If there is something that I can't do or can't do well enough and worse I can not fix it due to maybe physical abilities I try to find a way to play that in a different way. For example Playing a clean E dominant 7 chord open position with my pinky on the E note on 2ns string is difficult for me, I play it with the open E string. After all Django Reinhardt only had 2 functioning fingers and he was great.
I'm 54 and I've been playing in cover bands since I was 16. I just started learning jazz chords and progressions. I have found that samba/ bossa nova is some of the most interesting to me. I'm going to keep learning new things as long as the arthritis will allow. I had three semesters of theory in college so I probably understand the theory basis of jazz more than a total beginner.
I had all these excuses when I was young but now I realise they're all excuses and I'm finally making progress with jazz guitar. As the video makes clear, it's just about putting the work in, and keeping the work fun. Or better still, fall in love with it and it'll never feel like work. As the mighty Dave Weckl said: "The more I practise, the more people tell me how talented I am."
I got the jazz sound in my head from playing in jazz bands in school (bass guitar). And I listened to some jazz records to see if any of it was listenable. It's not as fun and punchy as 80s hair bands, but it's alright. For guitar, Charlie Christian developed idioms, Freddy Green established the quarter-note rhythm, Joe Pass adopted bebop (a horn language), and Wes Montgomery made it the boss. (And George Benson mixed in a little soul.) Despite the above, when I think of improv, even on guitar, I hear a tenor saxophone or a piano and play that. It's because, for hours and hours, I stood behind jazz players while they banged out solos.
I teach guitar to adults. Most have tried to teach themselves by using books and listening to Jazz. Many have had a guitar teacher who played rock. The teacher gave them good feedback on their technique and practice habits but the students all eventually stopped going to lessons. Some students want to learn the ins and outs of playing like a specific Jazz guitarist. The second group are not interested in listening to other Jazz guitarists. What this group wants is to learn the soloing style of musicians on other instruments like piano, sax or electric bass. I find it easier to teach the latter group since they are interested in something I can teach, which is improvisation.
All the points in both of these videos are right on. Both of you guys are dispensing some great insight for anyone struggling to start and/or learn more about playing Jazz. Took my first lesson as a kid in SSM the 60's. Spent a couple decades as a weekend country, rock and blues cover band guitarist, 1000's of hours and 1000's of dollars on lessons, vids and workshops, hammering away at learning to play. It wasn't until I was retired and got a chance to play with a group that actually played Jazz standards that I really began to learn the music. It eventually lead to an ongoing solo guitar gig at a local restaurant. The big turning point: LEARNING THE SONGS! It made me work to actually build a vocabulary of chord voicings and a repertoire of tunes. Also, any one standard tune can be a test mule for any technique, scale, rhythm variation or chordal thing you may be trying to work into your playing. There's a reason why all Jazz musicians know these tunes. Thanks Adam and Jens for all the inspiration and tips.
great comment and advice. I love jens vids but this channel is easier for my stroke brain to understand and use what I learn. I'm grateful for both channels as well as others. I use videos to help me understand what I learn from my local guitar teacher. I'm afraid in this economy after a year of lessons I may have to go it alone for awhile anything over 100 bucks a month that's nonessential will have to go if this economy gets any worse
Thanks BC. That makes a lot of sense. I think that is my biggest problem. I've half faked my way through a couple jazz tunes for years but never REALLY learned the songs and wondered why it was impossible for me to learn jazz. I vow today to learn Autumn Leaves,chords,melody,how to solo etc. Thanks,its good to hear it from another musician
today im taking " dont blame me" solo by bird and reverse engineering at slow speed and paying particular close attention to guitaristic ways of playing everything because i am curious about playing the same lines in different positions and if any insight can be gained from attaching parker riffs to certain parental forms like maj6 and dim7 ..
As for listening, even better go to shows. Try and see the best and the rest. I think I’ve learned the most at open mic nights. There is something extra informative in listening and watching all levels of jazz performance.
