So is Leavett's Berklee Method the Best Method for me?

[nkjanssen]

I know there are a bunch of threads discussing Leavett's books, and from what I gather I think they might be the best method for me personally to dig into.

I've been playing rock/pop/blues/country/folk for 25+ years. I know basic theory, technique, etc. I'm by no means a total beginner, but haven't really played any jazz until now. I have a lot of musical endeavors on the go, but I think I can spend about an hour a night on jazz studies. First step I figure is to get the vocabulary down. I'm thinking that this series combined with some transcription would be a good way to go. My immediate goal is to be able to play coherent and fluid single-note lines over jazz changes and to be able to incorporate some of that flavour into the more pop/rock aspects of what I do.

Thoughts?

[Elektrik_SIxx]

Not quite sure if you need to get into that method if you have been playing for that long.
Sounds like you would be better off joing Jimmy Bruno's site or the ones by Rich Severson, Mark Stefani and Robert Conti.

[nkjanssen]

Not quite sure if you need to get into that method if you have been playing for that long.
Sounds like you would be better off joing Jimmy Bruno's site or the ones by Rich Severson, Mark Stefani and Robert Conti.

I looked into Jimmy Bruno's site and it looks excellent. If I was going to totally commit to jazz for the next year or so, I think I'd do something like that. I may at some point. Right now, though, I think it might be a bit much to bite off. I'm looking for something that I can just work on a little bit each day at a pretty relaxed pace.

[GovernorSilver]

I checked out the Berklee Method "study thread" on the other forum and the consensus over there is that it is not a book that will help you specifically with jazz - it is more of a generalized (pick style) guitar playing book that is useful for filling in holes that may be in your (pick style) playing.

[nkjanssen]

I checked out the Berklee Method "study thread" on the other forum and the consensus over there is that it is not a book that will help you specifically with jazz - it is more of a generalized (pick style) guitar playing book that is useful for filling in holes that may be in your (pick style) playing.

Which other forum?

I'm curious what they think is the best method to develop a basic jazz vocabulary.

[Carl_Tone]

Although I'm on my own now...


What helped me into jazz was a seasoned pro teacher .5 hour lessson once a week, new chord forms arpeggios scales and jazz standards were my material. 07's 7b5's 7b9's m9's on and on...these need to live in you for use at any time.

This teacher let me decide where I wanted to go and helped me go there.

A good teacher will give you the insight to 'read between the lines' when you use something like the real book or are learning from a record.

I wanted to go the 'mastery of a few jazz standards' route because I've seen others make huge leaps after doing so.

Also recommend serious listening...the cd set called 100 years of jazz guitar is a must have imho.

[nkjanssen]

A good teacher will give you the insight to 'read between the lines' when you use something like the real book or are learning from a record.

I wanted to go the 'mastery of a few jazz standards' route because I've seen others make huge leaps after doing so.

Also recommend serious listening...the cd set called 100 years of jazz guitar is a must have imho.


I'd love to go the teacher route, but it would have to be a teacher available from around midnight to 1am. :D That's why the Bruno and other websites appeal to me - I can do it whenever and wherever I can. I may get a teacher at some point, but it's definitely not workable right now. And even the websites are probably a bit too much to bite off right now.

I like the "mastery of a few standards" approach. My idea was to suppliment whatever method with transcribing and really getting inside a number of performances of a small number of standards.

...and I'll definitely check out that set.

Thanks!

[GovernorSilver]

Which other forum?

I'm curious what they think is the best method to develop a basic jazz vocabulary.

Ah, here's the study thread:
http://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/getting-started/19282-study-group-modern-method-guitar-vol-1-pages-1-8-a.html

I forgot if anyone suggested more jazz specific books on that super long thread. Let me know if you find anything after reviewing the entire thread. It's more of a "support group" type thread for studying this book.

Transcribing solos from great jazz records is the most direct way to get a jazz vocabulary. You probably want to start with something relatively, like Miles Davis' solos from the "Kind Of Blue" album. My jazz guitar teacher had us learning Charlie Christian solos.

In the world of jazz horns, the students use etudes in conjunction with transcriptions for their studies - why this isn't common the guitar world I have no idea. Anyway, I like the book "Jazz Guitar Etudes", which are simply tenor sax etudes with guitar tab added on. The stuff in there though is intermediate level and above - I could see quite a few would-be jazz guitar students being frustrated with the technical challenges of playing these etudes at the speed of the CD. Also, they are not listed in order of difficulty. If you are as stubborn as I am though, you might find these etudes as rewarding as I have.

