Kyle Minor 7b5 arpeggios are an important pattern for jazz guitar. There’s just no way around it. And they’re also the pattern a lot of my students love to hate. These patterns are a little awkward at first, and don’t flow as easily as the minor 7 arpeggios did. And to rub some salt in the … Read more
If there’s one thing we all have in common, it’s that we’re all looking for ways to get better at jazz guitar. It’s natural – everyone wants to find an edge, or that one thing that will take us to the next level. And sometimes it really is that simple. You luck out. You learn … Read more
When I was growing up, I never knew that Christmas jazz guitar albums even existed. My parents had their christmas albums that they liked, and for the most part, that’s what we listened to. I never really had any complaints about the music, it was just what we listened to every year. The main albums … Read more
I got told not to play jazz guitar voicings with the root above the 7th of the chord, because it sounds ugly. Is this true? Or is it something I can do sometimes? – Jeff H. It really depends. On the musical situation, who you are playing with, and what you’re trying to do. There … Read more
What is the best way to play triplets with a pick? There are 2 options listed in the Berklee “Modern Guitar” method. Is there one that you prefer? Or is there a different approach that’s better? – Tim As far as practicing triplets with a pick goes, it really depends on what you want to … Read more
I never thought too much about how to learn jazz guitar. It just kind of happened. One day, I found out there was a band in my middle school where I could play guitar before school. The class was called “jazz band.” I didn’t know what jazz was and I didn’t care. I just wanted … Read more
Minor 7 Arpeggios for Jazz Guitar Making the changes is an important part of learning to play better solos in jazz guitar. And your minor 7 arpeggios are an essential piece of “making the changes.” I remember spending a lot of time learning these jazz guitar arpeggio patterns early on in college. Especially as I … Read more
Minor Pentatonic Scale for Jazz Guitar As I went through college, I didn’t give enough credit to the minor pentatonic scale. Don’t get me wrong – I spent a lot of my time and energy on developing my soloing skills. I worked hard on learning to play the changes and develop my jazz vocabulary. But … Read more
The Morning Coffee Jazz Guitar Practice Routine When I was in college, practicing jazz guitar was always a chore. Don’t get me wrong, I love jazz guitar. But practicing was something that just had to be done every day. I did it, because I liked getting better. But I also did it because I felt … Read more
When you’re playing jazz guitar, chords are kind of the most important part of your job. Whether you’re playing in a big band rhythm section, jamming with friends, or playing solo guitar in your room… You’re going to find yourself playing a lot of chords. And that’s a good thing. Chord shapes are a fun … Read more