Ah talent, no one has less than me. No one is a slower learner than me but my underlying desire to learn guitar has impelled me forward for many years, albeit slowly. But slow progress is still progress. Slow improvement is still improvement.
It’s a language. I remember meeting this piano player who could play some of the best jazz I have ever heard. I asked him what he was doing, he told me he only learned about the chords so he could communicate his music with others, that his playing is like speaking. He learned by listening, transcribing and playing with other musicians
I would add that it's great to learn playing along others. Find local jam sessions, when they welcome beginners, observe better players. I like to learn from other musicians, especially from non guitarist. Piano players are great for example to learn from. I've been blessed to meet some kind people who like to share some ideas with me.
Bluesman Albert Collins’ biggest influences were Hammond b3 players Jack Mcduff and Jimmy McGriff. Horn players are good to listen to as they have to breathe.
@@JazzRockswithAdam Totally agree. As long as the instrument plays well enough not to hinder you in learning or playing, the axe doesn't really matter. It's 95% the player and technique, 5% the equipment and everything else we obsess over that is usually less important to the tone and sound than we think.
I don’t play guitar but do play tennis and am constantly trying to learn and improve my game. I’m 63. Of course tennis is a sport and you compete so that might be extra motivation- don’t want to lose
I play guitar meanwhile for about 45 ys. in the most different styles and kinds and after 20 ys. of playing I finally had the courage, to analyse my situastion: I was playing that much that had to make a certain clear decision. Either: I would have to stop developing and be content with what I achieved yet, but honestly confessed this was a NEVER really an option to me. Or: I had to change my plan of life and really study guitar playing on an academical niveau and that was exactly what I did then. I studied classical guitar AND classical vocals and became a professional teacher in these both subjects and music theory and that's what I make a living from for almost 3 and a half decades now. My excuses not to go this step before were that I wanted to please my social environment by doing something "propper" in terms of professional education. Honestly I have to admit that this conception kept me away from myself and my desires in any thinkabl aspect. In clear words: I didn't keep pleasing my social environment, I simply changed it and that did the trick at the end of the day. Now I am 63 and still learn new things every day - sometimes more, sometimes less, but I am moving in my brain, my soul and my heart AND my body! Now I am happy! Greetings fro Germany form the silver fox, David 😉🦊🎸🎤
Hi Adam, from France ; not very related to your present video that i'm right now looking, but wanted to let you a little comment. Your videos are great, genuine contents, absolutely monster advices and very rich musically (i think about for example the lenny breau chord concept approach with several great examples from you 🔥). I hope you really pierce with your channel, because it's surely a lot of hard work you put on.. Have a great journey Adam, in your own musical projects or pedagogical/historical/musical jazz related videos, i will keep check and recheck your very original pedagogical approach and deep process into jazz music. God bless humans like you that deliver culture and "peace" in this world, they are getting fewer and fewer...
Thank you so much for your wonderful comment. Sometimes it seems like you’re shouting out into the void. I am so glad that you are learning things you enjoy from me. All the best!
Hey thanks for checking it out. If you’re interested in the shirt here is the link: jazz-rocks-shop.myshopify.com/products/make-music-again-unisex-jersey-short-sleeve-tee
I've always wondered if the thing that we call "talent" even exists, or if it's just an illusion that is a result of a combination of interest, persistence, devotion, confidence, etc...
I think you’re onto something there for the most part. But there are people out there that are born with seemingly near super powers. When you get a combination of talent and hard work, then you have the potential for momentum, for sure.
Some people are born with things that makes it easier. A guy who’s 6’7” is going to have an easier time playing basketball over the 5”7’ guy. For the most part though talent is just a synonym for skill.
@@misterknightowlandco Yes, I won’t argue with that. Some are born with a few “lucky” traits. But to get to a high level of skill: The whole package. Everyone still needs to work at it. Despite being talented in a few areas.
Playing the most amazing rendition of Stella: crickets. Playing and singing a mediocre version of Wonderwall: massive applause and groupies throwing panties at you. Not saying it’s justice, it just is.