[sixesandsevens]

I looked into Jimmy Bruno's site and it looks excellent. If I was going to totally commit to jazz for the next year or so, I think I'd do something like that. I may at some point. Right now, though, I think it might be a bit much to bite off. I'm looking for something that I can just work on a little bit each day at a pretty relaxed pace.

I'm in a similar boat, and I'm trying the DVD route. They're fairly cheap and you can go at whatever pace you want without continuing to spend money weekly. ;)

Bruno's videos seem good, although perhaps a bit dated (I understand he's in sync with CAGED terminology now vs. the names he used to use for scale fingerings). I think I have "No Nonsense Jazz Guitar" and I enjoy it.

I got that and Emily Remler's Bebop and Swing video for xmas and I'm digging both so far.

[WaitForMe]

I would suggest taking a look at Ted Greene's "Jazz Guitar Single Note Soloing," volumes 1 and 2. Given your experience and stated goals, they could be very helpful.

[frdagaa]

Check out "Intermediate Jazz Improvisation" by Bouchard. Not guitar specific, but I'm convinced that if you work with it (and the excellent CD's) you will "feel" jazz quickly.

Barry Galbraith's books are well-respected as a jazz method.

For chord-melody, Howard Morgen's stuff looks great. Haven't worked through it though.

[FatJeff]

The Ted Greene material is excellent, but more of a reference than a method.

Now I have not worked with them myself, but general consensus on the "other forum" (jazzguitar.be) is that the Micky Bakers books (which do comprise a method) are quite effective for getting you playing legitimate jazz guitar. There are huge threads over there as well on this method. And the books are dirt cheap and tried and true. You might want to give them a look-see, and I think they'd fit into your wish to "just work on a little bit each day at a pretty relaxed pace."

[nkjanssen]

The Ted Greene material is excellent, but more of a reference than a method.

I have the first Ted Green book. Bought it a long time ago and started into it, but got a bit overwhelmed. It does seem that it would be good to use after, or in conjunction with, a more linear "method" book.

I'll definitely look into the Mickey Baker stuff.

[GovernorSilver]

Oh yeah, that reminds me of Howard Roberts' Super Chops book, which is also free. There was a long study group thread on that too. The first page has a link to the free download of the book:

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=650169&highlight=superchops

I haven't worked through that book yet - too many other things going on in my studies already.

[guitarjazz]

Get the Sid Jacobs Mel Bay Complete Book of Jazz Lines and Phrases.
The Ted Greene books are fantastic but I found them to be more about learning the fingerboard, in a sense, than learning the jazz vocab.
Sid really breaks it down.

[MartyWilliamson]

Ah, here's the study thread:
http://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/getting-started/19282-study-group-modern-method-guitar-vol-1-pages-1-8-a.html

I forgot if anyone suggested more jazz specific books on that super long thread. Let me know if you find anything after reviewing the entire thread. It's more of a "support group" type thread for studying this book.



I'm taking part in this study group. Having a good time with it. It doesn't take much practice time as we go pretty slow. I don't consider it a jazz book though, it's geared more toward making you a better reader.

I've done super chops and would only recommend it if you're already comfortable playing over standards. It's definitively not a jazz introductory course.

[Carl_Tone]

Ah, here's the study thread:
http://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/getting-started/19282-study-group-modern-method-guitar-vol-1-pages-1-8-a.html

In the world of jazz horns, the students use etudes in conjunction with transcriptions for their studies - why this isn't common the guitar world I have no idea. Anyway, I like the book "Jazz Guitar Etudes", which are simply tenor sax etudes with guitar tab added on. The stuff in there though is intermediate level and above - I could see quite a few would-be jazz guitar students being frustrated with the technical challenges of playing these etudes at the speed of the CD. Also, they are not listed in order of difficulty. If you are as stubborn as I am though, you might find these etudes as rewarding as I have.

See Jack Zuckers Sheets of Sound

[Flyin' Brian]

I looked into Jimmy Bruno's site and it looks excellent. If I was going to totally commit to jazz for the next year or so, I think I'd do something like that. I may at some point. Right now, though, I think it might be a bit much to bite off. I'm looking for something that I can just work on a little bit each day at a pretty relaxed pace.

Jimmy's program is perfect in that you can go at your own pace. There's no pressure at all and you'll start learning the jazz vocabulary immediately.

