How much music theory do I need before getting into jazz?

[joe2758]

And people say gigs are drying out.

Tal! lol leave the kid alone. I didn't start guitar til i was 15

[AlexMalmis]

that's right. now, how would you play both notes at the same time? of course you can't when they're on the same string, so you'll need to use 2 strings.

Here's a hint, the power chord you use is a 5th.

If I wanna play a and the major third at the same time?

[joe2758]

If I wanna play a and the major third at the same time?

right so play A on one string. now what is the major 3rd of A? play that on the next string so you can play them together like a chord

[AlexMalmis]

And people say gigs are drying out.

well It is not really a gig where me and my "boys" are playing. It is a contest between youths to make a song and play it and we are in it.

[AlexMalmis]

right so play A on one string. now what is the major 3rd of A? play that on the next string so you can play them together like a chord

54xxxx? is that correct?

[joe2758]

that's correct, so that was Christian's first assignment to you. I'll let him continue on with his lesson-- he's a fantastic teacher.

[Tal_175]

well It is not really a gig where me and my "boys" are playing. It is a contest between youths to make a song and play it and we are in it.

Just giving you hard time. You're on the right path.

[AlexMalmis]

that's correct, so that was Christian's first assignment to you. I'll let him continue on with his lesson-- he's a fantastic teacher.

nice

[AlexMalmis]

Just giving you hard time. You're on the right path.

okay

[grahambop]

C'mon, at his age playing power chords in front of his mates is exactly what he should be doing!

[AlexMalmis]

That'll probably be OK. Those A shape voicings are a bit lame though, especially the dominant (yuck)

But, the way I learned was shell voicings, 1 3 and 7

CMajor7

8 x 9 9 (8) x - note order root, 7th, 3rd, (5th)
x 3 2 4 x x - note order: root, 3rd, 7th

Now for your basic assignment, work out 7, minor 7, m7b5 (trick question) from these fingerings.

The trick is to get good at working out chord shapes etc, not just learning them by rote.

Then learn Autumn Leaves and play using shell voicings.

I understand what I am supposed to to but I dont know what notes are in 7th, minor7th and so on. I know how a major chord and minor chord work. A major chord is a root, major third and perfect fifth but I dont know how those chords work so yeah.

[christianm77]

54xxxx? is that correct?

That's a major third...

On the A string it would be x 5 4 x x x

OK, so we want to turn it into a minor third. Can you do that?

[AlexMalmis]

That's a major third...

On the A string it would be x 5 4 x x x

OK, so we want to turn it into a minor third. Can you do that?

if you did on the a string it would have been a d as root note right? If I do a minor third it should be 5 3 x x x x.

[AlexMalmis]

And if you start on the A string it is x 5 3 x x x.

[christianm77]

And if you start on the A string it is x 5 3 x x x.

Great yeah that’s it.

Ok we have half the info we need to make a shell voicing. We have thirds.

Now we need to get comfortable with 7ths. Can you tab out a major seventh on that 5th fret D?

[AlexMalmis]

Great yeah that’s it.

Ok we have half the info we need to make a shell voicing. We have thirds.

Now we need to get comfortable with 7ths. Can you tab out a major seventh on that 5th fret D?

x 5 7 x x x?

[christianm77]

x 5 7 x x x?

No that’s a perfect fifth.

Useful one to remember but not what I wanted.

A major seventh is a semitone (or fret) lower than the octave.

Do you know what an octave looks like?

[AlexMalmis]

No that’s a perfect fifth.

Useful one to remember but not what I wanted.

A major seventh is a semitone (or fret) lower than the octave.

Do you know what an octave looks like?

An octave is 12 seminotes so a major seventh is 11 seminotes?

[AlexMalmis]

what about x 5 x 6 x x?

[christianm77]

what about x 5 x 6 x x?

Great!

OK...

So we can also turn that major seventh (7) into a minor or flat seventh (b7) - can you do that quickly?

[christianm77]

Just to clarify

x 5 x 6 x x = Major Seventh
x 5 x 7 x x = Octave

Right?

[AlexMalmis]

Just to clarify

x 5 x 6 x x = Major Seventh
x 5 x 7 x x = Octave

Right?

yeah. I knew the octave before but didnt know the major seventh.

[AlexMalmis]

Great!

OK...

So we can also turn that major seventh (7) into a minor or flat seventh (b7) - can you do that quickly?

I guess it will be x 5 x 5 x x.. I am just guessing that minor seventh or one seminote lower since minor third is one lower than major third.

[christianm77]

I guess it will be x 5 x 5 x x.. I am just guessing that minor seventh or one seminote lower since minor third is one lower than major third.

Great, so we know all we need to know to construct seventh chord shell voicings.

Make me a D major seventh chord (D^7) - that's adding the interval shapes for the major third and major seventh (3+7.)

[lammie200]

I would:
Learn the notes on the fretboard, understand intervals, and study the circle of fifths. Above all I would listen to good tunes and just play.