The real Jazz guitar? Whatever guitar that feels the best to you, is the easiest to play (for you) and sounds the best (to you) is the best guitar for you. To simplify, the guitar you enjoy playing the most, not the guitar you dread playing the most. Ask me how I know this.
![Understanding Marxism: Q&A with Richard D. Wolff [June 2019]](/img/1.gif)
If there is something that I can't do or can't do well enough and worse I can not fix it due to maybe physical abilities I try to find a way to play that in a different way. For example Playing a clean E dominant 7 chord open position with my pinky on the E note on 2ns string is difficult for me, I play it with the open E string. After all Django Reinhardt only had 2 functioning fingers and he was great.
@@davidnayir Awesome!
I'm 54 and I've been playing in cover bands since I was 16. I just started learning jazz chords and progressions. I have found that samba/ bossa nova is some of the most interesting to me.
I'm going to keep learning new things as long as the arthritis will allow. I had three semesters of theory in college so I probably understand the theory basis of jazz more than a total beginner.
@@bmphil3400 Keep at it, my friend! Nice to hear from you.
I had all these excuses when I was young but now I realise they're all excuses and I'm finally making progress with jazz guitar. As the video makes clear, it's just about putting the work in, and keeping the work fun. Or better still, fall in love with it and it'll never feel like work. As the mighty Dave Weckl said: "The more I practise, the more people tell me how talented I am."
@@ewenmac3127 YES!!! You nailed it! Thanks for sharing.
Yep. Jens Larsen is killin' it!
@@__-cr6fv 👍
I got the jazz sound in my head from playing in jazz bands in school (bass guitar). And I listened to some jazz records to see if any of it was listenable. It's not as fun and punchy as 80s hair bands, but it's alright.
For guitar, Charlie Christian developed idioms, Freddy Green established the quarter-note rhythm, Joe Pass adopted bebop (a horn language), and Wes Montgomery made it the boss. (And George Benson mixed in a little soul.)
Despite the above, when I think of improv, even on guitar, I hear a tenor saxophone or a piano and play that. It's because, for hours and hours, I stood behind jazz players while they banged out solos.
@@BillCookMusic Cool stuff Bill!
I teach guitar to adults. Most have tried to teach themselves by using books and listening to Jazz. Many have had a guitar teacher who played rock. The teacher gave them good feedback on their technique and practice habits but the students all eventually stopped going to lessons. Some students want to learn the ins and outs of playing like a specific Jazz guitarist. The second group are not interested in listening to other Jazz guitarists. What this group wants is to learn the soloing style of musicians on other instruments like piano, sax or electric bass. I find it easier to teach the latter group since they are interested in something I can teach, which is improvisation.
@@MashaB-pk8hl All good points. It’s not everyone’s goal to be a well rounded professional musician.
All the points in both of these videos are right on. Both of you guys are dispensing some great insight for anyone struggling to start and/or learn more about playing Jazz. Took my first lesson as a kid in SSM the 60's. Spent a couple decades as a weekend country, rock and blues cover band guitarist, 1000's of hours and 1000's of dollars on lessons, vids and workshops, hammering away at learning to play. It wasn't until I was retired and got a chance to play with a group that actually played Jazz standards that I really began to learn the music. It eventually lead to an ongoing solo guitar gig at a local restaurant. The big turning point: LEARNING THE SONGS! It made me work to actually build a vocabulary of chord voicings and a repertoire of tunes. Also, any one standard tune can be a test mule for any technique, scale, rhythm variation or chordal thing you may be trying to work into your playing. There's a reason why all Jazz musicians know these tunes.
Thanks Adam and Jens for all the inspiration and tips.