[GovernorSilver]

See Jack Zuckers Sheets of Sound

I have that book. It's a good one.

I think you misunderstood what I said here though, which I share again for clarity:


In the world of jazz horns, the students use etudes in conjunction with transcriptions for their studies - why this isn't common the guitar world I have no idea. Anyway, I like the book "Jazz Guitar Etudes", which are simply tenor sax etudes with guitar tab added on. The stuff in there though is intermediate level and above - I could see quite a few would-be jazz guitar students being frustrated with the technical challenges of playing these etudes at the speed of the CD. Also, they are not listed in order of difficulty. If you are as stubborn as I am though, you might find these etudes as rewarding as I have.

I can see why you might think, reading the above, that I am personally struggling so badly with the material in Jazz Guitar Etudes that I need to drop that book and practice Sheets Of Sound exercises. In actuality, what I was trying to say was that Jazz Guitar Etudes is not a beginner's book, nor is it for the impatient, especially guitarists who are not comfortable with frequent position shifts and string skips. If you have ever actually tried playing real saxophone lines on guitar, you would know what I mean.

[MatthiasYoung]

There are some great jazz guitar videos at Free Guitar Videos (http://www.freeguitarvideos.com/guitar_lessons_jazz.html?source=MY). Easy-to-understand with thorough instruction.

[nkjanssen]

Jimmy's program is perfect in that you can go at your own pace. There's no pressure at all and you'll start learning the jazz vocabulary immediately.

I may have to take a closer look at that. I checked it out a while back and it seemed like a fairly heavy commitment, but I may be confusing it with a different course.

Thanks.

[FatJeff]

I may have to take a closer look at that. I checked it out a while back and it seemed like a fairly heavy commitment, but I may be confusing it with a different course.

Thanks.

There is no commitment. You pay as you go, $60.00 for three months' access. You can either use it for all it's worth, or use it some, or not use it at all. When you submit a video to Jimmy he usually turns it around in about 4-5 days (at least, that was the interval when I was a member). I'd say that weekly lessons at your LMS is much more of a commitment.

[Carl_Tone]

I have that book. It's a good one.

I think you misunderstood what I said here though, which I share again for clarity:



I can see why you might think, reading the above, that I am personally struggling so badly with the material in Jazz Guitar Etudes that I need to drop that book and practice Sheets Of Sound exercises. In actuality, what I was trying to say was that Jazz Guitar Etudes is not a beginner's book, nor is it for the impatient, especially guitarists who are not comfortable with frequent position shifts and string skips. If you have ever actually tried playing real saxophone lines on guitar, you would know what I mean.



????


I was just mentioning sos as a source of Etudes for guitar...

sorry for the (monumental) misunderstanding:-)

[GovernorSilver]

????


I was just mentioning sos as a source of Etudes for guitar...



I was confused because you quoted my post instead of the OP's. Not a big deal though. That's what happens when you quote someone in a thread - it appears you are talking directly to that person. To avoid confusion next time, when you reply to a thread and don't want to quote anybody, just hit the Post Reply button instead of the Quote button.

But since you appeared to address me in bringing up Sheets of Sound, I'd have to say there are more efficient resources for acquiring a jazz vocabulary (see OP) that that book.

[guitarjazz]

I know there are a bunch of threads discussing Leavett's books, and from what I gather I think they might be the best method for me personally to dig into.

I've been playing rock/pop/blues/country/folk for 25+ years. I know basic theory, technique, etc. I'm by no means a total beginner, but haven't really played any jazz until now. I have a lot of musical endeavors on the go, but I think I can spend about an hour a night on jazz studies. First step I figure is to get the vocabulary down. I'm thinking that this series combined with some transcription would be a good way to go. My immediate goal is to be able to play coherent and fluid single-note lines over jazz changes and to be able to incorporate some of that flavour into the more pop/rock aspects of what I do.

Thoughts?
Probably the most important things, more important than what book you get or what video instruction guru you follow are your listening habits.
What jazz have you been listening to? The tree has to have strong roots to grow.

[Carl_Tone]

I was confused .



agreed

[GovernorSilver]

agreed

Ok Carl, have a nice day.

[WaitForMe]

It didn't occur to me the other day, but you could also peek at "Connecting Chords With Linear Harmony" by Bert Ligon. Daunting title, perhaps, but there's a wealth of information and exercises inside.