learn the melody to play over chords. Practice solos over chords.
- Get a good list of 'learn these first' jazz tunes online. No reason to start on the hard ones.
- Set up to record easily. Reaper is a good, inexpensive app with lots of support. Focusrite makes good PC interfaces.
As for finding others to play with.. yea.. it's really hard. Here in southern Oregon there are very few. And none within a reasonable driving distance. Same with teachers which is something I would rather do face to face.
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Originally Posted by AaronMColeman
He is in north Orange County. Google Stu Goodis for his contact info.
Moffa Mithra
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