WOW, someone from the Soo! Awesome comment! Thanks for sharing.
great comment and advice. I love jens vids but this channel is easier for my stroke brain to understand and use what I learn. I'm grateful for both channels as well as others. I use videos to help me understand what I learn from my local guitar teacher. I'm afraid in this economy after a year of lessons I may have to go it alone for awhile anything over 100 bucks a month that's nonessential will have to go if this economy gets any worse
@@thehappyheretic2136 Thanks! Yeah, I think lots of people are feeling the pinch.
Thanks BC. That makes a lot of sense. I think that is my biggest problem. I've half faked my way through a couple jazz tunes for years but never REALLY learned the songs and wondered why it was impossible for me to learn jazz. I vow today to learn Autumn Leaves,chords,melody,how to solo etc. Thanks,its good to hear it from another musician
today im taking " dont blame me" solo by bird and reverse engineering at slow speed and paying particular close attention to guitaristic ways of playing everything because i am curious about playing the same lines in different positions and if any insight can be gained from attaching parker riffs to certain parental forms like maj6 and dim7 ..
@@johnjacquard863 THAT, is a great exercise!
As for listening, even better go to shows. Try and see the best and the rest. I think I’ve learned the most at open mic nights. There is something extra informative in listening and watching all levels of jazz performance.
@@x2mars Absolutely! Excellent point.
Jens is the best
@@cbolt4492 👍
Ah talent, no one has less than me. No one is a slower learner than me but my underlying desire to learn guitar has impelled me forward for many years, albeit slowly. But slow progress is still progress. Slow improvement is still improvement.
@@aberhan 💯%
It’s a language. I remember meeting this piano player who could play some of the best jazz I have ever heard. I asked him what he was doing, he told me he only learned about the chords so he could communicate his music with others, that his playing is like speaking. He learned by listening, transcribing and playing with other musicians
@@herbypetitfrere9687 that’s one of the best ways, for sure.
I would add that it's great to learn playing along others. Find local jam sessions, when they welcome beginners, observe better players. I like to learn from other musicians, especially from non guitarist. Piano players are great for example to learn from. I've been blessed to meet some kind people who like to share some ideas with me.
Absolutely! Especially the part from piano players. I’m surprised I didn’t mention that actually. Thanks for checking it out.
Bluesman Albert Collins’ biggest influences were Hammond b3 players Jack Mcduff and Jimmy McGriff. Horn players are good to listen to as they have to breathe.
If you can play jazz, you can use a super strat Charvel with a floyd rose, won't matter.
@@GuyNarnarian I totally agree. It’s just usually everyone else who judges you on your axe!
@@JazzRockswithAdam Totally agree. As long as the instrument plays well enough not to hinder you in learning or playing, the axe doesn't really matter. It's 95% the player and technique, 5% the equipment and everything else we obsess over that is usually less important to the tone and sound than we think.
@@GuyNarnarian 💯%
Setting reasonable goals and expectations is key to enjoying the journey.
@@robg1996 Amen! Enjoying the journey no matter what.
I don’t play guitar but do play tennis and am constantly trying to learn and improve my game. I’m 63. Of course tennis is a sport and you compete so that might be extra motivation- don’t want to lose
@@BadSneakers You kind of compete with yourself in music.
@@JazzRockswithAdam excellent point!
@@BadSneakers 😁
The dog ate my Real Book.
Good one!
@@iandodds693 The dog ate my Real Book! 👏 That’s great! 😂
@PTam09 I thought so too!
I play guitar meanwhile for about 45 ys. in the most different styles and kinds and after 20 ys. of playing I finally had the courage, to analyse my situastion: I was playing that much that had to make a certain clear decision. Either: I would have to stop developing and be content with what I achieved yet, but honestly confessed this was a NEVER really an option to me. Or: I had to change my plan of life and really study guitar playing on an academical niveau and that was exactly what I did then.
I studied classical guitar AND classical vocals and became a professional teacher in these both subjects and music theory and that's what I make a living from for almost 3 and a half decades now. My excuses not to go this step before were that I wanted to please my social environment by doing something "propper" in terms of professional education.
Honestly I have to admit that this conception kept me away from myself and my desires in any thinkabl aspect. In clear words: I didn't keep pleasing my social environment, I simply changed it and that did the trick at the end of the day. Now I am 63 and still learn new things every day - sometimes more, sometimes less, but I am moving in my brain, my soul and my heart AND my body! Now I am happy!
Greetings fro Germany form the silver fox, David 😉🦊🎸🎤
@@maturefox1 David, that’s amazing! Keep doing it. Very inspirational. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Adam, from France ; not very related to your present video that i'm right now looking, but wanted to let you a little comment.
Your videos are great, genuine contents, absolutely monster advices and very rich musically (i think about for example the lenny breau chord concept approach with several great examples from you 🔥).
I hope you really pierce with your channel, because it's surely a lot of hard work you put on.. Have a great journey Adam, in your own musical projects or pedagogical/historical/musical jazz related videos, i will keep check and recheck your very original pedagogical approach and deep process into jazz music.
God bless humans like you that deliver culture and "peace" in this world, they are getting fewer and fewer...
Thank you so much for your wonderful comment. Sometimes it seems like you’re shouting out into the void. I am so glad that you are learning things you enjoy from me. All the best!
I definitely like Jens Larson!
@@nelsonramos208 Jens seems like a good dude. I have yet to meet him but we have through email.
Appreciate you sir 🙏....a great video ..
@@bobryan8793 Hey, thanks for watching !
I dig your t-shirt! I looked for your web shop but haven't seen the link yet. If it is merch, I would be interested in one! 🙏
💖🕊️🤘
Hey thanks for checking it out. If you’re interested in the shirt here is the link:
jazz-rocks-shop.myshopify.com/products/make-music-again-unisex-jersey-short-sleeve-tee
@@JazzRockswithAdam Thank you so much 🙏
@@strumminronin No, thank you!
@@JazzRockswithAdam Cool, thanks for the link! I had to rush off but certainly will check back for the books as well.
@@strumminronin Awesome, thanks!
Regarding teachers, some of the best players are not necessarily the best teachers.
@@aberhan That’s true. I think it’s dependent on how they taught themselves and are able to explain a process.
I've always wondered if the thing that we call "talent" even exists, or if it's just an illusion that is a result of a combination of interest, persistence, devotion, confidence, etc...
Call it talent, predisposition, even reincarnation. There is such a thing as 'Talent'
@@fredericlinden Although there has never been a person that showed "natural talent" without string interest, persistence, devotion and confidence.
I think you’re onto something there for the most part. But there are people out there that are born with seemingly near super powers. When you get a combination of talent and hard work, then you have the potential for momentum, for sure.
Some people are born with things that makes it easier. A guy who’s 6’7” is going to have an easier time playing basketball over the 5”7’ guy. For the most part though talent is just a synonym for skill.
@@misterknightowlandco Yes, I won’t argue with that. Some are born with a few “lucky” traits. But to get to a high level of skill: The whole package. Everyone still needs to work at it. Despite being talented in a few areas.
Playing the most amazing rendition of Stella: crickets. Playing and singing a mediocre version of Wonderwall: massive applause and groupies throwing panties at you. Not saying it’s justice, it just is.
@@mooseymoose Yeah, it’s kind of mind boggling.
That old joke, Jazz musicians play 10,000 chords in front of three people while Rock Musicians play 3 chords infront of 10,000.
The real Jazz guitar? Whatever guitar that feels the best to you, is the easiest to play (for you) and sounds the best (to you) is the best guitar for you. To simplify, the guitar you enjoy playing the most, not the guitar you dread playing the most.
Ask me how I know this.
@@aberhan I couldn’t agree more!
You must have an investigative mind.
@@nelsonramos208 I try to be open minded.
I play 3 chords and get 👍💰from 5000 people
Or i play 5000 chords and get 👍💰 from 3 people
If those three are Trumps or Musks you might do alright.....
@@bmphil3400 yes, a little bit money from rich people a dream 😉
Jens the best!!!!